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Welcome to our weekly BlogAnon meeting where we confess a particular blogging sin and turn to you for support, suggestions and that blogging bond so we know we're not all alone. Don't be shy. Read along and let us know if you identify with us this week.
I am jealous of you. I can't help it. I just am. It must be my competitive streak that permeates many facets of my life (join our Survivor game and see what I mean - I dare you). I like to come out on top. To be the best. So I can't help it when I see you have more followers than we do. More profile visits than we do. More comments than we do. More participation than we do. More inspiring posts than we do. More creative results than I can think to do. I love what you do. But I want to do it better than you.
Is that wrong? Was it bad of me to be truly happy for my friends who got married, bought homes and had families while at the same time being jealous of them for having all that I wanted and did not yet have? It is such a conflicting feeling - to want to share in the joy of others when the reminder of not having what you want bums you out. That's how I feel when I visit you. Yes - you. All of you.
Every blog has something that I wish I had. I can't get rid of that jealous streak. But I can turn it into motivation. Evaluation. Education. I want you to keep up the good work. I'll catch up to you some day. So thank you for the inspiration, as I bumble along in my own way.
What things are you jealous of in the blogosphere? What do you do about it? Can jealousy be a good thing?
14 comments:
What a great topic Molly.
There are a few things I can admit to being jealous over in the blogosphere. Such as the great books the bloggers get, their relationships with publishing houses, the ability to go to all kinds of blogging events, and the great contests that I am unable to enter based on the fact that I am in either Canada or Quebec.
There's not much I can really do about it but grin and bare it. I try hard to maintain the contacts I have within publishing houses.
As for jealousy being a good thing would depend on the situation but i think it can be to some extent.
You guys have a great blog, and way more followers than most (including me.) As my mother used to say: Just be happy for what you have. There are plenty of starving people in Africa who would love to have your blog (she was actually referring to food, not blogs, but you get the idea...)
I don't know if it's jealousy, but at LEAST every other day, I walk out of the computer room and go over to my husband and say, "I'm not blogging anymore. Nobody reads it." Or worse yet, "So-and-so said she had a cold and FIFTY people commented." And then I have to remind myself (VERY frequently) it is not about readers or commenters, it is just about writing for ME so I don't forget what I've written and I get practice writing... At least that's what I say and it sounds good, maybe? And it works... for a day or two...
I'm with you on this one! I've gotten better as to the amount of traffic and followers; I've come to the realization that I'm just unwilling to spend the kind of time and effort it would take to increase that number. But I'm so jealous of all of the books people get early and of all of their great layouts.
I get jealous when I see people getting awards or winning or doing things with their photography that I feel like I should be getting/doing/winning!
I have noticed that the major motivation in social networking seems to be the "it's all about me" factor. I don't think I've experienced much jealousy--I think I fear non-acceptance more than anything. It's like being in highschool all over again. *yikes!*
My favorite blog is "Grandma's Briefs". She runs it magazine style, writing an article from her personal experience and then at the end asks a question soliciting a response from her readers. I find her writing enjoyable, friendly--and even if it's still about her, she does her best to make it about you. I would like to accomplish that someday, make the reader feel like they are a part of my life.
Thanks for the note. I haven't been up to very much - let alone felting or writing. But I will be soon. AND I will work on your request. I'm just sorry I didn't get anything done for you in time for Christmas.
What things are you jealous of in the blogosphere? Oh man, I don't know. I don't think I am jealous. Maybe jealous that I don't have as much time as others to write..maybe that I don't always have something radical to say..Thats about it.
What do you do about it? I usualy just neglect the feelings as I neglect my blog :)
Can jealousy be a good thing? I think it can be used as motivation!
Whenever I see larger numbers than mine, I just think that there is more work for me. I can't visit all the pallies on my blogroll now--I can't imagine adding more, unless I don't want to have a life outside of the blog.
Nah, not typically jealous of any other bloggers.
Obviously you weren't talking about me and my blog here! LOL I've been very, a.) absent, b.) lackadaisical, with mine lately. I don't know if I've lost interest, or can't concentrate. It just doesn't seem to me happenin' for me anymore. And yet, I go back and look at some of my past posts and think some of them were pretty awesome, and why can't I do that again. Well, I guess I'll keep reading my buddies' blogs and will hopefully get back in the groove someday soon.
And, my dear, you have no reason to be envious. Your blog is stellar and unique.
Oh gosh. Blogging like everything in life -- the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence . . . no matter which side your standing on.
Would it make you feel better if I said I was jealous of your blog? Well, I am, at least as much as I take the time to get jealous over such things, which is very little.
I do get jealous over bloggers who seem to get lots of comments for really lame posts, but I guess they've either nurtured a large following (which I don't have the time to do) or people really do find said posts interesting and comment-worthy (which I don't understand at all and since I don't I choose not to worry about it).
I'm jealous of your wonderfully well-written posts Molly!
I admit it..I am with rhapsodyinbooks on this one. I would say a week does not go by when I don't see someone's off the cuff post getting 50 comments whereas a review I slaved over getting two...or on one occasion none...and think about closing the blog down.
the only reason I don't throw the towel in is that ultimately I enjoy writing it and will take whatever feedback I get for what it is.
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