The Life of Bon: Eight things I do for my blog that have nothing to do with blogging

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Eight things I do for my blog that have nothing to do with blogging

Lately the blogging about blogging posts have been all the rage, and you know what?  I like the rage!  Let's hear it for rage!  It's so much fun!  If you can't talk about blogs on blogs, where can you talk about blogs since the rest of the world thinks all bloggers are crazy?  I kid.  I kid.  Kind of.

There's been a lot of how to posts going around so that we can all figure out how to be terrific bloggers.  And the truth is that you really do have to do all those things that everybody says- comment on other blogs, make your site look nice, sponsor, etc.

But the best stuff I do for my blog I do away from my computer.  It isn't the pretty blog aesthetic and the twitter account and the countless comments on other blogs that make people stay on a blog.  It's the blogger.  The person.

And so, I announce to you...

EIGHT THINGS I DO FOR MY BLOG... 
THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH BLOGGING

BY THE LIFE OF BON

I admit I've seen better days.  But this is really what I look like when I blog.  IT'S THE REAL ME, PEEPS!

1.  I read.  Like a freaking fiend.  If you want to be a good writer, I think you need to read a lot.  My sister once told me that John Grisham reads two novels a week.  You have to be immersed with language, surrounded by words.  In addition to making me a better writer, reading gives me lots of ideas for things to write.  I can't tell you how many posts have been triggered by something I read.  It opens up so many more doors to you and makes your world so much bigger.



2.  I walk the dog.  For some reason it's when I'm walking the dog all by my lonesome that some of my best blog ideas are born.  Lately I've been all bundled up, just walking along, enjoying the rare sunshine when some inspiration hits.  The fresh air clears my head, and I'm allowed to think uninterrupted. You see, lots of ideas try to creep into my head all day long, but the problem is I'm usually so busy focusing on a lesson on parts of speech or a left hand turn lane that those thoughts have no room and quickly leave.  When I'm walking the dog all by myself those thoughts are welcome to come in.  If you don't have some quiet time for clearing your head at least once a day, you should!

3.  I hang out with my friends.  Hanging out with my friends is crucial to the quality of my blog for a couple of reasons.  One reason is they help my social skills.  Isn't that weird that we have have to continually hone and work on our social skills?  But we do.  Hanging with my besties on the regular I feel like keeps me not only socializing correctly, but grounded and sane and happy.  Plus, they're a huge support.  They always tell me they read my blog and then they make fun of rude commenters for me and tell me that anyone who hates my blog is an idiot.  It's good for the soul.



4.  I teach high schoolers.  One day I would like to attempt to blog without a full time job on top of it.  But for now I feel like it only makes me a stronger blogger.  My time management is MUCH better when I have to juggle so much, and besides that those young bucks keep me hip.  How would I ever know what the Harlem Shake is without them?  Or was *smh* means?  I mean, come on, these are crucial skills!

5.  I take baths.  Lots and lots of baths.  Probably three to four a week if you want to be technical about it. Baths are a reward for me.  They are a relaxation.  My me time.  I have to have rewards for my work (and yes, my blog IS work as admitted here) or else I am not as motivated to work as hard.  Also, I think the break is good for me.  If I am online blogging, networking, emailing, etc all night I go crazy.  And start to feel really depressed.  Hence, bath time= happy Bonnie= better blog.

6.  I go on trips.  As often as the budget allows!  I am quite admittedly addicted to traveling.  In October we went on a seven day cruise and I didn't touch a piece of technology the entire time.  It was wonderful!  The blogging and social media world can get so wildly insane and I feel like sometimes you just have to take huge steps back, go away for a little while, and remember who you and why you are doing what you are doing.  I had some experiences on the cruise ship, all alone enjoying the sunset on the deck, where suddenly life seemed so clear and simple to me.  I was more than excited to get back to blogging after the seven days were up, but that time for just me was absolutely necessary to keeping me happy and balanced.

Tay Tay, don't you dare make fun of me for this selfie.

