My Goal is Simple

Lynette Kraft over at Dancing Again just wrapped up an interesting series called Why Blog? What is Your Blog’s Value? She discusses how to determine whether your blog is a success and asks us to truly focus on if our blog adds value in some way to the readers.

Why Blog? What is your blog’s value? Part 1
Why Blog? What is your blog’s value? Part 2
Why Blog? What is your blog’s value? Part 3
Why Blog? What is your blog’s value? Part 4

I found the series to be a frank discussion on the realities of blogging – more and more people are entering the blogging game, therefore it is becoming increasingly difficult have an individual voice that readers will respond to. I started blogging in March 2006 as a way to sort out my feelings during my first deployment experienced on the homefront. It was small, intimate, raw, and I think I averaged about 42 hits a day. As a 22 year old in northern New York, I thought I had hit the big time.

And as I found my writing voice, I saw the number of hits grow. Not too much. In full disclosure, I only average about 500 hits a day on this blog so it is still a very small limited readership. I am okay with that. I have been extremely selective with how I promote this blog – no forced follows and no sponsored reviews or giveaways. I never set out to brand myself, I just want to write. And I want sincere readers. So thank you. You’re here because you want to be, and for no other reason. That’s the way it should be.

That being said, blogging is time-consuming. I truly enjoy it and view it as a hobby, but sometimes I fantasize how nice it would be to supplement my time with a little income. But I am not ready to go there yet. First, the reader base just isn’t there and second, not many have shown interest in paying me for my words. And again, that is okay. I blame the economy. Just joshing.

You know, I am still trying to figure out my place in this world. On a smaller level, what is the role I am meant to have in the blogging world? The next month is going to be filled with travel – Alaska, a trip back to NC for a wedding, and some short road trips around Oklahoma. My mind feels a bit muddled and I hope that I am able to sort through these tangled thoughts during our travels. Getting lost in a new place always seems to help, doesn’t it?

Oh, and here is Day One of the 6 Month Challenge. I doubt I’ll post daily but whenever an interesting outfit pops up, I’ll be sure to make note of it. Maybe this deserves it’s own page on the blog? I’m not sure. Can you believe that I went to the mall yesterday? We went to Sears to check out TV wall mounts, ate at Chick-Fil-A for dinner, and picked up an ice cream maker at JC Penny’s. But no clothes were purchased!

Shirt – Express (gift from Megan)
Shorts – Ann Taylor
Necklace – Raleigh Flea Market

Are you interested in joining the No New Clothes Challenge?

Jill over at Keep Calm and Have a Cosmo has pledged not to buy clothes for 3 months.

What about you? If you’d like to join, respond in the comments.

Can you put together a new stylish wardrobe with the clothes you already have?

Maybe we can organize something…

P.S. Check out how I store my high-heeled shoes at A Lease to Decorate!

I am fairly open that I blog for myself. I enjoy writing and like having a public outlet to express myself. While it is nice to have a sizable readership, the numbers game has never appealed to me. I suppose that is what annoys me most about certain blogging communities found throughout the web. The focus has shifted from quality writing and pictures to a “follow me and I will follow you” culture that is overwhelmed with giveaways and advertising. Call me cynical, but I am wistful for the good ol’ days. And now I sound like I am 60 before I am even 30. Fabulous. If I start writing about Stone Phillips, please help me.

Sometimes I wonder why I still blog. I started my first blog back in January 2006 as an outlet to expressive myself during Clay’s deployment. I think I averaged 40 unique visits a day back then, so not many people read what I had to say, but that was okay. I wasn’t writing for anyone else but myself. I am still the same way. The number of unique visits per day has increased exponentially since my first blog but it is still a modest number. I think I like it better this way. More intimate, perhaps?

We went to Elmer Thomas park yesterday evening. The weather was perfect for playground playing and picture taking. I managed to capture this image of Weston next to a huge tree (I have no idea what kind it is…I am not a botanist..sheesh). I love the silhouette, scale, and sunshine poking through. I haven’t edited yet, so we’re just going to ignore the power lines for now. Okay?

You know, when I read some of the fabulous blogs unleashed to the world, it is sometimes hard not to feel overwhelmed and small, much like Weston in the picture. I know I can’t compete so I don’t try. I don’t write to ruffle feathers, stir the pot, or create discussion. And blogging anonymously on a scandalous topic was never an option, for I am horrible at keeping secrets. So I am careful about what I share in this space. Basically, my rule is not to write anything I wouldn’t want my parents, friends, bosses, coworkers, neighbors, etc… to know. Which is a good thing because a lot of them read it!

So that is why I write for myself. I am looking forward to seeing what direction this blog will take. I appreciate each and every comment I receive. I do not expect them nor do I sob in the fetal position when I receive none. But knowing that someone is taking time out of their busy day to read what I have to say is always a pleasant surprise. And I love discovering new blogs/writers. Just don’t write follow me and I will follow you. Please. Just don’t.

I will say that I seem to blog about anything and everything. Whenever I try and focus on a particular (for lack of a better word) theme, I always seem to want to focus on another. I am very much like this in ‘real life’ so I have no idea why I expect myself to behave differently in blogland. Although, I like to think that I am 10 pounds thinner in blogland.

So I’ll end this ramble of sorts with another picture from yesterday. Yes, I know Weston is blue. Don’t worry, he doesn’t have hypothermia – it is just the slide projecting color onto his extremely pale skin. For this reason, I don’t foresee him being a future Jersey Shore cast member. Which is probably a very good thing.