the state that i am in » Why I Waste My Time

09.08.09 Why I Waste My Time

I have this friend who frequently comments on what a waste of time the internet is. She’s too busy for Facebook, she doesn’t have time to turn her computer on, let alone use it, she just has so many better things to do with her time.

She’s not a computer person, and I get that. (Of course, she does know that I spend a great deal of my time on the internet, so I really wonder about those comments sometimes.) Not everyone is an internet person, and there are certain aspects of the internet that are a waste of time. I know that the internet can quickly become one giant time suck for me if I’m not careful.

Still, I don’t consider my time spent on the internet to be a waste of time. In fact, I consider it to be exactly the opposite, especially when it comes to blogging. What started out as something I was just trying turned into a minor hobby, then a major hobby. Now, it’s a lifestyle.

Being a blogger has helped me to become the person I am today. It’s allowed me to get my voice out there, to learn what my voice actually is, and to work through my own thoughts, feelings, and insecurities. Being a blogger has helped me to discover the person that I am, and the person that I want to be. How is that a waste of time?

Being a blogger has changed my life. I am braver, stronger, and more willing to say what I think. Earlier this year, I got on a plane and flew to Vegas to hang out with people I’d never met. As someone who is often a sit back and watch person, that’s huge. Monumental. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Blogging has really empowered me. I am brave enough to talk about my infertility issues, something that most women keep very private. Because I’m willing to talk about it, I get the support I need, and I help support those who are going through the same thing. How is that a waste of time?

Being a blogger has expanded my world. I know so many wonderful people through blogging. I have made so many friends. True friends. I love coming home to an inbox full of comments, not because I have some high comment goal, but because each comment is a wonderful note from a dear friend. All of you who read this blog mean so much to me. You take the time to say things that most of my “real life” friends can’t find the time to say. You hold my hand and support me through all that is good and bad in my life. I am so lucky to have so many people out there who care about what’s happening in my world. By opening myself up to you, I get so much in return. How is that a waste of time?

Being a blogger is a fundamental part of who I am. I can’t separate it out anymore. It’s not just time spent on the internet for me…it’s part of what makes me the person that I am. Wherever I go in life, whatever I do…even when this blog dies out…being a blogger will always be a part of me. So, I really can’t say that I mind wasting my time here on the internet with all of you.

Why do you waste your time?

Bloggin helps me to clarify all these jumbled up thoughts in my head. It helps me to think clearly by writing it all down. Also, it helps when someone comments on something I’ve written and to know they feel the same or have gone through something similar is comforting. Not a waste of time for me. More like an enhancement.

I’m trying to think of a way to say this without sounding rude or judgmental…
I live in a fairly conservative area of the South, and I’m often surrounded by viewpoints that I find ignorant and small-minded. I don’t feel like I fit in, and it’s downright depressing sometimes. Blogging has connected me with people all over the world that share similar views and interests with me, so the internet kind of reinstates my faith in humanity

AMEN.

(And because your comment thingy says that my comment was too short and I’m not up for being particularly profound today, all you get is this play-by-play of what happened when I was commenting. Enjoy.)

I think you just put into words what I’m trying to accomplish.

I’ve felt like a shrinking violet for the past two-ish years, but in the brief time that I’ve been working to rediscover blogging, I’m starting to feel like a person again.

I keep discovering other blogs, with similar interests/problems, different perspectives. I see inspiration in blogs about owning a home, and having kids. I seek solace in blogs featuring other newlyweds, or long-married couples. I see beauty in fashion blogs, and yearn to SOMEDAY be put together.

Blogging makes me feel like I’ll have my ducks in a row soon enough.

“I love coming home to an inbox full of comments, not because I have some high comment goal, but because each comment is a wonderful note from a dear friend…. You take the time to say things that most of my “real life” friends can’t find the time to say.”

EXACTLY! It’s also great because although I adore my “real life” friends, most of them are scattered across the country and aren’t great about keeping in touch. I can always count on my friends in the blogging community to at least check in with me!

I love this. Love it. Blogging makes my world feel SO much bigger than it would be otherwise, gives me amazing support & incredible resources in the people I’ve met. It eases my heart, makes me laugh, and has blown open my world to the struggles that other people have in their lives.

