May 17, 2014

Naked Niche

I've been in a quandry about my blog...do I?  don't I? should I? shouldn't?

Talking to Jen from Muddy Boot Dreams and reading her post about Naked Niches brought me a lot of clarity.  You really need to stop now and go read this post, otherwise you won't really get what I'm talking about.  Jen was so eloquent that I'm not even going to attempt my own explanation.

Naked Niches,  I like that.  I'm a Naked Niche blogger and I want to continue to be; only more so.  (See I told you to read Jen's post.  Now you're worried I'm going to start posting indecent pictures of myself.  Trust me, no on wants that.  Get back up there and click that link!)

Taken with my laptop - I hate having my picture taken!

When trying to decide if I was going to blow this whole blogging gig, I was asking myself all the wrong questions.  Am I wasting my time?  Is anybody out there reading this?  Are my posts at all interesting?

Instead, I needed to go back to basics; strip it down so to speak...and ask Why do I blog? and What's in it for me?

I sorta fell into blogging backwards.  A few years ago, I heard about blogging on TV.  I read a couple of newspaper articles.  I, somehow, found my way to Miss Mustardseed and Cozy Little House and Chris Kauffman.

At the same time, I was teleworking and set up a monthly dinner party with some girls from work.  I thought it would be good for me to stay in touch so I wouldn't begin to feel isolated (and I could catch upon all the gossip!).

I had also made up a little binder for my nieces and nephews with my favourite recipes as they were starting to fly the nest.  All this led to me setting up a blog, Dinner at Julie's in order to share my recipes with family and friends.  I never considered anyone else finding it or bothering to read it.  This blog followed to share home decorating projects and just kind of morphed into a my every day life blog.

I'm definitely not a Firstie, I don't have a big following, no advertising and don't feel compelled to post every day.  I really don't want any of that to change but I do need some changes.

I want to combine my 2 blogs under Julie's Little House. One blog is more manageable.  I want to be more naked.  I am definitely a TMI kind of person and have felt myself constrained by this medium but I'm saying to heck with it.  I am going to share more me, warts and all.  Because really, I blog for me.  Kind of like having a diary but everyone knows where the key is hidden.


When I stop and ask myself what makes me follow my favourite blogs, it is their authenticity.  It is the sharing of their lives, the feeling of becoming friends when you have never met them.  So I'm going to start sharing some of my favourite blogs with you too.  It's how I met them in the first place....getting introduced through other blogs; reading a comment and going to their site because I liked what they had to say.





I like the thought of forming a network of Naked Niche bloggers, supporting each other, introducing one to another...it takes a village.  I've always wanted to live in a small country village where you know everyone and neighbours take care of each other.  Let's be that village...





Julie

21 comments:

  1. I combined 3 separate blogs into my main website ... it was just too hard to keep all 3 going and remember what was where. I had always had my website before blogs became so popular. The blog became a back door to my site but then it grew and grew and I forgot about my site (the place where I archive things). I added a Wordpress format to my website, dumped blogger and haven't looked back. I love the "village" atmosphere of the friends I connect with. I love reading Jen's blog and all her ideas. I'm happy doing what I do and have learned to post what I want and not to meet the criteria of others. I join memes or link parties when I want to and not on a weekly basis. I use my site as my garden journal as well, so I do post for me, but it is wonderful to have others that read my site too. Keep doing what you do, I'll keep visiting and I'm sure others will too. Have a lovely weekend.

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  2. I already consider you part of the village, Linda! You're the one with the beautiful garden and helpful advice. I'm encouraged by your experience combining blogs. Cross your fingers for me...J

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  3. I completely agree with you and Jen. I am blogging because I love to do it and when I don't enjoy it any more - I'll quit. I don't compete with anyone else nor do I feel that I have to. I don't know how anyone could do more than one blog - I admire you for doing that but understand why you are contemplating combining them. Do what pleases you and what you enjoy. That's my attitude and I'm sticking to it! LOL

    Judy

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  4. Hey Judy - another member of my "village". That's why you are one of my favourite blogs! xo J

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  5. In real life I live in a village where everyone helps everyone else out and I can tell you there is no finer way to live. I consider my blog another village where some of the folks live half way around the world but we still care, share and help each other. As much as we all have times in blogging where we second guess ourselves or compare our stats to someone else, I think we all know that it has to have integrity and honesty or we are doing nothing more than writing a daily ad for ourselves as the product. I like you just fine naked!

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  6. Hey Maureen - thanks for the vote of confidence. And I love our village! Us villagers seem to recognize each other on the spot xo J

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  7. Very good post and a beautiful photo of yourself! I'm so happy to meet you today. I came over from Muddy boot dreams! Happy blogging! Hugs, Diane

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    1. Thanks for visiting Diane! Love your blog and the name - I adore lavender. I was looking at some at the garden centre today. I need more for my garden. J

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  8. Visiting from Jens...she was one of the first blogger I found 6 plus years ago. A village is good! Keep on keeping on! :)

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  9. Thanks for stopping by. I like your blog. I always enjoy pictures of birds but I never have the patience to sit still long enough (besides I'm a terrible photographer). I've never been to Minnesota but I understand that it's a lot like where I live in Canada. Your pictures remind me of here. J

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  10. Julie,
    I love your blog but I know how you feel. It takes a lot of work to keep up a blog and to visit and comment, sometimes it feels like there is not enough time to do it all. I loved Jen's post, it gave me so much to think about. I love the friendships I have made through blogging, I miss those friends when they disappear. If you heart is open keep up the blogging, it will all work out in the end.
    Meredith

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    1. Hey Mere - thanks for the encouragement. And my knitting is getting better...J

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  11. I popped over from Jen's "Muddy Boot Dreams" and read your posts back until January. You do fit the Naked Niche to a tee! This is your place where you can shine. I'm glad you are persevering. My word for the year is "release," which has turned out to be more significant than I originally thought. I'm on a journey, too, and will check back to see how yours is going;)

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    1. Hi Sharon - so nice to meet you. I just dipped into your blog but I loved it and need to go back when I have time. I also need to read "A Year by the Sea". Your description hooked me. J

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  12. I have been blogging for a few years now and my blog definitely does not have a theme. I write about all sorts of things (as you can see in my older posts) @ http://poetrose24.blogspot.com/
    I even wrote about my most unusual first date! http://poetrose24.blogspot.com/2009/10/that-memorable-first-date.html
    I have written about bras, Halloween, movies, family, events, feelings, anything I feel like sharing. A lot of my friends and followers find my stuff funny and memorable and moving. I LOVE photography so include it a lot.
    Keep writing and share as you never know who might stumble in and get inspiration or be moved by it or get a good laugh.

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    1. Hey Rose - just read your first date...lol...you poor thing! I LOVE your photographs of the tulip festival. So gorgeous. I wish I was a good photographer. J

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  13. Just found your blog and would love to join your "village" idea, as a fellow Canadian. I write for me and for capturing my world but would love to have readers too. I'm off to read "Naked Niche" now! P.S. Love your blog so far and this was a great post!

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    1. hi Chy - welcome to the village. One thing I know for sure is you can never have too many friends! J

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  14. Hi Julie, it is so nice to meet you! I'm one of those Naked Niche bloggers, too. (I just went and read the post that you mentioned above that explains this term.) I look forward to going through your blog and getting to know you better. I'm going to add your blog to my blog roll and become a follower...I hope that you will visit me at my blog and become a follower as well! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. :-)

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  15. Hey Melanie - I love your blog and have been on it several times. I am following you. Thanks for following me! J

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