NaBloPoMo Reflection

Whew.  30 posts in a row.  And I didn't even "officially" get on the blogrolls.  I was a crasher! 

It's amazing how much I have learned about blogging and other bloggers in the last month.  I have found some GREAT blogs to follow.  Before starting all this and actually spending time exploring BlogHer and other forums for blogger moms, I didn't realize the level of support and community that was out there.  I am not planning on jumping into the digital world and seeking all my socialization and affirmation through the Internet, but it has been nice to know that it is available and to get those comments from other women that I think (unless you are a cyberstalker, psycho, or poser... and then, I guess you tricked me good) I have a lot in common with.  Well, cyberstalker or not, we all admit we love the comments and support, right?

That said, I know that I did start to worry more about what people who were actually reading my writing thought about it.  Sometimes, I couldn't handle the pressure (self-inflicted, mind you) to get a post in and instead of doing a real, emotional piece, I opted for a shorter, less-involved bit.  I truly am totally obsessed with the cast iron... and I truly do have an update on how awesome it is looking now... But focusing on the skillet gave me a reason to not get out an essay I wrote in college about losing my best friend in 5th grade when the prompt was about dealing with loss.  I didn't want to dig out all that emotion and get all messy on everyone.  So I focused on the mess that I could fix with oven cleaner and SOS pads. 

There is definitely stress in knowing you have to post "something" every day, when there are some posts I have written in the past that took me days before I was happy with them.  November NaBloPoMo put pressure on me to get a lot of drafts going so that I don't forget the idea or the inspiration.  Now I have them started, and I can work on them throughout the month.  But it also put pressure on me to get something, anything posted everyday.  I am happy that I started sharing the "stuff" that I work on, like beading and cast iron, but I also want to stay close to the heart of why I started blogging in the first place.  My kids and my faith.  The mess that my life is, and the hope I have.  I don't want to get away from the "real stuff" in the pressure to write a post every day.  But I also don't want to go six months between "real" posts anymore either. 
I will probably want to kick myself in the head or break all my fingers in the next few weeks, but I officially signed up for December NaBloPoMo.  Now that I know I can do it on my own accord, I want to know that I am officially part of the challenge.  Anyone else with me?  If not, I would encourage you (since you will be bored to death with no pressure to blog daily) to at least leave little comments of love throughout the month.  I am going to need them.

Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 1, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    Wow, I am right there with you. Some days it was just easier to post a picture and a few lines. Looking forward to seeing what you write this month!

    ReplyDelete
  2. NicoleDecember 2, 2011 at 12:26 AM

    Thank you! I guarantee there will be more pictures and one-liners... Days just aren't long enough!

    ReplyDelete

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