Sick and tired.
Numbers. Subscribers. Likes. Page views. Bounce rate. Followers.
When I read at Vanita’s blog, After Bedtime Blog about the possibility of Feedburner going away in October (still just a rumor), my heart sank.
Do I really need this right now? Worrying about losing subscribers the way I did when Google Friend Connect was discontinued for WordPress? Having to start from scratch and go through the “Please follow me via RSS! Please subscribe via email!” thing again?
And what about when I had to start over with Facebook when I changed the blog name/ domain? Starting from zero and begging reminding people to please like my new page?
Sick and tired.
Don’t get me wrong, I WANT people to subscribe/ follow/ like me. Of course I do.
But do the number of subscribers/ page views and so on change the way I blog? The topics I write about? The way I write?
No, no it does not.
This blog is ultimately my gift to my children (as well as my creative outlet). That they can one day read my words and know what they were like as children. That they will come to know their mother as she was. That they know I love them, want so much for them, that I tried my best, even when I failed.
It’s not about the numbers. I refuse to stress over them.
Because it doesn’t matter if one or one thousand read my words.
There are only two people who really matter in all of this.
Feel free to keep subscribing/ following/ liking though. But I will no longer beg remind anyone to. Please know that I treasure and love my existing readers/ community.
And of course, Memories Captured will go on – it’s the very essence of why I blog. Next week’s Memories Captured (September 10 – 14) will see one lucky linker win $50 worth of jewelry from Dawn Butler Jewelry – gorgeous, yes?
Latest posts by Alison (see all)
- Words - May 22, 2013
- The Other Side - May 20, 2013
- Things I’m Afraid to Tell You: Volume II - May 15, 2013
Hi, I'm Alison. I write. I mother. I make wishes. I keep memories. Founder of Little Love Media, social media consultancy. I get by on copious amounts of chocolate, cupcakes, coffee, blogging & social media.
Ahhhh! I feel this dilemma! I define myself so much by the numbers. And trust me, my numbers aren’t great. All of my bloggy friends? They have higher comment numbers, higher subscribers (some people post this on their PR page so I can easily feel inadequate!) I put up a post and I keep running back to the computer, just waiting for someone to comment.
Sure, we write for ourselves. We write for our kids. But we also want to be heard. It is normal. But it should NEVER define us. I constantly try to remind myself of that. You’re too awesome to be defined by those numbers.
Laura recently wrote…Going Home
The comparison trap is the worse – why do we do this to ourselves? I guess it’s human. It’s very hard not to compare. I’ve done it. I’ve wondered, why does she have more?
Then I have to remember that I do this for other reasons. And for the record? I think you’re pretty awesome too.
I hardly ever check my stats…I just can’t care anymore…I have enough stress in my life
Not a Perfect Mom recently wrote…Breaking Bianca
Right?? Who needs this crap?
girl have you noticed i don’t have a facebook like box on my site? or any other way to count followers? i mean i should, i run a business out of the blog, but i don’t. there’s already too much to do, isn’t there? don’t worry about numbers girl. i’d have to be a fool to visit this blog and not want to subscribe. and you know this chic is no fool. you just keep blogging and entertaining and giving us food for thought mama. love your blog and love that it’s for your boys.
and? thanks for the shout out sweets.
p.s. when i convert the feed to wordpress, i really will have no way to track subscribers. for the best i tell you. definitely for the best. one last thing to hold me back.
Vanita recently wrote…Feeds on the Brain
I did notice and I remember you mentioned it too. I won’t worry about the numbers. I just can’t. I have better things to figure out – like my next fabulous blog post
I have no idea if I have subscribers let alone how many. I have NEVER checked. Ever. I haven’t been on Google Analytics since January. January. When I let that go I felt like a new woman. Now I’ve barely been on twitter in a month.
I used to get 50 comments on a post. Now I’m lucky to get 12. I love the community and the love and the friendships that I’ve found from blogging. I do. But I love my kids more.
xoxo
tracy recently wrote…This Looks Nothing Like The Mall
Yes, exactly that. And your kids are pretty awesome.
I can tell you that you’re fabulous, regardless of the numbers. xoxo
why why why do they have to keep changing? Hope it is just a rumor and i have no idea what bounce rate means. I’ll keep reading here because I love how you write and what you write about and those adorable boys and their smiles are just the icing on the cake.
