Monday, January 26, 2009
Many of you know that I would love to go to the 
BlogHer Awards in July. It would be a wonderful opportunity to meet the bloggers I have worked with and to meet new bloggers and friends. So Mabel's Labels is sponsoring a contest for bloggers...and the prize is a paid sponsorship to BlogHer '09. Of course I had to enter:
Here's the question that I need to answer: "What have been the rewards and benefits of participating in the blogger community?"
And here is what I have to say.
I am a newbie blogger, I actually didn't even pay attention to blogs until late 2008 when I saw a link to a blog called Momma in Flip Flops2. After reading and looking at Andrea's links I began to think of starting my own site; mostly as a creative outlet and a way to become Victoria, not just "mommy", from time to time. So, I started a blog called Life Starring Ellie and Eve and I admit to not having much of a clue what I was doing. But, I wanted to learn what was what so I found blogs that I really liked and contact them...asking (a lot) of questions and basically saying hey can you help a newbie out?
Here is where I should mention that I have never been particularly good at making friends or of just chatting with people. I have found it especially hard in the city in which I live since I am younger than most other moms (late 30's is the average age of moms here). So, when I contacted these bloggers I wasn't expecting all that much. To my surprise and undying gratitude so many were so helpful. Piera from Jolly Mom answered all of my questions and gave me helpful advice, Susannah from The Funky Monkey gave me great comments and feedback and Andrea from Momma in Flip Flops2 gave encouragement.
I have to admit that I probably wouldn't have continued my blog if I hadn't received positive feedback in the early days; I was unsure of myself and was looking for friends to help me get through the confusing blogosphere. Now since I am more comfortable and have gained a great group of followers and subscribers (thank you to Heather from A Little Bliss for being one of the first) I am more comfortable in the blogging world.
So, you ask "What have been the rewards and benefits of participating in the blogging community?" and my short answer is this: friends and a sense of accomplishment. I love the friends I have made in my short time writing Life Starring Ellie and Eve; thanks to people like Dana, Trisha, Bridgette, Cecelia, and others, I now consider myself to be part of a community and to have a great group of people with whom I can talk to. This is really something that I have never had before, especially during the "mommy" phase of my life. The second reward of which I speak is that of a sense of accomplishment. I love being a mom, I truly do. But, after two kids in as many years and exactly five nights out alone, I began to lose Victoria. I did not have an outlet for my creativeness and that I could to to unwind and just be me not "mom" not "wife" just me. I had tried different activities and given up on all of them because they didn't fit...but with blogging and writing I have found something that fits. I get to use my creativity, my love of gear for the entire family, and my kids and life and show the world Victoria. I get a great sense of accomplishment from knowing that I have found something that I am good at and something I enjoy and have made it a success in the time I have been up and running; hey I even write guest articles for Momdot and Ask Baby Kid, two great sites that I love and am proud to be part of.
I love blogging, I love what I do, and I love the people that I have met in the short time I have been around. I look forward to meeting more great people as I continue to learn the ropes and continue on my blogging journey.
BlogHer Awards in July. It would be a wonderful opportunity to meet the bloggers I have worked with and to meet new bloggers and friends. So Mabel's Labels is sponsoring a contest for bloggers...and the prize is a paid sponsorship to BlogHer '09. Of course I had to enter:Here's the question that I need to answer: "What have been the rewards and benefits of participating in the blogger community?"
And here is what I have to say.
I am a newbie blogger, I actually didn't even pay attention to blogs until late 2008 when I saw a link to a blog called Momma in Flip Flops2. After reading and looking at Andrea's links I began to think of starting my own site; mostly as a creative outlet and a way to become Victoria, not just "mommy", from time to time. So, I started a blog called Life Starring Ellie and Eve and I admit to not having much of a clue what I was doing. But, I wanted to learn what was what so I found blogs that I really liked and contact them...asking (a lot) of questions and basically saying hey can you help a newbie out?
Here is where I should mention that I have never been particularly good at making friends or of just chatting with people. I have found it especially hard in the city in which I live since I am younger than most other moms (late 30's is the average age of moms here). So, when I contacted these bloggers I wasn't expecting all that much. To my surprise and undying gratitude so many were so helpful. Piera from Jolly Mom answered all of my questions and gave me helpful advice, Susannah from The Funky Monkey gave me great comments and feedback and Andrea from Momma in Flip Flops2 gave encouragement.
I have to admit that I probably wouldn't have continued my blog if I hadn't received positive feedback in the early days; I was unsure of myself and was looking for friends to help me get through the confusing blogosphere. Now since I am more comfortable and have gained a great group of followers and subscribers (thank you to Heather from A Little Bliss for being one of the first) I am more comfortable in the blogging world.
So, you ask "What have been the rewards and benefits of participating in the blogging community?" and my short answer is this: friends and a sense of accomplishment. I love the friends I have made in my short time writing Life Starring Ellie and Eve; thanks to people like Dana, Trisha, Bridgette, Cecelia, and others, I now consider myself to be part of a community and to have a great group of people with whom I can talk to. This is really something that I have never had before, especially during the "mommy" phase of my life. The second reward of which I speak is that of a sense of accomplishment. I love being a mom, I truly do. But, after two kids in as many years and exactly five nights out alone, I began to lose Victoria. I did not have an outlet for my creativeness and that I could to to unwind and just be me not "mom" not "wife" just me. I had tried different activities and given up on all of them because they didn't fit...but with blogging and writing I have found something that fits. I get to use my creativity, my love of gear for the entire family, and my kids and life and show the world Victoria. I get a great sense of accomplishment from knowing that I have found something that I am good at and something I enjoy and have made it a success in the time I have been up and running; hey I even write guest articles for Momdot and Ask Baby Kid, two great sites that I love and am proud to be part of.I love blogging, I love what I do, and I love the people that I have met in the short time I have been around. I look forward to meeting more great people as I continue to learn the ropes and continue on my blogging journey.
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7 comments:
Isn't it wonderful to regain yourself? I love my "job" as a SAHM, but I was really struggling with my loss of identity. Blogging is a great release.
And you have a great blog.
Perdona que te escriba en español, pero mi conocimiento del inglés no es suficiente.
Me he visto reflejada en tus palabras, yo también necesitaba dar rienda a mi creatividad y ser yo además de mamá :)
Tus bebés son una preciosidad, qué caras tan dulces!!
Te mando un gran abrazo.
Meni
@Meninheira
No prblem writing in Spanish, I understand and read it pretty well. It's the speaking that needs some work! Thank you for the kind comment and understanding!
Qué bien!! That's great :D
ThoughtI would comment as I am a brand new blogger after reading blogs (like an addiction) for the past year. Hubby helped me start it on New Year's eve, I really have not been advertising it much so no comments or feedback yet. Feel free to be the first to comment if you would choose to visit.
One thing that struck me is that you are a young mom in a city of mostly older moms, we have lived in 3 different places since my 1st was born, and mostly been around young mom's (it does make a big difference in the baby years, I find) but now not such a big difference when the kids start school.
Just curious how you get started doing reviews for products.. I don't have too much time to devote to it but would not mind trying new things every once in a while.
Good luck on the contest.
Beth
Just wanted to stop by and wish you luck!
Victoria - you are an absolute sweetheart. I'm glad you've found a way to express YOU!
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