At some point on Tuesday, Nov. 1, this site achieved a milestone: 500,000 page views. To say I was surprised would be putting it mildly. To say that I’m happy would be stating it precisely. That’s because 18 months ago I wondered not just whether I could sustain a personal website, but whether anyone would care if I did.
If writers are the most insecure people on Earth, bloggers are proof that self-doubt has a sub-basement. Like the 2 a.m. disc jockey a whole lot of us wonder, “Is anyone even listening?”
That’s why I’m such a number monkey. As soon as I got Surviving and Thriving up and running I became obsessed with page views. I checked them not several times a day, but several times an hour. For a time I checked them as often as every 10 minutes. Occasionally when I got up in the night to visit the euphemism I would – honest to God – check my numbers. (At least I washed my hands first.)
This is both ridiculous and sad. I started the site to generate conversations, not statistics. Which brings me to the thank-you portion of the evening’s festivities:
Thanks to all who read.
Thanks to those who not just read, but comment.
Thanks to the folks who, when they disagree, say so – the point of a comments section isn’t to have my ego stroked or my prejudices massaged. (See “generate conversations,” above.)
‘The least we can do is try to be there’
As I noted in my first post, “Why I’m writing, and why you should read it,” I want to write about mindful living and life lessons (especially the hard ones), but also about whatever struck me as worth recording that day.
In her book “Pilgrim At Tinker Creek.” Annie Dillard wrote that “…beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.”
That phrase resonated. Sometimes I wonder how many grace notes I missed due to the fear and sadness that has clouded so much of my life. Now I make it my business to notice what occurs around me.
How could I not want to write about things like:
- The woman who chased a bear to try and get back her paralyzed bunny
- A house-sitter who left me a nice big pile of unwashed linens
- The suggestive pizza (not to mention the bachelors on credit) in Talkeetna, Alaska
- The young man who tried to turn me into a cougar
- A place called the Turnagain Arm Pit BBQ
More to the point, how else would I get to write about them? Where am I going to get a writing job that lets me talk about the philosophy of winter, the realities of country living, why holiday guilt is for the birds, how to turn invisibility into stealth, the fact that I have “Frugal Fatigue” fatigue or the pickup truck theory of life?
Or that lets me ask questions like “How often do you wash your jeans?” or “Who would Jesus strafe?”
Or that lets me ask a question (“Think you’re broke?”) and then answer it (“You probably aren’t”).
That job does exist: newspaper columnist. But newspapers are going the way of the dodo, I’m afraid. Besides, even when newspapers weren’t on life support there was room for only a few columnists.
Beyond the LOLCats
One of the best things about the Internet (besides all those cat photos) is the fact that anyone who wants to be a columnist can start a blog. With luck, you might even be read.
If I worked social media harder, I might be read more than I am now. This hasn’t been a priority, i.e., I haven’t made time for it among the writing I do for pay and the numerous trips I’ve made in the past two years.
Giving a talk on writing at the recent Financial Blogger Conference got me all fired up about words. It also forced me to take an honest look at my own site. What I saw can only be described as Blogger Lassitude. Those of you who’ve read “The Ascent of Rumdoodle” will understand what I’m talking about. (Those of you who haven’t? Go get a copy.)
I’m talking ennui. Fewer posts. Fewer original topics. Fewer outbreaks of fun.
Recently I hit the wall and vowed to change the pace of my life. Perhaps a temporary slowdown will give me the chance to learn more about social media marketing. A redesign – well, my first actual design – should take place then, too.
It took 18 months to get that 500k. If I want to get another 500,000 views, I’d better give people something worth viewing. Since I have a camera but not a cat, I’ll do what I (try to) do best: Write.
Sometimes it will be to share something that tickled me, troubled me or terrified me that day. Sometimes I’ll want to share something funny. Always, though, I’ll do it to keep the discussion lively.
I hope you’ll keep coming back. Some of you already have. As of this writing, I’m within hailing distance of 503,000 page views. Like I said: Number monkey.
Congrats on the milestone….Your “wit and wisdom” is appreciatted especially on those bleak days when things just aren’t going as they should. Keep up the good work.
Woooooooooooooooooo!
I like your phrase ‘mindful living.’
In spite of being out of work since 8/2010 that is exaxtly what I strive for. I plan to borrow/use it.
You are an inspiration!
Best wishes on that next milestone. I know why I keep coming back for more – great writing – and I hope lots more people discover this as well!