Robbie recently wrote…Back to School
Thanks so much Robbie! Google just loves screwing around with us, sigh.
(PS: A ‘high’ bounce rate (60% or more) means people don’t stay on your site beyond that one click. So the lower the bounce rate, the better. Or whatever, you know
)
Alison! I’ve been having similar thoughts. I’ve been blogging for EVER okay 5 years, and the more I concern myself with attracting new people, and the “likes”, it’s just, …not fun. I started doing this for my kids too. It’s for them. It’s for me. I agree with Mommy Miracles–you’re too awesome to be defined by the numbers. Keep on keeping on
Sarah recently wrote…the sunday spill — welcome new nephew!
Exactly – numbers are just so unfun. And thank you, you’re pretty awesome yourself!
Awesome post, Alison. It speaks right through me…especially since you know about my plans *wink* thanks for the reminder. Just what I needed to read today.
Maureen recently wrote…Videos That Build A Bridge
Thank you and you’re welcome! Good luck with the plans.
Yes. This. I think that blogging is great for some who want to make a profit from their writing. I respect that, and who doesn’t love making a dollar every now and then? But, I do believe that the numbers, the stats, the comments, etc. have gone a little haywire. I love knowing that people enjoy my writing. But, I love my boy(s) more and ultimately? What I write, is for them.
Courtney Kirkland recently wrote…28 Week Bumpdate
Do not begrudge those who use their blogs to make a living, and understand their need for obsessing over numbers. But it’s just not for me. When things get stressful, they stop being fun. When they stop being fun, I give it up. And I would HATE to give up blogging. Because ultimately, it is for my boys, just like you.
Well said Alison! I like your blog because you speak from the heart. I only read blogs where I feel a connection to the reader. You onnect to your readers! I’m glad to hear its not about the numbers or the comments or the likes… It’s about you and your beautiful family. For that I love your blog!
Thank you so much! Readers like you keep me going!
Blogging is similar to raising kids. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out (like the nap schedule down pat), it all changes. It all keeps us on our toes! lol
Lovely post, Alison!
Jen
It sure does! (and WMB is a different beast – over there, we need to make the numbers count for so many reasons!)
Right there with you on this. I can’t keep up! It’s taking too much time. I figure the people who love reading what I have to say will find a way to keep following me, just like I’ll find where my friends no matter where they go. This is part of the reason why I never set up a FB page. It was just something I didn’t want to keep track of. And I hardly ever check my stats (or if I do, it’s to check the search terms b/c those usually crack me up). Just do this for you–it’s the only way to stay real.
Rach (DonutsMama) recently wrote…What She’ll Remember
Staying real – exactly. I do feel people who keep numbers in mind, write differently. And that’s too bad. I just can’t do it. And yes! So what if RSS goes away? If people really care, they’ll check in once in a while even without being prompted by the Reader or an email, right?
I love you priorities . . . you KIDS!
It is frustrating to have circumstances beyond your control screw things up that you have worked so hard to create.
I love reading your blog and I’ll follow you
Erin recently wrote…I Just Can’t Win!
Thank you so much Erin! I truly appreciate it.
I still look at my stats, but I don’t care too much anymore. I do like the engagement though – when I get a comment (you’re still the queen) or a response on FB it totally makes my day.
If I got the number of comments you got I wouldn’t worry about it though.
Robin recently wrote…34 Weeks
Oh yes, I do love the engagement. Comments make my heart happy. Also? I do look at my stats once in a while, out of curiosity. But I can’t let it bother/ affect me, no matter the numbers.
(also, what qualifies as ‘many’ or ‘few’ comments?)
I have been gone from blogging for so long and was sad to see Google friends is history. I’d hate to see feedburner vanish also!
Nancy recently wrote…Ever <3 Yourself?
Yea, that would be a REAL pain. Not just for me in terms of subscribers, but in trying to subscribe to others.
That’s a great way to look at it.
Though I admit that my heart sank at the thought of losing feedburner. Not really about the numbers, but more about that being the way that I’m able to keep up with all my bloggy friends!
Shell recently wrote…Pour Your Heart Out: A Kind Word
Yes, exactly! I’m guessing this is why Google+ is going to count, yes?
