QOTD: What books would you recommend for summer reading? I'm currently going through The Hunger Games trilogy!
Could...could it be? Is it summer 2012? I don't know why it's taken me a whole week to realize this, but here it is! SUMMER 2012! I feel compelled to break out into High School Musical's What Time Is It? but I'll spare y'all.
One of the best things about summer, to me at least, is having more time on my hands than I need to do absolutely nothing but reflect. Three whole months to just tell life to s-l-o-w the heck down and think about where I am right now. And all those writing and health and personal goals I brushed aside during the school year in favor of studying? I just wait 'til summah, summahtime. Well, summahtime is here and everything I am thinking and feeling can be summed up in a single face: O_O
I mean, where do I even start?
I spent a good while today catching up with my thoughts and scrolling through my blog dashboard. Lately, I feel like I've been scrambling for ideas of what to blog on, which is silly because there are endless things to talk about - what I've been cooking, which books I'm reading this summer, where I'll be traveling abroad, what I am writing and the like. I have a nice layout, helpful resources, social networks. I have 180 wonderful followers, and yet a part of me feels like I'm not giving The Red Angel blog my all. It seems as though there is something missing.
I need to figure out what I want this blog to be about.
I need to figure out what I want this blog to be about.
It's funny how I've been keeping up with TRA for over two years and yet my blog is just now having an identity crisis. But I suppose all blogs have to go through a bit of mental "summer cleaning" (summer, since spring is already over). This is strange, but it feels like my blog doesn't quite reflect who I am as a person. It doesn't tell my story, and I don't record my adventures as consistently as I should. The posts don't really "weave" together as well as I'd like for them to. Despite the fact that The Red Angel blog is a very important part of my literary life, I don't use it to its fullest potential. I don't bond with my blog enough.
I suppose now, summer 2012, would be a good time to "re-brand" my blog, so to speak. One big challenge for me is not being able to look at big pictures. Instead, I focus on minute details--which are important too, of course, but detailing without actually looking at where those details build up to isn't very productive. So I'm taking a step back and thinking about what sort of themes outline my values, my belief system, my character.
Things That Matter to Me
- self-expression, writing, creativity, narrative worlds
- freedom, equality, cooperation, anti-poverty
- respect for religion, the marketplace of ideas
- meditation, self-reflection (obviously), open-mindedness, intuition, personal preference
- kindness, service, working toward the betterment of society
- language, communication, books, travel, culture
- symbolism, storytelling, identity
- personal happiness, goal-setting, checklists
- nature, natural power, time, music, emotion, spontaneity, things that cannot be seen with the naked eye
- inner-strength, family, mutual trust
- respect for those who are different, education, learning
- pretend play, childhood, conquering fears, courage
Whew. I feel a lot better already. There's nothing like a little bonding with your blog to get you reoriented for upcoming projects. Check back soon for updates on my blog, and if you want to chat, feel free to follow me:
9 comments:
Wow! Congrats on making it through another semester. Yes, you have three months but... It will go by so fast. Don't forget to chill. I can't wait to see where you do your travels. I love traveling, even if it's a couple of towns away. I still haven't made it to Asheville.
I like the reflection of your blog. I think I was going through growing pains too. But my blog is called World of Wendy Lu, which is about my world. I will be starting a sewing blog because I want to get back to making clothes for myself (because of my Steampunk interests) and I need a new wardrobe. I just want to dress up in period costumes. It looks like we both have some changes on the horizon. Rock on Little Lu!
Hi Wendy! Summers get busier for me. I work weekends and try to keep up with everything else. Gah!
Blogs seem to change over time. So don't sweat about that. I think we eventually find our 'zone'.
I need to read the Hunger Games. Even my parents read it. lol
I just finished the Hunger Games books too. I enjoyed them.
In talking about your blog, I understand what you're going through.
I just read a post by Justine Musk who talked about a conference where Joyce Carol Oates was asked what she'd do if she were starting out today. JCO said she'd start blogging. She feels blogging helps refine style and helps the writer find their voice and their audience. I believe that's true. So you're on the right track. I think there is great value in the discipline you get from writing in a blog every day (or at least on a regular schedule). Keep at it. But have fun this summer.
Wow. Three months of holiday. That's a lot of time. You can catch up with many, many things.
Hmm..your blog is going through an identity crisis. I am sure it will pull through and discover things about itself.
I have read the first book of the Hunger Games Trilogy. Loved it.
Have fun in your vacation ! x
I think everybody's blog evolves from time to time. I know mine did. Just do what you want--that's the best part. It's your blog, after all!
I love how raw your blog is. I feel that I am walking w/ you in time! Good to see you bonding w/ your blog. I always look forward to seeing what you bring up next!
This is a terrific blog, it is very interesting with such a lot of thought provoking insights! I like it.
Wendy - Thank you! I went to Asheville once a few years ago and I enjoyed my trip. You should visit there if you can at some point! :) Looking forward to checking out your sewing blog when it's up.
M Pax - Ohh, I think it's a good thing to be busy, but like Wendy Barber says, let's both remember to chill once in a while :)
Rick - Thank you for your insightful comments! Joyce is so right...blogging is such a helpful tool, both for social communication and personal reflection. Now that I've joined ROW80Days, I don't think I have a choice but to blog regularly anyway :-)
Rachna - Thanks for stopping by TRA! :) I finished Hunger Games, and I just HAVE to get my hands on the other two books! So good. Indeed, the best thing about summer = catching up!
Rachella - Thank you! <3
Lydia - It's nice knowing TRA isn't the only blog that goes through a "maturity" stage, haha. :)
Hope - Thanks! It's nice having this free time to work with my blog. I am blogging a lot more often than I was when I was in school, that's for sure!
Dell - Thank you for visiting!
Post a Comment