After reading the awesome feedback from this entry I have been working on a separate one to declare my intentions and my goals as a blogger. I started with a silly little comment policy and this is now my Blogging Manifesto. It was mainly an exercise to force myself to really think about what I’ve built here in the last four years and what I hope it to be to outsiders.
I really don’t think any of this is necessary, I kinda just like the using the word manifesto. It’s one I can’t figure out how to work into my daily conversations, so killing it on my blog will have to do.
I Will Promote Kindness and Joy With My Words
Man. There are a lot of bitter and angry writers in the world. Did you know that? I am not one of them. This may make me boring to read, but it also makes this site a place of warmth that has become my own personal shelter over the last four years. Even if I’m having a bad day and blog about something bringing me down, the commenters pick up the slack and spread the love and joy while I can not. I will do everything I can to focus on the positive in my life so that people who stumble by here might find something that makes them smile. Even if it’s just me talking about boob sweat.
I Will Do My Best Not To Feed My Ego By Knocking You Down
I’m insecure. And like a lot of insecure people – I’ve been known to gossip/badmouth others behind their back to make myself feel better. While I’m sure I’ll still do this with my dearest friends (I’m no angel) – I will not use my blog as a place to hurt others. Even celebrities that really seem to be asking for it. But especially not other bloggers. This cyber-community is too important for me to devalue it just to make myself feel better about gaining 10lbs.
I Will Assume Everyone I Write About Reads My Blog
I will not write anything I would hate for someone to one day find. If I’m not comfortable with them finding it – I will not write it. Period. This is not self-censorship, this is simply me avoiding drama and negativity in my life. I don’t want my blog to hurt anyone, just like I don’t want my spoken word to hurt anyone. Some may consider this to be spineless – I just consider this my way of treating others how I would like to be treated. Unless they say something bad about my hair. Then I’m totally taking them down.
I Will Try To Visit A Few New Blogs Every Week
While some of my entries only get a handful of comments, others get 50+. I can’t follow every URL left by every commenter. However, I will try to make a point to follow a blogger to their site when they say something especially insightful or funny. Or maybe just because they smell nice. Either way – I will try to comment on a few new sites every week. I have been notoriously bad about commenting because I over-analyze the words I write other sites until I opt out and just don’t say anything. I am trying to change that about myself so I can continue to spread the comment love that is so kindly given to me.
I Will Not Feed The Trolls
If someone is ugly in my comments section or in an email, I will not call them out or link to them directly. I may write about the issue in a vague sense, but I will not give them the spotlight. More than often – I will simply ignore them. I may grumble and mumble about them to my blog friends, but I will not use my blog as a way to rally the troops against someone I don’t know.
I Will Give People The Benefit of the Doubt. Once.
If someone leaves a nasty comment or sends a nasty email, I will try to understand that sometimes we all have bad days and will do my best not to derive all of my opinions on someone based on one comment, blog entry, or email. However, if the asshole returns a second time? I’m totally making a VooDoo doll of them and letting my dogs poop on it in the yard.
I Will Remember That I Can Always Learn From Others, Now Matter How Different They May Seem
We are not all the same. You may be a practicing Catholic while I left the church years ago. You may be a Pro-Life Conservative while I’m a Pro-Choice Liberal. You may think Diet Coke sucks. I will not let any of these differences blind me to the wisdoms you may share. Just because you think The Amazing Race is a stupid show, doesn’t mean you can’t help me learn how to cook. We can all learn something from each other, and I will try not to let our differences make me forget that.
I Will Always Try To Find A Gentle Way To Express Disagreement
If I disagree with something you are saying on your own blog – or even in the comments of my own – I will find a kind and gentle way to express that. The best phrase in the world is, “This is what works for me…” and I will use that instead of, “Your way is stupid – use mine instead” whenever possible.
I Will Apologize If Necessary
Sometimes I will screw up. Most of the times this is because I react emotionally to something before letting it simmer. When this happens, I will have the courage to admit my error and apologize. And I will forgive myself because no one is perfect. Although I come pretty damn close.
I Will Try To Use This Blog For Good, Not Evil
As often as I can without taxing my audience, I will try to use this platform as a way to help my community. I’ve supported causes like MDA and the American Heart Association. I also try to promote the charities other bloggers are trying to help. I am not sure why people come here as often as they do (it’s definitely not the cooking) but I will use that gift to help whenever I can.