(PS: I don’t think you need to worry about numbers anyway)
I think we all go through stages with this. The funny thing is, when I very first started blogging I had NO idea about any of that stuff. (and well… some of it didn’t even exist then! ha!) So, most of the time? I try to pretend like I just started blogging…
I love our attitude about it, because well, I agree.
xoxo
Elaine A. recently wrote…Lazoo For You! {review & giveaway}
I had no idea either when I first started! Also? At my old blog? I never had Google Analytics installed. I know, right? Mind.blowing. We just keep on keeping on, yes? xoxo
I am totally the type of person who can get sucked into and obsessed with numbers. That’s so not how i want to live my life and having been away for the past two weeks and somewhat unplugged, I really don’t care so much. Well, I know a part of me will always care but my priorities have to be and should be my family and my kids. I do love the blogging community and I love reading and interacting and commenting but not as a means to an end to increase numbers. Hope that makes sense. It’s late.
Christine recently wrote…Inversion Aversion
It makes sense, of course! I read and comment on blogs and participate in communities like SITS and World Moms Blog because I love the sense of community and the friendships. If that doesn’t bring in the numbers, that’s okay. I’m not going to worry about it and neither should you
this post had me thinking why I am blogging? hahaha! i guess I could not compete since there are A LOT but to share some moments in my life as a mother, wife and me being myself, I guess that is better than nothing at all. I guess the joy I get is every time a reader take some of their precious time to leave their comment… thanks for reminding me that blogging could be an outlet and at the same time meet new friends…
)
Ma. Teresa Grech Quiatchon Racal recently wrote…Shopping Finds and Being Together
Sharing moments and capturing them on my blog is exactly WHY I continue to write here. Whether one or 20 read it, it doesn’t matter. Meeting friends is great, of course!
I gave up on stats awhile ago. It was totally burning me out. And it’s funny because a friend asked for a link to a blog entry from over a year ago so I sent it to her and as I did I noticed that the entry had more comments and it wasn’t even that great. I was just trying really really hard.
I love to write and I love my kids. I just don’t love stats!
Thanks for letting me see all the like minded bloggers out there!
I hate stats! Half the time, I can’t make head or tail of it anyway, so why care, right? Just keep doing what I love, that is to write.
As a new blogger, I toggle that line between wanting followers but not wanting to get wrapped up in that either. Like you, the reasons that I blog are bigger than the numbers….
ilene recently wrote…How Not to Hold a Grudge
It’s hard when you’re new. I remember being obsessed with my GFC followers when I was on Blogger (and before it was removed in March), and wondering how I can get comments etc. I was totally burning out after 6 months. Now, I read and comment on blogs because I want to, because I enjoy reading them, because I like making friends. Not because I’m hoping for a return visit/ comment. I can’t even keep score/ count anymore!
I am with you! At one point, when GFC was going away, I cared. Now, I don’t care. I keep blogging because I love to write and to connect with others. That’s it.
It’s hard not to care, but eventually, I stopped caring too. I couldn’t really make head or tail of the numbers anyway and the stress is unnecessary!
I always forget to look at my numbers….it’s great to know others are reading your posts but at the same time it puts so much pressure on you. I decided to stop looking & just write. I feel that comments (for me) out weigh how many hits I get to my blog. I like the interaction better. BTW – congrats on your new site, it’s great!
Yes! I much prefer the interaction than wonder about who came when and from where and how often – blech! And thank you
I will be so sad if Feedburner is gone. Like Shell said, it’s also about re-building my network of blogs I love to read. I’d rather not go through that again
Your boys make me smile!
angela recently wrote…Covering My Eyes
Yeah that’s a total PITA but I won’t worry about it unless I have to. I’ll just ask people to check in on me once in a while
(they make me smile too!)
Thank you for sharing this, Alison. Like Ilene said above, I am new blogger so I am wanting to grow without getting too tied up with the numbers. Numbers can be discouraging. I am just trying focus on learning all I can while writing – and spending time with my priorities.
Co-Pilot Mom recently wrote…Grade 3
It’s a balance you definitely need to strike, and sometimes you lean more towards caring about the numbers than the people in your life. It’s happened to me especially the first 6 months when I first started. I actually burnt out from the effort I felt I had to put into blogging just to increase my numbers. It was too much. Now, I just want to write.
