blog connection

In life before the internet, you came across what you considered good people by chance. If you were amazingly lucky you came across like minded souls, you maybe found a hobby you shared, or a way of thinking. You made a friend. 

In the world of blogs, twitter,instagram, -its not exactly like that anymore.
You realise - and my goodness people feeling low or with no self confidence could have done with the world of blogs YEARS ago...- you realise, there are a lot of people like you.
A lot of like minded souls. They read your blog, or you read theirs. Maybe they are famous, in their industry, or are 'just like you'. You'll really connect with people just like you. They may be literally just down the road, or thousands of miles away.

There are also a lot of people not at all 'like' you, but that like you, enjoy and appreciate your work/thoughts/pictures/recipes/whatever it is you blog, and take the time to contact you to say hi. 

There are even more people you dont realise read your blog, the ones that dont comment, but push your number counter up.  

The thing is, reading somebody's thoughts and writing is like listening. Taking the time to listen to someone works both ways. You listen, they feel heard, its a win win. 
And if you read- listen- often, before you know it, you really get an insight into that person, you 'know' them. I often think, the people that know me the very best, are the ones who know me 'in real life' and who read my blog, see my instagram {life now!} pictures. Hear and see the whole of me... you know?

I've met an awful lot of my favourite online people. {I've not met all of my online friends - yet-  working on it ;)} From all over the world, AND from just down the road - and I'd have never known!- to somewhere up north ;) 

{Just in case you wondered- they pretty much ARE who they are online. Bit difficult to fake something continuously. So if you are sat here doubting how much you can know someone from online... I make a rash guess I am the only blog you read... }

I love my fellow bloggers. I know their mood, their life, their coffee choice ;) I know their kids, their dog, their favourite shoes. I see their life roll and evolve. 
Just like they do mine. 
{I cannot tell you the lift that comes from 50 comments you never expected when you are down, or comments when you are rejoicing}

I give a sh*t about them. 
I cheer when they get a new contract, a prize, a perfect photo, an awesome piece of good news. I get ridiculously excited when we get to meet up. But I I struggle to read about their divorces, illnesses, loss of a loved one. Oh, I hurt for them. 

 I watch bloggers come together and raise money, help out, fight for other bloggers, leave hundreds of comments, send gifts, be kind. Its amazing. It more than restores your faith in our big big world.  

It seems to have been a tough week in the blogsphere, struggles have been made by good online friends, and  by bloggers I read but dont really know me, and by friends who blog. 
This post is for them, to will them onwards and send them some love. Hang in there guys. thinking of you xxx

Comments

[Katherine]

So proud to be a small part in this amazing community! x

[Raylene]

Count me in. I'm one who reads your blog every day. and I worry about you if you don't blog for a few days.
I recently took your class Digital Scrapbooking with a Vintage Spin! Loved it!
I don't blog everyday, but I have been a blogger since 2007 . . .