Here is my totally generalized comparison of the blogging world and high school.
Freshman year
You've just started your blog, you hit publish, and eagerly await for the locusts to ascend upon your post, fawning over the details of your child's runny nose and the cute way your cat cozies up against your pillow at night.
Only no one shows up. Not even your mom.
This blogging place is so huge...no one sees you but you're overwhelmed at all the people you see. How do they add that cool button onto their sidebar? What is HLMT? How did they get 50 followers, holy crap!
While waiting in the hallways for classes to start, random bloggers strike up conversations with you. They're kind of odd but you're desperate for some socialization so you talk to them. They suggest some ways you can get followers and ask if you want to join their linkup of blinking lights and black backgrounds...
Sophomore year
Okay, this year feels a little more stable. You're feeling safer. The shady characters have dissipated and disappeared for all you know. You meet your first real friend while standing in line for lunch. Their blog is cute and they talk about babies and cats too. You guys comment back and forth on each other's posts and you finally feel like someone cares about your blog. You have a friend to sit with at lunch!
From your table, you start noticing all the other tables from a safe distance. There's the Juniors, who are bigger but not the biggest. Their blogs look pretty awesome and they've got a hardcore archive list. They post a lot and seem to have 100 friends every time they want to do a giveaway. How the heck are they getting all that cool loot?? You sometimes comment on their blogs but feel like an awkward wannabe, plus they don't usually comment back. Screw them.
And then there's the BIG table...the top-of-food-chain bloggers. They have a gazillion readers and do TV interviews and crap. Everything they post is gold and people just eat it up. You wish you could hate them but every time you read their posts, you're either laughing or crying and nodding along in agreement. Damn, they're good. You frequently stalk them and try to emulate their cool blog design.
Junior year
You and your BFF's table has stretched out and you've got a nice group of common friends now. You all have blog schedules down, niches picked out, designs purchased, and you're making some dollars on Adsense now, wassuuuuup!
You rock the link ups with your well planned and put together posts. You're getting featured here, there and everywhere! Your Google Analytics numbers are jumping, you're getting emails from advertisers, responses from editors, comments within minutes of posting!!! Is this for real?!?!
Senior year
Watch out bitches, you have arrived.
But have you arrived? Cause you're not sure. Yeah, you have a gazillion readers, but you're the still the same blogger who used to blog about runny noses and cats. You learned a little bit here and there, hung in there when times got rough, made friends with people back in sophomore year who are also seniors now and you guys are ROCKING the blog world! Your viral posts have Facebook like
You even have your own little groupie of trolls! No matter what you post: positive or negative, real or fake, good or bad, they will waiting in the wings to let you know you're an idiot. All you can do is
The blog world doesn't look that big to you anymore, you know your way around these halls, you've accomplished things you didn't ever think you would. Sitting here in the high spot doesn't look the way you thought it would; less fancy, more ordinary, but just as challenging, uncertain, and fun as always. (Okay, totally speculating here but doesn't it seem like that's how it'd be??)
Obviously...
I am obsessed with blogging to have played this analogy in my head for the past week. Besides the fact that in the real world of blogging where bloggers have different goals which may or may not include getting to senior level (and in reality, I don't even think most bloggers set out to be "seniors", it just happens), isn't it kind of like high school? Because at first it all feels so big and overwhelming, but the longer you're here the more familiar everything and everyone looks. And you kind of realize that people turn into seniors mainly because they kept showing up and doing the work, even when they didn't want to. There's always the exceptions but it just seems that every day that you show up, you hone your craft and skill a bit more, learn a new trick, create a new strategy, and deepen friendships with other bloggers. Oh my god you guys, GROUP HUG!!!!!!! Shout out to all my fellow bloggers, I'm so happy to be apart of this blogging world and you all make it so much fun!
How do you see the blog world?
Tawnya
I love this analogy! I never thought of it this way but it's all so true! LOL "You sometimes comment on their blogs but feel like an awkward wannabe, plus they don’t usually comment back. Screw them." I still feel this way sometimes... and honestly I stop commenting. I get a lot of comments on my posts and I (almost) ALWAYS take the time to reply or check out there blog. It just annoys me.
