“Breathe-in experience, breathe-out poetry.”
Muriel Rukeyser
I’m delighted to be a Finalist in the 2016 Littlewoods Irish Blog Awards, of course I am. If you can hear a “but” coming that’s because I sometimes feel a little like a square peg in a round hole in the blogging world. Blogging for me fulfils a need to express creativity through photography and writing. It is a bonus to share my work and to practice a kind of contemplative being in the world. The rewards are all mine just to be able to do it.
The beauty of creating your own blog is that you can make it whatever you fancy. I began mine 5 years ago, although a life time journal writer, I lacked courage to share my work. Instead I focussed on making a day job to pay the mortgage and keep a roof over our heads! But gradually over recent years I have been returning to that early freedom, of just doing what comes naturally. It’s kind of like playing but for grown women…..
I’ve learned a lot over these years.
- I now know it’s very helpful for an artist/blogger/photographer/writer to carve out a special on line space. It’s like having your own on line gallery.
- It’s fun to be part of a blogging community but there is a lot of angst out there, don’t be a blogger unless you are blogging from the heart. Don’t bother comparing yourself to so called “Influencers”……do your own thing…..life is too short…I think you have to love what you do to begin with.
- Popularity is not everything. Feedback can be wonky and unhelpful, encouragement can get you through some grey areas. Trust yourself and what you are doing, then trust your readers even if there are only 10 of them. Fads come and go so just keep getting better at what you know.
- It can be the easiest thing in the world to rant, and the hardest thing to find solutions and make a positive contribution.
- Allow for a little mystery in what you do, you don’t have to spill your guts.
- Have high expectations of your readers. They will always surprise you and when you least expect it will love some obscure rock you were afraid might be a bit boring, or tell you that what you wrote connected with them.
- Try not to be afraid….. as Elizabeth Gilbert has said, fear can come along for the ride, as long as she doesn’t give opinions!! Choose courage!!
- On photogpraphy, just follow your instincts. Don’t get bogged down in technicalities. “Breathe in experience…..breathe out poetry” “love what you love….”
- Stretch yourself way beyond your limits and practice, practice, practice…..you will get better all the time.
These herons were photographed in Ring, the Waterford Gaeltacht. I often find while everyone else is looking in one direction, I will be looking in another. And that my friends is the secret of an interesting life!
Thank you to each of you dear friends, readers and bloggers for your support along the way and for voting me into the final for the fourth year in a row. Right now I am travelling, very much off the beaten track and lacking in wifi. So next time I will share some photos!!
I love your blog, its an inspiration. I also love your honesty too. What you do is beautiful 🙂
Cat
https://forrealll.blogspot.ie/
Thank you so much Cat and for all your support! You have made my day x
I love this. It’s so important to blog for you first and your readers second. I’m only blogging three months and have found a part of me which I lost years ago. I love to write. I’m going to write. Your points are so spot on. I think every blogger should reevaluate and come back to the bones of why they blog when they feel unfocused. I just found your blog through the LWI bloggies and I love it.
Thank you!! I’m thrilled that it rings bells for you. Welcome to the blogging world. If you love to write then you are on the right track. I always describe myself as a photographer but now I am reclaiming my inner writer. Go for it xxx
have read three blog angst posts in a row.
Yours, is a deep breath, of fresh air.
That bird captured in the moment of taking off? Wonder full.
Haha! I hear ya Diane!! There’s far too much angst out there. And thank you, I just can’t resist the beauty of these birds.
Sound words indeed C!
Thank you Margaret! And you are one I know who shares a belief in sanity and perspective over chasing rainbows of empty promises!! Keep on keepin on girl xx
So many truths and lessons learned here. Thank-you for sharing your voice!
Thank you Marcie. You have always been a great inspiration. Would love to hear your learning xx
I would never have guessed that you sometimes feel like a ‘square peg in a round hole’ but I suppose we all can feel a little vulnerable when we blog from the heart! I love this post it sums up such a lot about blogging and yes if your heart is not attached you will not last long I would say! Great images too.
Hi Susan. I think it comes down to a much more hard sell approach in the blogging world which has changed the environment so much. More about brands and numbers and it used to be more about community I think. Thanks for you thoughts!!!
As a blogger for seven years now I can say that your list is spot on! Thanks for pulling all the pieces together and sharing!
Things have changed a lot since we started. I love that we keep going and keep knocking such fun out of it! X