As years go and tastes and preferences change, I find my blogging habits change as well. I began this blog two years ago, and my goal was to make it an online diary where I could share whatever was on my mind that day. Occasionally over the last couple years, my goals and motives have changed and I've found myself losing the "diary" aspect of my blog. But it's the one thing I've tried to stay truest to this whole time.
Sure, maybe I incorporate a style post here and there, or I'll brag on a local Boise business who has invited me to an event, but I don't feel like I push things just to push them. You won't ever see wish lists filled with a bunch of affiliate links just so I can score some extra bucks, or a product review of a coffee maker or detergent, just because it was free. And you especially won't see other people writing in this space, unless it's something life-changing that I think you need to know about. I don't see this blog as a place for promotion, I see it as a place where I can come and just write it out.
I don't mean to offend anyone with that. If you're a blogger and you've reviewed a coffee maker, I'm not saying it's a bad thing. It just doesn't fit with the vibe of Aunie Sauce, so I choose not to do it. You might be reading this and be thinking, "So all you want to talk and write about is just you? Boring!" And guess what? Sometimes it is boring. I don't live an extraordinary life or travel the world or take pictures like a model. But I enjoy coming here each day and just being me and writing my story.
I'm so thankful for this space where I can jot down everything from the little details to the milestone events. I'm proud of this blog, because it reflects who I am—and sometimes I'm at my best, and sometimes I'm at my worst. But it's all here.
Over the last two years, one of the biggest things I've learned from blogging is that my blog isn't who I am. It's here because I enjoy writing and taking photos and telling my story. But I don't live for my blog or make it a huge priority. If I get to it, I get to it. If I don't, I don't. And that was one thing I struggled with in the beginning. I tried to make blogging such a high priority. I was on the computer all the time, putting so much pressure on myself, and stressing over the details. Once I was able to let that go, I began loving blogging that much more.
As I again look at how I want this blog to be and what's important to me, posting each day has become less and less of a priority. When you realize that it's not about the pageviews, but about sharing your story, and that it honestly doesn't matter if people even read it or not, but if it makes you feel good just to write it... then why have all the pressure to post every day? And that's why there doesn't need to be any.
I'm so thankful for this online diary and for the people who do come each day to read it. And as we move forward, if you do visit my blog and there's not a new post here each day, maybe go pick a random post from the archives and know that I'm not stuck behind a computer writing my life down—but I'm out there living it and taking each day as it comes. Man, life is just beautiful, isn't it?
50 comments:
You do take pictures like a model, in my opinion. They're very real and expressive, more so than a typical fashion blogger. I know what you mean about getting caught up in too many sponsored things. I enjoy the diary aspect of your blog!
I love that you're staying true to yourself on your blog. I see so many bloggers reviewing free products and it gets old really fast. Your blog is definitely a breath of fresh air in the blogging world. Keep doing what you're doing because it's awesome :)
I love the diary aspect of your blog! Whenever you do show us a product or a business, it doesn't come across as an endorsement, more like "hey guys, I found this thing and it's awesome!" That's the feeling I'm trying to keep on my blog, at least - I'm trying to keep it fun and not something I have to do, which is what it would become if I had to write about products all the time :p
That's exactly why I read your block. You are real, you have a real life, but non the less you have so much to say and share. Stay that way!
argg blog....I'm useless without autocorrect...
That's why I like your blog! It seems so effortless and like you honestly enjoy writing!
I came across your blog not so long ago and immediately loved it! It is one of the blogs that I read right away as soon as a new post pops up in my reader... I really like your writing and the content of your posts and have never felt like it is boring ;) I especially love your running stories, as I can totally relate to them. My mom and I are also a "running pair" (minus the matching outfits - for now! ;). We started training and running races (10k and half marathons) together about a year ago and really enjoy the time we spend together through it and the memories we make along the way.
These are the reasons I love your blog! When you mention places or things that you like I know that you are doing it because you love those things not just to promote. I don't find your blog boring at all. I am a runner so love your posts about running but I also enjoy everything else. I am glad that you stay true to yourself. Those are always the best blogs!