Congrats on 500K pageviews! I check mine all the time, too 🙂
Dear Donna,
I think you are a terrific (and funny) writer, and I’m so glad today’s post is an opportunity to tell you so.
@Gwen: Why, thank you.
Yes, and congrats on the half mil.
I’m one of those as I started reading your blog regularly about a year ago or more. Got here from GRS.
As a person with as much self-doubt as [it sounds] you have, I can relate. (Despite the fact that at 63 I was just hired at a startup.)
The first time I read you, I bookmarked you. One of the things I like is that you are as real as it comes. Many other blogs are all about trying to sound official, or important, or just want to pontificate, or have stupid-looking stock photos or art, etc. You don’t. You live real and write real. That is what makes you real.
I wrote a blog at one time. No one came to read it. (Except one friend whom I gave the address to, and who was kind enough to make the only comment I received.) So I know it looks easy and seems easy, but in reality it is not easy.
So keep up the good work. And with the “fatigue project” 😉 … well do it as you need to. We’ll be here. Or I will, at least.
Donna , I always enjoy your posts! I have two “blogs I read” lists. One of them lists the blogs I try to to keep up with when I have time. The other, shorter one is the list of blogs I go to every day … guess whose is at the very top of that list?
Keep up the good work – my day wouldn’t be the same without you!
Congratulations on the 500K views. You are my top favorite blogger. I look forward to every post, so I am glad that you write. I almost always learn something from your posts. If not, I usually get a good laugh and that’s important now a days.
Thanks to all for your kind words.
Congrats! I enjoy reading your articles. Keeping it real keeps me coming back.
Congratulations Donna! Your posts are so great, I enjoy them and always look forward to new ones. You make me think of all my favorite books, I want to read them over and over again, your that kind of interesting writer!
Yea! Rah, rah, sis, koom bah! (I never really though about it, but how do you spell that really?) So congratulations on you successes and hoping you have many, many more!
It was so reassuring to hear you check page views so often. I thought I must be nuts to do so as often as I do…lol. I do believe I have been reading you somewhere (MSN?) for at least three years and have loved every minute of it.
The day I had 259 page views, I was deliriously happy. Now, I feel sort of deflated. But, hey, the Alaska post with all the guys is something I am not privy to. I have to get a more interesting life.
I had a cat for four days and realized I could not care for it. Cats are not my favorite subject on blogs except for the cats of Root Simple. Maybe I can get another if I can get more page views…jk.
Social media? Okay, I am that ignorant.
Just a guy,
I wondered for a long time if anyone was even reading what I wrote, but I just kept writing. Finally, I got a response and was just out of my mind with joy.
If you write it , they will come : ). Just keep writing Donna. You always bring something new to the plate , even if it’s just to remind us to take a look at the other side of the coin and THINK.
Love, love, love your writing and style though we have little in common, except the love of words and (in my case anyway) the occasional witticism.
It was great to meet you and look forward to watching your blog grow into one of the giants.
And if you need any Social Media help, though I’m not an expert, I’ll gladly share what I know.
I’m so glad there are so many of us returning to your site! I love your writing style AND the content therein (I was once told in college by a prof that my writing has “style, but no substance”. Ouch). This subscriber ain’t going nowhere, and I’ll be happy to contribute to your next half-million pageviews!
Keep doin’ what you do’! I enjoy readin’ the journey!
Congratulations, Donna! I very much enjoy reading of your frugal adventures and thank you for being a catalyst for much needed change in my life and that of my family.
I think you put a different face on frugality than what I had become accustomed to. I definitely see the difference between being frugal and cheap.
Keep on writing, and I’ll keep on reading – I promise.
Donna, I am getting a feed burner error when I click on any of the links in this article. The error says to let the poster know so I am:-) Congrats on the 1/2 mil- I will keep reading even if you only had half that many~
@Suzanne: That’s odd — my dad called to say he is having the same problem, but the links all work when I click on them in the article.
Grrrr. Must be a Feedburner-specific error. I know less than zero about such things, so my only advice is to go to the site without utilizing Feedburner, and try that way.
Thanks for letting me know. My dad thought maybe it was his computer, since it has been virus-troubled lately.
Congrats. This is one of the few blogs worth reading.
How cool is that?! 500,000! You are a very good writer and that is also what sucked me in the first time. Witty without being silly, great content, and so real. I’m glad you are enjoying this grace note!
