Friday 17 February 2012

I’m A Weirdo Too!

One of the reasons I started blogging was that I was inspired by the passion, honesty and heart of an amazing blog I had discovered from twitter…Edenland.


Edenland's Fresh Horses Brigade

Today, the author of this blog, Eden has asked us why we blog for her 'Fresh Horse's meme. She has titled her post 'Weirdo bloggers are WEIRDOS'

This title makes me smile, because two weeks into this blogging caper, I was accosted by a lady in the carpark and was told that I should stop writing things on the internet. She said that writing that stuff made me seem mentally imbalanced. After that episode I wrote this post and it still rings true today

This is part of that post

“…..For me, blogging is my voice. As a SAHM I often turn to social media for adult
interaction during the sometimes, very long, and often lonely days. Reading about others experiences on their Blogs and on twitter has really made me feel less isolated and alone. Reading about others has also helped me support and validate my choice to be SAHM.

 Over the past two weeks I have had readers from all over the world look at MY Blog, MY thoughts and MY stories. Maybe some of these readers are struggling with similar issues of their own, maybe they are interested in what other sporting families get up to. Maybe there are some readers who are also dealing with apraxia and can take some solace in the fact they are not alone. Maybe some readers are dealing with passive aggressive bullies in the workplace or at school. Maybe some of the readers are also SAHMs looking to be part of a wider village of other carers who are also at home, with feelings of isolation, looking after children…..”

While blogging gives me a voice, I have since discovered that the most fantastic part of blogging  has been the connections I have made in the blogosphere. It is these relationships that have made blogging such a worthwhile experience.

In writing about my sons battle with apraxia, I have been so incredibly touched by the comments I have received on my posts. People who genuinely care and understand. Without their support  and encouragement, right there in my computer, I would be largely facing this on my own. I would specially like to mention.


I have also connected with other families facing dispraxia. I am simply amazed that I can offer and receive support, advice and encouragement form other parents battling apraxia from the other side of the world.


I have also found other parents that are highly involved with youth sports. I find their advice, knowledge and encouragement such a valuable support to parenting active kids. I have also appreciated their support for my 'Youth Sports Weekend' posts.


One of the unexpected things to come from blogging has been the re-kindling of my interest in photography. I have been inspired by the most talented and creative photography blogs. I now look at he world with much more detail and appreciation and I love the opportunity to share my photos.


Finally, there are those wonderful bloggers who I consider to be my tribe. They have been a constant source of support and encouragement on Twitter and the comments on my blog.


Even though I have been blogging for a little over 3 and a half months, it is the people I have met, and the support I have received that has given me ‘fresh horses to ride’ and made blogging so worth while. I am still discovering my tribe, my journey is just beginning and I am so looking forward to the ride!

If being a blogger makes me seem weird or unbalanced to others than so be it! I wouldn’t swap the wonderful people or the support or encouragement for the world. Nor would I let go of this amazing opportunity to share my voice with the world.

If you would like to see the reasons others blog, and their tribes...go over to Edenland and have a look!

26 comments:

  1. Well thank you so much lovely. That mention means so much to me and trust me the feeling is mutual. I feel very honuoured to be in a list of such fabulous blogs. Xx

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    1. Thanks Sonia...knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel has so helped me! Thankyou!

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  2. Im missed the one where you were accosted...what the!! Go girl...blog what you feel like, when you feel like it...it does connect us SAHM with a wonderful community of peeps xx

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    1. Thanks so much Jen! I don't talk about those women much...I want this blog to be about me, not them!!

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  3. To be honest, I think blogging is one of the things that make us 'normal' - there are worse things we could be doing with our time !!

    I too enjoy the 'comany' of friends I have made through blogging and twitter, the support and encouragement that I have received during some difficult times has been amazing - in some cases I have received more support from people. Have never met than people I see daily or weekly in person.

    Have the best weekend possible !
    Love, hugs and positive energy.
    Me

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    1. Thank you! I agree...knowing there is support out there is a wonderful feeling!

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  4. It's so interesting to see the diversity on everyone's list. There's many on your list that I haven't heard of before. Thanks for sharing. :)

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    1. Thank you Deborah, I've enjoyed discovering some new blogs too!

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  5. I'm the worlds' biggest couch potato but even so, how could someone say you seem mentally imbalanced?? just flabbergasted.
    You write on, chick. x

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  6. I agree with you totally! As I am on a Disability Pension and often tied to home due to my ill health, the blogging world has been a huge lifesaver. It is a place I can share my photography, gain encouragement from others and read inspiring blogs. I have also connected with people with chronic illness too which has been encouraging and inspiring.
    During the many days when I am stuck at home and in incrediblre pain, it is my connection to the outside world and I have met lovely people who share common interests and who I have learned from.
    Don't allow criticism to stop you or make you feel bad.
    Thanks for the mention too - I am most honoured :)

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    1. Thank you so much Liz for your lovely comment Liz. you have been a great source of support as I know you have sporty, driven children and you understand the challenges of parenting sporty kids....and I just love your photography too :)

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  7. Thank you so much Liz for your lovely comment Liz. you have been a great source of support as I know you have sporty, driven children and you understand the challenges of parenting sporty kids....and I just love your photography too :)

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  8. Mentally imblanced??
    By whose scales??
    Pffft.

    Blog on, Sporty Mummy.
    You (and your fabulous family) are terrific role models.
    I'm honoured to be a part of your 'tribe'.
    :-) xxx

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    1. Thanks so much Shar, That's such I nice thing to say! I really appreciate all your great, supportive comments :)

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  9. I had no idea what apraxia/ dyspraxia were before I read your past posts! My nephew is autistic and I actually worked as a Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist for a time because I became so enthusiastic about the need for early intervention for autism. I hope Buster does wonderfully well with his new ipod and continues to enjoy pre-school. I hope he responds to therapy as wonderfully as your daughter did! God be with you as you work toward this wonderful goal.

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    1. Thanks you so much Marie, your thoughts and support are truly appreciated!

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  10. I wrote about that isolation bit too, and I'm so glad someone else sees it that way. Thank goodness for blogging huh?

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    1. Thanks Sharon...your are right...thank goodness for blogging!!

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  11. Absolutely love this post ... thank you so much for linking up. You were accosted about blogging .. did she wave her cranky cane in your face too, ha!

    I'm sensing a pattern already in the people who have linked up - all really value the connections and kinship that blogging brings. So cool.

    xx eden

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    1. Thanks Eden :) I so was 'accosted'! She also warned me not to tell anyone I blogged because they would all think I was unbalanced as well...

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  12. I think that unless you really consider yourself a writer, blogging is about gathering a tribe. I am totally with you on that!
    Non-bloggers so don't get the quality of relationships that bloggers have with one another.

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  13. Thanks so much Lee! and thanks for following my blog too!! :)

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  14. Thanks for mentioning my blog! I too, agree that it is awesome to be able to connect and have so much in common with someone from across the world. I loved this post and could 100% relate to everything you said.

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