Wednesday, November 7, 2012

the whys and wherefores of blogging



It was while living in Canberra, after we had bought our block in the country that I discovered the world of blogs. Our life had already taken a turn in a different direction. Not long before I had started to become a regular shopper at the weekend farmers markets. I had a small but successful vegie garden in the backyard. I started making my own bread. I began cooking up batches of liquid washing mix. We had plans for a small house on an acre of land (you can read more about that here) . I was delving into the world of a simpler way of life, but with no clear idea of what I was really doing. My research led me into the world of blogs, and it was here that I discovered a world I never knew existed.





In this world there were people living the simpler life that I was envisioning.  And far more. I particularly started enjoying many crafty blogs. I had no idea when it came to sewing or knitting, but I was always drawn to it. I read about family life, cooking from scratch, gardening and alternative cleaning methods. Blogs such as Down to Earth, Soulemama, Foxs Lane, Tiny Happy and Farmama (no longer blogging)  though quite different to each other, were hugely inspiring, and continue to be daily reads.

From the time we rented in town, to building and moving into our new house, to welcoming another baby into the family, I continued reading blogs. I learned to sew and knit in these few years. I'd had a desire to learn these things for so long, but it was the inspiration found on blogs that finally made me decide to learn.




It was Daniel who started suggesting that I start a blog of my own. At first I laughed at the idea. I had many doubts. Who would want to read my relatively unexciting life? How would I find ideas for blog posts and wouldn't these ideas run out?  Would I constantly suffer from writers block? I hadn't done any form of writing since I was a teenager. Shouldn't I wait until I had a better camera? There is also that vulnerability of putting yourself out there and so being open to criticism. And importantly, how would I find the time?




But despite the doubts and after some time had passed, I decided to give it a try. I had a feeling that blogging might be something that I would very much enjoy. The blog became a little life of it's own. A little escape for me in the day to day, where I could record what was going on at that point of time. I was never really stuck for ideas. I would, and still do, usually park myself in front of the computer early in the morning, and write about whatever is on my mind, or find that my just downloaded photos tell a story of their own. I'd write about what I was making, what the kids were doing, what I was baking, what I was reading or where we went.





I recently realised that blogging is not unlike the constant diary and journal keeping that I kept form the age of eleven to nineteen. During my teen years I felt a need to keep a record of my day to day, and in my later teen years I carried my camera almost everywhere. Blogging has felt like going back to both of those in a sense.

But the thing I love about blogging the most is the connection I've felt to other people. People who are kind of like me. People who "get me". I can count on one or two fingers the people I know in real life who sew or knit or make bread or are interested in simpler living. I had always felt different somehow, but the blogging community has helped to fill that gap with their support and sharing of ideas.



 


Of course having a blog led me to discover many, many more wonderful blogs out there. Some I feel, that I can truly call friends, despite never having met them in real life.


So thank you for your generously shared ideas. Thank you for your comments that help keep me going. Thank you for visiting.




***

Also I am very grateful for your all comments and suggestions in yesterday's post. Shadecloth sounds like a very good suggestion, as does companion planting. I think I need to have some discussions with my handyman husband. Thank you Elaina for the natural pest spray recipes.

I can also happily report that it's raining right now and has been since late last night!

32 comments:

  1. i'm sitting here in the middle of the city (melbourne) with my little vegie patch and dreaming of having an acre or two with room for my boys to run, chooks and a lemon tree to call my own. I get you x

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  2. Beautifully put Tania, and just how it is for me too....and probably many others!!
    That last photo is simply sublime - what a view!!

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  3. the way you described those fabulous bloggers, providing all manner of simple inspiration for your life? that's your blog, for me. so thank YOU! :)sarah

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  4. And you have inspired me. I already blogged when I found your blog but your blog has been very influential on me. Have a look at my blog and you will see how. I cook more from scratch, started a vege patch and started sewing this year. That's how I found you. I now make the crumpets that you make and blogged about them myself. I would love to make the tunic dresses you made recently. All this, because of you. So THANK YOU.

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  5. Tania, yours, along with owlet and down to earth, is the blog I most look forward to reading. I love it, it reminds me of us :) and it inspired me in so many ways. Keep blogging. I'll keep reading.

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  6. Hi Tania, you are most welcome! I have only been blogging since September and love it. It is my daily escape now and Can't wait to get the kids down for the night so I can blog or grab a cuppa and read my favourites. Enjoy the rest of your week. Elaina :-)

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  7. Yours is one of my favourite blogs, I eagerly anticipate each new post. thank you.
    I just wish I didn't waste quite so much time reading blogs, but from that reading I've found a place where I feel I belong, and people who think like I do, that cant be bad
    cheers Kate

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  8. Hear, hear....I get you!
    I wish we lived next door!
    xo

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  9. Further to that, your a very inspirational woman Tania you should be very proud! You have a very beautiful, inspiring and informative Blog, I'm glad you started Blogging. If I remember I think I was your first ever follower, look at them all follow now! Your doing something very right! Congrats to you! :) and keep it up!

