Why bother?
What’s the point in doing all this blogging?
What purpose does it serve?
For a couple of visits a day, why spend hours creating a different blog post every day? Is it worth it?
Those are the questions, amongst others, that went through my head when I read a recent comment over on Splodge and Splatter, one of my other blogs. I’m sure the question wasn’t intended in the way that I first took it, but it certainly made me think of these questions.
Several years ago, another blogger (who I no longer follow but is still active in the Blogosphere) asked me if I would consider posting less frequently. The blogger in question rarely visited my blog beforehand, so my posting frequency shouldn’t really have concerned her. I gave her my reasons as to why I post as often as I do, and she never responded. Apart from seeing her face dotted around Blogland every now and then I haven’t heard from her since. This was the first time I asked myself the question, Why Bother?
I enjoy blogging. I enjoy writing and being creative. That’s why.
I may not be the world’s best writer / artist / photographer, but I don’t see that as a reason to stop. I keep on keeping on, because with each post / picture / painting there’s just a chance I may get better.
There’s a chance that I may provide a spark of inspiration to somebody else who feels they aren’t good enough.
I may just give someone a smile when they really need one.
I may, however inadvertently, provide an answer to someone else’s stumbling block with something they are working on.
I like the connections I get through blogging. Connecting with people all over the world, who I would never have the chance to otherwise ‘meet’. I always say ‘as and when’ when it comes to visiting my blog, because I am aware of my limitations, and I’m also aware that there are millions of other (most likely better) blogs out there and there simply isn’t enough time to visit everyone.
I don’t have time to visit all of the blogs I follow either, but it isn’t personal. None of it is. It’s just the way it is.
I apologise if you’ve stumbled across one of my rubbish posts, or a boring post, or a rushed post, or a silly post, or a post you weren’t expecting. The post was where my creativity was at at that time. Not one of us can be perfect every time.
I’m grateful if you’ve enjoyed a good post (or a bad one!). The comments and likes I receive are received with gratitude, and help me to Feel Good, which is my motto and has been since the very first day of this blog.
My intention, regardless of my post, is to try and share that Feel Good factor. In blogging, I believe we should all try to share a little light around the world, whether through stories, jokes, photos, pictures, music or any other part of the creative spectrum.
It’s too easy to get bogged down with all the darkness and negativity that is constantly being bombarded upon the world. Balance that with the light, and the world isn’t half as bad as we are made to believe it is.
Why bother?
That’s why.
Blogging is far more than just posting, but the posts help.
Tom
I’m glad you didn’t take it wrong because it wasn’t ment that way. What I ment was ..Why do you distort your images and make crazy looking goofy looks. Are you just having fun or really trying to figure out how all of the art stuff works.?
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Oh, I know it wasn’t meant maliciously, Beverly, so no worries there!
My mind sometimes runs away with words on the screen before fully analysing the bigger picture. With a mind like mine, it’s to be expected! 🙂 Besides, it helped me to come up with another blog post, so it’s all good!
As for distorting my images, I am always trying to find the ‘best look’ ever for whatever I create. And I’m having fun whilst trying out all of the different options available in the software. Sometimes, the image doesn’t look its best when I’ve added a particular tweak, but it’s still part of the creative process, and that is what I want to share over on Splodge and Splatter… so good, bad and warts and all, they get included over there.
The whole creative process is fun for me, so I don’t mind showing any of my creations in a less than perfect way!
Thanks for getting me thinking though, Beverly! 😀
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Keep on spreading the light Tom.
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Thanks, Susan, and I shall! 😀
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Please don’t stop, you often bring a smile with your quirkiness.
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Aw, thanks Claire!
And no, I don’t want to stop, I enjoy it too much! 😀
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I enjoy your posts, Tom. Carry on with what your doing. It often gives me a smile or pause for thought.
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Thanks, Sylvia. 😀
As I always say, I shall keep on keeping on!
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I couldn’t agree more, Tom. Love all your posts. But even more, I love the connection and chats, As far as I am concerned, the quirkier the better !
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Thanks, Raili.
