Tag Archives: blogging

Why Everyone Should Blog

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When I started blogging, I had no clue what my focus would be. Writing would simply be something to occupy my free time, a task which would bring about a sense of productivity. After some thought, I decided that I essentially wanted to share my perspective on the world, my observations about others. The vast majority of my posts are poured directly from the faucet of my brain, written in the same manner by which they cross my mind, and using the same words. Writing is easy for me because I write about the things I think about anyways, those ideas which actually hold some level of personal significance.

“Find a subject you care about and which you in your heart feel others should care about. It is this genuine caring, not your games with language, which will be the most compelling and seductive element in your style.”

-Kurt Vonnegut

Were you to start writing about your fondest passions and deepest interests, the areas in which you dabble for fun anyways and research purely out of curiosity, writing would come effortlessly. Whether you enjoy cars, taxidermy, or knitting, share your knowledge and insight with someone. Through writing about something, you can explore your own ideas further, prompt new perspectives, and indirectly solve problems and improve efficiency.

Beyond the simple promotion of knowledge and sharing of ideas, blogging is a way to connect with others, to meet other individuals with the same passion and ideals, people who understand where you’re coming from and can benefit from what you have to say.

Blogging can also serve as a creative outlet, a means of expanding your range of understanding on a subject by projecting what you know through writing. Until I began blogging, I didn’t consider writing to be an art or form of creativity, but rather a didactic subject in school. It’s truly amazing what you can discover about yourself and your interests through writing, and what’s even more incredible is finding out that others on the same wavelength actually appreciate your knowledge, insight, and presentation.

To be honest, I’m still not entirely sure what the underlying theme of this blog is – perhaps a meshing of knowledge, experience, and inspiration – but it doesn’t really matter. I think as long as your honest with yourself and and your reader, as long as you’re exploring topics that you’re genuinely passionate about then blogging will prove to be worthwhile and beneficial.

Blogoversary Giveaway!

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In honor of the one-year anniversary of this blog and because I absolutely adore my readers, I’m hosting a giveaway now through December 16th. After much consideration and a trip to my favorite independent book store, I’ve picked up a few things hopefully everyone will like and one lucky person will receive just in time for Christmas!

I’ve included some of my personal favorite things: a simple journal with nice detailing and quotes inside, some decoratively designed page markers, and a month’s worth of inspirational window cards. Because so many of you are readers, writers, and dreamers!

The rules are simple.

  1. Be a subscriber to this blog
  2. Reside in the United States
  3. Answer the question ”What is your biggest inspiration?” in the comments below

The contest will run now through December 16th and end at midnight. The winner will be chosen a random via random.org.

Feel free to pass this giveaway along to your friends. I’m looking forward to hearing what inspires you!

Inspiration, Potential, and a New Friend

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My parents always told me not to talk to strangers. I think every level-headed parent teaches their child to be careful. Yet, for me, this instilled a sense of fear rather than caution. I hardly talked to anyone when I was younger, and this continued well into early adulthood.

However, over the past few years my desire and ability to talk to strangers has increased exponentially. My philosophy has changed a bit; caution is important, yet interpersonal interactions are one of the best ways to learn something new, to gain a new perspective. Talking to someone new is challenging for me and most conversations involve a lot of awkward silence, but they are often worth the effort if I simply take that first step.

I’ve continually refered to my blogging circle as my friends, my motivation, my inspiration. I feel as if we’re all part of this elite group who simply know that each person is a vessel of potential; we’re part of this special group who incessantly pursue their dreams, who love learning new things and acquiring wisdom. I think it would be an absolutely phenomenal experience if I could sit down in a room with all of you, with each of you individually and talk about life, dreams, and wisdom.

The other day, that dream came true for me, on a smaller scale. For the first time, I met one of my blogging buddies in person. Chris is an incredible person with an inspirational passion; Chris is a guy who is turning his dreams into a reality. Over the course of the next year, he’ll be traveling all over the Americas – visiting 35 countries, capturing 35 portraits, and sharing 35 stories. I highly suggest following his journey at Dream to Reality! When he said he’d be in town and suggested we meet, I couldn’t say no.

