This blog is not perfect
This is a blog. Blogs are for writing. I like to write. There are many things I want to write about. So why, then, do I not write more often?
The possible answers to this question are many. Sometimes I don't feel like writing. Sometimes the things I want to write about are too personal for this blog. Sometimes maybe I just think something is too personal, when the reality is that I should share it. Then there's time--I don't have much of it free, and expressing myself quickly via my tumblelog or Twitter frequently steals my attention from the more time-consuming task of writing a full blog post, though those venues don't provide the same satisfying feeling of having created something enduring (aside from relationships on Twitter, but that's a different blog post).
Those are all explanations that play some part in my blog delinquency. However, I think the biggest factor, much of the time, is fear. Fear that my topic of choice won't be interesting. Fear that I won't cover a topic thoroughly. Fear that I'll write too much. Fear that no one will read what I write. Fear that too many will read what I write. Fear of what others will think of what I've written, or of me. Fear that I won't be able to devote the time, attention, or concern to a given topic to make the post everything that I want it to be, and everything that everyone else wants it to be. Ultimately, it's a fear of not being perfect.
It's this fear of failure, this drive for perfection that seems to be a recurring hindrance in my life. Even at this moment, despite the previous paragraphs typed quickly in a few moments of inspiration, I'm starting to hesitate as I think of all the areas on which I could touch while writing about this subject, and all the fears I've already listed are surfacing. Don't get me wrong—striving for perfection can be an excellent approach to just about anything, but only when it is applied in balance with other considerations.
There is much more to say on the topic of fear as it relates to our daily lives, our choices, and our futures. Rather than spend time and energy that I don't have at the moment trying to touch on as many facets as I can think of, I will instead let this post serve as the introduction to a series of shorter articles to be written in coming days, if I don't chicken out.
6 comments:
Ha! You're committed now! Srsly, tho, the people that come here could care less if it's perfect, as long as it's "you." Just write whatever. That's what blogs are for. If someone else can't handle it, that's their problem. :) I promise Edita Lott won't complain, anyway. :D
and hence the reason I have no blog! :) I find myself second guessing my posts (or even the idea of them!) very often!
But you've inspired me, after so well putting what I feel to words I guess I've got to give it a go once again! :)
OMG that is exactly how I feel....I just restarted my blog and get ideas then decide not to write about them and end up leaving a tweet.
See now I sort of have the opposite problem - I usually don't think twice about what I write or to whom as you well know! :)
Chill out. :) Blogs are not for perfection or for being comprehensive. For that, you'll need to get a job retranslating the Annals of the World or writing a newspaper column. And then you'll know fear. Just blog it! (Ooh--that could be a new song .. maybe I'll write Michael Jackson ...)
Hello, I most recently moved to Cincinnati and am looking for coffee joints with free wi-fi to read/get some work done.
Starbucks just doesn't quite cut it at times.
I read your post on Java Joint and was wondering if you had written about other coffee joints in the Cincinnati area.
Any recommendations?
Thanks!
-Lynn
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