But it doesn't have to be huge trips!  This week Hubs and I are escaping to St. George for a couple of days to enjoy our anniversary and take a time out from the world.  I have no doubt I will come back a better blogger.

7.  I hit up the gym.  (Sporadically).  I don't know why I put this in here.  Mostly I just want to brag that I have set foot in a gym.  Applause!  Applause!

Um... actually the exercise feels really good to me.  Wearing myself out physically somehow makes me stronger mentally.  I can't explain it, I just know that I feel so rejuvenated and cleansed after a good work out, and I come to my blog with more to offer.  Isn't that crazy how that works?!?

8.  I spend lovey time with Hubs.  Greg gives me confidence and he is always interested in the progress of my blogs.  It's cute how he asks me how many page views I got and what blog I'm sponsoring next.  His support is a huge help to me.  But it's not only the support, it's the time that I am able to focus on and love someone and I guess just feel so totally human.  Having someone to love and care about so deeply enriches all of my human emotions and allows me to be a more honest, real, and vulnerable writer.



Now you spill your guts.  What's the best thing you do for your blog that has nothing to do with blogging?  Best suggestions will be posted on Life of Bon on Friday with links to your blog so don't forget to leave your blog URL.

MWAH!

(As always, if you enjoyed this post please share on your twitter, facebook, instragram, etc.  I can't thank you enough!)

51 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I'm pretty new to blogging in general, so I don't really have too much insight, but I really enjoyed this post. Especially #1!

    I think that sometimes taking a break and just writing things outside of your blog's normal content (poetry, short stories, anything!) could help break up the monotony. Even if it's outside your comfort zone, whatever you write may spark an idea for your blog... or end up becoming a therapeutic respite from your normal writing habits.

    --shineandlight.blogspot.com

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  3. Anonymous7:46 PM

    Vacations with some fun tropical drinks, massages any time I can, and of course spending time with my family as that is normally where my best stories come from.
    Ronda

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  4. As a former high school teacher I fell in love with your blog pretty quickly and this might be one of my favorite posts ! Each point you made I found myself nodding my head thinking oh I do that or Oh I should do that (take more baths!). I agree with number one immensely! I also jad read that before and since I desire to be a published author I started to try to do this and so many blog thoughts come from that!

    I am a newbie at blogging but one way that I get inspiration is from those I meet in the doctors waiting room (people seriously inspire me!!). Like you said... it comes from my life... I want people to see my heart through my blog and so what is on my heart is what I write about :)

    Thanks for a great post!
    :) rebecca

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  5. Im finding that the more honest i am about my life, thoughts, and feelings, the more i am able to relate with others, and the more i connect with my readers. I havent always been so open on my blog, but i love it, and i love meeting others who are in similar situations.

    www.weshallfly.blogspot.com

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  6. Going on trips definitely help blogging! I do the same thing.

    Hope you a wonderful day :)

    Sheree
    The Hartungs Blog
    thehartungs.blogspot.ca

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  7. I drink! No, I kid, I kid (although my blog's name IS gin and juiceboxes). I quit facebook recently because I was wasting so much time on it. Truthfully, I think that's allowed me to spend more time living - taking walks without my phone out, hanging with the husband or kids, reading (which I absolutely love to do too). Just getting away from technology, living life...I think it helps writing. After all, you have to have some kind of experience to write about. P.S. How sad is it that I have no idea what the Harlem Shake is? Obviously I hang out with toddlers and not high schoolers ;) I CAN tell you who was on Sesame Street today (Sarah Jessica Parker).

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  8. Having a drink or two, cuddling my sweet kitty, taking lots of naps, and during self reflection time (ie. my boring commute on the bus) are times that often bring me new and exciting blogging ideas!

    Kerri
    www.journeyofacountrygirl.blogspot.ca

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  9. I used to think up great things to post about while in the shower, but I always forgot to write them down when I got *out* of the shower.
    Nowadays I'm lucky if I get to take a shower that's longer than 10 minutes.

