I've tried several times to figure out why I feel the need to explain myself each time I make a change in the content of the blog. I think it has to do with the nature of what I do from day to day. When you tell someone multiple times a day to do this or that or don't do this or that, (for instance: take this medication even though the package insert lists a host of possible side effects many of which sound worse than the disease they are being used to treat, but really, they hardly ever happen) well, you develop this need to explain your reasoning, to come to a mutual understanding and an agreement about your goals. And while I could say that it doesn't matter to me whether or not you agree with what I say, just like my job, it is important to me. Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing it. Not important so much that you agree with me, but important to me that what I say makes you think, or inspires you, or lifts you up. That's why I do this.
And that's why I have struggled with the content of this blog. Because much as I like knitting and spinning and all things crafty, those things are a means to an end. I do those things to relax. See, I struggle with anxiety; daily, pervasive, sometimes debilitating anxiety. And my mission, my goal, apart from living with and learning from this condition on a day-to-day basis, is to help others live with this and similar conditions within themselves. It's why I'm in medicine, and I'm discovering, what I want to blog about.
Still knitting, and spinning, and crafty things, because those things relax me, and inspire me. And reading about your accomplishments inspires me. But also about those other things, that aren't so fluffy and wonderful. But are real and personal.
The promised fluffy stuff.
Comments (25)
It's your blog, you write what you want. I know that I will read it no matter what you write.
I too have anxiety. At one point I was on medication, now i am not. But lately I have been thinking that I may need something to control the attacks. 3 children, with the oldest being 5 can really mess with you :-)
Posted by Jenn | March 1, 2007 4:58 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 16:58
Write whatever you feel like writing--it's not like the blogging police are going to come and scold you, and frankly, it makes for a more interesting read, I think ... There aren't many blogs I read that stick solely to the knitting/spinning thing. . . most are melanges of bunches of subjects. Variety is GOOD!
Posted by --Deb | March 1, 2007 5:16 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 17:16
You go ahead and write what you feel and is in your heart to share with us. We will be here to read on. To laugh, cry, feel inspired or in awe of your creativity:)
Beautiful socks that rock color... what is that? I am discovering that with STR yarn when you wind it and knit it it looks different than the actual skein to some extent.
Posted by Marisol | March 1, 2007 5:26 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 17:26
I'm all for it. I struggle with anxiety, too, and I know I'll enjoy your perspective and words about it!
Posted by Mary-Heather | March 1, 2007 5:30 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 17:30
I also live by the motto, "It's my blog, I can write about whatever I want."
Gorgeous socks, by the way!
Posted by Renee | March 1, 2007 6:02 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 18:02
It's your blog and you can cry if you want to...oh, I mean you can say, write, knit, do, be whatever you want to. Thank you for taking time to do so!
Posted by margene | March 1, 2007 6:07 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 18:07
I think a post with heartfelt meaning is the best post of all and I don't really care what the topic is. Your blog, your way, Leah. Hugs.
Posted by Carole | March 1, 2007 6:14 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 18:14
Personally, I am quite bored by blogs that are "all knit all the time" because they seem very flat. I'm not just there for the information. To some extent I am there reading a certain blog for knitting inspiration but if the content is just flat out knitting.... gawd... I could go read pattern books for that. This is social to me. And thank heaven it's friends to me. And I like my friends to be real. And interesting. And multidimensional. xoxox Write what you want to write, Leah. :)
Posted by Laura | March 1, 2007 6:27 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 18:27
You know, aside from knitting, we share so many other things than the knitting part of us. There is nothing more appealing to me than to read a blog which shares the real person...for too many years I lived a smile and an image, afraid to share my real struggles. I have been able to do that from time to time with blogging, and it's good. So, let's hear it, Leah! The real you!
Posted by Lynne | March 1, 2007 7:51 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 19:51
Hey it's your blog, you can write what you want, when you want and if some people don't like it then nuts to them right???
I for one will always be here reading! Here here!
Posted by keri | March 1, 2007 9:32 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 21:32
I'm in with the others - it's your blog, do it your way!
sorry 'bout the anxiety.. it can be debilitating - hang in there - you'll find the correct way to resond to it -
and oh my, what lovely socks I spy! (and hmm - me thinks I recognize the fluffy stuff too - grin)
Posted by Teyani | March 1, 2007 11:23 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 23:23
Like everyone else has already said, blog about whatever you want. That is the beauty of blogging, it's a place for you to write about your interests, whether it be about knitting, spinning, or just life in general. I know sometimes it can be hard to strike a balance, but I'll be here for you if you need it. I'm sending some virtual cheer your way, because I've been down lately, too, and I know that some happy words always help out. Enjoy your weekend!
