I haven’t blogged here in over a month.
Yet I still linger.
You see, I have this other blog. The one that has more traffic. The one that makes me money and let’s me share my marketing passion and expertise. I do love that blog.
But it’s not where I tell stories. You know, those life stories. Stories about big moments like vacations and birthdays. Stories about little moments that aren’t neatly tied in a soft velvet bow. Stories about my mama bear claws coming out or my big ugly cry after preschool graduation.
Sure I jot down a note or snap pics here and there… a funny thing Ethan said scribbled into my Moleskin or Noah’s captured grin frozen forever in a Sutro-filtered Instagram. But I’ve forgotten how to tell stories.
Stories without pinnable images and SEO. Stories without anchor text or affiliate links.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the challenge of all of that too. After all, I have a marketer’s blood.
But I just want a place where I can write without having to worry about those things. A place where I don’t care if my sidebars aren’t updated or that my design hasn’t ever changed.
This past weekend I attended the Type A Parent Conference in Atlanta. I listened to Gary Buchanan from Disney Parks talk about storytelling, a storytelling that trickles all the way down to the most minute details. During the We Still Blog awards, I listened to bloggers make us laugh and make us sob with their stories.
It dawned on me that storytelling is the reason I can’t bring myself to shut down this blog, despite my sporadic posting and outdated pages.
Storytelling is the reason I linger.
Because I’ll be honest, I’m not the best storyteller in a group of people. The introvert inside my extrovert creeps up and I usually tell a story with a little rambling and some “ums” thrown in. My mind goes faster than my mouth or my mouth goes faster than my brain. Either way, my stories out loud are often meh.
But when I write, my ums disappear with the click of the backspace and my ramblings become succinct with a little self-editing (well, most of the time). I type words that, when strung together one by one, tell the stories of my pretty ordinary, yet still pretty awesome life.
This place is my first blogging home. The place where I first hit publish just about four years ago. I may not post here often, but when I have a story to tell, I know I have a place to let the words fall.
I love that you keep this space. Even if it’s infrequent, your stories are part of this community.
Thanks for the encouragement, Erin. I need to really find more time to tell my stories because I do love it.
I love this. SO very much.
Thanks Andrea! Means a lot.
It’s so important to have an outlet. I love it when you post here!
Thanks, girl! I love to write like this and have to make time for it more often!
Like all the other ladies, I love when you post here too. You, and this site are part of my blogging history.
Awww Alissa, that really means a lot. When I think of the blogging peeps that mean the most to me, you’re on my list. Missed you at Type A but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before we get to hang again!
We met during Type-A and I gushed at you over Content Brew. Unlike you, I got rid of the place that brought me more traffic and made me more money and went back to the space that didn’t simply so I could tell stories again (and also why I jumped at Content Brew LOL). I think this is a beautiful space and you should use it however you want. I also think that even if no one else (or you feel no one else) reads, at least you have a wonderful space to tell the stories that you do want to tell.
p.s. my ethan and noah say hi to your ethan and noah. 🙂
Also? Momcomm is a story telling space too, you’re just telling something different there.
I remember and it was great to meet you! And that’s exactly it… I’ve stopped worrying about who’s going to read this page. It’s really for me and if anyone wants to read it, great! So true about Momcomm too- storytelling in a different way, but still storytelling.
I can’t believe we both have Noahs and Ethans! Those names do sound great together!
I didn’t even know you had another blog. I’ve been so obsessed with sucking every ounce of knowledge out of Momcomm (which has changed my blogging life, by the way), but I love that there’s a place where I can read your stories, too!
Yep, here it is! Momcomm first started on this blog as “Momcomm Mondays” what seemed like ages ago! Thanks for reading my post and extra thanks for your sweet words!
This brings me back to why I started blogging. Thank you so much for this wonderful post.
I have two blogs for that same reason! Ten to Twenty is my “give back” site and then 4 Hens is MY site where anything goes. I think we all need one of those 🙂 And I didn’t know you had this one! Love!
Never stop, Mel! Everyone needs a place for their passion, dreams, and stories.
This is where I first “met” you! Teaching me all about camping and the importance of showing our kids how to take adventures. Just because you don’t have time to tend this garden every day doesn’t mean it isn’t worth keeping around. Sure, it gets a little wild over time- but just remember how it fills your soul when you are able to spend a little time here.
XOXO!
I know it! Feels like so long ago that this was my only blog. I really am trying to post here from time to time. In fact, Week in My Life is starting back up so that will definitely get me posting (post coming about it tomorrow)!
It’s like that best friend who you only talk to a few times a year…but you are able to start off just where you left off. They are always there for you and you will always be there for them.
Mel, Your shining personality shines through at MomComm (and it’s a must read on my weekly list), but I love seeing more of this side of you and keeping up with your life’s adventures. Moms of boys need to stick together.
A little late answering this but ABSOLUTELY! Moms of boys, unite!
HURRAY!!!!
I love your info on your other blog but it’s always nice to get to know you and your stories about your life.
I’ve been thinking about this, too. I haven’t post on my “family” blog in probably a year. The other day my hubby asked me when the last time I posted on the other blog was, because those posts are the most important, because those are our family history. Hmmm…good to think about.
Love this Melissa. I feel like I do so much practical blogging that my stories get left to the side. I want to tell more stories, but get wrapped up in comparing my ability to story-tell with the amazing ability of others.
Never stop telling your stories. Your stories matter.
Thanks Amy (and sorry for the late reply). Type A was so inspirational on that front! And it was great to have dinner with you!
My sentiments exactly! I have an old blog hat I tried to shut down, but couldn’t for some of the exact same reasons. it’s where I first started sharing my voice without worrying about all the stuff that goes with “real” blogging. Love this post!
Hey Kacey! I totally agree- I just let the words come out here. Nice to have a freeing space, isn’t it?