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  10. I definitely pay attention to my students. More and more of what I post seems to deal with them: what they say, what they write, what they draw, etc. It's all very exciting. I cook. Yes, I guess that's for the blog, but its more so just for me and my husband. I love to cook, always have, always will and I'm lucky enough to have married a husband who loves to cook as well.
    (Also, quick heart attack of joy--for a split second, I thought the Tay Tay was referring to me) ;) oh well. =)
    morrellfairytale.blogspot.com

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  11. I teach 4th grade. Those kids (and staff) give me more material than they know (like today's post about our floor hockey team).

    Also, I go out of doors in Alaska. That's where my best material comes from!

    Kristin :)
    kedarhower.blogspot.com

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  12. When I started my blog, I wrote in my journal what my intentions were for having a blog, what I want out of it, why I'm doing it, etc. The best thing I can do away from my blog is step away from it completely (eek, shut down the macbook!), and have a little re-read of my intentions - this keeps me on track with where I want my blog to go, and keeps me grounded in life away from the blog.

    Jacqui from www.dustycountryroad.com

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  13. Ok, time to reveal my secret.

    I always drag my friend, Martin, to karaoke places after school.

    But I don't sing.

    We just cheer on some random people and we would sometimes make requests.

    After hearing Celine Dion or Shania Twain songs for like 5 times, I get this sudden rush to blog.

    I don't know why. I think I need to see a shrink.

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  14. Love this post!
    Working out really helps me clear my head! :)

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  15. The walking and exercising and reading are my tops! I haven't read in longer than it's been since I've exercised. Whoops. It's like you get stuck in this silly internet web! My husband and I love walking together. It either ends up with brilliant business plans that we will never follow through on, or fights. Ha. So sometimes the clearing your head all alone walks are just what I need. :)

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  16. The primary thing I do for my blog that has nothing to do with blogging is that I don't tell people about it. Choosing to be (mostly) anonymous gives me the freedom to be more honest. My boyfriend and about 20 of my friends IRL know about my blog. That's it. I don't have my real name attached to it, or my alma mater, or my home state, or my real sorority, or pictures of my face, or my current state, or even my age (although that's not too difficult to ascertain). I'm able to talk about controversial topics because I don't have to worry about my family or anyone from work reading my blog. My blog is one of the few places where I can completely be myself, and I'm so grateful to have my own little online sanctuary.

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  17. The best thing that I do for blogging that has nothing to do with my blog... is live in the crazy land that is New York City. And when I'm not living here, I live in Los Angeles, which is crazier (sorry, Bon & Hubs, get ready for the cray). There is just an endless stream of funny/crazy/dramatic/interesting things happening around me, so I write about those or they spark my own creativity. My second best thing I do? Not care. In the beginning, I cared, I compared, and I commented like a champ. Now? I blog because I actually freaking love it (I know, weird, right?). And the selfie is cute! True story.

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  18. And my blog url is www.findingmyvirginity.com. Oops. :)

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  19. Hooray for the rage!

    I (drink and) write. Like with a pen and paper. Going back to the OG style of writing out thoughts on paper helps me focus and concentrate more. I like being able to see my thoughts and words on paper that I can hold in my hand (not on my lap via laptop).

    Plus a notebook is the best way to jot down my thoughts/ideas/random silly things when I'm on the run.

    ♥ Duckie.

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  20. Hooray for the rage!

    I (drink and) write. Like with a pen and paper. Going back to the OG style of writing out thoughts on paper helps me focus and concentrate more. I like being able to see my thoughts and words on paper that I can hold in my hand (not on my lap via laptop).

    Plus a notebook is the best way to jot down my thoughts/ideas/random silly things when I'm on the run.

    ♥ Duckie.

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  21. Hooray for the rage!

    I (drink and) write. Like with a pen and paper. Going back to the OG style of writing out thoughts on paper helps me focus and concentrate more. I like being able to see my thoughts and words on paper that I can hold in my hand (not on my lap via laptop).

    Plus a notebook is the best way to jot down my thoughts/ideas/random silly things when I'm on the run.

    ♥ Duckie.

