Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly meme created by Heidi at Rainy Day Ramblings in order to discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging (and some slightly more personal matters throw in for good measure). After Heidi stopped blogging (apparently for good), five of us took over as hosts while providing new questions. The current team is composed of Berls at Because Reading Is Better Than Real Life, Jen at That's What I'm Talking About, Karen at For What It's Worth, Linda at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell and Roberta at Offbeat YA. This week's question is... This time I'm doing a round-up of the last month's worth of questions, because I hate how I've been M.I.A. when it comes to the meme!
March 2025 Round-Up
+ Question of the Day:
ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH YOUR BLOG?
- March 4th: What are three things you'll never get tired of doing? (a question I submitted)
Reading. Blogging. Perming/dying my hair (though, as my older readers know too well by now, the perm is nothing like it used to be 😭).
Sorry, nothing to see here LOL. It's not like I do other things with my time than reading and blogging, given the situation. And I don't plan on changing my appearance EVER.
- March 11th: Have you ever ventured out of your comfort zone and ended up having a nice experience? (a question I submitted)
I need my confort zone SO BADLY. I'd get too anxious if I left it behind. I need to be in control. I'm so afraid of things that can take an unpredictable turn that I've never wanted to learn to drive (not even a scooter! I did learn to drive a bicycle as a kid, but I've never actually used one to move around). I think the only "brave" thing I ever did was try for radio, for all the good it did me. And I only talked myself into it because 1) I was in love with the radio world and wanted to be part of it, and 2) I knew the station was looking for new voices...so I actually stood a chance not to be rejected on sight. Also, being a radio host came with the perk of being invisible to my audience...
- March 18th: Have you met any bookish/blogging friends in person? (a question I submitted - reworded for the better 🙂)
Of course not, since all you lovely people live miles and miles from here...The nearest bookish friend I've ever had hails from Hungary, so you understand my plight 😉. Anyhow, I would be a bit terrified to get the chance to meet you and talk in person (see: confort zone answer above). I think I'd immediately forget my English...😓 😂
- March 25th: Are you satisfied with your blog? (a question I submitted - reworded in collaboration with Jen!)
OK...honest answer? I'd like for it to have a broader audience, and to actually make a difference in terms of helping books to find their readers. To the best of my knowledge, I was only able to "influence" someone to read a certain book a handful of times, or even less (of course I have no way of knowing if my reviews ever managed to "sell" a book to a stranger, which is indeed a possibility - not everyone goes out of their way to comment and say so, either on a blog or on Goodreads). I'm aware that when someone says "oooh, cool one, I'll add it to my TBR list" it doesn't really mean that they will read the book in question - the best case scenario is that they'll look into it, and maybe said book will indeed get added to their ginormous list...never to be seen again 😂. On the other hand, if I were a "successful" blogger, the pressure would be too much, so I guess I'm satisfied with the status quo (though I would love to do more with my blog on a template/usability level, but I don't have the time and patience anymore...not to mention, Blogger is so bare-bones at this stage, it's not like I can work around certain problems - we don't even have an email subscription option anymore, for goodness' sake 🤬).
Well, that's it for now. Did you enjoy this post? Would you like to participate in the meme on a regular or semi-regular basis, and get emailed the prompt list? Just head over here and fill in Jen's form! (Of course, you can jump in anytime you like - you are under no obligation to actually do all the posts, or even most of them, just because you signed up, and you can remove yourself from the list at any time). And if you're interested in participating in a more casual manner, or only in commenting, here is the TMST prompt list for the month of April:
- Apr 1st: What is your current genre of choice? Has it changed recently?
- Apr 8th: Which author do you wish you could meet? And what would you say to them? (a question I submitted)
- Apr 15th: It's been a while...tell us more about you!
- Apr 22nd: What types of music do you enjoy?
- Apr 29th: What is your favorite thing about spring? (a question I submitted)
I'll only be back for the meme on April 29th, with another TMST monthly round-up - but I'll comment on your posts in the meantime!
Now tell me something...are you a happy blogger?
Great answers. I have control issues - just ask my husband. I'm also a homebody pretty much. I stepped out of my comfort zone about 10 years ago when I took a job that involved teaching adult classes (life skills, parenting, effective communication - things like that). Before then, I was not a confident public speaker. I still am not confident all the time and my current job doesn't involve that but I guess it worked out okay.
ReplyDeleteI have never met any bloggers personally either. I am happy with my blog for the most part. I would like to have a bigger audience but I also love the fact that I have a few people I consider "closer" to and we visit each other and comment on a regular basis. I tend to like that just as well as having a huge audience who I never got to know.
