Maybe Blogging Isn’t For Me…

So here it goes…my first blog post. Technically that’s not exactly true, but it’s my first personal blog post. I’ve struggled for the last week to think of what to write, how to write it, and how to make it something worthwhile. These thoughts and reflections have led to many an interesting discussion at my house. Being married to an avid blogger and Web 2.0 guru (Jeff Utecht), I have been inundated over the years with the idea of the power these web tools can bring to a person. I have also been witness to how these tools can effect change in teaching and learning and the sharing of information and knowledge. Yet, when it actually came time for me to have to start my own personal blog for this class, I found myself reluctant at first, procrastinating with the best of them next, and finally forcing myself to work past the ball of anxiety in the pit of my stomach. In stepping back and taking a more analytical approach to my reluctance (it’s the counselor in me coming out), I began to understand why I was feeling the way I was. It had nothing to do with ideas, I have plenty of those! It also had nothing to do with the writing part, it’s something I’ve always enjoyed. One would then naturally come to the conclusion that I would take to blogging easily and enthusiastically. However, I have realized that the dread I was feeling in relation to my anticipated ‘blog post’ was akin to the panic I feel every time I am required to speak in front of a group of people. For me, to post my thoughts and ideas for a potential world wide audience, creates an apprehension on a scale of mammoth proportions!

This has led me then to my conclusion…blogging is not for everyone. Much like public speaking is not for everyone! Some of us prefer to keep our thoughts and ideas more private, some of us would rather share our insight with a small group of people in a more intimate environment; some of us would rather be keen observers of the world and not have to be the main contributors. What would happen if everyone did blog? Wouldn’t that create an overwhelming amount of information to sift through? And as much as we like to think we are original and creative in our thoughts, for many and most of us, someone else out there has already had the same thought, idea, or epiphany. A perfect example, my first (and agonizing) blog post, has really already been given ‘voice’ by Will Richardson who recently wrote:

So I’m wondering through all of this what role social technologies have for those who may not have the aptitudes to tap into their potential.

I guess that’s kind of what I’m wondering too!

So, in answer to the question “what do you want to get out of this course?”; I would have to reply with another question:“Is blogging for me?” This course will push me to try something new, to explore and expand my thinking, and to know for sure if I’m one of those people that prefer to remain a keen observer and let others take the stage.

There are additional things I hope to get from this course as well, but I might save those thoughts for my next blog post, just in case I should run out of material! So Kim and Jeff, perhaps you can convince me that I am a blogger yet…only time will tell.


11 thoughts on “Maybe Blogging Isn’t For Me…”

  1. A great first post quite honestly. This is what it is all about. Thinking through it all and making personal sense of the world as we live in the midst of massive changes. Congratulations on taking a first step.

  2. We’ve been having the same conversation at my school. I’m not sure blogging is for everyone, yet I believe reflecting, networking and sharing matter. Blogs make it easier to connect, but I am beginning to see other ways.

  3. Hey from Vienna!
    I can relate…and add the issue of privacy (not knowing who, yet is out there looking and reading about me or my thoughts!

    Nice to see a pic of my new colleague for next year!

    Off to yoga!

    Nancy

  4. Hey Neah,

    I totally feel this way too!!! Great job though swallowing your fear and starting something. Kinda like me running marathons…even if you finish last, you are way ahead of those on the side lines doing nothing. You are a beautiful writer no matter what you write about. They don’t always have to be “deep”. A saucy poem or two would fit in nicely 🙂

    Heather

  5. I can relate – I was so nervous to write my first post back in August 2006 (actually if you read my first post, you’ll see that I was certainly right to have been so nervous). It took a while for me to understand the power that blogging holds for me, personally, so maybe if you give it a chance, the same will happen for you.

    Lucky for you, your first post is beautifully written and gets right to the heart of the matter. Nothing to be embarrassed about a few years down the line 😉

  6. I was wondering when this would happen.

    I fear the blogosphere will never be the same for me again. First thing every morning: NY Times and The Thinking Chick.

    I guess it all makes perfect common sense.

    Andy

  7. I just loved it…you are a reluctant blogger but a very good writer. Why not look at the blog as practice in organizing, research or reflections. In the end you will find that skills get better with lots of practice.

    Take care.

    Barbara Torris

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