So I sat down to write a blog post this morning and saw that my Blogspot followers went down overnight. Unable to help myself (and yet, knowing better) I clicked over to Google Reader and saw that over there, too, I was down by two.
Losing my readers always makes me wonder–was it something I said or something I didn’t? Am I too fluffy? Offensive? Boring? Fat? It’s very much my nature to CARE TOO MUCH about what other people think of me, which is why Not Blogging was (at times) extremely peaceful.
But where’s the risk in that? I ask. Where’s the growth?
Right now we Minnesotans are going on three straight days of clouds and rain. For heaven’s sake, it even snowed yesterday! Right now I feel as if I am running on fumes–the Easter Sunday sunshine is just a memory and the joy of the Vigil…something I’m willing but not feeling.
“Stop this nonsense,” says the voice of reason. “Your children need you. Be of good cheer!”
Alright, I’ll try.
One of the best parts about going home on Sunday, besides seeing my mom & dad and sisters and whatnot, was staying in a hotel where there was a pool. I didn’t get any pictures of my children actually swimming, though I did persuade them to pose in the hotel lobby.
You know how I coerced my teen to join in? An extra ten minutes on the computer.
(works like a charm)
I have four sisters and got to see two of them on Sunday.
They are silly. I get it from them.
As I leaned out the window to take this picture, I heard my husband say, “I am SO going to blog about that water tower in Wahpeton.”
It was the “so” in his comment that was so annoying.
And yet, you’ll note that he was right.
Ed. Note: It seems silly and insubstantial to blog about followers in light of the storms down South. It is silly and insubstantial, and yet if I didn’t write about my insecurity & angst…well, I wouldn’t be Minnesota Me, would I.
Praying. Praying hard for those affected by the weather.
Oh I know that feeling about losing followers!! I laugh at myself when I think "uh oh! what did I do?". I'm so glad you're back from your blogging break!! š
You know what probably happened, is a lot of readers cut back on their blog reading for Lent, and then when they came back to it, they pared down the blogs they follow. I know I cut my RSS reader back, even removing some blogs that are really good, just because I know I need to streamline it.
On the average, if all the Catholic blog readers cut back, the Catholic blogs are going to lose a little. š
But why MY blog, Erin? Why not yours or Jen's? š
My point is, it probably happened to a lot of Catholic bloggers, and the more followers you have, the more likely the number dropped.
I have no idea whether my readership changed after Lent, it's way too noisy to take a trend from site meter, and I just don't have that many subscribers. Most people get to my site by googling "sweet potato pie" or "how to stop being Catholic," apparently, also the occasional people looking to buy ball bearings, and I'm guessing they don't stick around and become permanent followers š
It's a lot more peaceful if you just quit checking your blog stats. I quit about two years ago. I still care whether or not you're reading; I just quit obsessing about it. š
Oh Margaret.
It's been a really rough week here. Really rough.
And yet, this morning I popped onto your blog to see what I could see. And you managed to elicit a giggle for me (which is no small feat this week, I assure you). It was the water tower. I swear it.
So, thanks.
š
I streamlined my reading list before Lent began … because I just couldn't keep up with the reading … even though I thought they were great blogs. But, as for me personally, I'm pretty much oblivious to the followers!
At one point during Lent I was just about ready to call it quits to blogging. It just got to be sooo stressful and computer seemed the easiest 'thing' to eliminate. So, I quit reading and blogging for about two weeks. That helped.
I also know that some moms have a hard time reading 'great' blogs because they compare themselves to the blogger. Blogs, even if they are 'real', can make you think 'the grass is so much greener over there' … what's wrong with me?? Call it pride or whatever, but this hasn't been my issue. I just figure there's always more that goes on behind the pretty pictures and words.
I am however, enjoying the extra posts from you and being able to comment on one of my favorites again.
Well, being an avid reader of yours, I could bump you up by one, but I've no idea how establish a reader. I've just been typing in "p-a" and you pop up as one of my options to go to.
