I expect it seems a little weird to talk about my blog on my blog, but I think it’s probably a good time to come out and tell the truth.
There’s so many bloggers in the industry that have clear, defined goals and achieve all kinds of success. Not me though, I’m not one of those focused people. If anything, I’m a bit shambolic.
To be honest (and perhaps even enlighten some of the non-bloggers reading this) there’s loads of reasons people will start a blog. Some will be excellent writers; desperate for an outlet. Some will simply want to enlighten or entertain. There will always be those who want fame and adoration. Some will think it’s an easy way to make money (it’s not, soz love!) and some will just be in it for the hope of free stuff.
I’m not really any of those. Don’t get me wrong, earning money and being sent PR samples is a pretty sweet set up, but that’s not why I’m here. I have no illusions about being an excellent writer, and fame isn’t really my cup of tea.
I’m in it for the validation.
There, I said it. I want to know I’m not talking to myself. I want to get some words out and know someone, somewhere is receiving them. Sometimes as a parent I barely feel like a real person and blogging reminds me that I am.
Writing Accidental Hipster Mum these past 18 or so months has kept me grounded. I didn’t realise I needed an anchor quite so badly until I started blogging.
A lot of what I talk about might seem a bit brain dead (to be fair, I probably am a little brain dead at present, you know I have two kids, right?).
I feel like I should explain that there’s more to it than just mindless chat about clothes, make-up or whatever else I chunter on about. These are the things that I like. These are the things that make up about 40% of my personality and no one in my house appreciates it (in all fairness, a fiancé, a toddler and an 8-year-old were never going to have much of an opinion on if I’ve got the hang of strobing).
So when someone on Instagram says I have good hair, or someone comments on my blog to say my lippie really suits me or they agree with my opinion, it fills my heart with joy a little more than it should. I’ve lost myself over these last few years. Stuck in a body a that’s much fatter than I’d like and wearing a mask of perpetual exhaustion I don’t really look like myself any more.
Blogging has helped me feel like myself again (and it feels pretty good).
loved reading this, I also started blogging to connect with other parents and to not feel alone. #KCACOLS
Well done for being so honest. Validation is as good a reason as any, and it’s important to recognise that bloggers blog for all manner of reasons, and there’s no right or wrong reason for doing so, only personal ones.
I’ve been blogging for over 10 years now and my reasons have always been a bit vague. It scratches an itch because I’ve always wanted to write. It allows me to play around creatively (I’ve branched out from blogging to doing podcasts and parody songs). It allows me to keep a record of the minutiae of family life. And there’s a little bit of validation and ego-stroking too. Essentially, I write because I write and that’s all the reason I’ve ever needed. #KCACOLS
I totally get where you are coming from. Validation isn’t the reason I blog, I started blogging as therapy to be honest and now I just really enjoy it and it has become a bit of an addiction. The validation is really nice though. It is nice to receive positive comments on my blog, and to have others enter a conversation that I feel that I have started. Sometimes we all need recognition for the person that we are other than ‘mummy’. Pen x #KCACOLS #RVHT
Great post, lovely to read that blogging has given you that validation that you needed. I started blogging mainly to keep as a diary of our life as I felt like time with my children was just slipping away and I couldn’t remember much of the very early days #KCACOLS
Yes!! Too often we’re afraid of saying “I like it when people compliment me” – we’re so bloody British!! It feels good, and like you said – the kids don’t care and the man in the house wouldn’t know if I chucked on Armani or Primarni in the morning! Love this! #RVHT
Love this post! We all need a outlet, however we find it. It is so easy to loose yourself in the routine of daily life.
#RVHT
I can somewhat relate to your reason to blog. I have found that my blog is ‘my place’ to feel like me again. Somewhere I can write what I want. Great post. #KCACOLS
Doing what you love and being yourself not bottling up is great #KCACOLS
Yes! Nothing wrong with using your blog as a positive force in your life – blogging’s been such an amazing thing for my mental health, my confidence, and just keeping me going on dark days. #RVHT
I completely agree with you. Blogging gives me back a voice, let’s me be Laura again rather than just M/A/Z’s mum #RVHT
I’m always glad of the opportunity to feel like myself again, I only get a few glimpses each day x
I think that most of us would say that there is a part of blogging that is enjoyable simply because it’s cool to have people read what you write, to purposefully seek you out for your words. We don’t all admit it, but its there and theres nothing wrong with that #KCACOLS
I’m glad this post has made people come forward and agreed with me. It’s so lovely to realise you’re not alone in the way you think!
Oh I like this post. I think most of us start it out as a hobby and an outlet and it just so happens that companies contact us and things progress. It is such a fab way to meet people too isn’t it? #RVHT
I needed an outlet. For my writing and for my mental health problems. #kcacols
I love reading why people started blogging. Everyone has their own reason for blogging, I love that it can bring so much to people.
#KCACOLS
I totally get it! I love it when I know someone has tried out one of my crazy craft ideas, or cooked using one of my recipes. It gives me a little buzz doing it if I’m honest. Thank you so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time.
My blogging partner and I started as a bit of fun, something which was just ours. We love being Mummy but it’s so nice to be something else too! #kcacols
Love your honesty, and I think that is a perfectly valid reason for blogging, and is possibly something that is, at least partly, behind why lots of people do it. We all just want to be heard, and understood, and validated don’t we? x #KCACOLS
There are lots of reason’s why people blog – why not this. Glad you like it. #kcacols