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  10. i can already see this is beautiful place to visit ... i look forward to reading more x

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  11. Blogging is such a wonderful way to connect with others and I have learnt so much, been inspired through blogging and developed some wonderful friendships for that I am grateful. Thank you for sharing with us those little bits of your life that allow us to be inspired and to enjoy. x

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  12. Great post. I certainly understand those feelings. But as an ex farmers wife now in the city and stressful job rat race i'm on the other side of the spectrum, knowing i wont get back there again. I wish i could go back and have my time again {but with a different farmer!! haha}

    love your style!

    jules : )

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  13. Oh, Tania! How funny - my favorite blogs to read are nearly the same as yours, with the addition of you! I also know practically no one who knits, sews, spins. It's frustrating, but very helpful to find like-minded people online ( and in different countries!).

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  14. What a lovely post ~ I can't agree with you more. Your blog is one of my favourite reads, even if I don't always get time to comment! x

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  15. What a great post, seems that blogging has done the same for me...Ive connected with many people that have the same ideas and likes as myself, and I continue to be inspired and enjoy blogging very much...x

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  16. I feel very much the same way... Love reading about others on a similar chosen path. X x

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  17. I am not a natural writer Tania so I am enthralled by other's seeming ease at this medium. What you have written resonates loudly with me. The blogging community has opened up my creative side and has rescued me. I love the sharing generosity. I have totally be enjoying your blog since I came across you a few months back. I share your gratitude and extend mine to you. xxx

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  18. What a lovely post, Tania:) Blogging certainly is the coolest thing, isn't it? I love the connections it brings and the kindred spirit everywhere. Love your blog especially muchly!!!!! xxx

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  19. I totally agree, most people around me are not into crafting or vintage sheets or photography of the daily moments of life. I love this wonderful bloggy world and your blog and foxslane are still my favourites. Keep it up, you are firing up my sewing for me. mel x

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  20. Hi Tania, I feel very much the same as you about blogging. I have enjoyed every minute of it since I started last year and mostly due to the connections I've made with like-minded souls through blogging. Very happy to have found your lovely blog just recently. Mel x

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  21. I really, REALLY love this post tania. I smiled and nodded and mmmed along as I read, there are many similarities in my blogging journey so far. I recently read someone's view that blogging about 'the everyday' is no way to keep a successful blog. I love what you and your family have done, are doing, and dream of an acre block with a veggie patch and a chook pen, room enough for a big trampoline and a cubby house.. and connecting with lovely writers like yourself, keeps that little dream alive. I love coming to visit, I LOVE reading about your everyday, your little journal. I always feel so calm when I leave x

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  22. What a great post :) I love reading blogs - I find it a way of making my own on line magazine of the things I love to read about :) I have only found your blog relativly recently and I have loved going back over your old posts :) A real treat :D

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  23. Oh how very, very well said, Tania. I am with you on almost every account. The sense of community was so unexpected to me. Like you I don't know too many people like me with the sewing, baking, DIY lifestyle in person, but I am so thankful to know so many through the world of blogging.

    It has been a joy getting to read your blog, watch the simple workings of your home, and get to know you and your family in this way.

    Which, by the way, that photo of facepainted Julia and sweet little Violet. So precious and fun.

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  24. I am so happy that you do blog. Your blog has heart and soul.

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  25. I am also very glad you started a blog - it is a very inspiring blog and I have found, like you, that some wonderful friendships have developed through this medium. The internet may have its evils but what joy it can bring if in the right hands :)

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  26. I love reading and looking at your pictures. I live in New York and I love to read about life in Australia. It is a great blog. I am a Mom and even though we are on opposite ends of the Earth we kinda have the same parenting skills. Our kids have read some of the same books.

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  27. Tania, I'm really pleased mine was one of the blogs that helped you along the way. I love your blog. I don't get here every day but when I do, I read back to the last entry I read. I find a very familiar feeling here, not that you copy me, no no, we're too far apart in age and location for that, it's more that we share similar values, we both fit in the centre of our families and we try things. We try things that might not work but we do it anyway. I consciously live my life trying, and I hope I never stop doing it. I hope you don't either.

    xx

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  28. I don't think there is anything more I can really add except my own voice to the chorus of voices above. xx

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  29. I'm so glad that you are finally getting some much needed rain. And I too love the sense of Community of like minded folks to be amazing in Blogland. I miss Farmmama's blog.

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  30. Just beautiful, i started blogging when my 4th trotted off to preschool. We now live in Canberra & are raising chickens & herbs/ vegetables (like we have at every Army posting) & all set to move to the country as Canberra has so many regional options. We'll keep the children in the city schools, as we're in year 8 for the eldest now, but our focus was to always move to the country, it's practical here, love Posie

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  31. gosh, look at all your lovely comments :)
    i am just another who is so pleased you began blogging. yours is such a beautiful space.
    x

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  32. Great post Tania and one which sums up my feelings about blogging in a similar way. I too have been amazed at the like-minded souls I have come across through blogging. It is these 'kindred spirits' who fuel my enthusiasm for writing blog posts as like you said, it's nice to feel like others out there 'get' what I'm blogging about. Your blog is always a source of inspiration for me and I love seeing the latest snippets of daily life with your gorgeous family xx

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