This is how I've been feeling lately. I took a couple of months off from blogging for wedding stuff, and now that I'm getting back into it, I've been having some new thoughts - and you basically penned them all perfectly. I've been rethinking about all the silly things blogs do that are so, well, just fake, and I don't want to start down that path again. I want my blog to be my own personal life and journey and adventure, and I don't need to feel pressured to make it anything other than that. I was thinking about writing my own post about how I feel, and when I do, I'll definitely be including a link to this post, becaue you explained it all so well!
I love everything about your blog and will continue to come back, when you write. If it's once every 2 months, I'll still be here, loving over word. :)
AMEN Aunie! That's one thing I keep telling myself about blogging- it needs to be fun and something I look forward to doing, otherwise I shouldn't be doing it! I'll still be reading yours, either way!
perfectly priya
YES!!!!!!! Love you
hearing this from "big bloggers" like you, makes me feel so good, like perfection is not the goal and missing a day, a week or a month is acceptable because in the end-isn't the quality more important.
just randomly picked this post from the archives! i loved it! I might snag this idea and post one myself!~ to learn about yourself is the most fun
LOVE this! I'd much rather write it out than draft I almost never did until recently and I might just stop- it almost pointless unless you know what to write or want to post it a certain day..... :)
What a great reflection!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
I love what you said. For a very long time I struggled with being better and having blogs like "those" people because mine was not good enough. My story was not good enough. Over the last two months with so much loss and heartbreak in my family I have come to realize that my blog is not that important. Feeling like I should write because I am so behind is dumb. I should post because I want to post. Spending time more with my family and doing more things offline has really made me let go of that whole blogging issue. I still struggle with it and thinking mine isn't good enough and that people won't like me but I am not making my blog a stress in my life. I want it to be a space where I document my story and little happenings so that I can remember them and if nobody else wants to read it that will be okay. I am glad you are staying true to who you are and not giving in to the blog world that so many give in to and the world that is just really discouraging when people only want to be famous. Keep telling your story. We are here to listen.
Do you see how you've inspired the other bloggers who posted here? You are touching lives and making a difference Aunie. You're living intentionally and that includes your blog! Hugs.
I completely get that. I have come to realize the same. I am living my life and so are you and that's what matters. =]
I couldn't agree more! This is exactly how I try to view blogging and exactly why I felt the need to start a new & different blog... To get away from the pressure! I love realizing that I'm writing only for myself, and some days that means nobody but me might read it. And that's okay :)
Agreed!
:)
9 days Aunie... 9 days until my first 5k
Oh yes you should!!! We always talk about the things we do... sometimes it's fun to talk about the things we "don't do!" :)
I totally agree with you! This was how I began writing when I started this blog and it still holds true today. If I sit down to write and nothing comes out, no big deal! No post that day :) It's my favorite way to write!
Thank you so much, Stephanie. You are so sweet to say that about my photos. I guess I just try to take them as if I was really standing there having a conversation with you, one on one. No posing required :)
Thanks SO MUCH, Allyssa. I agree with you. I feel bad when I get tired of those kind of postings, but I don't need (or want, is that terrible?) to know what's on everyone's Christmas or Birthday wish-lists. I want to know what's going on in their life!! :)
Thanks so much for seeing that, Kristin. You're right, I do feature businesses and products every once in a while, but I would never compromise and promote something I don't believe in. So sure, those days might not be as much "me" as the others, but it's someone who I do support! Blogging for you (we hear that all the time) is so important, and whenever people say they can't do it, I feel like that's not a blog I'd want to read anyway :) I can always tell when the blogger is posting for the readers versus themselves. When it's for themselves, it's so much more genuine :)
Thanks so much, Nadia. You're right. Every morning when I sit down and write, it's because I have something to say. Always know that if I don't have anything to say, I just won't be there that day :) You're so awesome for reading... thanks again!
Thanks Emilie! The only part that's not effortless is remembering to take photos... but that's another fun part. It doesn't have to be a glamorous shot or something that's magazine worthy. If it's yours and it's real, then it's good enough :O)
Laura, thank you SO MUCH for leaving this comment. That means so much to me. I know how I get when my favorite bloggers post and new posts pop up, so that means a lot to me for you to say that!!
