Ok, I’m not starting the new year off too well. I haven’t posted since December 31st and here it is January 8th (ok, started this on the 8th, now it’s the 13th, jeez). Not good, not good at all. It’s not that I don’t have anything to post about. I’ve got at least half a dozen drafts in the queue. It’s that I’m not sure in what direction I’m going with this blog. I think I made the mistake of asking for peoples’ opinions too early. You know, as artists, we’re told to never reveal our work mid-stream. People will steer us off course. Not deliberately. Tips and advise were given with the most sincere intentions. And they helped. They really did. It’s just that I got to stewing in my juices over it. Which is what I generally do in such situations. Instead of politely taking the advice and continuing to move forward, I kind of got stuck and started questioning if I’m doing this right. Is there a right way or wrong way to blog? Will the Blog Police find me and flog me if I get it wrong?
I guess that’s where I’m at right now. Still figuring out my purpose, my mission. They seem to change daily, if not hourly. Now I could wait until I have all this stuff figured out and then restart this blog. But I think I’m just going to DO. Yeah, Nike’s slogan never gets old does it? I’m just going to do it. Just post about what’s on my mind, what’s going on in my life, what I’m trying to figure out, what ticks me off, what I struggle with. In this age of transparency and authenticity I think I’ve just got to be me, even if it is a mixed up me. Maybe there will never be a direction, maybe I’ll never set any parameters or have a definable purpose for this blog. Maybe I’ll just relax and enjoy the ride. See where this thing takes me. Sorry, I’m just not as structured and organized as some. That’s not me.
Thanks, Leah, for the support. It really means a lot to me. Take this Wordpress theme I’m using. I like it. You said you like it. But it’s not like everyone else’s with sidebars and such. So here I am thinking how can I fiddle with this theme (probably break it in the process) so I can get a sidebar. But the thing is, I can’t really think of anything that I HAVE to have a sidebar for at the moment. My choices: waste a week or more trying to get a sidebar or get busy and post and communicate. I’m opting for the latter, posting and getting in the conversation. Thanks again.
I hear ya and you’re not alone! It’s so easy to get stuck in that preparation place. Although I’m not in that place with my blog, I am with other projects and it can be hard to unstick! I think you’re right on with releasing the advice and just going with your gut.
Your focus on the blog will probably change over time and that’s totally ok. I say just keep writing and posting and it will all come together as you go. I always feel like trying to be too focused is limiting anyways. I promise, the blog police will not be after you!