Suzanne Carillo

Before I literally read one blog that was a blog about pugs. 

I read it because it was funny and there were fantastic photos showing off that cute pug.  

Win, win.

I was reading for pleasure and fun.

Then I decided I wanted to be a "style" blogger and I started to realize just how many other blogs there were out there and I felt as a member of this community that I needed, nay I was required to read as many blogs as possible so that I was well informed and also to increase the exposure of my blog. 

Suddenly I needed to keep up with fashion blogs, DIY blogs, home decor blogs, food blogs, weird blogs, quirky blogs, blogs I didn't understand but thought they were interesting, art blogs, craft blogs, you name it, there were a million blogs out there on every subject that you can think of that needed to be read.

 

Reading blogs became serious time sucking work.

 

Needless to say if you are trying to promote your blog you will also need to leave comments at each blog you read. 

Most common comments when simply promoting your own blog:

Cute!

I just love that!

I'm going to try this right away!

What a great idea!

How creative!

 

And the very bad ones,

What a great post…won't you please follow me?

I'm having a giveaway…please come over.

 

I have to say I have never commented like those last two ever but during those first months of blogging I often went with one line positive reinforcement.

Or what I like to refer to as PROCID GASA. (Positive reinforcement of crap I don't give a shit about) smiley face… cause that makes it all better.

 

Then it all became too much.

Blog overload.

My head was going to explode.

 

Then hubby got super sick and I wanted to stop blogging because it all felt fake and useless. 

Then I got some positive reinforcement from people that did seem to give a shit and that stopped me from pulling the plug.

After that I decided then and there to no longer leave remarks on blogs if I didn't truly mean what I wrote.

Enough of the fluff.

I wanted the comments to mean something. Truly from the heart. Even if it was just "I really love that outfit on you."

Guess what?  

I meant it. I was no longer blowing smoke. 

I stopped all of the PROCID GASA. 

 

I cut my blog reading back…WAY back. 

 

Then I got sick. 

Fashion posts seemed irrelevant and trivial so I blogged about my experience in hospital.  Something that was deeply personal but that meant something. I hoped that I could spare someone from the same dreadful experience or at least educate people to truly appreciate their bodies while they still work.

 

I kind of stopped reading most blogs at that time. 

As I'm still trying to get past this illness 100%  I've  started edit my blog reader list even more, but I will admit it is a losing battle since I find new ones to follow each week.

 

Now there are three very simple reasons I will follow a blog. 

1. The person is interesting or funny.  I'd like to meet this person in real life and sit down and have a chat with them. I like them. I don't "know" them, but I like them. Plus, anyone that can make me laugh is like gold to me. 

2. I learn something new or think about something I normally wouldn't. These type of blogs stretch my mind and help me remain aware and grateful.

3. The outfits are unusual, creative and inspirational. Someone that thinks differently than I do but that I can relate to. 

I don't even bother following blogs anymore for food, interior design, art or DIY blogs. I follow Pinterest and pin away. Much faster and easier than following the blogs daily. 

 

What makes you decide to follow/read blogs? 

 

 

 

 

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