Margaret,
I love reading your blog; my sister who lives in WI and does NOT read blogs also reads yours.
That said, my suggestion to you is something I did myself–I took off my followers option. It really helped, helped, helped ALOT and I was able to blog again peacefully w/o obsessing over it.
I had a really long comment on here a couple hours ago and then my computer wouldn't let me leave comments anywhere and I've been trying to fix it since then!!
Can I scream?
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
Love the picture of your kiddos in the lobby
I think it would be really fun to see you and your sisters together!
My family always asks if I'm going to put it on my blog, when things happen.
It sounds really funny coming out of a 4 year old's mouth. (blog talk) Even just that word "blog" out of a 4 year old.
Followers are funny.
We can't worry about them.
I don't think half of mine even follow. If they do, they never comment!! haha!
When I worry about the followers, then blogging seems to be too stressful, when I blog for me, (with that desire to be read I guess)I am less stressed out.
The ones that matter still follow, right?
Always love your writing
For one, I am glad you are back. I missed your take on life!
We have had a hard Holy Week, Easter Sunday was a bright point, followed by a hard Bright week.
Your ramblings – even if they feel inconsequential to you – brighten my day.
I had the same experience with "losing" a follower and all the accompanying "what did I say?" angst. That was early in Lent, and right then and there ( well, after a little reflection) I decided to set the options where the number of followers is not so easily visible. Figured maybe that was one of the things that God wanted me to lose for Lent (and beyond). I didn't miss it at all. I fought the slight temptation to check it until after lent, and for whatever reason, the MIA follower was back. So I'll check occasionally, but not first thing every morning like I was doing.
I don't think that it's anything you wrote or said. I tend to subscribe to a lot of Catholic blogs. I read them, and then depending on how well I relate to them, I keep reading them or unsubscribe. For me, I didn't need to see all the crazy art projects that other families were doing that *I* certainly couldn't keep up with, or with families who, say, where eating healthily, but the blog was so intensely about health foods that I got lost trying to learn about all the poison in string cheese.
Maybe your two unsubscibers were pregnant at the same time as you and wanted to walk the same journey? Maybe their kids are out of the house and they can't relate to a homeschooling mother? Maybe the never-ending MN winter was too depressing to read about (I'm in the same boat…). Who knows!
You're still in MY blog sidebar š
I won't have a followers widget in my sidebar because it's all just too stressful … and yet Blogger dashboard insists on showing us how many we have. I don't want to know!!
And now they have the stats option so we can really luxuriate in our freakish obsession.
P.S., Did you hit your husband?
Wishing you lots of sunshine and readers (just don't steal mine, ok?).
Well, I'm still here! I know you're relieved.
I love reading your blog, because I can so relate to you, as a youngest child and all. That photo of your sisters made me drool and tear up at the same time (no small feat, let me tell you). I miss my big sisters!
I don't "follow" any blogs but I always read yours! š
And I would have retorted: "No, I am SO blogging about the Walmart! š "
I saw that exact same water tower …..and the two youngest and my husband played "hide-and-go seek" in that very same lobby…..just over one week ago! One of these days, we will be there at the same time! š
I will up your "followers" by 1…even though I'm not listed as a follower…..I follow!
I enjoy all your posts!
Sara in Illinois
This is too hilarious! I logged into my blog and noticed that I was down a follower and thought just about the same thing!!!! I'm glad I'm in good company š Love your blog!
God Bless.
If it helps I'm Lutheran and I follow you without using google reader since I find it annoying. I just have you as a short cut on the top of my browser. How is that for important?
Your parents are adorable.
Hey Margaret!
I have a new blog and a list of blogs on the sidebar ; is that "following"?
When we moved from New England to Alaska, ND was my absolute favorite geography. The space! The watertowers! The fields! Hope my kids can see it someday but we haven't gone anywhere in 13 years…
A new friend,
Allison