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Theta Mom®

Redefining Motherhood

Don’t Measure Your Blog Worth in Numbers

I had no idea of the kind of world I was about to get myself into when I published my very first post at Theta Mom. The blogosphere is now a place I can’t imagine myself not being an integral part of. I love to communicate and discuss ideas with others that revel in the same passion for blogging.

I’m referring to women who can empathize with me as they understand the same battles that I face, as well as connecting with those who have the innate ability to share a different perspective and make me think – I mean, really think. When a true dialogue is started, this is the aspect of blogging that I find so rewarding. It’s those distinct moments when we relate and connect that is so empowering. This is what truly fosters the relationships we are establishing together.

However, blogging can be stressful at times especially if we begin to compare ourselves to other bloggers. We tend to look at others that are reaching more success than we are and we begin to ask ourselves – what are THEY doing that we’re not? Why do THEY have so many subscribers and why did THAT post get so many comments? I was recently blog reading when a comment written by another blogger completely struck me. She referenced how it’s so easy to get caught up in the numbers game when it comes to blogging which actually spurred me to write this post…

When I began my blog, I knew nothing about Google Analytics, Sitemeter, Alexa and other tools that help you to analyze your site’s traffic. However, once I learned about these resources and understood the specifics I was immediately hooked. Quite frankly, I found myself checking these sources so frequently to see where my traffic was coming from, I became borderline obsessed. I constantly wanted to know how many page views I was receiving, who were visiting, where the referrals were coming from, which posts were most popular, etc. all in an effort to convince myself that if numbers were increasing I must be doing something right. But as soon as those numbers fluctuated or began to drop, this validation quickly turned to self-defeating behavior as I immediately felt like I wasn’t doing “enough.”

This was around the same time I began to look at my Google Friend Connect followers. It was an instant high when I saw a new face pop up in that little box or when I noticed new subscribers through my feed. But it was also a very low feeling when I lost followers. I was left wondering what I did wrong that made them lose interest in my blog. This was coincidently about the same time I began to count comments. There were times I would pour my heart out into a post which took a long time to draft and if I didn’t get as many comments on that post, I was disappointed to find that the carefully chosen words that took so long to put together didn’t resonate with others.

I also began to feel pressure that if I didn’t return every comment or at least attempt to connect with those that shared with me, readers would not return. {However, returning every comment and visiting every blog is impossible and if you need to know how I came to terms with this self-deprecating behavior, be sure to read this post}.

I thought that if I didn’t update my blog everyday I would eventually lose subscribers. I was trying to keep up with other bloggers that were posting daily and I realized that this was a pace I could not continue. The moment I began to feel as though this blog felt more like a “job,” I took a step back. At the end of the day, this blogging thing should be nothing but fun and rewarding. The moment it becomes otherwise, it’s time to re-evaluate.

So, how did I move away from the followers-comments-numbers game? I immersed myself in rich content and focused solely on the writing. I still love a good review and giveaway here and there, but my drive is truly powered by the need to clearly articulate my voice through this platform – whether I am heard by 5 or 500,000. I can’t obsess over the numbers anymore because that’s just what they are, a bunch of numbers. They certainly don’t equate to my self-worth as a blogger or even the total worth of this blog for that matter.

Do I still use Sitemeter and those other resources as helpful tools? Of course I do. There are many benefits as to understanding your site’s traffic and how to properly market to your target audience. There is so much knowledge to be gained from these tools and when integrated effectively they can be quite useful. But measuring your worth against these numbers? Well, that’s when it becomes self-defeating.

I do not spend countless hours anymore playing the numbers game – because my time is valuable and better spent drafting words in context that truly have meaning.

And THAT has become my true passion and fulfillment.

That is MY validation.

The Pretty Peacock Review and Giveaway

***This contest is now closed. Congratulations Rondi! An email has been sent.***

The Pretty Peacock is owned and designed by Ana Talukder Simpson who believes that good jewelry requires “good juju.” Much of her designs are influenced by her East Indian heritage, a culture that she completely embraces. Ana designs pieces at The Pretty Peacock which are handcrafted in her Seattle studio with pride and care. She aims to evoke an emotion and celebrate loved ones with every piece of jewelry that is created. Her pure passion for design lead her to begin this business, one that is rapidly growing! I reviewed the DreamWoven Sculpture Keepsake Pendant with Birthstones:

What is so special about this piece is that there are two birthstones incorporated so both of my children’s birthdays are represented on this pendant which I hold close to my heart. The Dream Woven Sculpture Keepsake Pendant also has a Mehndi/henna pattern on the one side which certainly pays homage to Ana’s culture. There is such attention to detail in this piece since it is completely hand-crafted from start to finish, made using eco-friendly fine silver with two AA grade gemstones. Every time I wear this keepsake, I feel as though my children are with me. As a Theta Mom, it is truly a meaningful and special piece of jewelry that certainly does evoke emotion. You can shop The Pretty Peacock using a 20% discount code: THETA

You can purchase the same DreamWoven Sculpture Keepsake Pendant with Birthstones for $136 here OR you can enter to win because The Pretty Peacock is giving one lucky Theta Mom reader the chance to win a Sweetheart Glass Locket Pendant with Sparkling Birthstones (pictured below) with full design details here. What a giveaway! Can you say gorgeous? What’s even more exciting is that this giveaway is open to anyone anywhere!!!

 

 

How to Enter The Pretty Peacock Giveaway:

****Required Entry: Visit The Pretty Peacock and tell me something you adore other than the above two pieces AND follow my blog publicly and tell me you are.

Extra Entries: (You must leave a separate entry for each extra entry to count and extra entries won’t count unless the required entry is done)


1. Follow Theta Mom on Twitter here and leave me your twitter name. (1 entry)

2. Become a Fan of Theta Mom on Facebook here and leave me your FB name. (1 entry)

3. Become a Fan of The Pretty Peacock here. (1 entry)

4. Subscribe to Theta Mom via email. You must activate the subscription for this entry to count. (2 entries)

5. Subscribe to Theta Mom any other way. (1 entry)

6. Grab one of my cute buttons and add it to your website. (2 entries per button)

7. Click to vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs. Just click the banner on the right side bar and tell me you clicked. (1 entry per click-can click up to 3x)

8. Click to vote for me at Top Mommy Blogs in subsequent entries. (1 entry per daily vote/click)

9. Tweet this giveaway! Just copy/paste the following: Love jewelry with good juju? Enter to win #giveaway for The Pretty Peacock pendant @ThetaMom  http://bit.ly/cM6S73 Open to ALL! Please RT (1 entry per daily tweet)

10. Post about this giveaway on your blog and link back to me. Leave me your link to show the post. (2 entries)

11. Add Theta Mom to your blogroll. (2 entries)

Giveaway Rules:

***This giveaway is open to anyone anywhere!!! It begins on April 11, 2010 and will end on April 22, 2010 at 9 pm. One winner with a valid entry will be selected at random using random.org. The winner will be announced and must respond with a current email address within 48 hours to claim. Otherwise, another eligible entry will be chosen. Enter as many extra entries as you would like Theta Moms and good luck!

I was provided a DreamWoven Sculpture Keepsake Pendant with two birthstones from The Pretty Peacock. I was not compensated for this review. These are my own honest opinions and experience with the product.

The Happiness Exhibit

Happiness.

Uninterrupted sleep, a strong cup of coffee, a salty margarita and a good pair of shoes;

A piece of sinful chocolate, a designer handbag, a damn good hair day and a beautiful floral arrangement;

Actually, I could provide a thousand examples of things here but none even pale in comparison to the happiness derived from the natural world like warmth of sunshine on my face, the smell of freshly cut grass, or the comfort of sand surrounding my feet as waves crash onto shore. Or better yet…

Finding clarity amidst confusion,

Reaching complete resolution,

Chasing a dream,

Dreaming even bigger dreams,

Achieving a specific goal,

Staying truthful and passionate,

Fulfilling the soul with pure unconditional love;

Through the echoing sounds of laughter heard from my son,

Or a glance into the innocent eyes of my daughter,

That is my true happiness.

Lay’s Potato Chip Company also certainly knows how to define happiness. Lay’s just launched The Happiness Exhibit, a campaign that aims to document happiness across America. This company believes that happiness is all around us and this exhibit gives YOU the chance to share your smiles with the rest of the country. You can upload as many photos as you like with only one condition – they must be happy photos!

Taken directly from the online exhibit, selected photos will be chosen to be featured on millions of Lay’s potato chip bags and in commemorative ads in issues of PEOPLE magazine. You can go Lay’s main webpage here to get full details and upload your own photos online here. If you want to add photos for a specific theme, be sure to check the website for deadline details.

So what are you waiting for? Share some happiness with the rest of America because you never know, your face may land on the next bag of Lay’s potato chips or in PEOPLE magazine – and then you can come back to thank me.

Happiness, how do you define it?

I was not paid to publish this post. However, I  was contacted by Fanscape and provided a Canon Power Shot A480 Digital Camera to take photos for this exhibit as well as a bag of Lay’s Potato Chips in exchange for publishing a piece about this campaign. All of the opinions expressed in this post are purely my own and were not influenced in any way. For me, this is a campaign worth writing about as I truly believe that The Happiness Exhibit will spread a little sunshine to people, especially at a time when this country could certainly use some.

