Lately I've been contemplating the future of my blog. I love blogging. I want to do it more often, but for some reason I stop myself from writing about things that I once would have written about without a second thought. These days, I'm torn about sharing our general life (for those of you bored enough to read it), sharing specifically about Chase and his special heart (for all of the heart community who follows us) and sharing my feelings/opinions on things, some of which may certainly upset some of those in my "real life." Then you've got the random things I like to share, such as recipes, shopping finds, and of course pictures and videos of the kids (mostly for our family, all of whom live far away). I don't want to bore some of you readers who are not interested in hearing about the latest advancements in treatments for congenital heart defects. I don't want to lose readers by just posting the latest pics/videos of my kids and their antics. I don't want to upset those in my inner-circle by venting about some of the things I'm currently struggling with.
I'm not a shopping blog. I'm not a cooking blog. I'm not a CHD blog.
I don't know what I am.
I do know that I just want to be free to be honest about my life. I want to share my struggles and seek support from my readers. I want to be funny and entertaining and draw people back to my blog. I want to interact with my readers more and get to know who is out there following these posts.
I don't want to be judged. I don't want to be alienated. I don't want my blog to serve as a replacement for a relationship with me for my family and friends.
So what's next? What do I do now?
I don't know.
I've thought about making my blog private so I can choose who I allow to access it. That way I'll know who my audience is (and isn't) and can write my posts accordingly without worrying who I may possibly upset.
I've thought about starting another blog that focuses only on Chase and his journey with HLHS. This way all of my heart friends can get the latest info on Chase's heart without having to sort through, say, my latest Amazon purchases. I don't mind the upkeep of two blogs, but I know this would result in some people having to check TWO blogs for all of the latest updates on us. :)
I've thought about keeping this blog mostly generic but include info on Chase's heart journey, then starting another anonymous blog (not linked from here) where I can have an outlet to share the thoughts and feelings I can't talk about here. That would result in essentially me talking to myself for the most part, since I wouldn't have any readers initially and no one would know it was me writing it.
There are so many options to consider and I don't yet know how I'm going to move forward. Ultimately I feel I need to make a change of some kind, whether it be big or small.
What do YOU think?
I'd really like to know.
Being someone that I still consider to be a friend even though we moved away..I REALLY enjoy reading about you, Hubs, Lo & Chase! I feel like I already know the kids even though Matt & I haven't gotten a chance to meet them in person since we've been away.
ReplyDeleteI want to hear about your struggles. You need to be able to vent your frustrations and have an outlet to do so~~nobody should be hurt by your feelings as if you aren't supposed to feel the way that you feel. I get THAT same way every-now-and-then. Sometimes Matt gets mad or upset when I vent about somethings, but such is life. Then I get mad at him saying that "so I'm not allowed to have feelings now?". Of course you should vent, that's how problems get worked out ~ even if it's just you working yourself through the problems.
I enjoy hearing about the kids and all the great strides that Chase is tackling and how great of a big-sis that LO can be.
I'm always looking for great new recipes. Your German Chocolate Carmel Brownie recipe is such a hit around here. Chelsea makes it more than I do now and can even do it from memory! ;-)
A very good friend of mine, from up here, started following this blog while you were still pregnant with Chase. She also loves reading it. She was so intrigued by your steam-vac thing you got that she had to buy one too! LOL!
What I'm trying to say is this .. I think your blog is WONDERFUL and you do a GREAT job with it. I would love you to leave it just the way it is.
Love and miss you ALL!!
Kelly
I have to say that I check here for all your content, CHD related and not. I too bought the Floor Steamer because I was a previous Swiffer user and couldn't imagine Olivia crawling around on a floor laden with chemicals.
ReplyDeleteI will be truthful and say that I too have hurt or alienated a few people by some of the things that I have put out on my blog as well. I think that while we use our blogs as a journal and place to vent, some of our friends and family may be a little taken aback to read what is in our heart of hearts rather than hearing it straight from the horse's mouth.
In those times, I just tell them to re-read what I've written and tell me if the shoe were on the other foot could they really say some of those things out loud themselves? For the most part, I've been fortunate, but I don't regret it for a second. I don't think it's in any of our agendas to hurt feelings of those we love, we write to help us cope with everything in our day to days.
