The Blogosphere
4 Feb
Food or art-related post soon! It’s been a busy couple of days, and I’m still getting used to school + teaching (yes, I’m a teaching assistant this semester!). In the meantime, here are some more questions and answers. I got a lot of questions about the “blogsophere” so today is going to be all about that. They got a little lengthy; guess I had a lot to say.
If you could trade places (lives) for a day with another blogger, whom would it be?
I thought about this question for a while. My first response was Tina from Carrots ‘n Cake because I’d love to know how she masters a schedule like she does. It’s incredible. I’d still like to trade with her. But I think my final answer is Betsy from Joe and Betsy, for purely selfish reasons: 1) I’d like to live in Pittsburgh 2) I’d like to see the world through a photographer’s eye and 3) It’d be fun to be blonde for a day.
Do you ever get annoyed with the "blogosphere" or feel pressure/competition from other bloggers/blogs?
Sometimes. I don’t feel the competition thing very much. I haven’t run into a situation where I thought a blogger was trying to “one up” me. But sure, I used to wonder why my blog wasn’t “more popular” than other blogs when I’d been writing just as long or longer. I hate that I’ve had those thoughts, but I have. And sure, I wouldn’t mind if my readership expanded – I think everyone feels that way if they’re writing a blog. But recently, especially in the past month, I decided to be more true to myself with OALP. Someone recently posted that I was a “life blogger with a food emphasis.” I think that’s the best way to describe my blog. Basically I’m living the philosophy: as a life blogger, anything goes. No topic is off limit. There is no set blogging schedule. I can write about whatever I want when I want, as long as I do so passionately.
In terms of pressure, I know I don’t fit the typical mold of a “healthy food blogger,” and that’s caused some anxiety for me at times. I haven’t lost a significant amount of weight. I haven’t achieved my exercise goals or hit a nice routine yet. I wish I could be the better role model in those areas. But I’m still learning those things. I haven’t mastered it all yet, and that’s OK. I think it will be a continual life process.
What are some of your favorite healthy living blogs? I’d especially like to know which you like that maybe don’t have as many readers as some of the big name ones. I’m always looking for new blogs to discover.
I have a “Favorites” list on my Google Reader. There are about 30 or so on there. For now, I’ll include a random sampling of 9 daily must-reads that hit upon a variety of topics. In addition, I read all of the well-known blogs that you probably read too and a variety of newer healthy living blogs. I’m not sure how many readers these blogs get, but either way – you should check them out.
- Leslie from The Whole Plate
- Amy from Coffee Talk
- Mama Pea from Peas and Thank You
- Quinn from Daily Moderation
- Joe and Betsy (as noted above)
- Erin from I Walk in This World
- Heather from Hangry Pants
- Mara from What’s For Dinner
- Brandi from Bran Appetit
Ironically, I’ve met most of these ladies in real life. They’re also all fantastic story tellers. Both factors certainly contribute to why I read so frequently.
Note: I read many more blogs than this, and it’s really hard to narrow it down to a list of “top favorites.”
I didn’t know you’d still like to live in Pittsburgh! It is a pretty great place.
And I am so glad you are true to yourself with your blog. In the past 2 months I feel like I have just became MORE true to myself.
Thanks Rose! I love your blog too…you have a beautiful way with words, and I appreciate that you share bits and pieces of all your loves, from chickpeas to bookmaking! I hope one day we CAN meet in real life.
I’m blushing Rose!
First of all, I love hearing these answers and the questions that people are coming up with to ask.
the funny thing? Your list are some of my favorites, too! Plus yours
and i love the “life blogger” idea. That’s why I love your blog so much!
I love all of the blogs you posted about too. They are all so fun to read!
I hope our paths cross one of these days.
I’m not one of your daily reads. Pshh… how else will you know what your life twin is up to?
Just kidding! 
I like the life blogger with an emphasis on food – that’s awesome. I am not really a typical health blogger either so I guess I am in the same situation as you.
You have no idea how much I needed to see a compliment like this today… thanks my friend
I really like the description of your blog too, i think its super accurate!
oh, and CONGRATS on being a teaching assistant! that’s awesome, Rose. Also – totally random, but my aunt’s name is Rose. It’s actually a family name.
I’m with Mara – what a nice little ditty to read about ourselves.
Thanks for the shout outs and I’m sure you know you’re very high on my favorites list as well. We must meet again in person soon. And you can have my life anytime you want!
Thanks for answering my question! I love reading your blog, for one because you’re “local”, and also seeing your oatmeal art.
Your answer to the question about other blogs comes at a great time for me. After being a lurked for about a year on your blog and many others (food blogs, ‘life’ blogs, you know the drill), I finally decided to start my own! And honestly… it’s a little scary. I’ve already hit ‘PUBLISH’ on that first post, so the hardest part of the beginning is over, but the idea of coming up with new content on a regular basis is intimidating. That said, I think you strike a great balance between ‘food’ posts, ‘art’ posts, and ‘life’ posts, and I hope I’ll be able to do the same!!!
I love the description of your blog, I think it fits perfectly. You are always a daily read for me, I like what you have to say
Thanks sweetie. Your blog is in my top favorites list too. I love your creativity and unique perspective on life.
*hug*
I read your blog because you are always different from everyone else. Rose walks to the beat of her own drum and is not afraid to be different!!!
That’s why I love you!
And gah, I want Betsy’s hair too. Is it wrong to covet?
I read your blog daily and you’re one of my faves. I should definitely comment more. It’s funny that you don’t consider yourself one of the “well known” or “popular” bloggers because YOU ARE LADY! I have friends that read your blog that don’t read “healthy living” blogs at all. Personality is what attracts and keeps readers. Great answers!
I love that you don’t fit the mold of a healthy blogger. That’s what make your blog so great; it’s unique.
I’m interested in reading some of the blogs that you read. I’ve read about half of them.
oh, thank you so much rose! i have a favorites folder in my reader too, and your blog is one of the seventeen in it. although, i also have a friends folder, and you could be there as well.
i know i’ve said this to you before, but the blogs i love are the ones that do something different, that have their own unique way of presenting life or art or food. it’s hard not to get caught up in comparisons, but i’m all about quality. and there’s nothing but quality on the lobster placemat.
(please kill me for that last sentence. it’s friday).
Oh, my life. There’s never a dull day, that’s for sure! Thanks for the shout out!
I don’t comment a lot, but OALP is one of my favorite reads!
I know what you mean about not fitting into a healthy foodie blogger mold. My weight has been pretty stable my adult life so I sometimes feel like I’m less legit w/o a big weight loss story. I think though that it’s nice to have some diversity – keeps blog reading interesting
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- Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
I love this post. I often struggle with where my blog “belongs” I am not a healthy living blogger, but I am nowhere near as gourmet as some of the foodies I read. This week I actually came to the conclusion that I just need to enjoy blogging and not worry about labeling it. I also have a Friday Foodie Feature if you ever want to be featured! It helps me introduce blogs I read to my readers and to add new voices to my blog.
Happy weekend!
I love reading Q&A’s. And I really appreciate your thoroughness and honesty! I read your blog because you express yourself in so many different ways, not just through food. And I agree, no topic should ever be “off limits”, write about what we want, when we want
Thanks for the nod!!!! And yours is a must read as well. The way you write truly captivates me – it’s just beautiful. I’m thinking about doing the Q&A too – just call me bandwagon girl