We went back and forth referencing our favorite TED talks and blog posts by Chris Guillebeau and Tina Su, sharing our experiences and philosophies on life, talking about our dreams and lessons we’ve learned. We covered spirituality, politics, the educational system, relationships, society, and every other topic you aren’t supposed to talk about. I felt as if I were having a conversation with an alternate version of myself. We climbed Camelback Mountain and as we watched the sun set and the moon rise, we discussed the effect of social comparisons, our hesitations, and our dreams. It was nothing short of incredible.

A few days later, I read that twenty-three year-old Nate Damm just completed his walk across America. This serves as yet another awe-inspiring example of the fruits of  perseverance and the rewards for following your heart. How can anyone read these types of stories and not feel driven to action?

I tend to keep to myself, but hearing about experiences has inspired me to 1) make an effort to meet more like-minded people in real life because they do exist and 2) fearlessly pursue my own dreams and passions. It will take faith, courage, and tenacity; it will involve defying conventions and facing resistance; yet seeing just one or two other people passionately chase after their dreams is all the inspiration I need.

Rather than standing back and looking on in awe as others achieve their dreams, I need to join them. Each of us is extraordinary; each of us has so much potential. As children we’re told that the sky is the limit and anything is possible; as adults, I think we need to be reminded that we can do anything we put our minds to, that life is our canvas and our legacy.

Why Blogging Isn’t a Waste of Time

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Allison and Shikole of The Real Post Grad recently invited me to write a guest post for their site. The topic I choose was Why Blogging Isn’t a Waste of Time. I would love for you to go check it out and let me know what you think. Be sure to explore the rest of their site – there are some wonderful posts on post-grad life!

A Little 300th Post Celebration

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This is my 300th post. That’s ten months of daily blogging. I’m generally a humble person, but for a quick second here I’m going to take advantage of my self-proclaimed bragging rights…I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty proud of myself. Considering I began this blog as something to fill my endless free time and get me off of Facebook, I’m impressed with my relative success. I’m honestly surprised that I’m still at it considering how often I’ve consider throwing in the towel to “do something more productive with my time.” (Sound familiar?) I am beyond grateful that so many of you actually take the time to read my blog and leave thoughtful comments; that’s all the compensation I need.

Analyfe is my child, a brilliant and energetic little guy who comes home crying on occasion because someone called him ”anal-life” again (it’s pronounced ana-life). If I ever have another blog, I’m naming it William.  

I could discuss my progress, what I’ve learned, or what I hope to accomplish in my next 300 posts, but I’ll keep it simple and take you for a trip down memory lane.

First post: Be the spark, especially when it’s dark (essentially why I started blogging)

Most popular posts: The pet effect (thanks to WordPress for posting my dog’s handsome face on the homepage!) and Everything happens for a reason

Most commented on posts: The pet effect and About Me (which may be due for some updating…)

My favorite posts: Life is a song, so why not dance? (I like metaphors and obscure vocab) and Chronic bronchitis and the silver lining (I like writing narratives, particularly in a stream-of-consciousness style).

Longest post: An overview and review of Roberto Bolaño’s “2666” at 1772 words (my all-time favorite book, by the way). Discovering the true source of the shadows: Freud, Jung, and Plato’s Allegory is actually the longest, at 1963 words, but it was originally written as a class essay in 2008, long before the conception of Analyfe.

Top search engine terms: ben zion avrohom, analyfe, between us peter bradley adams

Top commenters: Joss @ Crowning Crone, Tim @ Introspection, Tien @ Tien Unscripted, and Sifrim @ Less is More (check them all out!)

Thanks to each and everyone one of you for joining me in this amazing journey. I can honestly say that I’m a different person, a better person than I was when I took on the daunting task of managing a personal blog. However, my plan to break away from social networking has been thwarted, as it turns out that blog readers actually want to connect elsewhere…Facebook, Twitter, Twenty Something Bloggers, Google Plus, and Google Reader. Hello social media, goodbye social life!