I went to Bloggy Boot Camp when I had only been blogging for about 8 months. When I heard people talking about their followers and other stats, I actually at one point had to leave the conference room. I cried. I felt like I didn’t belong there. Then I went back in and a lot of people asked me where I had gone. People actually missed me being in the room. That is when I decided to ignore the numbers. I don’t look at a single one anymore. I write what I want and when I want. My stats with my family count way more than what they do on the computer. I’m glad it was my blogging friends that reminded me of that.
Kristen recently wrote…Shopping With A Tween
I like that – your stats with your family. Yes, exactly that. And of course people missed you – you’re awesome!
{Melinda} So hard not to worry about the numbers when you’re trying to make a living (in part) off your blog. Don’t know how to do that and not feel the joy being drained from this whole blogging thing. Boundaries, limits, I guess (not obsessively checking stats every 5 minutes!) and leaving the rest — what I can’t control — up to God!
Mothering From Scratch recently wrote…coming clean: becoming teflon mom
I guess it’s a different ball game when you’re blogging to make a living. I don’t know how that’d work for me, which is why I decided not to worry about monetizing this blog. I just know it’d take all the joy out of it. Good luck with striking a balance!
It reeks that they keep changing things. Just wish they would leave some things alone. I haven’t been on feed burner since (hmm, I don’t even know), so I don’t even know if I have followers.
You’re right though, the numbers doesn’t change how a person writes or how credible they are. The only thing that matters is the people who you’re writing for.
KalleyC recently wrote…A Girl’s New Best Friend
Google likes to be sneaky and does stuff quietly sometimes. Which is annoying. And I refuse to partake in all the silliness of followers etc. I just wanna write and that’s what I’m gonna do.
Sometimes I get so caught up in the page hits and views and all the rigamarole thatI forget that my blog is for me. It journals my life right now. It’s mostly about my family, my daughter but about how I feel. If other people don’t always get that, it is ok.
Jaime recently wrote…First Grade!
Because the stats are there, it’s hard to not want to check in once in a while. But yes, pulling back and remembering why we blog is so important.
I know exactly what you mean. I changed blogs. GFC went away. I keep losing whole crowds.
But that’s simply not the bottom line.
I just figured out the feedburner widget, so of course, this rumor would begin.
Yeah I moved platforms, GFC went away, changed blogs, had to start over with Facebook – it’s all too much and too stressful. I’m just gonna write!
It’s gotta be in the atmosphere. You do it for all the right reasons, but having the acknowledgement of the community wouldn’t hurt either, right? I, too, am CRAZY SICK AND TIRED of numbers and followers and playing the compare game.
You, sister, are right on the money. (And doing oh-so-well, if your devoted legion of readers/commenters is any indication- myself included.
Keely recently wrote…Unsafe Driving Practices.
I love comments! But I don’t want to keep count/ keep score/ compare anymore. It’s just too stressful and life is too short. And thank you. You guys are the best.
I go through phases where I do care about my subscriber count/engaging my followers/ etc., and then I go through phases where I just don’t give a damn. It ebbs and flows, like all things in life.
P.S. WHY would Feedburner go away? That’s just stupid.
Kristin recently wrote…Metamorphosis (And Also, Why I Don’t Vlog)
Blogging is all about the ebb and flow, yes?
Also, I don’t know. Google likes to do some stupid shit and who knows why?
You preach it sista!
Natalie recently wrote…Two Under Two-Four Weeks In
Oh you know I do and will continue to do so.
Write for the right reasons.
Always that.
I love you, A.
(it’s the community, a place for our words, putting down in this eternal space that which makes my life…a priceless gift. We are all so the internet exists. Otherwise, there’d be another pile of notebooks on my closet floor)
Alexandra recently wrote…The Way We Pictured It
I love you too, my friend. xo
And yes, yes and yes.
,,all so LUCKY.
we are all so LUCKY.
xo
Alexandra recently wrote…The Way We Pictured It
I think most of us can relate to that and know exactly what you mean. It is what it is and people either come and read or they won’t… that won’t stop me from blogging either. And I will continue to follow you and read your lovely words!
Susi recently wrote…A Gulf Coast Sunset {Ft. Myers Beach}
Thank you so much Susi!
I hadn’t heard that feedburner would go away
Suck! I don’t know why they’re making it more difficult for people to follow and read blogs. When GFC died for wordpress I know I lost track of some of the blogs I followed. Maybe I lapsed in getting on and subscribing through other ways, but I still feel bad about it.
