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August 21, 2011

Blog Post No. 205

Tessa's Converse collection. <3
I started this blog in November 2010, and this post will be my 205th since I wrote that self-conscious first post. I still have lots of doubts about blogging, chiefly that this online destination isn't a real reflection of who I am because it's too, like, "look at my clothes and look at my house and this pretty little baby girl I made with my husband whom I adore." It's a blog that looks at all the good things about my life and tunes out most of the bad, sad, and idiotic. I almost never blog about fights I have or mistakes I make or stupid stuff that I actually said out loud. That's for a reason -- not because I don't live in reality, but because I decided at the beginning of my blog-venture that I didn't want this to be a "Dear Diary" diatribe that would later embarrass me or anyone I love. I also committed to blogging almost every day; I wanted to go big or go home. And so this place has become my highlight reel and a love letter to my life, which is -- on most days -- just sinfully amazing.

Several really cool things have happened since I started blogging, and they're things that egg me on every week, that tell me I'd be a fool to pull the plug on this mack daddy, even though I want to about once a week especially when it's embarrassingly earnest about things like yarn pom-poms.

No. 1: I get off my ass more. I need stuff to blog about, after all. This appeals to that little girl in me who only wanted to dive off the high board if there was someone there to watch me do it. I had fallen into a creative slump, but this blog has become a tap-tap on my shoulder reminding me to turn off the TV or the computer and go make something, do something, lead a fuller life, even if that means I might be judged by someone somewhere.

No. 2: People come visit me here, and not just my Facebook friends anymore. I mean, the traffic isn't crazy-high or anything, but enough so that I feel listened to, which is nice since I work doing freelance writing from home and don't have an office to go into anymore or colleagues to socialize with. Thank YOU for being here and for listening!

No. 3: I write something every day. Sometimes it's just three sentences with 95 pictures attached, but sometimes it's an essay about motherhood or an epiphany about creativity. Whatever it is, it takes me beyond the writing I do professionally, which is mostly about car accidents. (True story.) And sometimes when I read back on it later, I think, 'Who is this person?' And then I realize, 'Ellen, this person is you. You two should really grab a beer together sometime.'

No 4.: Opportunities. I've gotten some really cool opportunities through my blog this year. I haven't made a dollar from the blog or sold any ads (and there's only been one giveaway, which six people tops entered), but I'm pretty sure this blog is at least partly why my family got to be in a fashion show and why I've gotten several paying writing gigs from various peeps. I hope, too, that the blog will help me move in the direction of some writing-related dreams I have and present me with opportunities I haven't even thought of yet.

.... All that's to say, I've been thinking about adding a weekly feature that will incorporate both what I already like about my blog and hopefully help to diminish what I dislike about it. What I'm thinking is a feature that will essentially be a list of weekly goals that I want to accomplish (i.e., try chicken tetrazzini recipe, take your fat dogs on a walk, etc.) and then I can blog about these things later on if I want to. The idea is to take advantage of the accountability that the blog provides while also giving me an outlet for being more "real." What do you think?

7 comments:

  1. MollyAug 21, 2011 06:44 PM

    quite an accomplishment! I am so inspired by all your great projects, so keep it up lady. Love the fashion show shots below....you are going to have to LOCK TESSA UP when the boys start noticing...:)

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  2. AnonymousAug 21, 2011 07:18 PM

    Ellen, I love reading your blog. You make me giggle when i recognize myself in what you say, and sometimes aspire to be "better," for lack of a better word, when you write about things i admire. rock on!

    abi

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  3. oh, lovely day!Aug 21, 2011 08:31 PM

    this is such a wonderful and honest post. i think your goals are wonderful and they inspire me as well! ever since shark week (not joking), i have been watching so much more tv and i needed a little kick to remind me why i stopped watching it so much in the first place.
    keep doing what you are doing. you have a lovely heart.
    sarah

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  4. Briana ShepleyAug 22, 2011 08:42 AM

    I quite enjoy your blog and if we were closer, I'd require that WE shared a beer together! ;) I think you're incredibly honest and real which, I feel many of these folks out here in blog land aren't so I thank you :) Keep it up and I look forward to the future posts!

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  5. LuAug 22, 2011 02:07 PM

    Well I for one am glad that you started this blog! Since moving back to Nashville you are my #1 Nashville blog! Keep it up!! And I happen to also know one of your new friends Emily! I used to hang out with her and one of her good friends, Sam. Small world...:)

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  6. CindyAug 22, 2011 05:26 PM

    I also love your blog. I'm one of those non-facebook friends that found you and to be honest, I don't remember how I found it, but it's one I never miss when I see a new blog entry. Keep bloggin and keep gettin those blessings!

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  7. Ellen Mallernee BarnesAug 23, 2011 05:50 PM

    Y'all are the absolute best. Thanks so much for the heartfelt comments.

    ReplyDelete
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