Blog What You Like ❤️
I always chuckle when folks mention they don't know what to blog about. It's easy, blog about what you like. Talk about the things that you are passionate about, things you find joy in, or document your day-to-day. Not every post has to be a great philosophical debate or an opinion on the latest technology. Mix it up a little, talk about your one-eyed dog or the pickleball game from this past weekend. Mention the obscure movie you love or some childhood memory (bonus points if you dig out an old photograph). Talk about your mistakes and what you learned from them. Tell me about your favorite book, no better yet, tell me about your favorite book from when you were a child. What did it mean to you? What did you learn from it? Did it shape your opinion on something?
After many years of blogging, I've discovered this: the blog post that most people see, the one that gets shared around some, is not that one that resonates with people. It might be the one that people can chat about for that one day because it hits at the right time, but it's usually the post that you think no one is going to care about that really hits home, because that's the post that is most authentic. Whenever I've taken a deep look into my soul or explored some weird quirk in my mind that I think I'm the only one who experiences it, those are the posts I get the "Wow... I didn't know anyone else thought that way" messages. And what makes those special is that by me being vulnerable and sharing something, I helped the reader feel not alone. Then in return, the email back to me reassures me I'm not alone and that is a beautiful cycle.
Blogging can be an incredible experience if you go into it with no expectations. Just relax and enjoy the process.
I will admit, sometimes I am a little restrained in letting my weirdness creep out, because like everyone else I think to myself, "What if people don't like this? What if people don't like me?" But what is the alternative? Make a fancy blog, that looks perfect and discusses things I'm not truly passionate about? To create a facade that I am someone that I'm not. How is that any different than social media?
The internet has enough fakeness. It has enough hot takes, perfect websites, and thoughts on the latest political/news stories. Write about you, write about the person behind the screen who wants to be seen and heard. Write about what makes you tick and what makes you happy. That's the blog I want to read and that's the type of blogs we need if we want to make a better internet. We don't need another news blog, we need something folks can relate to and something you can show your not so tech savvy friends that makes them think, "Wow, the internet can be something more than just Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter. Maybe I should stop scrolling for a second?"
And one final thought on negativity. Earlier today I was reading a blog where the author was apologizing for being so negative. I've seen people pour their hearts and souls into blogs that are mostly negative takes and opinions. That's perfectly fine, if that is what you need to do to make it through the day then share your negative posts. I don't think you'll ever have a large amount of followers (then again, people flock to the news so what do I know?), but there is nothing wrong about you writing what you want to write on your blog. But, as a guy, who sometimes wears his emotions on his sleeves and has dipped into writing some depressive posts in the past, I do recommend opening up a private journal or even a private blog to explore some of those thoughts. Not every thought needs to see the light of day and it's okay to keep some things to yourself. I use my Diarium account for that myself.
Anyway, the world needs more bloggers. It needs more fun things to read and a great place to document your wins and losses. It needs you to share your family vacation and to leave a real review about that latest camera you bought that is going viral on TikTok. It needs you to gush about your favorite TV show and why you hate mowing the grass. The world needs you, and your words and pictures, so just write what you like and don't worry about the rest.
Update 3/1/24 - Greg made some great points regarding the parts of blogging that is not easy. I didn't spend any time mentioning setting up a blog or even approaching blogging from a non-commercial aspect.