My mind shifts into a rhythmic thinking mode, combining thoughts and ideas with a metronome like precision. Things are falling into place…
It’s Sunday, 6:17 AM. I’m running my first run in a long time, loving the freshness and quietness of early morning. After 5 minutes of relentless protest, my legs accepted that I’m not going to stop and have started cooperating.
Holding Myself Back
I’ve been thinking a lot about blogging the past few days, and it’s been on my mind for several weeks now. I’m not really satisfied with how thing are going, and that’s not due to circumstances. It’s because of me.
I came to realize that I’m holding myself back. I’ve been trying to define my blog, to define “How to be an Original”. But I kept bumping into a barrier, something that stopped me from being satisfied with whatever definition I came up with. Until it hit me last Sunday (bear with me on this one).
I realize now that I started with the definition process months back already. The topics I blogged about were as the things on my mind, very diverse. And at the same time I was reading blogs about blogging, like ProBlogger, to learn more about blogging. One of the things I learned was that it’s best to choose a (niche) topic or a (niche) demographic and write specifically for them. Especially if you want to earn a buck from them.
I also received some feedback that it wasn’t all that clear what the blog was about. With this and the advice on blogging, I took a good look at my blog. And I limited the subjects somewhat, so it would fit more closely to productivity or self improvement.
Fast forward a little and I’m coming up with all kinds of topics that I’m interested in. I want to write about them and often even draft a post already. Only to decide later on that they don’t fit my blog. And I put them in storage, with a saddened heart.
Personal Blogs…Yuck (No More)
You know, I looked down upon personal blogs before last Sunday. There are a gazillion of them out there, with people writing about their <insert pet here> puking over the carpet, the recent visit a restaurant (and the <insert bad habit here> waitress) and their annoyance over <insert name of retail chain here>’s lack of customer service. B-O-R-I-N-G.
For years I thought about blogs as just that, boring accounts of empty lives. I couldn’t see the point of having one, let alone reading them. Until I discovered some niche blogs, wow! Okay, so blogging is great if you just ignore the personal blogs. Or so I thought.
Blogging Became Personal (Again?)
The insight crept up to me when I was thinking about the other blogs I want to start: a blog about WordPress and a blog about making money online. Both highly competitive markets, yet I feel I can add to them or at least have a fun time taking part.
“Both of them are niche blogs, rather tightly defined, and”, I thought: “a lot less about me…” Then…only the sound of running shoes touching the ground in a steady cadence and the rhythmic sound of my panting breath. An inner voice yelled out loud: “How to be an Original is about ME. It’s a personal blog!” Adrenaline rushed through my body and I picked up pace, the thought was exciting. It wasn’t scary at all! It was actually liberating. I could be me, the boundaries were mine and I could just decide to let them go! Meanwhile my legs were telling me that in spite of the adrenaline shot, my stamina wasn’t quite up to par with the new speed. So I slowed down a little.
Personal blogs aren’t bad or boring. After all Liz’s blog is personal too, as is the conversation that’s going on there. Brett’s blog is definitely personal. Come to think of it, so is Christine’s. Personal and entrepreneurial, but they are intertwined in the blog as much as in her I guess. Naomi’s blog is definitely personal, with a clear message and lessons, but she breathes those too! And Men with Pens write about writing, but is in essence a personal blog too! Sjeez, how could I not have seen this before?
Passionate People Make Passionate Blogs
People documenting the emptiness of their existence, that was my definition of a personal blog. I suspected that they hoped that blogging about their life would make a difference (probably not gonna happen), or would make it more relevant somehow (definitely not gonna happen). I realize that may sound harsh, but that’s genuinely how I felt.
But passionate people on the other hand make passionate blogs. They don’t just document their existence, they want to spread a message, they want to genuinely improve themselves, inspire and help others, in life, relationships or business, or whatever topic their passionate about. Maybe I should call them Passionate Blogs instead of personal blogs…
The New (And Original) Approach
Back home after the run, I sat down behind the computer and read the posts from the early days of How to be an Original. I read and I learned. I saw that I improved immensely on a lot of accounts since then, but I really learned from my early posts. I learned that I never started as a niche blog, I started with writing sidenotes to my quest for authenticity. I reread my post Not a copy or forgery and Martin Heidegger’s words resonated with me. Again.