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  22. I have 2!! My first is making "friends" with other bloggers--give them shout outs when appropriate, tweet their posts that you love, etc. If you promote others, they will promote you! Ok maybe that one has a little to do with blogging.
    Secondly, try new things! Sometimes when a new opportunity arises, I think "Hey! I can blog about it!". You can blog about new restaurants, food you tried, activities you did, clubs you join, anything! I don't do things just for the sake of getting a post out of it, but sometimes that added incentive helps me take the plunge when I'm on the fence.
    www.baileydailies.com

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  23. Those sound great for happiness in general, blogging aside.

    My number one thing would have to be....sleep. Not that it *helps* my blog be better, but the lack of it means drool on the keyboard...and nobody likes that. ;)

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  24. I follow random urges and do things that are out of the ordinary because it's great material to blog about. I eat octopus. I harness myself to a rope and jump from a platform 30 feet in the air or go rappelling. I try a new restaurant or go on a sporadic day trip. Those things are not only interesting for people to read about, but they are fun to do and give me more life experience. This summer I'm going skydiving... that'll be an adventure!
    http://ashley-kristine.blogspot.com

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  25. I took a notebook with me to a restaurant yesterday and having that time to myself (table for one, please!) allowed me come up with a more meaningful post. That quiet "me" time is really helpful because there are no distractions. I also agree that reading helps not only your vocabulary, but to stir up thoughts.

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  26. Since my blog is about my creative projects, I have to create on a regular basis. Mostly digital designs, but occasionally DIY projects or random artwork, cards, posters, etc. I average 3 blog posts a week (how I envy those who have a daily blog commitment, but alas, I'm not willing to do that) so I think in terms of what I've created that's worthy of posting, and I often create just for the blog. I also travel, photograph, sightsee, and try to live an interesting life so that my blog will be meaningful to my readers. I originally wanted it to be meaningful to my grown kids, but they rarely read it.
    I also read voraciously, and come from a long line of storytellers, so occasionally, I'll tell a long, interesting (hopefully) story, that breaks up the monotony of visual posts.

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  27. Beach selfies= love.
    Bathroom selfies= loathe.

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  28. Anonymous8:46 AM

    The biggest thing I do for my blog that has nothing to do with blogging is working in digital marketing. Working as a content specialist has really opened by eyes to the world of internet marketing, SEO, content management, etc. I had a bit of a “blogging epiphany” where I realized that, it my field, in NEED to have a blog. I need to be constantly writing to 1. Help improve my writing skills and 2. Build a content portfolio. Therefore, unlike most bloggers, my blog isn’t a secret anymore “IRL”. I don’t go around randomly telling people about it, but if it comes up in conversation I certainly talk about it. It also helps because I’ve learned to focus on the quality of my content. I used to do lots of pointless link-ups and such, but now I am more concerned with what actionable information my readers can take away from a post :)

    Also, you’re brilliant Bonnie. You are one of like… five?... blogs that I actually check every single day. Thank you for being endlessly entertaining ;)

    Valeri
    thegoldlifeblog.blogspot.com

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  29. it is so important to step away from the blog/computer sometimes so that you can live a life worth writing about. i do a lot of what you do too (except i should probably walk my dogs more. oops) and it helps to keep me thinking of fresh ideas!
    -- jackiejade.blogspot.com

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  30. I talk to my friends and my family. Things always lead to a story and I love when they tell me stories of their childhood. The memories that some of my older co-workers had when they were younger. I love hearing stories of when candy was 10 cents or when a motel room cost $13. I love hearing stories of how people besides myself tried to outsmart parents and fun memories. Makes for good content to reminisce because everyone can relate.

    Talisha
    www.reupenahousehold.com

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  31. Since I blog about my conversion and my view on gospel related topics, my activity in the church definitely makes for blogging gold. My posts on the word of wisdom, my issue with "modest is hottest", and on having tattoos as a convert are some of my most popular ones - and they came just from developing a sincere testimony!

    And traveling is definitely amazing in general but also for the blogosphere!! One of my all time favorite things ever!

    Love your blog!

    -Lauren
    Kisses from the Mrs.