I was part of a study throughout college that tracked the financial beliefs and habits of young adults. I was recently asked to be interviewed and recorded, and to grant permission to the researchers to share my name and responses. My first thought was “no way!” but when I showed my mother the letter, she simply stated “you’re already all over the internet, so why not?” Touché. I am all over the internet. I don’t know how I feel about that. Over the course of 300 blog posts, Google has realized that no, I didn’t mean to type “analyze,” nor was I trying to find the Australian model ”Erin McNaught”. Do a Google search of either analyfe or Erin McNaughton and I’m all over the first page. In terms of job-hunting that’s probably a bad thing, but I’m amused.

Why Do I Blog?

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Why do you blog? That’s an interesting question, one that I get a lot. Why do I spend ten to fifteen hours a week orchestrating my thoughts for strangers and friends alike to read? Does anyone else even care?

As some of you may know, I began blogging last December after reading a book in which the author suggested doing so. The thought was terrifying, but why not take a step outside my comfort zone for once? After countless hours and dozens of attempts at usernames, I took the first available. I excitedly showed my little brother, who peered at the computer screen, scrunched his face and inquired, “anal-life?” Despite the short-lived devastation that followed, I stuck with it and gradually figured out how the system works.

  1. It was something to do. Winter break was uneventful and I had a light class load in the spring. Rather than wasting my days on the Facebook and StumbleUpon, I vowed to be more productive. Although it’s not as impressive as a paying job, at least with a blog I have something to show for my efforts.
  2. I enjoy it immensely. A blog is a place where you can talk about your thoughts and interests, as obscure as they may be, because there are surely others out there who will appreciate your perspective. You don’t need to stick to a theme or aim to please others. A blog is a place where you can be yourself, both publicly and anonymously.
  3. Regularity, responsibility, and purpose. I’m done with school and currently unemployed, which is hard because I’m used to and thrive in structured routines. Blogging is essentially the only source of structure in my life, so it’s pretty important to me right now. Although I may not have heard back from any of the 50 or so jobs I’ve applied for, responses to my posts make me feel viable and appreciated.
  4. The community and social aspect. I’m amazed at how many wonderful people I’ve met through blogging, by just reading and commenting on each other’s posts. I get just as much from these practical strangers as I do from my own family and friends. I love it.
  5. It’s something that I’m good at. I always considered my strengths to lie in book knowledge, never creative endeavors, but there are a handful of things I’ve written that I’m genuinely impressed by. Based on the growing number of daily views and subscribers, I suppose others must be able to relate to what I have to say, as well. This brings a smile (or several) to my face each day.

To be honest, I often feel guilty about spending so much time writing; I should be spending that time looking for a job, networking, doing something. However, I think it’s also important to have down-time, to take a break from the necessary to do something you truly enjoy. Unfortunately what I want to do often takes priority over what I need to do. Maintaining a blog anchors my sanity and forces me to be present in the moment, which is something I need right now. Although it sometimes feels like a waste of time, maybe it will pay off; actually, I think it already has in many ways.

How did you guys get started blogging and what keeps you going? What are your goals – personal satisfaction, a career in writing, or something else?

Out of curiosity, which of my posts or style of writing have been your favorites? I personally like heavy descriptions and metaphors and slightly humorous personal anecdotes best; I don’t have favorites, but these two are definitely up there.

Also, if there are any requests for new post topics or if you want me address a particular issue, suggestions and questions are always welcome.

200th Post

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This is my 200th blog post. I never imagined I would stick with it this long and although there has been times I wanted to give up, I’m happy to have reached this milestone. To celebrate, I’d like to share some childhood pictures that always make me smile.

“All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory. I was naïve. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: that I am nobody but myself.”

-Ralph Ellison, “Battle Royal

Zero and a half

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Remember as a child how is was entirely necessary to insert “and a half” into any age between 4 and 10? Those 1, 5, or 11 months that constitute a half really made all the difference.

Today is the six-month anniversary of my blog. Today, that “and a half” is pretty significant.

I started blogging after reading a book – The Art of Non-Conformity - in which the author suggests an Alternate Graduate Experience for those who are not convinced about the benefits of graduate school as opposed to self-learning or uncertain about life in general. I started blogging because some guy in a book told me I should. Blogging was my “step in the right direction” when graduate school applications began to feel like the wrong direction. I didn’t expect much, so I feel pretty accomplished when I think about how far my brainchild has come in the past few months.