You are right. It’s not really about the numbers–but it is a nuisance to loose touch with a community that has become so precious to us all!
hilljean recently wrote…Wordful Wednesday: What I Did Before I Went To Bed
Yes, that is the part I hate too. Having to resubscribe to my beloved blogs some other way. Sigh.
I will *always* read you! And I sympathize (with jealousy) because I’ve been blogging for three years now and my growth rate is sooooooo slow. But you are right – you are really doing it for you. And them. (and maybe me). xo
Jessica recently wrote…I’m Back…
Aw, thank you Jessica! Don’t you ever worry about the numbers, I think your blog is fab.
Looove Vanita. She Rocksss.
Xx
My Inner Chick recently wrote…When You Call My Name-It’s Like A Little Prayer
She absolutely does!
Sometimes I wish all those stats just didn’t exist, so there wouldn’t even be the option to think about them! I started my blog to capture memories of my kids that they could enjoy in the future. And to share today’s memories with family since we’re spread out all over the place. So why am I constantly looking at stats that don’t change a thing? Such a great post. And you do have the right priorities. And I liked you on facebook long ago
Katie E recently wrote…School Morning Routine #iPPP
Thank you Katie, both for your comment and your Facebook like. Much appreciated! And exactly, we have to remember WHY we blog and who we blog for, or we’ll get lost.
Well you’re a better and more prioritized woman than I am. I tell myself it’s not about the numbers, and yet I sink when I see that a post has utterly bombed…and its usually the ones that I think are going to be hugely successful. Maybe I need to have another baby and write about my pregnancy and then just post oodles of pictures of my adorable baby with the big eyes and the squeezable cheeks…cough….cough…need a surrogate….cough…cough…
Sandra recently wrote…Hallelujah and praise the Lord!
Dude, you have THOUSANDS of followers so believe me when I tell you that you have nothing to worry about. Are you talking about my baby? Hehe.
Your reasons for blogging are the reasons that so many people love to read you. You are authentic and real and it shows in your writing.
I won’t lie, though, if Feedburner goes away I will probably cry. Because, like you, the thought of starting over is UGH.
thedoseofreality recently wrote…My Dreams Of Hollywood Hair
Aw, thank you Ashley. It makes my heart happy to know that people love my writing and can relate. It’s like the frosting on my cupcake.
I try to keep focused on my family, too, and not too caught up on the numbers….it’s not easy!
Michelle
http://normalchaosforamultitaskmom.blogspot.com/2012/09/adventure-wednesdays.html
Michelle recently wrote…Adventure Wednesdays
It’s a hard balance – I have to keep reminding myself of what matters!
I have dyscalculia so statistics and numbers mean nothing to me. Never thought I would see the advantage of that…
Tinne from Tantrums and Tomatoes recently wrote…A happy reunion
Haha! You’re awesome so keep writing, my friend.
That’s been my problem all along…I hate the technicality of all the blogging social crap! Why can’t we just be friends?
Blond Duck recently wrote…Pumpkin Apple Bread
Yes, exactly!
I have been blogging for only a year and a half and I admit that the numbers still affect me. I didn’t start out knowing any of it and then as I grew, so did my love for connecting with other bloggers. I can’t wait until I get to the point where I check my stats out of curiousity and not validation. It does make my day when someone comments (I always love seeing you over on mine:) ) but you’re right. I didn’t start out writing for others so I need to remember that when I see the numbers dwindling. I cried when Google Friend didn’t transfer over. I know my followers are still there but I miss seeing them.
AnnMarie recently wrote…No Patience
I understand the need to check on stats. I’m not saying I don’t, but I don’t care anymore what they are or what they mean or figure out how I’m going to increase them. It’s just not worth the stress.
I don’t even really know where my “numbers” are and I think I like it that way.
You’ll write what you want to, what you’re wishing for, right? At least I hope so…
MommaKiss recently wrote…Baby no more
Hah, yes exactly that!
I totally get it. I used to check my numbers every day–now, it doesn’t matter so much to me anymore.
Asianmommy recently wrote…Willowbrook Wildlife Center
And so it shouldn’t.
I’m just really happy to have a voice and feel connected to other moms just like me. that’s all that really matters.
karen recently wrote…Cheap Organization
It’s awesome, this community isn’t it?
Loved this post! I feel so similar. My kids are 24, 23, & 17…I wish I had started blogging when they were young. My 17 yr. old has been recovering from oral surgery and while I sit with him I’ve had time to really check out the blog community. Amazing! Love it!
