photo Charming_zps24b0f6e3.png

8.09.2012

{on finding my voice}

I read it a lot in posts about blogging; how important it is to find your voice. But really? What does that even mean?

Most bloggers basically say that all it comes down to is being you on your blog. Sounds simple, right?

To be honest, this is one of the things that I’ve struggled with most about blogging. They say that once you find your voice and are authentic on your blog, that people will start reading. That’s a lot of pressure. What if people don’t really like me?

I think it’s a lie, to some extent. None of us are completely, 100% honest on our blogs. Once you gain a following, you edit yourself, you write what people want to read, not necessarily what you want to write. If I were 100% myself, I’d be swearing and talking politics on here the majority of the time. It’s not that what I write about doesn’t interest me, it does! But it’s not all that interests me.

Finding “my voice” has been the hardest thing about blogging. Trying to figure out what I want to write about and how to write it can be really daunting. And it doesn’t help that I’m constantly second guessing myself.

I remember back to when I first starting blogging. Those were some of my most honest posts. They were definitely in my voice. Since then, I’ve gone through a lot of phases, some of which haven’t been me at all. Thankfully, I figured that out early enough and stopped it. I promise that what I write on here is me. Maybe not all of me, but it’s me, and only me. I don’t try to be anyone else {anymore}. I guess that means I’ve found my voice.

photo

Just because…because that picture is definitely me.

12 comments:

Heather Mulholland said...

One of the first things I noticed how endearing you were. Your tentative and delicate nature with I want-to-make-people-happy vibe comes across to .. at least me, on the blog and there's something that always makes me want to come back and read more.

Amanda said...

I can completely relate to this post! It's crazy how much I sensor (or don't) in certain posts. I think it's really hard to find your voice, whether it's on your blog, or in real life though. Even in my writing I have a pretty hard time finding my voice. But I think that because we're constantly evolving as people are voice will change. I think as long as we aren't fake, then it's okay if we aren't showing our complete in real life, all the dirty secrets. Sorry, I rambled, but I am always conflicted with the concept of "being me" on my blog :)

Allyson McGuire said...

I'm still not sure if I have a "blog voice." I'm just going to keep writing until I wake up one day and have it!

Emily | Recently said...

This is something I'm struggling with right now! I love to write, but I'd rather be writing fiction about a character than about myself. So, I have a hard time translating my voice to type. I think you do a great job of it though!

Eliza :: Case Study said...

This post is so encouraging! Thanks for sharing :) Sometimes I feel very lost when it comes to blogging with "my voice" but I try to remind myself that there is truly no rush - it will all happen in time. And that picture of you? Too cute ;) xoxo! eliza

Betsy Transatlantically said...

I don't think that content is the same as voice, actually - and I think that it's okay not to be 100% honest in our content (like, only taking OOTD pictures when you change out of your pajamas) and, in fact, complete honesty in content isn't required to have a successful bog. your voice, though, MUST be authentic, or the quality of your writing will suffer because you're no longer connected to it.

Leila said...

I enjoy this post because I think it's very real question. If I were being 100% myself, I would also have a blog filled with political (ie. angry) opinions. I think it's difficult to be yourself when writing about things that are already so immensely personal; it's almost as if we censor ourselves so that we are not completely vulnerable.

Your voice, though, is not only what you say, but how you say it. I think maintaining my own usual jargon is important to being genuine, even if I'm not talking about all my favorite subjects.

Simply Splendid LOVE said...

Well said girl. It's hard to "find your voice". I'm still trying to find mine. :) I always love what you have to say though. :)

Unknown said...

I agree. I'm still kinda "New" to blogging and it's crazy, my most popular posts are ones where I have been completely honest and uncensored. But I love this. And cute pic :) New follower and glad to be here!

Unknown said...

You are too sweet Heather :) I really want my blog to be a positive and inspirational place, so I try hard not to be so negative all the time. Though it doesn't always work...

Thanks so much for reading though my dear. I really do appreciate it!

xoxo,
Joelle

Unknown said...

That's all you can do sometimes! But the concept of a "blog voice" is really abstract and strange...I think we all define it differently. All that matters is that you are sincere and authentic on your blog. That's all any of us want to read anyway ;)

xoxo,
Joelle

Unknown said...

It's very true. I hate being contradicted and argued with, so I rarely voice my opinions about things with people other than close friends. I just don't feel like that topic has any place here! I still talk about the things I love, and in a way that's authentic to me. That's all that matters :)

xoxo,
Joelle