Years ago, I decided I would blog. I would not just blog, I would blog blogS. As in multiple. A food blog, a book and movie blog, and last but not least, a fairly anonymous dating blog of my adventures on eHarmony. Captain Obvious can tell you I bit off waaaay more than I could chew. While I’d like to chalk up my failure to too much, too soon, too many unrealistic expectations, what I didn’t realize was the hardest part of blogging is not quantity but quality. I struggled to find my voice.
I read many blogs every day – some with fantastic examples of strong, developed voices, others finding their pitch and others more interested in screaming the loudest and always off key. My early blogs (which have since been lost into the abyss known as computer FAIL) were inconsistent at best. At times I’d find myself hysterically funny, only to find none of my (three) readers remotely chuckling. Other times I would throw something shallow, vain and ridiculous up to have all of my (now two) readers remark on my bizarre yet entertaining view of the world. I felt lost.
It’s easy to play the comparison game against other, more established bloggers. I don’t have any kids, so I’m not a mommy blogger. I don’t have a horrible disease or a dead loved one, so I’m not in that circle. I don’t live int he city or in the country or in ANOTHER country, so tales from Loudoun County isn’t the pitch anyone is interested in. I don’t have a fabulous/daring/exciting/groundbreaking job, so I’m out of ideas on that one. Trying to fit myself into a category made me feel more alone and with a sense since I don’t “fit” and don’t belong and have nothing to contribute.
This is all a lie.
Maybe my stories of my cat, husband, grilling disasters adventures, tales of the midwest, and professions of love for an Under Appreciated Boy Band won’t win any awards, but that’s not what we’re here for, is it. I come to the blogs for advice, for a laugh, for a good cry – and to belong. I’ve finally found a social group my seriously introverted self feels comfortable with. So allow me to take some time to introduce myself.
Hi, I’m Kate, known as doshtate, and I’m here to stay. I hope you’ll stick around.
