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One year of blogging

This month marks my first-year bloggy-versary.

When I first started blogging one year ago, I didn’t — and couldn’t — have known what to expect. But BOLO left me feeling very optimistic about it all.

It seems that blogging is one of those things that, like becoming a parent, you just have to do it order to really understand it. And although I have a much better understanding now than I did one year ago, I still have so much learning to do. (Again, just like parenting!)

It seems apt then that I am now reading a novel that is written as a series of blog entries. Other authors have done this in a more fun and light-hearted way, like Kathy Buckworth’s novel The BlackBerry Diaires, but this book, blueeyedboyby Joanne Harris is quite the contrary. Here is how the protagonist, blueeyedboy, describes the WebJournal that he participates in:

On WeJay I can vent as I please, confess without fear of censure; be myself — or indeed, someone else — in a world where no one is quite what they seem, and where every member of every tribe is free to do what they most desire.

Tribe? Yes, everyone here has a tribe; each with its divisions and subdivisions, binary veins and capillaries branching out into a near-infinity of permutations as they distance themselves from the mainstream.

Although dark, this description isn’t exactly in-accurate. We all know there are some seedy sides to the internet. Perhaps naively, I do like to believe that there are more positive than negative sides to engaging on the internet. I have to admit that I’ve stumbled once or twice though. I’ve tried to join in on some “tribes” and found that my voice is simply not welcomed in that community or on that specific blog. But I think I’ve concluded that those particular tribes exist to preach to the converted, not to engage with others outside of their tribe. It’s been a learning experience.

And that’s okay, because I am learning.

I’m learning that writing for myself (not just for my clients) gives me a really enjoyable feeling of satisfaction. Almost a high. And that the more often that I write, the easier it is to write. I think what I’m finding out about the act of blogging and being part of a blogging community has been best described recently by Christine on Coffees and Commutes in her post “Blogging: Conversations in Happiness and More“:

And that’s what comes from this place, a renewed desire to discuss issues, to think and write about life, and the things that make me happy and unhappy. Perhaps a luxury, but one I craved. I needed an outlet where I could connect with like-minded women who think and worry about the same things. I can see the future, the places this might take me and it excites me. As long as I stay true to what this is, focus on the writing, the connections and less on the hype.

Christine does describes a “tribe” of sorts — like-minded women who think and worry about the same things. But unlike blueeyedboy, there is no artifice. No pseudonym, no desire to actually distance herself from society. That feels right to me. And I like feeling like I belong in her tribe.

I hope that I can offer a similar experience here on my blog. I want this to be a place where you can sit and have a coffee break during work or a child’s nap (or simply to join me in procrastinating from doing the laundry!). A place where you can feel free to join in the conversation and share your point of view.

So far, I think it’s working out that way. (Do you?) And that makes me happy. Happy bloggy-versary!

And happy bloggy-versary to everyone of you who has stopped by to have a coffee and maybe even leave a comment or two. I’m grateful for the company and  I look forward to another year of the same!

Comments

  1. Julie I am so pleased that you are joining in on this conversation, but I’m even more delighted that we have found one another in this crazy, but wonderful blogging world. Happy bloggy-versary! A tremendous accomplishment. I can hardly wait to read what the next year brings, and look forward to sharing our respective journeys. Because indeed, I am so lucky to have you in my tribe.

  2. CONGRATS!! Enjoy your day!

  3. Happy bloggy-versary and congratulations. I’m sure your next year will be even more exciting.

    I’ve just started getting my feet wet in the blogging world and I’m still not sure I feel comfortable with the “tribe” concept. I’m afraid of falling into a “tribe” of like-minded individuals who will congratulate me on my views or pseudo-writing (as I don’t consider myself a writer, just a blabber), and I will feel compelled to do the same in return.

    I want to continue to be challenged… and I want to give my honest opinion (which is sometimes harsh). So, I’m still figuring out how to do that.

    Anyway, I hope I can grow up to be like you!

  4. Christine – Thank you for your kind words. And for reaching out and making the connection via twitter in the first place. It’s been fantastic.

    Maria – Thanks! Great to see you here, appreciate the visit.

    Liisa – I’ll be there to congratulate you on your one-year annivesary too – keep it up! There are some blogs where dissenting views are welcome and intelligent discussion takes place (Andrea over at A Peek Inside the Fishbowl, for instance, is very open-minded.). But my experience has been that tribes are more common than not. So I’ve reconciled with that and I’ll be happy to hang out in my own little bloggy tribe(s). And to welcome anyone who wants to join in!

  5. And I just started the blogging journey about a week ago! I have SO much to learn but your blog is inspirational. I would have guess you were doing this longer! I’ll be stopping by here during my boys’ naps!

  6. Congratulations to you Julie. I am surprised you have only been doing this for one year, because you are just so good at it! I admire your blog and your writing very much, and you are one of my favourite bloggers.

    You Rock Girl :)

  7. Congratulations Julie,

    Your blog is fantastic, but you are a fantastic person so it’s no wonder!

    Happy Anniversary!
    Kel

  8. Jackie – that would be great if you popped by during nap time! And congrats on starting your own blogging journey!

    Finola – No, no YOU rock! :)

    Kelly – Back at ya’! Thanks for the sweet wishes.

  9. Happy Blogiversary Julie, I love catching up with you when I can…and it’s usually during that laundry procrastination that you speak of…hehe. Here’s to another year of hearing about your take on life as a working wife and Mom. :)

  10. Happy anniversary! Your blog’s been a welcome addition to the Bloggy landscape. I like the tribe idea, though I prefer to think of it as being mutually appreciative of each other’s points of view, rather than like-minded. I don’t necessarily think the same way as the bloggers I connect with, but I’m open to their views and appreciative of what I can learn from them. And if occasionally I agree with them, or they me, well that’s good, too!

  11. Congratulations and Happy Blogoversary!

  12. Laura – Glad to be of procrastination assistance! :)

    Mary Lynn – Yes, ideally, you can have a real mix of view points, with every view point given due consideration. That is definitely the most stimulating. In fact, XUP’s is a great example of precisely that kind of blogging community. She brings up diverse topics and welcomes diverse views — doesn’t shut them down. I’d love to hear any rec’s you have because I love finding more great blogging communities!

    XUP – Thanks! You’ve been really supportive since day one. And I really appreciate it.

  13. Congrats – what a big accomplishment!! I’m so glad to have found your blog, and love reading it on a regular basis. It will be one of the outlets I allow myself next year to help me cope with going back to work :)

    I can totally relate to your experience of attempting to join some tribes and not feeling welcomed – it has happened to me too, but I agree that it is a learning experience and one that better helps us truly focus on where it is we’re going.

  14. Congrats on making it to a year. And here’s to many more! :-)

  15. Jules!

    Congratulations! It was great to read some of the different perspectives on blogging, and I enjoyed your take on it too! I can’t believe how much your blog has grown in impact in just a year!

  16. congrats!! really happy for you and i love your blog. it’s funny, smart and extremely well-written, can’t believe it’s only been a year. cheers to many more.

  17. I really enjoy your blog too! Congrats on the one year :)

  18. Happy bloggy-versary from me too! It takes great generosity and dedication to write and share the way you do. Thanks so much for keeping it up. Congrats!

  19. Kathryn says:

    Wow, already??? Seems I was just walking to the village with Stella and a battery operated radio so that we could listen to you on the CBC talking about your start in blogging….

  20. Congratulations Julie, happy bloggy-versary from another blogger who’s following in your footsteps.

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