A few years ago my friend and I went real estate shopping in blogland. We approached with quiet trepidation. Unsure of the vast spaces that unfolded. Blogland appeared to go on forever. Just when we thought we may have touched the edges, another array of niches would shimmer before us.
We were unprepared. Our knowledge of blogs was limited to the people we knew and the blogs that all the people we knew followed. The oceans of bloggers surfing the same sea was a unknown quantity.
We came into blogland with a pioneering spirit, sure that we would forge new ground. Only to find that everything had been discovered. Everything had been examined. The gaps we imagined were already filled with voices that just hadn’t reached us yet.
And those voices were kind and welcoming. We established a little presence, on the fringes of blogland where most blogs live. Painted our abode and took pride in its appearance. Learned about themes and CSS and widgets and sidebars.
There was a small school, catering to the wide-eyed and creatively eager. Our community expanded. We invited people over for cups of tea and comments and were let into their worlds.
Let into their words, their unique experiences of life, their struggles and triumphs. We visited their blog homes and their social media satellites. Supporting and exploring together. Finding our tribe, our feet and our rhythm together.
You wouldn’t find them easily if you didn’t know where to look. Blogland is like that. The high street, full of traffic and dazzling blogs can be seen from far away. But there are outliers, beautiful and interesting with carefully crafted words. You will not find them. Even with a map. You need to be pointed in the right direction, guided by a kind citizen.
Often those kind citizens reside on that glittering strip. The one with the bright lights and allure. The people that live there work harder than a visitor might think. They have their careers in blogland, their virtual homes are their livelihood. It looks amazing from the outside, but like all things appearance is not always reality.
There is so much hard work that goes into living on that street. And like all big cities, it has its shadowy corners. The dark alleys of snark. Those wielding axes intent on cutting down tall poppies. Sometimes a tourist on these streets might unwittingly walk into those dark alleys. Be confronted by an underbelly of internet and shy away nursing bruises and disbelief.
It is such a small part of the never-ending community. So many beautiful blogs and bloggers come together in this space. Some are here full time, others weekenders and others take intermittent holidays where they refresh their creativity in the odd post here and there.
There are bloggers who desperately want to get to their online space more regularly but life keeps dragging them away. There are times when you look at your blog work, and the blog work of the house next to yours and wonder if you have anything new to add. When you look longingly at the beautifully tended garden across the street and despair at your wilted roses. The days when you wait for inspiration to rain and nothing appears but creative drought.
Then someone comes along. Leaves you a kind comment on the thing you tenderly crafted and were a little unsure about. Or something will grow, unexpectedly, out of control and wind its way around blogland. Someone might knock at your door or leave you a note – “haven’t seen you around lately, I hope you are okay and I miss you.”
This is why blogland is lovely. There are hermits in blogland – I used to be one of them. People that haven’t opened their doors to the reality of the voices around them. A little scared of what would happen. Of course it takes time to meet new people, to build relationships through comments and support. But isn’t it worth it?
After a little while, my friend left our share house and we remain both bloggy and real life pals. She found a small apartment up the street where she stays occasionally. Her writing can be found there and at our mutual friends’ place. Both of us have words that travel to different spaces on the internet. Those words find new audiences and lead to new relationships.
Because the most wonderful things that grow in blogland are the real life friendships.
How do you feel about Blogland?
Was it vaster than you expected?
Oh, I love this.it took some time for me to find my way to the Main Street and meet everyone but I’m so glad I did!
Amy @ HandbagMafia recently posted…Women and Multi-Level Marketing
Hahah. Yes – me too. A while before I even figured it existed!
When I first came to Blogland, I was utterly lost and had no idea how to navigate it, but once I found my way around, I found my happy place and so many wonderful people. I’ve crossed paths online and in real life with some amazing people that I would never have met if I hadn’t moved into Blogland. It really is such a wonderful place to be.
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted…The Man Behind Bombolini – Meet the Doughnut King
I found it very confusing at first, but then got to grips with it. Link parties like yours are the best for navigating the territory!
