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Lots of bloggers know about 'formulas' and 'strategies' for a successful blog. These could include at the entry level: commenting your arse off; participating in link-ups/memes; being across one or two or even more social media platforms; improving your klout scores and getting a foot in the door with PR firms. For many, particularly mum bloggers, these formulas are unsustainable even in their infancy.
I've been blogging for nearly one year. It's not at all long in the big scheme of things. I've fallen into blogging traps by default and even let it become one of the key priorities in my life. Forcing myself to slow my pace instead of speeding it up has given me a bit of headspace to think about this whole blogging caper and how I can still participate in the Australian blogging community and not be stuck on the computer. I've learned that the blogging momentum can be very powerful and for some the only thing that will stop them is a brick wall. That's not cool for anyone.
Blogging can take up a lot of time equivalent to or even greater than a part time job. The reality is that time is actually a decent section of your daily life dedicated to a fun hobby with the possibility of not a lot of time left for yourself and relationships. Sometimes being caught in the momentum isn't all that beneficial to your overall wellbeing and that of your loved ones. I've learned this the hard way, talk about being an amature!
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Surely it is possible to enjoy blogging and others things too? Maybe the map above is a good way to keeping your toes in the blogging world without drowing.
So, this year I've continued on my mission of going back to basics. I am aiming to eliminate the self made complexities. As I have worked to do this I've been thinking about the origins of the term 'organic' and how it can apply to blogging.
In my former life in Human Resources we studied and applied the context of organic vs mechanistic organisations and cultures. I'm wondering if I have fallen into the mechanistic blogging trap? Where the 'informal and formal rules and structures' have overridden the organic and natural benefits of a fun hobby.
Organic means simple, close to nature, non synthetic and fundamental to a structure. My type of 'slightly unhinged wife-mother-women-ranty-pants' blogging has to fit into the organic realm. That's where the stories are.
However, in my limited blogging experience I have seen the mechanistic aspects of blogging placing unnecessary pressure to address the 'etiquette and unwritten rules' with the same, if not more commitment of what is put into life. That I believe cannot be enduring, especially for mothers with children and overwhelming daily responsibilities. Personally and to my peril I have taken the 'rules' too literally and have placed that pressure on myself. I always had a choice, but it didn't seem proper to not play by the rules.
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Blogging relationships can also be driven organically. I've made gorgeous friends through blogging. This doesn't mean I am any less of a friend because I don't read and comment on every single post my friends write, nor the reverse. There are only so many friends you can have a great friendship with, blogging friendships don't have to be always nurtured on line. Friendships form organically. It is significantly harder when it's forced through mechanistic ways. However acknowledgement needs to be given where mechanisitc platforms like meme's serve as a vehicle to participate in a 'community'. It is very inclusive and receptive and not to mention 'reciprocal'.
While meme's are an excellent way to share thinking, experiences and making friends, they do absorb a lot of time through preparation and participation. Linking up to lots of meme's is not sustainable. It is mechanistic. How is there time to develop personal stories when you're stuck on the computer and not living as much as you could? It is too static and static goes stale in time.
Clearly rules and structures are essential in life, but the dominance of them can stifle life itself and creativity. So I guess what I am saying is that bloggers have a choice if they will allow blogging to dominate their life or to use blogging in a more organic manner that fits in with their life.
Is it safer to be consumed by routine methods and procedures of the blogging paradigm or is it enlivening and enriching to share your stories after you've spent the time in investing and creating your life.
In my short time blogging I have realised that personal blogging serves many purposes. Each blogger posts and engages with the community and readers through their stories and experiences. It can help keep people from the edge, it can light a beacon of hope and adventure for the masses and it can also be an arena for lovely friendships.
I think the concept of organic blogging has a great deal of merit especially where the organic aspect takes precedence over the unwritten rules and self compulsion to be across everything all of the time.
What do you think?