Posted by Rachel | March 2, 2007 6:04 AM
Posted on March 2, 2007 06:04
Whatever you want to write about, we'll support and read. It's your space -- fill it with what's meaningful for you on any given day.
Posted by Kathy | March 2, 2007 8:24 AM
Posted on March 2, 2007 08:24
we know each other well enough for me to dive into the knitty gritty and demand to know the colorway of the fluffy stuff. tell me. now.
and you and i have discussed this but again i say, this is your blog, have it your way. my life is much more than knitting and spinning (is this blasphemous?) so i do include other bits of my life on my blog. personally i don't care for the all knitting all the time blogs, i enjoy getting to know at least a bit about the person behind the blog. even if you put pictures of your dogs in every post i'd find a way to slug through and find something to say because I LIKE YOU! hugs my friend!
Posted by amanda | March 2, 2007 8:48 AM
Posted on March 2, 2007 08:48
I agree with the other commenters before me: this is your blog, your own space; kinda like your extended living room. Does anybody tell you what to do or not to do in your own house? If somebody doesn't like what you're writing about, then they shouldn't visit your blog in the first place.
Kerstin over at whoopsy daisy! wrote something very inspiring about this: (link here)
I have anxiety fits, too... they're still here, but they got better since I started therapy, which was much needed in my case. It's no shame admitting that one has anxiety; I think talking about it helps.
The yarn (sock yarn, I suppose) looks gorgeous!!!
Posted by Dorothee | March 2, 2007 9:12 AM
Posted on March 2, 2007 09:12
Write about whatever you want to... that is what a blog is. I enjoy getting to know the people behind the beautiful projects. Have an awesome weekend Leah!
Posted by Karen | March 2, 2007 9:18 AM
Posted on March 2, 2007 09:18
I'll still be reading, no matter what you're writing about!
Posted by Cheryl | March 2, 2007 12:34 PM
Posted on March 2, 2007 12:34
Write what you want. I'll still like you. I promise.
Posted by Emily | March 2, 2007 1:57 PM
Posted on March 2, 2007 13:57
You know, if you wrote only about knitting, some people wouldn't like your blog. If you wrote about a mix of knitting and personal stuff, some people wouldn't like it. If you posted every day, some people wouldn't like it. If you posted once a week, some people wouldn't like it. Since you'll never make everyone love your blog, you might as well make sure YOU love your blog and then not give it another thought.
I will likely keep reading no matter what you do. :)
Posted by Rachel | March 2, 2007 3:44 PM
Posted on March 2, 2007 15:44
That is a beauty of a blog - we can write whatever we want to!
Your fiber is beautiful!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Posted by Gracie | March 2, 2007 8:56 PM
Posted on March 2, 2007 20:56
I find that knit blogging is all about the community. And when my knitting group gets together, very often the last thing we talk about is knitting. Same here. Your blog - your space. It's all fair game.
Posted by Theresa | March 3, 2007 7:47 PM
Posted on March 3, 2007 19:47
Guess I agree with everyone else! A blog is personal, it's a slice of YOUR life. If it strikes a cord (as yours does with me) then you'll have a dedicated reader on your hands no matter what. It's also a fluid thing. Sometimes knitting is at the forefront, sometime it will take a back seat to something more pressing. It's all good. Keep blogging.
Posted by marnie | March 4, 2007 12:58 PM
Posted on March 4, 2007 12:58
Yet another agreement here. I check in b/c I like reading your blog- you can write about whatever you want, and I'd still get something out of it.
Of course, if all of a sudden you started writing about hating yarn, or running over puppies with your SUV, I might check in less often.... hehe.
Posted by Allison | March 5, 2007 10:45 AM
Posted on March 5, 2007 10:45
For a second I was worried your photo was going to be "the promised fluffer stuff.†Beautiful colors in the sock!
And write what you want, you can only be who you are, right?
Posted by Kerstin | March 6, 2007 4:21 PM
Posted on March 6, 2007 16:21
I agree with so many others-it's your blog to write what you want and we'll be here to read! Sorry, I'm a bit late on the reading part but I'm trying to catch up. :)
Posted by Kimberly | March 13, 2007 1:02 PM
Posted on March 13, 2007 13:02