BLOGGING WITHOUT OBLIGATION

People have been blogging for over 10 years. Perhaps at some point, every other person has thought of doing a blog. Some will have continued, others given up on, perhapas because people are busy with everyday life.

I have read so many blog posts, where somebody has apologised for not posting for a while. It's a shame people feel guilty about that, after all it's not their job; it's supposed to be for themselves, or a hobby. That means that you do it in your own time, as often or as little as you feel like it. When you create your blog, you do not sign a contract, or stipulate in advance how often you will do a blog post!

Perhaps the frequency of blog posts depends on the nature of your blog, your topics and your inspiration. I personally don't see the point in blogging random blather, just to ensure you have posted recently.

On the right, you will have read my ideas for forthcoming blog posts. Over time this may change, but I will blog when I am inspired to. I am not going to blog about every minutiae of my life, or blog every time I go somewhere, or have a problem. Not only do I value my privacy, but I am blogging as escapism.

In that respect, I am inspired to post this because I agree with the "Blogging without obligation" cause. 

Blogging Without Obligation

I take this opportunity in advance, not to apologise for occasions when I have not blogged for a while. I really don't think that blogging should turn into a burden, where you think "that's another thing I have to fit in today or later in the week". That would defeat the object, wouldn’t it?

If I spend too much time blogging, perhaps the novelty will wear off, and before I know it, I'll become busy with other things and not bother. That would be a shame if you start off with such enthusiasm and it fizzles out.

Certainly if something is a hobby, it shouldn't become a stress or a chore. You may have a vague target at the back of your mind, but perhaps that should be approximate. In case your circumstances change, or your inspiration changes, that approximate target should change.

I feel encouraged by my gradually growing following. People seem to like these romantic poems and some people have said they can relate to them. A while ago, somebody said that one of my earlier posts was thought provoking. That's the aim of the game, to write something thought-provoking, something inspiring or something that people may relate to, or find funny. That may be no mean feat in itself, without carving in stone, the frequency of a blogging obligation.

Perhaps some people’s anxiety about blogging frequency stems from the number of followers. Perhaps people will think that people will un-follow if they don’t blog for a bit, or that they will not attract new people. Let’s face it, we all know how it is and that there will be times, when we blog and times when we cannot. Granted I’m sure it does defeat the object if you blog and you think nobody is reading it though.

Another thing is that perhaps we are all spending increasing amounts of times online. There is the checking of your e-mails, forums, Twitter and or Facebook. Checking your blog replies and posting new blog posts, is of course another thing to keep an eye on. As is the time you take to read other people’s blogs and posting replies to their topics. It can also be time consuming promoting your blog and perhaps it is possible to spend as much time promoting it, as you do actually writing it!

It pays not too get too involved on the Internet, too intense, or too personal and give away too much about yourself. Time and time again, I have heard bad stories about Facebook, bullying, accusations, some of which serious and un-founded. The last thing I want is for blogging to turn into a problem in itself in that way. Perhaps the more time you spend online, you increase the chance of saying something that somebody would take the wrong way, or yourself taking something badly.

As far as developing the blog and blogging frequency, perhaps we should all see how it goes. Life is busy or stressful enough. No doubt any blog will take on a life of its own and develop over time. No doubt there is a learning curve when it comes to blogging and how things progress must also feel right for you. Rest assured that changes in my blogging frequency will be for a reason e.g. I’m ill, I’m busy, changes in inspiration, or spending too much time online.

To blog or not to blog.

There seems to be an infinite number of blogs out there; people blogging for a variety of reasons, topics and issues. Some people are viewed as brave, when they blog their journey through serious illness, or when they lost a child. Others share their excitement on the run up to getting married, or when travelling the world. Some people seem to blog about everyday family life, share photos and explain their tastes in things. It seems that there are as many motivating factors as there are blogs.

It is a shame, when some time later, you want to look at a blog and it’s no longer there. Perhaps the author got into hot water and somebody took exception to the content, and they had to take it down. Other people loose heart, or circumstances change and they stop blogging, but the blog is still there. I prefer the latter option, because generally there is a newer blog that they use instead, or have transferred to a proper website.
I often notice people apologizing for not blogging for a while. They feel guilty about being busy in work, or being ill. Perhaps others simply didn’t think they had anything to say, but to admit that, they think it would make them sound boring.

After all, don’t we all get busy, caught up in everyday life? You think everyday routines don’t necessarily warrant a blog post and think that people wouldn’t be interested in what you have to say.

I will stay away from controversial issues, and refrain from describing scandal in my own life. My blogging issues will be personal, but on a general level that I hope you will relate to. Having said that, I am sure everybody only writes about things they want others to know. Even celebrities, who write an autobiography, must hold something back; keep certain memories to themselves, for privacy.

Last time I blogged after sitting in a café, waiting for my car to be fixed. Next to somebody travelling the world, that is a dull everyday task, but I found inspiration that day and a reason to blog about how observant you are.

I find one thing can lead to another: an idea to read another book, all because it was mentioned in your current book. Certainly the more music you listen to, the more you want to listen to. There are always authors who have written other books, actors who have stared in other movies.

I see such issues important to self development, in terms of actually getting around to reading new books, or hearing new music. This means actually taking the time to fully appreciate somebody’s work and not just reading one book of theirs. Perhaps this is when you see the influence or inspiration they have for you.

Indeed learning more about where I live, looking at everyday landmarks in a different way is something I want to do. I know certain places nearby have been immortalised in art or film. I think these aspects are worthy of a blog post and more importantly getting around to investigating. Perhaps some interesting observations can be made in the middle of town, places you pass every day; the everyday things that can also inspire you at a time when you don’t know what to blog about. I am sure this is when true creativity and ideas occur, when somebody takes a step back from their everyday task and looks at their surroundings in a different way.

Taking all this into account, there must always be something to blog about then!