Dear Bloggers, Yes, It Matters

I stumbled across this post a few weeks ago, and it really made me mad. And being mad made me ever more mad, because I think that was partially the point of this post in the first place.

So I wondered why, every time that I’ve sat down to write over the past few weeks, that this post kept popping into my mind, and how its stickiness is all over my fingers like cheap imitation maple syrup.

Is it because in the dim recesses of my brain I’m a little jealous? Jealous that I don’t have 8 gazillion blog subscribers and have not yet found a way to get paid to read all the blogs I want and play on my personal twitter account and write whatever comes into my head exactly when I feel like it? Probably. I mean, I still do these things, but I have to do them on my own time, in my off hours, when I’m done doing them for my real job that pays for things like electricity and health insurance. I have to squeeze them into my morning el ride and trips to the laundromat and while I’m waiting in line at the grocery story.

So yeah, jealous? Sure. But that’s not it. That’s not the only reason I’m pissed off by this post. I’m angry because I feel like it dismissed a lot of work out there that matters to me. Whether dismissal was the intention or not, that’s the feeling I got from those words, that somehow the only messages that matter in this world are the one being read by 8 gazillion readers. And yes, I understand that if 8 gazillion people are all reading the same thing, there’s probably a pretty good reason for it.

But that doesn’t mean that a message or a post or a poem or an article isn’t important if only 100 people read it. Or 10. Or 1. Because if that message gets delivered to someone who desperately needs it exactly that way in exactly that moment, and it has the ability to give them comfort or a deep breath or a kick in the pants (whatever it is that they need), then that’s where the spark is. That’s where the friction becomes flame.

I know, because as I mentioned, I spend a lot of my non-work, non-family/friend time reading blogs. And some of those blogs are by really, really famous people, and some of those blogs are by people who I know will be or could be or who have the potential to be famous and just aren’t yet. And just because 8 gazillion people aren’t reading those blogs at this exact moment doesn’t mean they’re not important. It doesn’t mean that these blogs aren’t allowing these writers to share and stretch and grow, and along they way, help the rest of us share and stretch and grow.

In fact, every time I hop on these blogs that I read on the regular, I manage to find something that pokes an old bruise or wipes the sweat off my forehead or pours me a cup of hot tea on a damp Spring day. They all give me inspiration and exactly what I need exactly when I need it, and for that I am thankful.

So with that in mind, bloggers, know that you matter. Even if you don’t have 8 gazillion readers, even if you only blog on the side when you can, even if you don’t realize it when you hit publish, your words matter. Your messages matter.

And for the record, here are how some of my favorite/bookmarked blog posts have mattered to me, in ways I’m sure the authors never even know about:

• I read this post from @inkytwig every time I have to make a decision and I’m scared to death of it: Beyond the Door.
• We don’t deal with death very well in this country. We like to hide it in a closet and pretend it didn’t happen. So I turn to the bravery and grace of this post from YogaLifeWay: Thunder Snow and @Kimsamsin: Mana.
  
• Sometimes the sh@t hits the fan. This post form @Jenny_Blake helps me remember why, and not to take it so seriously: Live for the Dip .
• Sometimes we have to remember that anything worth having is worth fighting for, and @dianantholis always reminds me of that: Fighting for Love.
• When I have a bad body day, pretty much anything by @CurvyYoga reminds me that our bodies are strong and amazing and that fitting into matchstick jeans has nothing to do with it: www.curvyyoga.com.
• Our world is simultaneously painful and beautiful all at the same time. Sometimes it’s hard to hold these opposites together. This post from @rkrystalli reveals how everything touches on the same circle: Chasing Anemones and Penmanship.
• Sometimes things just really, really hurt. But @mrsmediocitry shows it's all for a reason: Healing.
• Religion is a complicated question I've been dancing around this year. This post from @thumbinmyway always sticks with me: Sanctuary.
• And at the end of the day, we are human. We make mistakes and get second changes. This post from @aggaspletch keeps that fresh in my mind: A Confession.

And the list goes on ...

Comments

[Diana]

I read that other blog article. I mostly think he does that just to seem cool and fabulous - like he is the best blogger out there. And to catch attention to get more clicks, more people to buy his guide or whatever he was giving away.
I totally agree with you though. And I can't wait to read all those posts you love!!!!
(And I'm totally flattered mine was in there - I really had no idea. When I wrote it, I didn't know how many people would feel something.)

[Roxanne]

Amen, Noel. Amen. This post is so brave and bold and speaks the truth. The links you listed have kept me company on this Sunday, making me think, smile, laugh and dream. If that does not speak to the power of shared words and our community, I do not know what does.

[Paula]

Well. That was interesting in weird way. But then I look at him and who he's got endorsing his site and want to say "Who died and made them the Royalty of the Social Media Hill?" Seriously, she lost me cred with me when she tweeted "I'd tell you my life has never been more honestly lived than it is right now." I felt like she was spouting some meaningless BS.