I must work on the balance, though. I don’t want to be too over-quirky or over-serious.
Hehehe! Thinking about it, I rather like the sound of being over-quirky! 😀
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My thoughts too, keep posting!
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Thanks, Cheryl.
And I’m carrying on! 😀
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My thoughts exactly, Tom. Sure, I have bad days when I hate everything, but they never last and I turn up again good as new. As long as people like what we do, we will keep going.
(and as long as I can hold a pen, I will keep writing too!)
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Exactly!
It has to be done! 😀
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Call me silly…..but there’s a certain, optimistic (I am) pleasure in opening up my laptop. What lies beyond those inert keys? Will I find a “kin-ship” with a fellow writer; a funny or heartfelt poem? Or maybe a quirky story? As I find people fascinating (in all their disguises…) the interest never fades. Indeed, as the years roll by, I seem to be more curious than ever about “people-kind.” x
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Hello, Joy… thanks for commenting!
The connections are wonderful, aren’t they? And with those connections comes inspiration, awe and wonderment. You can’t go wrong with that!
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I enjoy your posts Tom, I don’t follow lots of bloggers so you must be good 😉
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Aw, thanks, Elaine!
‘Good”s pushing it at times around these here parts, but I’ll take it! 😀
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I think blogging is a great exercise in learning to believe in yourself strongly enough to not care what others think. We tend to be drawn in by someone elses thoughts or comments and so often we feel we have to respond a certain way to keep people happy. NO! You blog the way you want to blog within the guidelines of do not offend or hurt others. This all correlates with my feeling that for too long now MSM and social media have tried desperately to drag us into having our identities stripped away so we ‘fit in’ with what is expected of us. NO AGAIN! We must protect our individual identities and follow what our hearts tell us, not what somebody else tells us. Do what you think is right TL….It’s YOUR blog….Have a good week TL….VK 🙂
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Exactly, VK. You’re right – it’s about having the courage and conviction to write or create whatever we feel at the time, keeping it within our own ‘respectful guidelines’.
I much prefer blogging to social media, although I haven’t used social media in years and haven’t missed it!
You too have a good week, VK.
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People always have the option tom stop following, it is surprising someone would be so negative towards you. Blogging fulfills many needs in my opinion. A place to share thoughts, to learn about others, a cathartic sounding board sometimes. A non judgmental safe haven. Keep at it.
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Thanks, DM… and keep at it I shall!
The comment that helped to prompt this post wasn’t intended in a negative way, but I feel the earlier one I mentioned certainly was. Each to their own, however.
Yes. A safe haven indeed. I like the sound of that.
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I’m with you Tom, I’d much rather spend a few moments each day visiting positive and creative bloggers, than reading the news.
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Exactly, Sharon… although that said, I can leave the news for a week or two and then find myself back there again! And gah! Nothing’s changed!!! Yes. Positivity rules! 😀
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Keep it up, Tom! Your blog is fun and creative and I enjoy it.
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Thanks, Eugenia. I try to keep things a little different.
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That is what draws the audience, IMO. 🙂
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Of course it is worth it. It isn’t the quantity that counts, but the quality, and I visit you, don’t I? 🙂
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You do, Col… and I’m very thankful for that.
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I have pondered this question myself at times… and I’m in agreement with you! Because I ENJOY it!! And I too love and NEED to do it! It brings me JOY and I hope it gives someone else a smile. 😃 Keep spreading the light, Tom! ✨💫
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Thanks, Jill. It’s all worth it in the end, isn’t it?! 😀
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Blogging like leaving a door open so people feel welcome to walk in and sit down for a visit, or just walk by and give a friendly wave from the doorway. A nice way to Feel Good! 🙂
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And that Diane, is what, and all, I can hope for! 🙂
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Blogging is a community…
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And a grand one at that, Sue! 🙂
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Yep!
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You do well Tom and every piece of work adds to your abilities as you experiment to create something special. 🙂 ❤
Good, bad, or indifferent, each work is a piece of you growing better each day.
Never regret the road as nobody starts at the end of the journey. 🙂 ❤
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That’s so true, Prenin.
Thanks.
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