I would like to start out by saying thank you to all the nominations I have received and am still receiving.  It is an honor, exciting and I enjoy answering the questions.  I noticed that almost everyone asks “Why do you write or blog?”.  I thought about this question and decided to answer it as a post.

I started The Robin’s Nest after discovering through Facebook all the beautiful decorating blogs and I love to decorate!  I would show these to my husband and daughter and both would encouragingly tell me I should start doing the same thing, start a blog.  I was thinking to myself I can do this….I began reading, asking questions, researching checking into this new task – How To Start A Successful Blog.

As I embarked on this new journey, I quickly learned the fellow decorating bloggers I followed spent several hundred dollars attending seminars, hiring blogging consultants, paying blog designing companies to set up their pages, logos, etc.  We’ve all heard “you have to spend money to make money”, which is true but how much do I need to spend? Do I need to take out a small loan to start a decorating blog??  Hmmm, I was stunned, couldn’t believe it!  I thought it was as simple as making a few crafts, taking some photos – you know the kind of show and tell thing – put it out there for all to see, fall in love with in hopes of people wanted more….to be honest I felt complete disbelief, disappointment, overwhelming sadness….Number one – I didn’t have hundreds of dollars lying around to spend/start a blogging “business”.  Number two – I thought this was going to be something fun and exciting – a hobby!!

After getting over that shock….I began toying around with the blogging idea and thought surely I could do this without spending so much money – example –  “How To Start and Set-up  A Successful Blog” conference held in Atlanta at the convention center last month.  Conference costs – registration – $400.00, hotel room(s) assigned specifically for conference starting at $300.00/night this was a three day event.  I’m thinking OMG that’s highway robbery!!

Granted, their blogs are perfection, they are making a good amount of money through a decorating blog with no interior decorating experience and are receiving huge endorsements from well known companies!! My heart was broken, sinking to the bottom of my stomach and lower if possible. I so wanted to make a living at what I love doing – decorating.

I gave up that idea and decided to take another route and continue trying to find my rhythm, pattern, niche in the blogging world. I became obsessed with the status tab, views, likes, visitors, followers to the point of consumption / annihilation from the family.  I would was on the computer nonstop.  My husband had lost me to an electronic device!! I was trying to follow by example in the footsteps of the decorating blogs I followed.  I thought I needed to put up at least 4 scheduled posts per day.  Which I did, my posting schedule was 6am/10am/2pm/6pm.  I kept telling myself this was like having a job outside the home.  I spent hours – HOURS scouring page upon page of DIY projects, recipes, how to’s, motivational, inspirational, humorous memes as well as provide a closing story post…you get the picture. Oh, and the numbers I was so obsessing over – the status tab numbers? Nothing, no changes, no increased followers, likes, comments, views – NOTHING!!

Robin was talking to me one day but I was off in blogging la-la land trying to come up with a “good story” to post and did not respond, acknowledge or hear a word he was saying.  It occurred to me this insanity had to stop!!!  I’m can’t recall what event (other than being oblivious to my home, family, husband, surroundings) took place to break this cycle but when it happened, inhale – deep long breath, exhale calm, relaxation poured all over my body.

That pattern was broken…panic!! What do I do or write about now?? I’m lost! Robin and my daughter kept saying they liked my stories.  I was thinking “eeh” they’re ok and I didn’t have many to tell.

Once again I started pondering how or what was this blog going to develop into? I’m not a chef, as we know the decorating idea – boom – gone, I’m not an avid reader nor do I pretend to be one, I don’t write poems or children’s books.  I don’t do movie reviews….what then?  I began searching blogs through the “Reader” tab and found a few interesting titles, read the post, clicked on the like / follow button and before I knew it…..joy rapture!! I was enjoying this new blogging adventure.  I wasn’t having to schedule 4 posts per day, feeling no pressure, no meeting quotas, no one breathing down my neck to meet a deadline.  If I felt blah and didn’t want to write, guess what, it was ok!! I was loving this new found hobby! I was telling a few of my stories, loved getting to know people, no longer obsessed by that stats tab-but it makes my heart happy and sing whenever I get a new follower!!  I have met and made so many wonderful people and friends through blogging, who’s blogs by the way are just as if not more beautiful than the decorating ones that I thought I envied.  I look forward to the visits and spending time chatting with my friends!  I may not get to read them everyday but I will eventually read, reply or like a post.

So why do I write or blog?  I blog because I love meeting, talking, laughing, crying with people who share the same emotions, understandings, non-judging attitudes, caring, compassion and well honestly “gets me”.

I write because it is my way of sharing some of my triumphs, joyful moments, disappointments, heartbreaks, love of my family and unusual occurrences.  I don’t use my blog as a diary – if I did it would be too depressing and negative – something I am changing and removing daily and feeling great about this small accomplishment!  I don’t use my blog for political rantings or degrading of others. I use my blog to let people learn a little of who I am without telling all my deep dark secrets – ;), sharing stories of my grand kids, family and of course adventures experienced both past and present.

I hope you have a wonderful day and want to say thank you for your friendship, laughs, support and visits!