When I first began blogging, I made it a habit to try and post every day. Given that my subject matter was raising children, and I had three children under the age of four in my midst, I was rarely wanting for post ideas.
Then my subjects grew up and became aware of what I do, and suddenly finding things to write about became more of a challenge.
Add to that the fact that blogging changed, and the day to day storytelling that was my niche became a bit archaic, and my job as a blogger became even more difficult.
When I began this blog, I gave myself the freedom to post less often. If I’m going to write, I want to have something to say that’s worth your time to click over.
It turns out that posting less comes with it’s own unique set of challenges. In hoping to only post when I have something to say, I find myself feeling completely unoriginal in all that I write. Oftentimes, I sit down, stare at the blank screen, and my brain starts screaming THERE’S NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN!
Then I shut the computer and eat a cookie.
Feeling unoriginal is bad for my blog and my waistline, unfortunately.
The thing about blogging is that originality doesn’t have to look completely different. Because we’re all unique, and we all have unique stories and backgrounds and world views, we can be original to the people within our circle of influence.
What I have to say may not be completely ground breaking when you look at the grand scale, but inside my circle of influence? It may be just what people need to hear.
I don’t want to live in paralysis, constantly in fear of being unoriginal. I simply want to enjoy the gift that I’ve been given – this love of words that leaves me feeling relaxed and whole.
And you should do the same.
Don’t get stuck in fear that you have nothing to contribute to the world around you. Instead, simply embrace your own creativity for what it is – a gift to be shared and given away.
Your words matter. Your paintings matter. Your photographs matter. Your art matters. What you do is unique to you, and it is, therefore, completely and totally original.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Because even though we moved to a new state, I go out to shoot photos and find myself thinking, “It’s flowers. Aren’t people sick of my flower shots?” Or, “Really, how many ways can one shoot orange rocks?”
Oh there are a THOUSAND ways to shoot orange rocks. A THOUSAND, I tell you! 😉
Jenni, there is never a danger of you becoming unoriginal, and that is exactly what I love about you…
It is certainly a thought that most bloggers contend with. I had a fight with myself a couple of years ago about this – my smarter, more spiritual self won and I kept writing. Because HE said so!!! Thank you for the encouragement.
Oh, I’m so glad your smarter self won! We should all listening to the smartest parts of ourselves. 🙂
When I first started blogging, it was more for myself and to be able to WRITE!! When I focused on what I was going to say for the Write31Days challenge, using some things I had already written and enhancing and researching for more content…I did not ever think anyone would read the posts, much less comment, much less GET SOMETHING out of what I wrote. Oh, the comments and the encouragement and the affirmation. Original? No, I am NOT original…the subject of dementia is all over the place – and since my journey with Dementia’s Demands continues, I continue to read about it and … in “hidden” ways continue to write about it! I say “hidden” because the word prompts and some of my poetry was triggered from that journey.
Thank you for this post – for assuring us that we don’t have to be original – yet, we each ARE individuals; “original” individuals!!!
Yes! Original individuals! We just have to be obedient to what’s in front of us. Thanks for the encouragement Barbara!
Thanks for the encouragement. We do matter! We all have a story.
Yes we do, Sharon!!!