I don't read dooce and I don't read Pioneer Woman, because they pretty much say the same thing over and over again and their voice doesn't sound authentic to me.

I prefer blogs that have an authentic voice. People that are real and that are quietly making differences in people's live. I don't think you have to monetize everything you love. If you can figure it out, then more power to you. But I don't have my blogs for the money. I have them to share the things I love because who knows, there might be another weirdo out there who likes the same things I do.

[Noel]

@Diana--I loved your post! I think we have this misconception that if love is "right" it will be easy. But that's not the case. Love is something you have to fight for all the time ... but it's so worth it.

@Roxanne--I so agree. Our community gives me strength in ways I could never have imagined ... and for that I am so thankful for rever10!!

@Paula--I love this: "People that are real and that are quietly making differences in people's lives." You said it so perfectly. While on the one hand you can make a splash in someone's life in a big way, like some of those uber famous types, the person who passes you on the street or who plays the saxophone in the subway anonymously is every bit as important.

[Kim]

Gah, I left a comment here earlier today and it's just vanished. And of course it's now exponentially more brilliant than it was when I wrote it. I'll come back after dinner with a pale approximation of its original greatness.

[Noel]

@Kim--I hate when that happens! it happens to me ALL the time! :)

[BrandeewineB]

Of course it matters. I have found a round of folks that routinely post about the minutia of their lives. I read them for solidarity, for encouragement and for the lovely rhythms I find in the everyday. Thank you for celebrating this...yours is one that I turn to often, and blogs don't need to have thousands of followers to be relevant.

[Aggaspletch]

Definifng relevance via reach is a dangerous path to take. It equates popularity with serious impact.

For me, I write because I have to. It would be keen to make a living doing it, but that might pull some of the joy out of it. *shrug*

You humble me by including me in your list. I thank you for that. And I really love the new site design.

[Kim]

Ahem. Let's hope this saves.

First, I wanted to thank you for including a post of mine in your listing, especially that one, which I didn't know if I should write. (Sometimes I think that's a good sign.)

Second, all his article tells me is that he is not in tune with the kinds of writing that I want to read or the kinds of relationships I want to make online. In fact, I can't imagine enjoying the company of anyone who is (a) so sure of his own rightness and (b) so fixated on money. I guess the good thing about the internet is that there's room for everyone, even tacky people like that.

[Noel]

@Brandee--Thank you! I turn to yours often as well! And I agree--I love hearing what people are up to, and often find that it helps me with the struggles and challenges I face in my own life. (I love how you put it: "the lovely rhythms.")

@Aggaspletch--I know what you mean. Of course part of me would love to get paid to do this every day ... but I wonder if a lot of money were on the line if I would crack under the pressure?

@Kim--I'm SO glad you decided to publish that post! It's one of my faves! :)

[Tracy Mangold]

Sorry I'm late reading this! AWESOME post by the way. You have touched on sooo many reasons why I love you all. I could care less if I have a million readers or one. I write /blog for me first because it gives me an outlet and it allows me to express myself. I am GRATEFUL that people actually care to check my blog out and follow me. I am touched when a post - as you noted - makes a difference. I feel the same about what you write, what Kim, Mark, Brandee, Stereo, Matt, Roxanne, Amanda, etc... all write. You all inspire me. I've made some great friends on here. Do I wish I could make money from my writing? Yes and that will come - in its proper place - as will my photography perhaps. But to blog JUSt for the sake of followers - ugh. Thanks for this post, Noel. Love the new header!!!!

[Shannon]

Well, I am truly honored by your mention. I've been struggling lately to keep up with my blog-time. I haven't written, and I've totally neglected reading all the blogs I love so much.

I want you to know how much I enjoy your writing. Every time I visit, you blow me away. Truly.

Thank you,
Shannon

[Becky B]

Fantastic post, and so bookmarkworthy I need a separate shrine-like Bookmark feature.

When blogging is something that just pours out of you because you _have_ write, you have to get those words out of your head, through your fingers and in front of your eyeballs, that's where the magic starts. When you touch just that one other person--for even 10000 persons are each one person--the magic expands.

Yet even if the crickets are chirping and your labor of love goes unnoticed, it's still worth it, because it's a part of you that you chose to share.

[Noel]

@Tracy--I COULD NOT agree more. Our little community enhances my life and work in ways I can't even begin to really describe. That's better than $$ in the bank any day.

@Shannon--thanks for your thoughts! And I hear you ... I think it just happens sometimes. I know I've been plugging away at a big project at work and sometimes, after a really long day, I want to blog but just don't have the energy. I think you have to be ok with cutting yourself some slack in those cases. The writing always comes back. :)

@Becky--thank you thank you! I know exactly what you mean. When I have something I want to write and I don't get it on paper, it nags at me until I finally make the time. That's actually the way I felt about this post -- I was a little scared to write it, but it kept calling to me, so there you have it. :)