How to be an Original is not a productivity blog, or a self improvement blog or a <insert topic here> blog. It’s a personal blog written by a passionate guy with original thoughts. I have an authentic desire to learn and share and am certainly not afraid to show my vulnerable side. My questions, my worries, my desires and my dreams probably aren’t unique. More people have them, yet I choose to write about them.
How to be an Original is a passionate personal blog. It is defined by who I am. And who I am is in turn defined by my thoughts and actions. When I grow it will reflect on the blog, when I change it will reflect on the blog. And that’s exactly what I want to blog about on How to be an Original. It’s a companion the my journey through life, why define it otherwise?
Photos by audreyjm529 and kees@eindhoven
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
I just love this post. This is exactly what I’ve tried to achieve in my own blog through my writing and my photography. I’m sharing my passion for my life, my home, my interests. I make a point only to blog about minutiae if they are relevant! I also make a point not to whine, moan or spout negativity. I was actually reading a post just yesterday about this topic that you might like. It was over at Karen Swim’ blog Words For Hire:
http://wordsforhire.blogspot.com/2008/04/planning-failing-and-java-beans.html
I’ve got a feeling I’m going to be thinking about this post for the rest of the day now…
Thank you!
This is so true! I’ve always found that the most interesting, pleasurable to read blogs are those whose writers tell stories about their own life, and perhaps even use the stories to teach their readers something.
Me? I’m working on it. But Brett, Naomi, the Pen Men… they all have it working for them perfectly!
Allisons last blog post..Taste and Create 7
One’s own blog archives can be eye opening. The way I see it, over the course of time one blogs, the blog charts his/her own growth as an individual.
It is like a heat map of passion(s). To see what fired you up back then and when you moved from blogging about your own life to blogging about things you knew you could give others.
Great post as before!
Vijayendra Mohantys last blog post..Why you should plan for good times
This post made me want to go out running early in the morning. The first few lines really took a hold of me!
Buzzs last blog post..Solving problems with arms folded
We tried the strict blogging route way back with Web Content Writer Tips. Professional, straightforward info, no personality.
It didn’t fit.
We were miserable. We didn’t like blogging. It was boring and a chore. It was like a suit jacket cut two sizes too small.
So we did something about it.
We let ourselves shine through. We redesigned, moved the blog, took on a theme, and became US. We aren’t a personal blog talking about which coffee we like or which cat puked on the carpet, but our readers still know US. We’re people.
Writing really good shit.
You go, Lode. I think you have everything it takes to do the same.
James Chartrand – Men with Penss last blog post..How to Use a Laptop In the Sun
Damn. Subscribe to comments turned on.
James Chartrand – Men with Penss last blog post..How to Use a Laptop In the Sun
@amy: Thanks Amy! I agree wholeheartedly with you on the whining, moaning and negativity part. It’s rare that I enjoy it when people do that on their blogs.
@allison: Stories really are the key to learning, aren’t they?
@vijayendra: I was surprised by my own blog archives! I should reread my own posts more often. It appears that I have interesting things to say!
I do think that blogging about my life, and blogging about things I can give others are intertwined, not seperated. The distinction I made once was artificial, but I didn’t know that back then.
@buzz: What’s stopping ya? Get those shoes on, and run
@James: Thanks for the encouragement and kind words James. Your voices really come through in your blog (the plural is for Harry of course), I rather like that you’re coming from an entire different perspective too.
It’s amazing how limiting these self-imposed restrictions can be!
And I sincerely apologise for reading US as U-S at first, my dear Canuck.
Lode,
I had to add one more thing to your list – How to be an Original is a *great* blog. You are going the right way, from what I can see. As Vijayendra said, looking back to where you came from is a very powerful exercise. I haven’t been blogging for very long, and I look back to my old posts and the feedback I’ve received from people for guidance. To make sure I’m staying true.