  • 174 posts
  • 55,000+ page views
  • Over 1,600+ comments
  • 138 subscribers
  • My post The Pet Effect was “Freshly Pressed” and featured on the WordPress homepage
  • I received the “Versatile Blogger Award”
  • The author of a book I reviewed (The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost) linked back to my review on her website
  • I have made many new “blogging buddies”
  • When I Google myself, I now show up on the first page – for both Analyfe and my real name

Those statistics and achievements don’t mean much to me. Okay, I’ll admit it’s exciting considering my blog was a personal endeavor and I wasn’t expecting anyone to notice. Even more importantly, my six months of blogging have nurtured my love of writing, helped me to explore and organize my thoughts, and connected me to a community of like-minded and supportive individuals. Blogging has taught me about myself, validated my ideas, and spurred new insight. Writing daily has opened my eyes to the world around me and forced me to grasp and dissect fleeting thoughts.

Thank you to all my readers for helping me get this far!

Versatile Blogger Award!

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For the past week or so, I’ve seen my fellow bloggers receiving an interesting chain-letter type award: The Versatile Blogger award. In the past day, Melissa from Melissa’s Meanderings and Mac from Hemlock1981 were kind enough to pass it onto me. It’s so nice to be recognized and appreciated. I’m beyond excited to pass this along to some of my favorite bloggers!

So, here are the wonderful rules of the game:

  • Thank the person who gave you the award and link the blog back to them
  • Tell us 7 things about yourself
  • Pass the award to 7 bloggers
  • Contact the bloggers to let them know they’ve received the award

You’re not obligated to pass this along, but I think it’s a great idea. It’s always nice to learn something new about a friend (yes, I consider you all to be my friends). We each have our own networks on here and it’s nice to discover new (potential favorite) bloggers. Also, everyone likes feeling noticed and appreciated, so why not be the benefactor!

So, 7 things about myself:

  1. My parents didn’t have a name picked out for me when I was born. My mom had the perfect name for a little boy, but hadn’t thought of girl names. My grandmother suggested “Erin” because it was Irish and went well with my last name. My middle name, “Page,” is a family name.  

  2. I absolutely love learning, especially reading! I’m graduating from college in May and when my parents asked what gift I’d like, I said “a bigger bookshelf.” I love owning every book I’ve read (or as many as possible) and I can’t wait to have them proudly on display. Hopefully Mother Earth can forgive me.

  3. I’ve lived in Arizona for my entire life. Thus, I think 70 degrees Farenheit is chilly, 50 is freezing; over 108 is hot and 102 is “not that bad”; mid to high 80s with a light breeze is my ideal. Snow is a foreign concept. Rain is a really big deal. Sunburn is inevitable. 

  4.  My favorite foods are dark chocolate, steak, and kalamata olives. My favorite animal is the jaguar. My favorite colors are turquoise and sapphire blue. My favorite season is autumn. My favorite words are eloquent, grotesque, abysmal, and voracious.

  5. I have a fear of falling (but not heights), so I don’t like rickety bridges, balconies, or seemingly unsecure rollercoaster rides. I also have a phobia of knives – if I see a knife out (that’s not in use) I experience an irresistible urge to put it in the dishwasher or silverware drawer.

  6. I absolutely love singing in the car with the music turned up and the windows rolled down, even if I’m embarrassing my passengers. It just makes me happy. If gas prices weren’t so high, I would drive around aimlessly listening to music and observing the scenery all the time.

  7. I’m going to borrow Melissa’s idea a leave the final question open. So, what would you like to know about me? I’ll answer either below in the comments or delicate an entire post to the topic.

And the awards go to:

  1. Genn at cadencies
  2. Jaclyn at Jaclyn Rae’s Blog
  3. Danny at dannyduluoz
  4. Joss at Crowning Crone
  5. J Roycroft at The Roycroft Report
  6. Gina at Just Married
  7. Batty Broad at The Life of a Batty Broad

Thank you all for your wonderful and inspirational work!  There are so many other writers and readers I’ve come to know over the past few months who I did not specifically mention and I’d like to thank you as well!