Sunday, May 25, 2008

For the Love of Blogging

Two years ago, a relative of mine told me how she had met the person she wanted to marry through her blog - they had become commenting buddies. Back then, I thought I had a progressive marriage - DH and I met online too, but we met through one of those sites like eharmony - a site designed with the purpose of helping people meet. When she told me how they had met, my first thought upon looking at her blog was why in the world would anyone want to post their private thoughts, in essence, their diary, online for the whole world to see? Didn't people used to guard their diaries with their lives to protect them from anyone seeing them, let alone potentially anyone with access to the internet?

Well, two years later, I guess I've changed my mind. : )

IF can be such a painful and long and lonely journey when you're on your own. Early last year, when we had begun actively TTC-ing, I used to frequent message boards like ovusoft, but I never did end up joining any of them...they just didn't seem right for me. I thought blogs were for "young" people like my cousin...I had no idea how big blogging was. Later in the year, I stumbled upon mom blogs by accident, through an email someone sent me, and while I enjoyed reading some of them, they were constant reminders of what I didn't have. Only when I finally had my initial appointment at the fertility clinic did I find IF blogs - I was trying to prepare for the first visit, and google led me to the mother of IF blogs - the Stirrup Queen herself :), through Operation Heads-Up, and I'm so grateful I found my way there.

Blogging has the power to connect people who would never, ever have met in real life and bring them together to support each other. I'm still pretty new to the blogosphere, but I'm really impressed by the number of people that stop by and read my story and share words of support and encouragement with me - thank you to you all. :)

And in honor of those commentors, and commentors all over the world, it's NaComLeavMo. So for the love of blogging, everyone go forth and starting commenting!

30 comments:

Rebel With.A.Cause said...

Thanks for the comment on my blog!! You just hang in there sweetie, it will happen for you, and until it does, and after it does if you need a shoulder I am here!!! HUGS!!!

Over from NaComLeavMo

Andy said...

Good luck with your journey! I'm glad you stumbled on the land of blogs, I've made some great friends through the on-line community and I hope you do to!

Anonymous said...

You are first on my list for NaComLeavMo :) I too thought blogs were for other people. Several times I started trying to blog but never kept it up. I started again at the end of last year and am now at the end of my 5th month of successful blogging.

I hope your IF journey is short & that your IF blog turns into a Mom blog soon (although I haven't turned mine into a Mom blog yet so I am one to talk)

Anonymous said...

I wish I knew about IF blogs about 5 years ago when I was knee deep in treatments. I think I might have faired better, emotionally. Instead I'm blogging now about how to get to that next step ... life after failed IVF.

So yes. Thank G*d for blogging!

Over from NaComLeavMo

Jodi said...

I met my husband through my blog as well. He found my blog one night, started commenting. That led to emails, then catting. And eventually a visit up to Canada to see him.

Now I live here and we are married. :)

momofonefornow said...

I too am new to blogging. I figured NaComLeavMo would be the perfect opportunity to stop lurking and start commenting.

We spent nearly 5 years trying and I had no idea that this community was here. I think it would have helped me a lot. Now we are trying for number 2 and will have to start treatments again. Having other people to "talk to" will certainly make it a bit less emotionally draining this time.

Anonymous said...

wait- she met her husband through comments on her blog!?!

man, I am SO not blogging right!

nacomleavmo right back atcha!

shawna said...

I just wanted to wish you luck. I enjoyed reading your blog.

JW Moxie said...

Blogging is such a great comfort. My only regret is that I didn't find this wonderful community sooner than I did!

Mandy said...

Blogging is awesome! I'm so glad I found yours. I've also been down the infertility road, and it's tough. I've also done the SAHW thing, too...and that was fun! I have got you in my feed reader and will be keeping up with your blog.

alicia said...

It is crazy hey, how the blogging comunity is such a great support, espically the IF one! I am glad you started blogging too, its such great therapy!

Sending some babydust your way!

Here from NaComLeavMo

Cibele said...

I started blogging 2 years ago as well. I am amazed by all the wonderful people I met and the love and support that I found here. Good luck

annacyclopedia said...

Here via NaComLeavMo, and just want to wish you luck with getting pregnant. I am also pretty new to blogging and have found it to be such an amazing support. I truly don't know where I'd be without the people I've "met" here.

And as a Canadian, I hope you're enjoying living here! Feel free to email me for an invite to my blog - I'd love to have some new readers, but for various reasons I just went password-protected a little while ago.

Lisa said...

So, so, so true! I've been on message boards but, I truly regret that I didn't find the world of blogging earlier in my journey. It has been so therapeutic for me - especially no longer having to email the same things to over and over to different people!

Echloe said...

I found you through NaCoLeavMo and wanted to wish you luck in the IF battle.

Jodi @ SNAPPED said...

I found your blog in the NaComLeavMo list. Blogging is just so addicting! Blessings to you on your journey. You are a GREAT writer.
~Jodi

Mrs. Spit said...

Wohoo for another Canadian!

Anonymous said...

It's quite amazing how powerful the sisterhood of IF is! Always helps to have a little window into another's world, going through the same trials and tribulations.

Welcome, look forward to seeing you around.

seussgirl said...

Yey for blogging friends!
Also here from NCLM!

Kristen said...

Blogging is SUCH an amazing way to support others and to get support that it's hard to find from others who aren't going through the same thing! I'm new and already have had such an outpouring of support! Thanks for your comment on my blog-hang in there, too. It will happen-for both of us :)

Katie said...

via NaComLeavMo as well.
I'm really enjoying doing this, it's great that Mel opened it up to everyone because we all get to go and have a look at blogs you might otherwise ignore.

Vanessa said...

Well said! I never thought that I would be the type of person to write a blog, or really, ANYTHING on the internet, but it really is therapeutic to put it all out there! And the blogging community can be so supportive!

Here for NaComLeavMo...

vhab.blogspot.com

Amanda said...

Hi! I'm over from NaComLeavMo. I want to wish you luck on your journey!

Nadine said...

Nacomleavmo.

Blogs really are such an important part of my life and my journey, I too feel the same way.
I too am a stay at home wife in Canada (there really are not too many of us out there are there?).
Best of luck on your journey.

Kim said...

I still am in awe and disbelief of the popularity of blogs! A few years ago I had never even heard of them and I just passed my one year anniversary in March! Here from NCLM!

Erin said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! I too only found IF blogs by accident and it happened while I was searching for something else, found an article on Red Book and then found "maybe if you just relax" through there.

Good luck with your journey, may it be a short one!

Erin the Bradley Teacher said...

I'm here from NaComLeavMo also, and had the very same thoughts about blogging--who would want to post those details about their lives for everyone to read, and who would want to read it anyway? Heheheh, I've been blogging for 2 1/2 years now. It's really such a great community and support system most of the time that I can't imagine not having it!

Unknown said...

I never thought I would blog either! I have noticed that a lot of the bloggers on my blog roll are now preggo (or new mommies now), and I don't get as many comments anymore....I am hoping I won't be the last one standing. I wish you the best of luck!

Here from NCLM

Anonymous said...

You are so right about blogging being supportive and bringing people togethere that you'd never meet otherwise. I love all the different blogs I read because a lot of them contradict ideas/impressions I've always had. I like to be challenged. You've got a great blog. Thanks for sharing!

Jill said...

IF Blogging is an amazing community. You have a new permanent reader from NaComLeavMo