You were brave to took that job...I would never have the guts. i know that sometimes you have to try something different and test yourself - you never know what you might miss if you don't - and I admire people who can do that in some capacity, but...I can't.
Delete"I would like to have a bigger audience but I also love the fact that I have a few people I consider "closer" to and we visit each other and comment on a regular basis."
I hear you! Also, returning comments or commenting in the first place is very time-consuming, and maybe we wouldn't be able to keep up with that if we were more popular (unless we were the sort of content creators who never interact with people on a one-to-one basis LOL).
The older I get, the more I feel perfectly content staying in my little bubble of the world haha.
ReplyDeleteYeah, there's that too LOL.
DeleteI don't like change either. I've never met any blogger friends in person and doubt I would given the chance because of anxiety.
ReplyDeleteI remember you talking about your anxiety issues. I think having a dog helps you a lot in terms of going out and socialising, but I guess there's a limit to what it can do for you. That's a pity, but one can't make oneself uncomfortable trying to go against one's nature. At lest we have the internet, right? 🙂
DeleteI remember back when people were quoted at the back of books and all that and I was all I want that too! Alas...not that I know of lol
ReplyDeleteWere they? On the covers? That's cool! Now it's only other authors LOL.
DeleteI think we all feel that way about our blog, that we want to do more for the books. I want it, but I don't want to do all that social media work like other people are doing. So, I will continue to scream into the void. I hate dying my hair and have started paying for it. It pains me as it 10X the price of box dye, but I was tired of doing it. Still considering go grey. Maybe in a few more years.
ReplyDelete"So, I will continue to scream into the void."
Delete😂
You post A LOT, so I'm actually surprised that you aren't one of the most popular bloggers in existence! People used to say consistence is key. Of course, that was before BookTube or BookTok or Instagram, but still.
I've never dyed my hair by myself in my whole life. Too much work, too much risk of not covering all the white, plus one has to clean after oneself once the job is finished...That has always been the best-spent money for me.
I think the older I get, the harder it is to escape my comfort zone, but if I have a plan, I do better. Like when I traveled to Europe last fall. That was very scary for me, but having my husband by my side and a plan of what to do, how to get there, etc. helped me. Maybe we can do a Zoom meet up some time since we probably won't meet in person!
ReplyDeleteYou bring up some good points about blogging. Being "successful" like an influence would be very stressful. I like doing it for me and have my few friends and readers visit!
I get the plan thing - I used to prepare in advance every time I did something unusual. Then again, sometimes the very thing happens that one hasn't prepared for, and it's TERRIFYING.
DeleteReading and blogging - to say I don't get tired of doing these two is incorrect because sometimes I really don't want to do them. A third thing I might not get tired of doing is watching a lot of tv or rather being lazy. Apparently, I am addicted to being lazy and just watching a screen is laziness because my brain function is at 50% or maybe less.
ReplyDeleteI like to never venture out of my comfort zone if I can help it. I think it is brave of you to do something you're not comfortable with. If I had been you, I wouldn't have been able to be a radio host even when no one sees me.
Your reasons for not meeting other bloggers is also my excuse for not meeting bloggers. It's the distance that makes it safe to make friends on the web. I wouldn't be able to do that in person. Strangely, I did met one blogger friend in person but only because she lived so close by - a couple of train stops away. It was terrifying but it wasn't bad. I'm always terrified by the thought of meeting strangers, especially strangers you meet online and isn't sure whether they are who they said they are - that's why it's terrifying which is why I had never done it since.
I had been influenced by bloggers and their blogs to read certain books which most of the time turned out fine but since I seem to have different book taste than most bloggers, I don't always like those recommendations. But I still look for books on blogs because you'll never know you might find that book you'll love.
Like you, it would be nice to have a broader audience for my blog though I can honestly say I have more than four readers and I'm fine with that, mostly. But we shouldn't stress ourselves for not having a larger audience because if you can reach one person, it's still good. But I guess if you're making money off your blog, it is better to have more readers.
If the satisfaction you're referring to is the blog design/template, then I have to say I'll never be satisfied because whenever I look at my blog, there is always something I want to change. Plus, since it's digital, things don't always stay the same such as changes to the platform (Blogger for example) you're using. I'm still sad google took away email subscription. But all you can do is mend it somehow or else change platforms which I frankly, is like moving out of my comfort zone. I'm thankful I can still blog and there's satisfaction in that.
Have a lovely day.
"I think it is brave of you to do something you're not comfortable with."