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  32. I make lists all the time. I never made lists before blogging, but now I have post-its everywhere, and a notebook, and a giant calendar and they need to go everywhere with me. I feel like they keep me a little more grounded.

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  33. Anonymous12:24 PM

    I go swing dancing! While I'm dancing, my mind is focused on other things... leading to some of my best posts.

    BecomingBailey.com

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  34. Your blog is so cute! I love it! Messy Dirty Hair sent me over! ;)

    Lauren
    Sincerely, Lo

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  36. Spending time with my dogs because they are constantly doing random things that make me laugh. So maybe laughing is a good way to look at it. clears your head and keeps you fresh, young and hip :)

    tnicolej.blogspot.com

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  37. Walking the dog helps me get more creative too! Just don't tell my hubs--he'll think I want to walk the dog every day! ;)

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  38. you had me at the fault in our stars. :)

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  39. I walk down campus instead of taking the shuttle, which allows me the time to just enjoy the air and the scenery around campus, and it gives me a little exercise! Bonus!
    I also LOVE taking pictures and then being able to share my experiences that go along with my pictures :)

    I loved this post! It was a good reminder to go out and do things, which then in turn can help with the social media aspect of life :) Thanks!

    ~Becca @ www.beccacloggerslife.blogspot.com

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  40. Anonymous5:49 PM

    I must admit most of my good blogging ideas are inspired by the things I'm pinning on Pinterest. If not that, they come to me while I'm showering! There's no better time to think than when you're washing your hair, right?

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  41. I completely agree about reading. I am always inspired by great writing and it pushes me to be better, too. I like to think of (most) blog posts as mini short stories. Love reading great stories AND great, well written blog posts!

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  42. i get a lot of my bloggy thoughts while i clean my house. i put spotify on my favorite radio station and i clean like i'm getting paid to do it. and something about the cleaning and the music just sends my bloggy brain into overdrive. i also get good ideas from working out and doing yoga. :)

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  43. First, Dirty.Messy. Hair. sent me. Second, I absolutely agree with #1! When I was young I was a bookworm. Now, completely out of school, I don't read at all & I feel that my language/writing skills are declining. I'm not an idiot, don't get me wrong, but I used to know the proper places for commas & how to restructure a run on sentence. I understand "big words" (I hate that phrase btw) but the vocabulary I use is pretty basic. If you can make time to blog & do all these other things, I should definitely be able to set time aside to read! I guess reading children's books to my babes just isn't good enough, haha.

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  44. enjoy your baths - i love that you reward yourself in a small but so meaningful way. so cute!! keep it up. i love that you read - i need to see if you share your books that you do read. new here - so i will have to look around. ( :

    Leave a blog comment on a post on The Life of Bon letting her know MessyDirtyHair sent you

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  45. Anonymous8:07 PM

    great stack of books there! i take a bath every night :) and i love traveling!

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  46. Whenever my blog and I have a moment alone, I whisper encouragement into the mic o O (You is smart. You is kind. You is important.) so that he knows how much I appreciate him.

    As for more physical measures taken to build a better blog I clean my house. See, I thought having a blog to channel my projects through would encourage me to finish one or two of them. Who knew that the completing projects, would instead, fuel more posts? The world works in witchy ways Bon.

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  47. 2 novels a week? I read like 5...

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  48. Bon! Do you still read comments on this? If so, I would love to know if you have a Goodreads account, that will definitely help meet your 2 novel a week quota :)

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  49. I'm very new to blogging, and I love these tips! I think you're right- you gotta get out from behind the computer every once in awhile to actually experience the things you're going to write about!

    Also, I read The Fault in Our Stars about 2 weeks ago and I still want to cry.

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  50. Anonymous5:53 AM

    Currently have some more time on my hands and I am trying to give my blog a bit of a make over and productivity boost, found your posts on blogging very inspiring!

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  51. New blogger here. You inspire me! Thank you!!!
    I take occasional baths, play with my dog, make lists, but I find that I get the best ideas on my daily jog (just have no paper handy to write them down on!)


    <3 Ash
    www.beneaththehazel.com

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