And I'm so encouraged to hear about you and your mom. Not only are you doing good things for your body, but you're spending time together! Isn't it fun? So the real question is... when ARE you going to start matching? I know... my mom and I are cheeseballs, but try it sometime, I promise it's fun! :)
Thank you so much, Amy. I'm especially relieved to see your comment about my running posts. Those tend to be my longest ones and I always feel like I lose people after about paragraph 3, so I'm so glad you like them :) It encourages me to keep jotting down my thoughts and progress with running ;)
Halie, that means SO MUCH to me, thank you!! I totally understand about taking time off for wedding planning. That was one of the most stressful things... so I actually tried to "take time off" from wedding planning too, and well, that worked out just fine :) haha.
I think that blogging when you feel like it and when it's important to you is such a big deal. If it's not on your radar at the moment, GOOD FOR YOU. You are out there living life and being a beautiful and amazing new bride!! There's nothing better than that feeling.
When you do get back to it, enjoy every moment. Blogging is so fun when you really embrace it and love each post fully... and when you reflect yourself in it :) Can't wait to see what you come up with.
Shannon, you have been one of my biggest supporters for months. It doesn't matter what I post or when, you're always there supporting me. I appreciate you so much... thank you thank you thank you!
You're so awesome, Priya. I think one great thing about when I see your blog is that it DOES seem like you're present in each post. You're there and we love it! ;)
You've been there for me since the beginning, Lily. Thank you!
Nora, thank you. I never consider myself a "big blogger." I actually was like "Whaaattt?" when I first read that. I have no idea what defines a big blogger, but if that's what you see me as, that's a huge compliment. And thank you so much for your comment... it IS the quality. No one is perfect, but everyone has a story :) Thank you again.
Katie, thank you so much for sharing this comment. As I was reading it, I kept thinking one thing... blogging is so so so much like high school. Like all the parts of high school that I never liked! Putting on a face to impress certain people, or dressing how the cool girls dress just to try to fit in. I know that I lost a little of my blogging mission when I began posting style post after style post, trying to do cool poses and take fashion-forward pictures. That just WASN'T ME. But it was what a bunch of girls were doing and it was making them a lot of money, so why not give it a shot? I just wasn't feeling it, you know?
I still do the occasional style post, but I don't try to model. I do it how I do it, and if it's not magazine worthy, it's OK> I'm so glad to see you thinking with a similar mindset. Why do we always try to be the cool kids or fit in with the blogging crowd? It's silly, huh? :)
I also wanted to say that i'm sorry to hear about the loss and heartbreak you've been dealing with. If you ever need someone to email back and forth with, I'm here for you. I promise. Thinking of you today and sending a huge thanks for reading my story. It means a lot.
Aunt Linda, thank you so much. I suppose you can see by the other comments here that many of the people who read my blog are other bloggers. I know posts like this might not always resonate with a non-blogger, but thank you for understanding and supporting me no matter what. I am very thankful to have you in my life and as a part of our big Rowe family! :)
And I see that with your new posts. They're very much about life, and it's so fun!
I'm so so so excited to read this! I haven't checked back in a bit and I missed that you started a new one. I just googled it and found it right away. It's so fun and so YOU. Can't wait to catch up. Love ya, Emma!
I can't wait... you're going to rock it!!!
Please do! I stalk your Instagram when you are running a race! ;) I just did my first half a week ago. I had the best time!
Yup. When I took a blogging break I thought about how I don't want to be a big famous know-it-all blogger. I want to be me and since I am always on the go, sometimes I get to blog post, sometimes not. I think that is what makes blogging so great; you can make it what you want. =]
Life IS beautiful! ;)
This is the reason I really enjoy reading your blog! Thanks for staying true!!
Yes! I know if I stressed over my blog more I might see more results, but I really want it to just be a reflection of who I am and what I am passionate about. If I don't have a post everyday, or if they aren't up by a certain time I've told myself it's okay.
OK well then I definitely will. I've been slacking on my running (like once every 2 weeks) but I've got some other goals to post about so you'll see them soon!
Well thank you!! True to the last word :) Hold me to it!
And you're right... it is! Especially on the timing thing. I never read blogs at the same time every day. It's moreso whenever I get a chance :) And honestly, the reflection that people will see is that you're a person who enjoys life and documents it when you have a chance... you don't do life just to document ;) Thanks for being awesome, Julie!
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