FEELING BAD? THINK OF OTHERS WHILE YOU SUFFER

Feeling bad, as if it’s not enough, comes with extras, like those trying to help you feel better.

Think of them while you’re in the throes of misery.

Whether you know it or not, your suffering is their suffering. They feel better when you feel better.

This came up at a recent gathering of some of the nicest people I know, Daughters Of The British Empire, or DBE.

In other words, English ladies.

Being around them is a master class in aging gracefully. Feeling bad in their presence is not an option.

After all, when they get together there’s usually a tea party, and it’s impossible to feel bad at a tea party.

I had a chance to talk to them after they finished the business part of their meeting.

My wife had mentioned this blog and one of the ladies said that she was thinking about it, thinking about starting a blog.

I jumped right in with my dainty size thirteens.

Blogger Writes Posts Whether Feeling Good Or Feeling Bad

Some kid, a man in his thirties or early forties, wrote on twitter:

“Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening.”

So far so good? Then he took a turn with:

“Write like no one is reading, because actually no one is reading.”

I felt bad for the guy. No one reads his stuff? I did, I read his tweet, but didn’t go any further, like check his bio for a link to his work.

Anything that starts with a whine is a bad introduction, which is why I don’t include whining here.

I shared this with my new would-be blogger buddy Angelica and I’m sharing it again.

No one reads blogs until they do, just like online dating doesn’t work until it does.

Find the right one and spend the time figuring things out. Find one, then read what they recommend to expand the circle.

Blog Identification From The Start

It all begins with the right name, something welcoming and cordial.

BoomerPdx seemed like a good name when I started this mess, but now I’m not sure.

Younger readers from the millennial generation, also known as my smart children, tell me anything named Boomer drives people away.

To prove them wrong I took a deep dive into my google analytics for an age demographic comparison.

Who is not reading my blog? My aging cohort. I’m sixty-six years old and still kicking it. What’s wrong with the 65+ group?

Are they all happy with Facebook and clicking ‘likes’ and sharing questionable news stories with their friends? Probably.

Or maybe the 55 and older crowd isn’t online as much as the younger people? Or it’s a gender thing?

Either way, I’m in with the 25-34 gang and anything leading with ‘Boomer’ reminds them of their parents.

My initial plan, developed in a business class for creative people, was trying to appeal to baby boomers since there’s so many of them.

As an introspective writer revealing pertinent biographical details in posts, boomers are the wrong audience.

What they want instead are posts about investments, travel, downsizing, decorating, cooking, and dating. Yes, dating.

Know Your Audience

Also known as ‘Read The Room.’

My room is full of millennials from the looks of things. What do they want from a blog? That’s a question that drives this place.

It’s also why I include more of ME in posts. Know your audience and let them know you.

Like this:

“My name is David. My blog deals with unexpected Life Events that challenge us all to be our better selves. Instead of giving in to bitterness and doubt and defeat, boomerpdx shines a light in a positive direction. Please follow my blog and leave comments. You won’t be sorry, and some readers have made good suggestions. I answer all comments.”

Life Events carry 144 pages of eventful lives.

If you’re feeling bad about things, read a blog. You’ll get better.

Eventually you’ll feel good enough to think, ‘I can do better than this.’

Can you? Give it your best shot. Just know how much time you’ll commit to getting it right. And have a good answer for, “Nobody blogs, it’s a waste of time. Why do you even bother?”

What’s a good blogger answer?