And as Amy and James said, what you said, and what I came to realize through some of my recent posts – letting yourself shine through, really opening up, that makes for great writing. For me, the best interactions I’ve had have been on the things I have written from the heart. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for a thought-provoking piece today.
-Brett
Brett Legrees last blog post..my hero.
Great post. It’s a question I’ve been struggling with a bit lately as well. Good to see your thoughts on it, and maybe (hopefully) I’ll be able to do the same.
I only recently discovered Brett and Men With Pens and they are fantastic when it comes to being passionate bloggers. It is good to see that you have decided what that means for you. Personal blogging, for me, means that I present the real me to my readers in my blogging efforts. Yes, there are boring personal bloggers out there. I don’t read them. Passionate is a very good way to be about life. I am not there all the time. Thanks for the inspiration.
Patricia – Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworkers last blog post..I Feel Like A Woman
I have been wrestling with this post, to put it in the right words. I was quite satisfied with it in the end as it really reflects how I feel.
Thank you all for your great comments. They make me warm inside, and strengthen me to continue on this path I have chosen. Thanks so much!
It’s good to see that you struggle. It is authentic and personal. I came over here to see what you had written from Twitter because you seemed disappointed in your blog traffic. I wouldn’t worry about that to much. You are doing a great job in being who you want to be.
Ellen Wilsons last blog post..Feed on Some RSS Fruit
@Patricia,
Thank you for saying that, and believe me, you are very much there as far as I’m concerned. When I read your words, I feel like I’m talking with you. And I learn more about the real you each time. That is great!
@Lode,
Stay this course. You are going the right way, very much so.
Brett Legrees last blog post..my hero.
@Derrick: I’m sure you’ll find your path Derrick. You’re already very conscious of your path, especially considering your age. Keep going the way you do, it’ll be allright.
@Patricia: We can’t be there all the time I think. We need a peek of the other side, to appreciate what we have. As Brett says, you’re very much there already.
@Ellen: Glad you visited! I remember the comment I made, but it was made with a smile. I was kidding around with James about Woopra.
@all: I loved that you all are saying to me I do a great job. Wish I could have that everyday! Compliments are so nice to get and to give as well.
And I love CommentLuv (the plugin that gets your last post titles)!
@Lode -
Almost 1000 RSS subscribers? Keep doing what you’re doing. People don’t just want information, they want personality.
Yes,
I have spent the last six weeks asking myself this same exact question about my own blog and about where I want to go in all of my writing.
I think the answer is that I am always asking questions of life and I want the answers. I don’t know what they are, I am figuring life out as I go along…just like we all are, But I can share what I know and you can share what you know and together we can grab hands and …well..we can get somewhere, and if we get inspired, have a little fun, make friends..then what the heck, the ride’s a little better.
Your place here.. make’s the ride better.
You really do have something going and it really is working…
What you have is an inspirational passionate blog.It works.
Wendi Kellys last blog post..False Loves
Lode,
This the first post of yours that I’ve read, after being linked here from Dave Navarro’s blog. I’m glad that you found what you wanted to write about – I look forward to more great posts like this one!
Andrew McMillens last blog post..Content Analysis: Winelibrary TV
Wow! Really inspiring post! I am constantly reading post about personal productivity and improvement and found my way here thru http://gtd.marvelz.com/blog/gtd-index/
I feel good finding your blog here as i can read and learn about your paths pf finding the meaning of life and to identify the roots of your blog. I am trying to write about things too, especially those things i value and enjoy in my life such as personal growth and art. but i still have some problem distinguish them. i felt that they are very different topic and might make my blog looks messy. and to add on to that, i might write about my personal life account and stuff happen in college. but i do not want to separate them into 2 different blogs as i dont have the time to maintain them.
Your posts provides me with some ideas and guidance. will continue to read more.
Thank you! Keep writing, mr.Lodewijkvdb!
Wow. Now then I know what commentluv does. lol. I’ve been hearing about it but do not fully understand what is so good about it.