Thank you Lu! Hope your son is recovering well from his surgery.
I NEVER check my stats and write just to write for my sanity and to log my life and connect with people that want to connect. It is SO easy to get all caught up in this blogging thing, but it’s important to keep it all in perspective too. I think you (and I) do that very well.
Tonya recently wrote…Class Of 2026
Oh yes, we most certainly do
Amen, girl! It’s so easy to loose sight of what are passion really is behind all this blog madness. Thanks for the reminder that matters!
Adrienne recently wrote…My Inner Child
Thank you for reading!
Numbers, schmumbers…who cares, right? I will always come and visit and read your blog because you are awesome.
xo
Runnermom-jen recently wrote…Good To Be Home…
Likewise, my friend. Likewise.
Keep straight to the heart, friend. It’s truly the best place to be.
Galit Breen recently wrote…Mother Daughter Journals
You’re an amazing example of straight to the heart. xo
I stopped caring months ago and I felt like such a weight was lifted off my shoulders. People that love your blog and your writing will always come back!
Barbara recently wrote…The Girl who Cried Pre-school
You’re absolutely right!
Being still fairly new to blogging and understanding the ins and outs…I find myself paying lots of attention to numbers. Page views, comments, ReTweets… But it all boils down to the real deal. Like you said, your blog is a place you write so when your boys are grown, they can look back and read how they were like as kids and how hard you put your all into being the best parent you could for them. It’s good to refocus
MamaCassie recently wrote…One Good Thing – Picking Up Old Hobbies
I was really into the numbers game when I started blogging too – it’s almost inevitable. But you go through various stages with blogging. I’ve just come to the stage where I don’t care about the numbers. It’s so freeing!
Ugh–if they take away feedburner I WILL be stressed as just spent the past month getting people to resubscribe after moving to the new blog. I would honestly be embarrassed to ask friends and family to enter their email address anywhere else again. It just feels too “look at me! look at me!” and I already sort of feel that way having a blog at all.
I’m with everyone else here and YOU. Sometimes I care about the numbers, sometimes I don’t check for a week.
Nina recently wrote…The Biggest Closet Purge Ever
Oh yes, I know the whole “look at me!” syndrome. I hate doing that. So I won’t. Even if Feedburner goes away. I haven’t figured out what I’ll do yet, but I figure that people who want to read me, will find a way to check in
Found you through Christine and Live, Love, Surf. what a fantastic post! We all need perspective on this whole blogging thing and sounds to me like you’ve got it. Well done.
misszippy recently wrote…Running always wins
Thank you so much for coming by!
Great post and an even better perspective. Thank you.
Thank YOU.
Oh, there was a time, when I clicked ‘Site stats’ every single hour. Now I am just beyond that. I am not sure if they improved or not, they should have. But it was a phase and I just grew tired after a while. If there is content, if there is love, if it is meant to be, people connect.
And a wonderful post!
Purnima recently wrote…My article @ Huffington Post!
You’re absolutely right – content + love = connections.
I hadn’t heard that. I’m not even sure if all that many people follow me through feedburner and what the difference between that and RSS feed is.
I get sick of it all too.
Lady Jennie recently wrote…Gâteau au Yaourt
RSS is basically your blog feed. Feedburner is a tool for you to keep track of stats – who subscribes, how many etc.
So losing that means you may lose subscribers. Or not. The thing is, you won’t know. So for people who care about numbers, it’s stressful. And I refuse to be stressed so I don’t care!
It’s hard not to obsess and compare, but eventually you get back to the place where your passion is the priority – writing and sharing. I keep an eye on things, but I don’t focus too much on numbers. Rather I look at growth. As long as things are moving in the right direction – up and not down – I’m happy.
Angie Nelson recently wrote…How to Start a Home Business: 5 Steps to Home Business Success
I like your perspective, Angie. Growth and moving in the right direction. Thank you!
Great reminder to take it easy on ourselves. Like you said, my blog is a gift to my kids. Our memories of them and our family stories that they can share with their kids. Thanks for writing this!