It makes me exceedingly happy and it’s not a waste of my time for a moment.

Like you, I’ve found the internet, and blogging, to be a source of empowerment for me, and especially a way to find my voice. I’ve grown in so many ways, and I have learned so much, both informationally and from friendships that have been formed.

I began blogging last August after my husband and I relocated from the U.S. to Germany (which literally occurred 10 days after our wedding… yikes!). I had to quit my teaching job and Master’s classes to move, and upon our arrival in Germany, I found that I had ALOT of extra free time on my hands… So, I figured I’d join the blogging world to help keep myself occupied. It started out as a way for me to feel connected to my family and friends back home… I wrote about all of the new and exciting things I was experiencing, about the differences in cultures, etc. Over time, I realized that my blog had become my “therapy”… It helped me to organize my thoughts and feelings and to work through my homesickness… It was such a great help in making the adjustment to living in a foreign country! I honestly can’t imagine what I would have done had I not started blogging! So, in my opinion, blogging is definitely not a waste of time!

And, on a side note, I have to say that I really enjoy reading your blog… I find it very admirable that you are open and willing to talk about your fertility issues… Stay positive and everything will eventually fall into place.

Because there is no judgement. Because there is a sense of community that is greater than I can find in my own hometown. Because I’ve met gorgeous, beautiful women (and men) who have forced me out of my shell and have opened my eyes. Because I’m here to grow and I do my best growth through words. Because it’s important to ME. Because I can be real, honest, and truthful about the world around me in a way that I can’t in real life.

Why waste time on the internet? Because it’s a heck of a lot more productive and interactive than staring at a TV for hours on end. I mean, I could read a book but theres no interaction there unless I do a book talk group and that’s really not going to happen.

I learn more on the internet than I would otherwise. Things like Mafia Wars on facebook are a fun distraction every now and then, but most of my time spent on the internet is reading interesting and useful blogs and interacting with people about them. Maybe if I had more real life stuff to do, I might not be on the intarwebs so much, but I don’t, so I am. I think I’m a more inquisitive and interesting person for it.

I know it’s already been said, but a huuuuge AMEN to this. I know exactly what you mean… the Hubs sometimes wonders how I can spend so much time on my blog, etc but it’s more than just a hobby for me. It’s my “thing”, my place to really be me.

I couldn’t agree with you more Erin. This is such a lovely post and so, so true. Blogging is such an important part of my life and has allowed me to grow so much as a person. I had no idea how much my life would change (for the better) when I decided to one day randomly start a blog. Its been an amazing adventure and I can’t wait to see where it leads next.

Awe I love this! A great big ditto on all that!

I definitely love blogging and it has become my personal therapy and a playground for me to interact with so many amazing people that have given me encouragement when I most need it, I haven’t been in a situation where I receive so much love like this.

Love it! I know I definitely don’t spend nearly enough time on my blog – having major internet issues right now (grrr…) but not only has your blog helped me to get to know you better as a person – sad though it is that we don’t see each other enough, you’ve definitely inspired me to spend more time on the internet!!! (blogging, of course – not for porn )

I shared this with everyone on my Google Reader and then we had a virtual group hug. So, thanks!

I love it because my blogging friends have been far more supportive than my real life friends. You all actually know quite a bit more about my personal day to day life than the people I normally call my best friends!

Thank you for this post. I have been in a blogging funk for a bit now. I needed this perspective of yours to remind of the Good of Blogging as I figure out what the heck I am doing with my little site. Sigh.

I love this post so much because I feel the same way!

When I started blogging a year and a half ago, I thought it would be a fun way to document my final semester of college. I had NO idea I would meet amazing people and be a part of a wonderful community that would connect me to so many more 20-somethings. And as someone who lives in a small town who doesn’t have many friends here, it’s wonderful for me to hear from my friends all over the country. It’s amazing.

And I’m so thankful I got to meet you through this, too!

I find that people who disregard (or put down) someone else’s habits, hobbies or way of life is often because they don’t take the time to understand it.

It’s so much easier to say something is dumb rather than feel “dumb” because they don’t “get it”. It’s quite unfortunate, really.

And I do it because I love getting my thoughts down and hearing people’s stories

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