Because I've been ashamed. Because I've been embarrassed.
It is something that I have felt needlessly bad about, worrying about, thinking about.
But no more...
My follower count. It isn't very high. In fact it currently only stands at 12. It's strange how some things can revert you to feeling like you're a child again, needlessly measuring yourself against others. Worrying about how 'popular' you are.
What a fool I've been.
I'm not embarrassed any more, I'm proud. There may not be many of you, but by gosh what you lack in size you make up for in sheer loveliness. And really, what does it matter? It's not a popularity contest. It's a platform, for sharing, for teaching, for learning, for building relationships. I realised that as long as I was looking at it in any other way I was missing out on all the great things it could be doing for me.
So it's back. In all it's glory for the world to see.
So a thank you for all of the love, advice, compliments left on here. Not one goes unnoticed and not one is read without a bucket load of gratitude.
But, if there are any lurkers out there watching from the shadows with an urge to google connect with me, please do.
There is a button just down there...
x
Image via here.
Well done you! I for one love your blog. I've been hiding mine too, as I don't have many more. You probably have many more followers who don't use google anyway. x
ReplyDeleteNot all readers follow, not all followers read, and there are more lurkers than anyone realises. Just check your blog stats, all those people quietly reading and quietly slipping away again. I am a reader, and a follower, and I will say a wee hello when I visit just to remind you that YOU'RE BLOG IS AWESOME :)
ReplyDeleteI reckon there are lots of hidden followers lurking out there in the online ether...
ReplyDeleteI don't follow but I do read and adore your words and pics. Blogs can be a big of a popularity contest, best to just own it and make it your own, seems you've worked that out already;) having a giveaway on mine, if you are feeling lucky;) x ashley
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about followers, sometimes you see blogs that have got hundreds of readers and it gets you a bit down. Slowly but surely the numbers will go up because they'll read your blog and realy like it. Keep it up Crystal, your blog rocks!
ReplyDeleteYou have a lovely blog - it is very easy to get hung up on those numbers... I try very hard not to care but celebrate every time the number goes up! keep on with what your doing - it is fab!
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to publish this comment, bu heres a handy hint for you. Making a blog popular is also about social networking. Do you read others blogs? (probably), do you COMMENT on their blogs? For every comment you leave, you will usually get one back (not so much from the big famousb bloggers), and slowly you build relationships, then people link to you because now you're friends, they might write a post about you or refer to you on their blog in some way, and so the links go round, and back again. The famous bloggers you see now, they were damn good at building their network, then their network did the rest for them. Always respond to comments, always :) Via leaving a comment on their blog or by email. They will comment back.
ReplyDeleteOh and of course, post beautiful content, but I think you got that bit covered!
i'm your latest follower! you know, i came by a while ago and thought i joined up. glad i came by today via my small follower collage of photos. i don't think about it too much, until i get to someone's blog i love and they have hundreds of followers. i wonder why i don't have more but then... i don't write for my audience.
ReplyDeleteI haven't quite figured out the whole Google connect thing, but I do follow your blog and read every post! I'm sure I'm far from the only one! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm newish to your blog and I think it is a beautiful place to visit, whether 12 people follow or 120. And regardless of numbers, I come back for inspiration. Besides, for someone who "only" has 12 followers you seem to have a lot of comments so there must be some hidden followers out there!
ReplyDeleteHow do you follow then? xxx
ReplyDeleteOh Crystal,
ReplyDeleteI totally understand. I sometimes wish that 'Stats' feature would go drown itself...
For what it's worth, I like you! :)(and I enjoy your comments on my blog...AND I can't wait to see your house take shape!
Best,
Andrea
I'm your newest follower! It's easy to get caught up in the popularity contest side of things, but it's nice to remember what we really blog for. Which, for me anyway, is having an outlet and also for the blogging community. So, hello! Kellie xx
ReplyDeleteJust reading this post now, I haven't had a lot of time to read the blogs I like lately. I love what you wrote and I think it's very touching and so true! But see, the minute you put your follow count out, people started registering! Also, you have to let the other bloggers know about your blog and it takes sooo much time to go and write comments and introduce yourself to other people (I've done it and that's how I met you) :)
ReplyDeleteKeep it up because you have a lovely blog and you always have very nice comments, and sometimes more than bloggers who have hundreds of followers...
oh the blogging world can sometimes leave me feeling so jealous! not a nice quality at all. but your honesty is totally refreshing and i can definitely feel the love in this comment thread. xx
ReplyDelete