Inspirational Writers, Inspirational Bloggers

Writer, blogger, mom – writer blogger, mom blogger, a blogger who is a mom that happens to write – whatever inference that is made about me or this blog, I know who I am and what defines me because I am more than just a blogger.

I am a writer.

Many would argue that in order for one to call herself a writer, she would have to be distinguished, a published author of sorts. Although I am still waiting for one of my children’s books to go to print (that will be one fine day) this blog IS published and I am the AUTHOR of this blog.

Therefore, I am a writer.

I write passionately about topics that have an impact on me. I write frequently about redefining the role of motherhood which truly is the heart and soul of this blog; the unscripted process of parenting that I navigate my way through daily. I write about my hopes, fears and aspirations because this blog is in many ways a reflection of my life. I write reviews based on products and companies that I completely trust and support. I write about the evolution of blogging including how to build community, the benefits of networking and how to reach a specific audience.

I write authentically with honesty and conviction. I know who I am and what this blog stands for and I aim to articulate this voice throughout every post. And I will never lose sight of that.

Moving forward, I also recognize what I want out of this blog as I write. I want first time visitors to become subscribers, knowing instantanly that this is a blog they want to return to. Moreover, I want you (my amazing readership) to be actively engaged, relishing in every word of every post and become immersed in this world that I create.

I want you to be informed, invigorated, motivated, reassured and inspired. I want you to leave my blog impassioned, looking forward to the next published piece.

I want my writing to resonate with you. I want the words of this blog to speak volumes.

As I cultivate, devise and completely deluge my passion for writing at Theta Mom, I am overcome by some other blogs that absolutely inspire me. When I visit these blogs I am increasingly blown away by their talent as writers. Although there are so many blogs that I read and adore, I would like to share two blogs in particular that inspire me specifically as a writer.

Jenny Mac – Let’s Have a Cocktail When I stumbled upon her blog shortly after I began Theta Mom, I knew from reading the very first post that she was a gifted writer. Her language is natural, effortless and always seamless. In addition, she is one hell of an amazing storyteller. Every time I read a post perfectly crafted by Jenny Mac, I am immediately drawn into her blog. One of my favorites is Finding Your Way, a post which clearly demonstrates her amazing ability to tell a story.

Aidan Donnelley Rowley – Ivy League Insecurities Aidan continues to impress me on so many levels. Saying that she is a gifted writer is an understatement. I found her blog only a few months ago and once I read one of her posts I was immediately hooked. She is forthright and passionate, but at times also quite vulnerable which makes her blog so relatable. She recently wrote about her late father in Maidy–Bunks’ Picnic, a beautifully written post that truly moved me.

These two talented women make me want to become a better writer and I am honored to be blogging with them. And let’s face it, we all know when it comes to blogging content is everything, right?

Now I would love to hear from you: In addition to being a blogger, do you consider yourself a writer? Which bloggers or writers continuously inspire YOU and why?

Featured TMC Blogger: The Daily Dribbles

TMC welcomes Kmama and her blog, The Daily Dribbles. I don’t remember exactly when or how I stumbled upon Kmama’s blog but ever since we connected, we’ve been blogging together ever since. Kmama is one of those faithful followers that I don’t think ever misses a post at Theta Mom. Since the launch of TMC, Kmama was one of the first bloggers to get on board, spread the news and display the fabulous TMC button on her site with pride. She is such a great blogger to network with, as she engages you with her humorous posts and sarcastic sense of humor. As a mom who totally understands the whole deal about motherhood, she always manages to make me laugh!

 

Here is how Kmama describes her blog: 

“Hi everybody *waves*.  I’m Kmama.  I’m a wife to my amazing husband, Jdaddy, and mom to two amazing little boys.  Buddy is 5 years old and Buster is 2 years old.  My boys are the light of my life.  In addition to being a wife and a mother, I’m also a full-time working woman outside the home.  Needless to say, I’m very busy!!

The Daily Dribbles began much like a lot of blogs.  I was looking for a way to update family and friends on the happenings of our busy lives.  However, as time went on, I found that when I got really creative with my writing or really let things out, I would receive more comments from people who happened upon my blog.  Soon, I started to achieve followers, and those followers encouraged the creative side of me.  Nowadays, if you stop by my blog (which I really hope you’ll do!), you’re most likely to find some humor and sarcasm, which are two of my most favorite personalities.”

Be sure to show some TMC love and visit Kmama on the blog and follow her on Twitter!