Sorry, I'm totally rambling, but I would be sad if you changed the content of your blog!
Lisa
I agree with Kelly- I love reading your blog- from Chase's heart update, to funny pictures of LO, to your new kitchen appliances. :) But do what feels right for you. I also contemplated starting another blog that wouldn't solely focus on Aly and her heart to do family updates. And I actually haven't came to a decision on that either. So, really, I'm no help at all. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you should continue doing what makes you happy. You know my blog...I tend to share, over share and over share some more. I've seen followers come and followers go. It is funny how some drop like flies around certain posts that I do. To be honest, my blog is my outlet to journal and process my thoughts. Even if it is a day of sharing funny pics of the kids or a day where I am allowing my heart to pour out.
ReplyDeleteI want my readers to follow me because they want to read whatever I write. The good, the bad and the ugly. If they choose not to read it then that is fine too.
It is hard and I think we all have those moments where we think about hanging up the blog keyboard. Like I said, just continue doing what makes you happy and blog about whatever you want to blog about. {{{HUG}}} I know I'll read it even though I might not always post a comment!
Oh...I love your blog...recipes, amazon buys, everything. I am still planning to buy the steam vac...gotta talk hubby into it. It is your blog so do what feels best, but us heart moms love to read about anything and everything!
ReplyDeleteI like it just how it is, too, even though I got started reading it through the heart connection:-)I find it amazing how well you keep up with it!
ReplyDeleteI actually love it the way it is - you know I read it for everything from the Chase/LO Updates to the cardiac content to the recipes/reviews (LOVE your tortillas - trying to convince hubby on the steam cleaner). You have to do what's right for you - but I really hope I'll make your short list if you do go private. :-)
ReplyDeleteI think any would be great. Chase and CHD are necessity.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog as is, but of course you are the one who needs to be happy with it.
ReplyDeleteI love it all. You are amazing and I find myself encouraged, motivated, inspired... a whole range of emotions when I read what you write. Whatever makes you happy... that is what you should do.
ReplyDeleteI'm Kelly's friend who bought the floor steamer (which I LOVE...thank you:). I'm actually a FB friend of yours also. I love reading your blog! I even enjoy reading about your down times and how you lean on God during those times and put your faith in Him to bring you through. You really have a talent for writing, and I would really miss not being able to read your blog. But like everyone else has said, you have to do what is right for you. Dana
ReplyDeleteI just have to echo what all of these lovely ladies have already written. Ultimately, it's you who needs to be happy and comfortable with what you put on your blog. If this site is a way for you to process your feelings, vent, let the world have a glimpse of your precious kiddos and keep everyone updated on Chase's beautiful life, then I say...continue on! If this blog is about you, that means ALL of you. If you are just being honest and sharing your feelings, I don't think anyone can fault you for that. You are an amazing writer who has a wonderful way of weaving the hard stuff (Chase's condition, some of your feelings you sort through, etc.) with the fun stuff (pics of LO and Chase, funny stories, great purchases and recipes) and you do it all with God in focus and I think that's incredible. You would be doing us all a great disservice if you quit blogging. :) Bottom line, whether you continue on or you start two separate blogs, I'll be there reading. Love you, girl!
ReplyDelete~ Heather
I think you need to Plan for what you can and will actually "do". In other words, it is important for you to keep writing. Some experts say a focused blog is a better blog. For you that would mean multiple blogs. Keeping up with multiple RSS feeds would not be problematic. If, however, it makes more sense to post whatever topic seems best, do that. Perhaps judicious use of tags would suffice as a categorization aid.
ReplyDeleteKeep writing!
I just recently started following your blog when a close friend of mine's baby was diagnosed with HLHS at 20 weeks. When my friend was first diagnosed I had no idea what to expect, how to support her, what to say, etc...Your blog (and all the other blogs that are linked to your page) have been such a source of encouragement for me.
ReplyDeleteI pay closest attention to your posts about Chase and HLHS and most recently your posts about how HLHS has affected your life, outlook and friendships.
You of course can continue with whatever you would like :) However, know that their are lots of us out here who are encouraged daily by your openness and honesty :)