DeleteI only did it because I loved the idea so much. I wish I had steeled myself and gone around trying to find a better job instead...
It's neat that you managed to overcome your fear and meet an online friend. I know what you mean about potential danger, but I think we're pretty safe in our little book-blogging bubble.
"I'm thankful I can still blog and there's satisfaction in that."
At the end of the day, yes, that's the most important thing.
Thank you for the detailed comment! I loved that you took the time to write all that. That's akin to the "reaching one person" thing you mentioned. It makes one feel like their posts were worth it 😃.
I think it's so cool you did radio. I hear you on comfort zone though. I'm much the same. And I don't think I've ever met a blogger in person either, now that I think on it. I might have if I'd ever gone to Bookcon or any of the more bloggy/ reading type cons, although I know blogging is probably a lot less a part of those now. Speaking of, I am going to a con in chicago in a couple weeks. Probably won't meet any bloggers there though :)
ReplyDeleteOoh Hungary. I was reading through the family history recently and apparently we have ties to Budapest. Which, I know, so what lol but it was interesting t ome and now I must learn more!
I feel the same way about my blog. There was a time I wanted to be bigger and a little more influential in promoting books although lately... especially after my hiatus but even before- I'm kinda content now to do what I do and the few readers that come by are treasured and almost invariably long time blog friends and I'm totally cool with that. I'm at a point now where I just want to share stuff I like and chat with friends. Oh, and by the way... you HAVE influenced me NUMEROUS times to either read something or seriously add it, so... yeah. :)
"I hear you on comfort zone though. I'm much the same."
DeleteMaybe it's because we're getting old LOL (though for instance, I've always been a comfort-zone type of gal 😉...my life would have been infinitely better if I weren't).
Living in the US and having ties with Hungary sounds odd, but who knows...maybe your ancestors migrated to America at some point. Let us know what you find!
"I'm at a point now where I just want to share stuff I like and chat with friends."
I love how we all seem to be at that point now, more or less. We're the old guard of bloggers, maybe out of style, but we stick together at least!😁
"Oh, and by the way... you HAVE influenced me NUMEROUS times to either read something or seriously add it, so... yeah. :)"
Thank you for letting me know! ☺️
Yes apparently some forebears came from the Budapest area, so...
DeleteYES
Absolutely :)
You're not tired of the outcome, but I feel like you're probably tired of getting the perms lol.
ReplyDeleteI used to leave my comfort zone a bit more when I was healthy, but as my life has gotten harder, I need my comfort zone too.
I'm certain you've influenced more people to try some books than you know of. Speaking of comfort zones, the vast majority of people on the internet don't leave comments. We all leave comments for each other because we're all bloggers. But think of all the times you've seen someone talk about something and been influenced to try it, but you didn't tell them because they were a stranger or it was a site you weren't comfortable commenting on. And sometimes it takes seeing something pop up multiple times before a person is convinced, but you still helped by being part of that.
I'm tired of getting perms that don't resemble the old ones and require numerous (and not very successful) adjustments LOL.
DeleteI think doing gymnastics requires a bit of "leaving-the-comfort-zone" attitude. I mean, maybe you used to test yourself in other circumstances too, I don't know, but still.
You made a good point about commenting, and about the power of repetition. Too bad that some very good books aren't talked about enough, so I (or you, or other people) end up screaming into the void, because most people won't engage with anything that seems to have only a handful of supporters. But I know for a fact that a friend of mine picked up the Deadgirl series after reading my numerous posts about it, so maybe I did at least one thing right 😅. And I'm sure you did too!
You know, I wasn't even thinking about gymnastics, but I was the most cowardly gymnast, I was scared of everything I did, I was definitely leaving my comfort zone there lol.
Delete"I was the most cowardly gymnast"
Delete😂
It's so fun that you did radio!
ReplyDeleteNot as fun as you might think. It started as a hobby and it became a job, and a lousy one at that. See this post...: https://offbeat-ya.blogspot.com/2023/04/tell-me-something-tuesday-changing-the-past.html
DeleteLots of food for thought here! I'm also one who doesn't venture out of my comfort zone much, although I think it's because of my age. I know what I want, and at this point in my life I'll never want to ski or skydive or surf, lol.
ReplyDeleteAs for my blog, I'm never really satisfied. Sometimes I work so hard on reviews and other posts and don't get nearly the traffic I was hoping for. I also HATE my blog name, but I'm afraid to change it at this point because I'm pretty sure I would lose followers.
And mentioning radio, I love that you're also a radio fan. I grew up with radio and I've never stopped listening to it, although it seems to be a dying form of entertainment.