Conclusion: Is Blogging Worthwhile?
Posted in Once I Was a Kansas Girl and tagged with Communication, Community, Friends, Point/Counterpoint, Technology, Writing on July 2, 2008Point: Blogging is a worthwhile activity.
Counterpoint: Blogging is not a worthwhile activity.
Conclusion: Blogging is a worthwhile activity, within reason.
I agree with pretty much everything I said in the point. That is why I blog. Now, I need to answer the criticisms of blogging.
First of all, as a blogger I have to be careful that blogging doesn’t replace real-life social interactions. For me, I haven’t really found this to be a problem, as I don’t spend a whole lot of time with people in real-life regardless. I’m sorta a hermitess. I do have to force myself to go to gatherings and parties every once in a while (sometimes I need friends’ prompting on this), but I struggled with this before I got into blogging. Regardless, it is something the blogger has to be on the look out for. Besides, if you’re never in the real world, what are you going to blog about?
I do have to be careful that I spend time with my closer friends and interact with them about what I’m thinking. I don’t want the blog to be the only place that I’m sorting through my inner thoughts. Besides, there are things that I need to think through that aren’t blogable, and who better to do that with a friend face-to-face? This is necessary not only for my own health, but for theirs as well. I need them, but I also need to be there for them.
Sure, blogging can seem like you’re just adding to the noise, but the hits on your website are real people reading (or at least glancing at) what you’ve written. If you have something important to say, maybe the just-right person will see it. That’s what gives me hope about blogging. I blog for me, but I also blog for those that may read it.
The biggest struggle I have with blogging is becoming self-focused and prideful. This is something that I have to constantly take to the Lord, seeking forgiveness and help. As a Christian, I feel it is important to remember that it is not about me, but about Him. Even blogging I do for Him, but I can’t do that if I just use my blog to rant about what frusterates me or get driven to have more readers thus glorifying myself.
For me, blogging is a beloved hobby. Sure I have other hobbies: reading, photography (to a certain extent, I’m not really good, I just enjoy taking pictures), and swimming, but blogging is one that I really enjoy. Could I go without it? Of course. But I choose not to. When I weigh out the pros and cons, I still feel like it is worth the time it takes each day as I become a better writer, gain more insight into what others believe, and get to spread the message that I find so important. Besides, I happen to like you, my bloggy friends. It’s like the old song: “Make new friends, but keep the old…” I like making bloggy friends, but I’m going to keep my real-life friends too.
So, what about you? Why do you blog? What struggles do you have with blogging?
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July 2nd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I blog because I have things to say I want the world hear. My problem tends to be going through spurts of blogging all the time followed by dry seasons. I need to be more consistent. :)
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I blog because it helps me think clearer.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I blog to get it all out, to keep my family and friends updated on my life, and because the things these kids say are just darn funny. It’s hard when I run out of material though (for example, summertime). And the pendulum of my blog swings from extremely serious and candid to extremely funny (and still candid). :)
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:54 pm
I started blogging by using it as a journal. Then I started meeting other bloggers that I had no clue were out there and it just became a fun outlet for me. I’ve met some great ‘friends’ from all over.
I think my biggest challenge is that it can become time-consuming and take away from greater priorities if I let it.
But…I’m just not gonna let it!
God bless,
Brenda :)
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:54 pm
I started blogging by using it as a journal. Then I started meeting other bloggers that I had no clue were out there and it just became a fun outlet for me. I’ve met some great ‘friends’ from all over.
I think my biggest challenge is that it can become time-consuming and take away from greater priorities if I let it.
But…I’m just not gonna let it!
God bless,
Brenda :)
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I started blogging to support Mike Huckabee. Through that I found new “bloggy” friends (and some not so friendly) that I enjoy having discussions with. I tend to be mostly political in my writing … especially on the issues related to right to life, but I try to throw in other things I have discovered that people stop by to read about (like our dogs).
So, I blog in hopes that maybe I can make a difference for good. Maybe something I say will open someone up to the Lord. I do enjoy the conversations (since I spend all day with a 6 year old with a language disorder, it is nice to have some bloggy friends to interact with! … oh, and my husband’s from the south and I don’t understand much of what he says to me!)
July 24th, 2008 at 8:18 am
I find that blogging helps me get into the habit of writing – everyday. Granted, some posts are better than other and I’m taking a real challenge by putting the good stuff out there with the junk but all in all, I hope that all my stuff (even the junk) is a mustard seed for those who need it.