The other day I received the following email:
Followed you for a very long time and proud of your accomplishments, but thinking of taking you off the list of places I go often. I know you’re busy-you lead a full life for sure-and it shows. Rare new bits and pieces, and not updated to often like it once was. So,time to move on. Thanks for the ride.
My response at first was that I cried. After a bit I got annoyed. Look, I’d really like to blog more often, but I am not in a position to make this thing I do here a priority. I will in fact direct the writer of that email to my second post ever on this site, way, way back in November of 2010:
The last thing I would like to let you know is that I do not know how often I will be uploading new pictures. I will post new outfit pictures up when I can, but please do not expect it to be daily and then be upset when I do not live up to your expectations.
And how about this piece from April 25th of this year:
Hi y’all! I know I have been super bad at blogging haven’t I? I’m such a naughty trans blogger. I should be fired from my job! Oh hey, wait, nobody hired me, nobody is paying me, and I am the CEO of this here venture…… so I suppose no matter how poorly I do this job that I can’t ever be fired huh? No, but I could lose my readers, and for that I am sorry. Is there anyone here that was here way back, back, back say about 10 years ago or so who read that I make absolutely NO guarantees about my blogging schedule? No? Well, then let me take this moment to reiterate…….. I have no set blogging schedule, sorry if that bums you out!
Do you know what I do not get from this blog? Compensation. This blog costs me money to host. How much money does this blog bring into my house? Oh, right, none. I know to the outside readers it must seem like the blogging life is one filled with glamour, diamonds, and caviar, but truly it is not. It is generally a thankless effort that goes mostly ignored.
What I like to do is to try, even when maybe I fall short of my own expectations as well as others. Without making the effort, you will never know where things could have gone. So Bruce….. maybe you could have just reached out and said hi, um like, ever. I’m pretty sure that in your “very long time” of following me that I have never heard from you before. It’s a bit sad that your only interaction with me is to say goodbye. But, that is truly your choice. If clicking on my link, only to find a mostly forgotten, sad, boring, blog, is bumming you out, then yeah, move on. I wish you my best!
Meanwhile, back here, at my site, I’ll be doing my thing, which is a weird ebb and flow of words that come and go at random.
Love you!
Love yourselves!
Love being the weird one!
(Oh and btw, I started trying to write this post last weekend. Today I went away for the night to try and catch up on my won shit, and hey, I actually found enough time to try and finish this up. So, um, yeah, I’m busy. But also, teaching on Zoom, all day long, staring at 3 screens, is really grating on me. So, sorry, not sorry!)
13 Comments
Hmm. I do remember the old phrase “if you’ve nothing nice to say, don’t say it.”. I wonder if the person who contacted you writes a blog or creates?
I think blogging can be a great way to flex your creativity, hear from new people, and share things. It does take time, however. Not just the setting up (and paying for the platform), but to craft a post.
I don’t think blogging is like a social media post, it’s more like writing a letter. Not only do you need something to write about, but you need the mental space to do so. Time, IMHO, it’s just about minutes, it’s also the right type of time. Creating after a long day is really tough.
So true Lynn! I think that many blog readers have no idea what it is like to actually run a blog.
Hi Kelly
I want to let you know that even though your blog is one of my favorites and that I always wish to have more news from you (it is inspiring to me), I would never want you to feel pressured to blog more. For me, your blog is a gift and no one should ever pressure anyone to send a gift.
I appreciate yours because I always feel that it comes from the heart.
Let it stay that way, and be assured that I, for one, will always be delighted to receive that gift when it is ready.
Enjoy life and thank you for those years of sharing your life with all of us.
Thank you so much! What a great reach out. Thank you for confirming what I hope for, that people could possibly benefit from exactly what you described.
You are so very welcome for the share, and I thank you for being a reader.
K
I second what Frederique says!
Nicole
Thanks Nicole!
I understand that you have a lot of demands on your time and would like to thank you for all the time you put into your blogs.
I always consider a new post a treat and look forward to reading it! Keep doing what you are doing!
Thank you for being a teacher. It is amazing the impact that kind words and encouragement from a teacher can have on a young persons life.
Chloe
Awe, that is SO super sweet. Thank you Chloe!
love your blog whenever you write it
Thank you!
Hi,
Just carry on doing the best you can as every little bit helps when transitioning. I don’t know if the person intended it to sound as it does, but they obviously got something from your posts in the past for which they should be thankfull. Hope you get a break at Xmas and both of you keep healthy in these difficult times. Lots of love Philippa.
Hi Kelly
I’ve just discovered your blog which is truly inspirational. Thank you for sharing your personal insights of what it’s like to be a 21 st century woman. It’s entirely your call when you choose to blog but please keep them up as they reach across the world and the touch people in positive ways you can’t Imagine. Have a great 2021 x
Thanks Karen!!!