Many congrats !! S&T is an essential read for me, along with select few blogs. We — your readers — are anything but surprised at your numbers! You always have something interesting and amusing and WELL-WRITTEN to say, even when fatigued, so you keep writing, we’ll keep reading.
Well done Trent. I must say you are a prolific writer and a hard worker. You deserve your success.
Sorry Donna. Made a mistake in my last comment. Meant to say ‘well done Donna’
Congratulations, Donna! I always enjoy reading about your adventures and observations. Your witty take on things is usually spot-on and always puts a smile on my face.
Here’s to another half-million views!
Love, love LOVE your blog! Here’s a big HIP HIP HOORAY to you!
way to go number monkey!!! I love your writing, I feel like I’m having a conversation with you. It’s the best.
Number one, congratulations on the half-million milestone. Number two, you have one of the blogs that is the MOST worth reading. You are a fantastic, funny and insightful writer. Frankly, not many people are. You have an incredible talent, and you share it with the world through this blog and your other writing. Cheers to you!
@Paula and @everyone else: I’m blushing. And I’m grateful for the feedback.
This is my daily read. It gets me thinking and tickles my funny bone. Which takes a lot of effort some mornings. So thanks!
Congratulations, Donna!
You have developed the skill that makes reading about your adventures in frugality a complete joy. You are living proof that a frugal way of living, however you choose to define it, isn’t necessarily a boring way of living. You bring fun to the equation. And life, frugal or otherwise, is meant to be fun. I look forward to reading your blogs…keep ’em coming!
Donna, I hardly ever comment but I feel responsible for a big chunk of these views. I loved reading your stories from the first time I read “Surviving (and Thriving) on $12,000 a Year”. I have been following your columns and comments ever since. As others have mentioned, you are real and people can relate to what you write. Writing doesn’t come easy to me and I often feel that you expressed my thoughts exactly in a much more concised and pretty way than I could have done it myself. Congrats on the milestone and thanks for everything!
I think you resonate with people because you’re not full of crap.
Happy go lucky blogs are ok but are sometimes unrealistic.
I like hearing how you accomplish your pursuits without alot of money. I especially liked your London trip on a budget.
Congratulations!
Congrats! But I knew you had it in you from the beginning!
I’m reading Donna, and I’m proud to be part of your 1/2 million! :)!
Congrats, Donna! Something tells me that you won’t have to wait a year and a half to reach the million views mark.
I love your writing, congratulations on getting to 500k. In your post you mention mindful living, which is a Buddhist philosophy that has been incorporated into modern Psychological therapies. I’m trying to practise it in my work and everyday life. There’s more of info on it here in case you are interested: http://www.actionforhappiness.org/10-keys-to-happier-living/notice-the-world-around/details
Congratulations Donna. I have been following you since FINCON and hang out for your original wit. I’m only 480,000 behind you!
@Hunter: Thanks — and I can already feel you nipping at my heels. See you at the next FinCon?
Congrats on the milestone! My wife and I recently started a blog called moneyandmatrimony.com. We are enjoying the experience thus far. We can’t wait to achieve such a great milestone.
I am much like you in the sense that I really watch my visitor stats regularly (although admittedly not as frequently as you do). it is exciting to see more and more people reading your blog and commenting.
Also, this is my first time reading your blog. I really like it. It is full of some very useful information. I think your blog will resonate will many people.
Congratulations from one Jersey Girl to another 🙂 I look forward to your posts-it is like sitting down to have a cup of coffee with a wise friend who dispenses sage (and funny) advice. I have learned a lot from you-thank you.
Beth in South Jersey
and yes we did have an in person cup of coffee 🙂
@Beth: I remember that cup of coffee in Vineland, NJ. Except that mine was tea. Thanks for your kind words, and for continuing to read.
Your writing is splendid. You have a gift! congrats on the milestone.
@Barb Friedberg: Thanks for your kind words.
I came from “Get Rich Slowly” and I got hooked to your writing 🙂
Keep up the good work!
Well, I’m glad you are here and that you “sustained” for all this time, good days & bad. I am certainly happy to have found you and plan to keep on reading. Congrats on all the view and wish you many, many more!
Thanks, Reta. Looking back I think I started too fast (I was posting long pieces four to six times per week) but should have moved more slowly until I built up an audience. Oh, well: Too soon old, too late smart.
Do we read your posts? We read, reread and read them again. Your honesty and open heart have both touched us and helped us. They inspire us. Thank you so so so much!