Thanks for reading, Mel!
yes! Obsessing over our stats does kind of ruin the integrity of blogging. I hate it. But then again, I also wonder how I can get more readers and then look at sites like yours and wonder how you’ve built such a terrific following. (though I think I know in your case – you are one of the most supportive bloggers out there, have an elegant site, thoughtful posts and are engaged in a lot of bloggy community link-ups and stuff…). The thing is, as much as my blog is, like yours, for family and posterity, I don’t LOVE it when I work really hard on a post and no one reads it. I MUCH prefer for my posts to start a conversation. As an expat living in a foreign culture, that’s a big part of why I blog – to connect! Anyway, thanks for this post and for your own wonderful presence in the blogging community!!
Kim, I think you’re absolutely on the right track with your writing – you DO start conversations and I love how your posts always make me think. That’s a sign of good writing. That’s what matters, not the numbers.
I work hard in blogging – the community involvement, supporting others, linkups, because I genuinely enjoy the connections. I don’t do it to get follows or return visits or comments, though those are always nice.
Thank you for reading!
I feel the exact same way. My blog is a gift to my kids too. It still blows my mind that people read it lol. I’m so glad you have decided to let go of the stress around numbers. It’s so freeing! Now you can just write with stress. I find when I don’t push myself, I do my best stuff.
Love your blog.
Mama Pants recently wrote…He’s Fast! I’m Not!
Yes! I write best when I just… write. Those are always the posts that resonate and the ones I love. And thank you!
Great post, and I love all the wisdom in the comments — a bonus!
Louise Ducote recently wrote…Two-Thirds Perfect
Right? People are so wise, love it.
What a great post, Alison. Looking at numbers are stressful. I try not to do it, too. Thanks for sharing. I really need to write your memories captured down on my calendar, and participate.
Leigh Powell Hines recently wrote…Savor Summer A Little Longer with a Southern Tomato Pie
Yes, we’d love to have you participate! The next Memories Captured is September 10-14, next week!
OH YES I feel the same way. And think just like you I blog for my kids because time speeds by way to quickly. I write and if someone can relate and enjoy then that’s just a bonus! Happy Sharefeast!
Ellie Augustin recently wrote…I Want To Remember
Yes, exactly! Thanks for coming by, Ellie.
Oh, wow, this is the first time I’ve heard that rumor! Maybe it will stay just a rumor. (But with Google, you never know!) I think most of us are in blogging for all the right reasons, though, and losing Feedburner won’t stop us from blogging!
Happy SITS Sat. Sharefest!
Ginny Marie recently wrote…Kindergarten Memories
Yes, hopefully it’d just be a rumor. Feedburner or lack thereof definitely won’t stop us from blogging, that’s for sure.
Thanks for stopping by!
Great perspective! I have often thought about the value of blog-as-memory-keeper. Wish the blogging community had been around when my oldest was born. Thanks for this great reminder about priorities.
Thanks for reading, Jennifer!
there was a time in my blogging that I was so overwhelmed by stats and “getting or not getting” comments that I couldn’t stand it anymore and I had stopped blogging for about 4 months.
Now I don’t care. I care about my readers and I love getting comments, of course! But on the other hand I want have a pleasure in blogging not stress
Oh my, you actually stopped blogging because of the numbers? See, that’s what I fear. Which is why I don’t care and don’t want to care anymore. This is too fun to give up.
I *just* learned how to install feedburner, dang it. but on the other hand, i think only my mother and a friend of hers have signed up, so it’s easy enough to remind them of where to find me! I’ve been falling into the trap of deep sighs, as I look at so-and-so with her scores of comments, or such-and-so with a new post almost every day…Your blog hits right into the center of things (as usual with your writing); I’m needing to think more clearly about why I’m in this blogging world anyway…I mean, besides companionship, laughter, support, and … er… friends. Hmm. Guess I’ve just answered my own question.
Does this mean I’m not getting rich from blogging any time soon?
Dang it, all over again : )
deborah quinn recently wrote…Saturday’s Snapshot (surat al-sabt) لقطة السبت
Deborah, you won’t have to worry about anything – you have readers and friends that matter, and that should be all!
WHO gets rich from blogging? (aside from the very few obvious ones who wrote books. And made TV shows, ahem)
Thanks for this post. I’ve been thinking about this issue lately and I just have to be honest with myself that the numbers game is just not my cup of tea. I like so many of the comments that others have shared here, I wish there’s a like button!
Ruth recently wrote…Live. Simply.
The comments are even better than my post
And yes, the numbers game/ comparison trap is just too stressful. Let’s just write! 