For a long time, people have been using blogs to express themselves in a way they can seldom do in their real lives. And this can be applied to all sorts of online interaction. For book bloggers for example, we’re able to connect with other bookworms and talk about reading.
It’s kind of perfect for introverts because we want to be heard, but we don’t always feel very comfortable speaking out. So blogging offers us a great way to bypass those pesky roadblocks that we’re hardwired to be wary of. Like, meeting new people.
With blogging, it’s as easy as leaving a comment on someone else’s post.
Behind the screen, you’re safe
It’s not just about unpopular opinions. It’s about opinions in general. I think it has to do with the fact that the whole thing can be as private as you like. You do the whole process on your own, and you establish the boundaries. It’s something refreshing, because in the real world, boundaries tend to push you.
There’s still work to be done behind the screen
But is blogging really a safe bubble? I said it could be as safe, as private as you like, but, being honest? Most of the time you just can’t afford to just float in your own bubble. You can.
It’s very much like being able to use a black background and white or neon text on your blog, having a ton of gifs in your sidebar and having no social media icons. You can do all those things, but assuming you want to grow and get noticed, these things will hurt you.
And the same thing goes for not reaching out and expecting people to come flocking to your content, and you. I’m not discounting a burst of magical unicorn luck in the form of a tweet, a post, that goes viral though. What are the odds?!
It’s steady, sometimes tedious work. To show up regularly.
Is socializing a chore? A drag?
I wouldn’t really say that. For some is easier than others. Carrying on a conversation with someone I just met is way easier online. But doing that first approach can be extremely daunting for some introverts, even online.
And let’s not forget that we don’t really hate socializing, it’s just kind of exhausting if we do it too much.
So, it’s not the creating part of blogging that’s the problem, but the sharing.
It's not the creating part of blogging that's the problem, but the sharing. Share on X
I would never turn people away from blogging
I still think blogging is awesome, and definitely a worthwhile activity. I don’t do it as regularly now, but sometimes I stare at my blog and go like ‘wow, you built this, Pam. Hang in there’.
You can be as involved as you want in the community, but the occasional pressure to participate and socialize can’t be dismissed. Blogging can get demanding and exhausting quickly if you let it.
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I agree that although blogging can be easier for some introverts, it’s still a lot of work and it does involve social interaction on a lot of levels. This is an interesting perspective.
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction recently posted this awesome thing…My (Everlasting) Quest to Catch Up on Review Books. Let’s Discuss.
THIS POST. I really love it Pam, this is a great post. I don’t know if I still qualify as an introvert, online, because sometimes I feel very nervous about it all and very exhausted by all the interaction and how demanding blogging can be. I feel like I HAVE to participate, to interact, especially on twitter, while there it feels a little more overwhelming than on blogs, where I feel more at ease just interacting and commenting.
Anyway, this is such a great post!!
Participating in conversations is included in the package XD Sometimes it’s effortless and sometimes it can feel like a chore. Do you know what personality type you are? Some introverts are more inclined to socializing than others, can go a bit farther before exhaustion sets in! Social media can be so overwhelming. Blogs have a more relaxed pace <3