It is actually a place of calm for me. I know there is so much noise online but when you find a few people you love to read, the noise seems to disappear.
Natalie McNamara recently posted…Strong women struggle too
It does doesn’t it? I find it a very relaxing place too.
Robyna recently posted…When no buy gets hard
That’s lovely. I often try to explain to wrong bloggers how we move in circles and some people aren’t in my circle (but you kind of all know of each other…)
Lydia C. Lee recently posted…You can’t turn a freight train around in a moment
There’s definitely a sense of community that’s stronger in certain areas.
This is such a sweet post. I enjoy living and walking about in Blogland.
Jody at Six Little Hearts recently posted…A Quick Mix Chocolate Brownies Recipe…
This is such a sweet post. I enjoy living in and walking about in Blogland.
Jody at Six Little Hearts recently posted…A Quick Mix Chocolate Brownies Recipe…
So glad you like it, lovely neighbour.
Your final sentence sums it all up!
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted…Day 2770 – It’s time for a catch up
Indeed – so lucky to make those connections.
I love this! You describe it perfectly. When I first started Blogland was very small and there were only a handful of blogs on that glittery street. In the 8 years since I’ve watched that street grow, been amazed by the talent that has moved in and out of the area and always, always enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends. Blogland is the best, and I hope I never have to leave!
#teamIBOT
Kylie Purtell recently posted…Getting in the picture {family photography with Katherine Millard} | Life
It is a pretty special place to be a part of.
Blogland is such an accepting place. I had written online for years before I discovered blog land and that’s when I really started loving it.
Vanessa recently posted…Randoms 6
I was the same – and now kicking myself that I didn’t understand the community aspect earlier on.
This is gorgeous. Blogland is a place full of friendship, warmth and acceptance for me. I do also find it overwhelming, vast and daunting at the same time.
Renee Wilson recently posted…The thin scowl line
Particularly when I start delving into the US blogs, then I really can’t comprehend how big it all is.
There sure is a lot that goes into maintaining your little plot on the blogland street, which I underestimated before moving in. I was so excited to be moving in, that I did not pace myself and almost crashed and burned trying to keep up with my long standing neighbours and their large group of followers. After taking a summer vacation, I renovated my plot and went about tending my garden at my own pace and style, and get such a buzz when someone stops by for a chat.
Jenni @unclutter my world recently posted…HOME
Oh, it’s such a trap isn’t it? I was exactly the same. But we all find our feet and it helps when you understand just how much work goes into those well established houses.
Oh, this is divine!!!!!!!
So beautifully expressed, thank you. I’m a bit guilty of letting the weeds come up in my bloggy garden – yet the trees are blazing, then barren, it’s all part of the cycle.
Words like yours remind me of all that’s GOOD here – finding our voices, lunch under the stairs at a conference, likeminded friends and creative inspiration and compassion, seeing things from a new perspective, giving and getting encouragement and the shared excitement at what’s possible.
Thank you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Annette recently posted…Under The Pump
Those are definitely the nicest things in blogland, dear neighbour.
Loved this! Love being in Blogland because it’s the place where I’ve met so many great people, many who’ve become mates too! Without blogland, this retired teacher would be exiled on a very lonely island. Love my blogland fellow citizens! And have for over 6 years!
Blogland is such a lovely place when we all get out and meet each other.
What a truely wonderful read! Loved it xx
Oh thank you Mrs Woog – thanks for hosting the best place to hang out on main street 🙂
Beautiful! Such a lovely metaphor for a such a complex topic. Blogland has left me feeling a little exhausted – or perhaps as you intimate, non-digital life has left me feeling a little exhausted with very little time to visit of late.
It’s a hard balance – I haven’t really popped in all week and there’s so much to do!
What a great analogy!!!
Thank you lovely neighbour
What a wonderful post. Blogland is confusing, worrying, nerve-wracking, exciting, liberating and rewarding all in one place. I love it.
It definitely is all of those things and wonderful to be a part of.