I Will Not Take This Site Too Seriously
This is just a blog. It is my blog and it is very special to me, but it’s still a blog. Just because I sometimes write about serious things, like pregnancy loss or parenting struggles, it doesn’t mean I can’t also write about how much I love Cadbury Cream Eggs. Periodically this blog may need a dose of silly — at which time I’ll post a picture of my dogs humping each other. Or maybe I’ll talk about how hard it is not to pee on yourself instead of the cup at the doctor’s office when you’re pregnant.
Because trust me – it’s impossible.
Sounds like a good Life Policy, as well as Blog Manifesto. I’ve had a particularly annoying week; I’d probably do well to print this out and post it in my office today… Before I pick up the phone.
Aw. I like it. It is a great manifesto.
some wise words.
It’s a great manifesto… And I particularly agree with number three: I always work on the assumption that everyone I know reads my blogs – saves any “oh my God, I hope she doesn’t read that…” moments further down the line!
This is great!! I love how you’ve articulated what you want your blog to be…I wish more people had these kinds of goals, esp. to be kind and spread joy and be non-judgmental of those who are different.
Thank you for sharing this!
When you take yourself so seriously and your writings so to heart on the internet, I am sure because you blog your entire life on here that you should treat your writings as you do your life, the golden rule and such.
Don’t forget about forgiveness if you do screw up once in awhile.
I have sorta the same manifesto you posted.
That’s a great idea. I’d come up with a blog manifesto of my own … if I wasn’t so lazy. You’re such a sweetheart. This list totally speaks to the kind of environment you’ve created here.
Manifesto is a great word, isn’t it?
Great post – if more people lived/blogged this way, the world would be a better place.
I, too, love Cadbury Cream eggs and pee on myself at the OB/GYN.
Amen!
What a great manifesto. I especially agree with the comment that we can all find something in common even if we are completely different in many other ways. I am in the conservative minority of the blogs I frequent. But I still enjoy hearing about their marriages, kids, recipes, etc.
Love it – folks could do well to use this as a template for their own Blogifesto.
Looking forward to your annual Cadbury Creme egg post!! I am almost done with my first dozen of minis. At least they are the minis, right?
Also, with all the gadgetry out there for birthin’ and babies, why the HELL have they not come up with something better than a cup with a 3-4 inch diameter in which to pee? Also, it cannot be overstated how hard it is to pee in that damned thing when a toddler is trying his/her best to “help”. argh.
All good points. I’m really feeling numbers 2 and 3. I sometimes forget who’s reading my blog. If you can’t say it to someone’s face, you probably shouldn’t say it in your blog.
Rad! I wish more people put this kind of thing in writing…sometimes we all have this intention but putting it out there for everyone to see gives that extra incentive to stick to it!!
Those are all great points, Zoot! Number three is especially important, and I, too, try to keep in mind who might come across my blog. Sometimes I forget and think I’m invisible, or something, but then someone I work with comes along and makes a comment about a post I wrote, and it startles me back into reality! Keep up the great work!
Excellent!!! I think you’ll do just fine with the new manifesto!
Great list.
Very nicely done!
This comment has nothing to do with this post, BUT when I saw this I thought of you and how the baby needs food – food that would make you smile! So I present you with this recipe for Krispy Kreme Cheesecake!
Yeah – you read that right! Cheesecake made with Krispy Kreme donuts. Now go and make it and feed that baby!!!
I really like this. I want to think more about where I’m heading with my blogging habit and thinking of it as a manifesto makes it seem so much more legit!
Great manifesto! I think those are “rules” that all bloggers should try to live by.
Honestly, I don’t read blogs that are all negative all the time and I also don’t read the ones that are all sunshine all the time. You have to be real! But, if it’s not something I would say to a person if they are standing directly in front of me, I’m not gonna put it on my blog.
By writing it down you’ve clearly put so much thought into it. The fact that you would means you’re a blogger who doesn’t need to have one. Does that make sense?
Great manifesto! Sounds like you gave it a lot of thought – that’s important.
This rocks the house.
Wow, did THAT ever date me!
Maybe I should have thrown in a “Rad” just for good measure.
Bravo and hurrah and standing ovation and all that!!
I have just read your manifesto. Dude you are a seriously lovely person.
Um, hi.
You probably don’t know me. But I’m going to start stalking you now after reading this.
Don’t worry though. I’m far too lazy and cheap to travel. So I’ll stalk from afar.