Kristy
I think I'm a sophomore. Who knows. All I do know is that I'm so glad I have my lunch table. 😉 And Tawnya, yes you do get a gazillion comments! Go girl for answering them all back. I answer my comments too, but sheesh this blog work is no joke.
Jess, this is my favorite post of the week. You're definitely a senior. I mean, what sophomore gets to sit with a senior?! Thanks for letting me sit with you! Lol. Love y'all, my peeps!
Jessica Dimas
Yeah, I think I'm a sophomore too, dipping my toes in the junior pool, or trying to lol. Yeah I don't know how Tawnya answers all of her comments back so fast, I need to come up with a better system!
And I'm so happy this was your favorite post of the week!! You made me laugh about the table comment, I'm faaaar from being a senior but you can always sit at my table!!! lol
Jessica Dimas
You do get a lot of comments, I noticed that! And you are amazing at commenting back so quickly. I don't know how you do it!! I comment back, but it might take me a week lol. I can't stand when someone never comments back, it's so rude!!
Marta @petiteraisin.ca
Nailed it!
Amazing and such a perfect comparison. I'm still shocked when no one comments on Mason's runny nose..wtf right!?
.:Marta:.
Jessica Dimas
LOL I totally hear you. My posts on runny noses are always my least popular and I just don't get it.
Alycia
I've never thought isn't like this!!! The commenting thing though....ugh. Screw them is right. I may take awhile to comment back, but I get there. I HATE when you don't get a reply. Lol. Those damn seniors.
Jessica Dimas
Yes!! One of my pet peeves too. It may take me 2 weeks to respond to a comment but I WILL respond damn it lol
Cami
This is awesome!! Pretty sure I'm the blogger still in middle school 😉
Jessica Dimas
Thanks Cami! And I definitely feel like I'm still in middle school too some days 😛
Jennie @ The Diary of a Real Housewife
Ahh!! Girl I love this! I am so obsessed with blogging so when I saw this I was just like YES have to read this one! I got held back because I have been blogging for three years and still feel like a sophomore. I kinda know what I am doing but still waiting on all the views to come in=) haha!!
Jessica Dimas
Hahaha I totally feel the same way. I flunked freshman and sophomore year several times. Hey, at least we're still here! 🙂
Echo
Perfect blogging analogy! I love it! So funny and true. I think I'm a Sophomore, but I know I a lot of Juniors!
Jessica Dimas
It's always good to have friends in higher grades lol
Colleen
Totally like high school! Nailed it!
Jessica Dimas
Lol thanks Colleen!
Keri
So hilarious- I love this! I seriously love blogging and this just summed it all up so well.
Jessica Dimas
Thanks Keri!! 🙂
Tiffany @ A Touch of Grace
Girl, you know this blogging world is totally like HS. And just like HS, I love it! But I do not love the bloggers who don't reply. Jerks. Take a hike! I may read your blog if I really like it, but you're probably not going to get a comment from me again.
Great analogy lady!
Jessica Dimas
Same here Tiffany! It's such a insult to be completely ignored. I always want to say...even to the junior bloggers...you aren't a celebrity. Heck, even the senior bloggers because a LOT of them don't get more than 10 comments per post, so they could be answering back!!
Erin B
Spot on! I'm clearly still a Frosh but wish I was a Junior ha ha!
Jessica Dimas
Lol thanks Erin!
Karen
I never thought of it this way before but I think your comparison is perfect. I feel like there are levels of blogging, groups of blogger friends and, like you said, the major bloggers. It's really hard because there are just so many blogs! But in the end, I love blogging and all the friendships it has brought me. Even if I never get to see them in person, I know that they have been such a great support and I truly appreciate them.
Jessica Dimas
There ARE so many blogs, that's true. Although I feel like there aren't a lot in it for the long haul. Actually, I'd say there are two different kinds of blogs in it for the long haul: the personal bloggers writing only about their life with no intentions of ever making money or doing anything serious with their blog, and then the bloggers who are intending to make a career out of it. I read somewhere that the average blog lasts 6 MONTHS! And I agree with you on the friendship aspect of blogging, it's truly amazing the kinds of relationships you develop with other bloggers!!
Stephanie @ Mommyzoid
LOVE THIS. SO. MUCH! Hilarious!
Monica
Bahahahaa!! Love this! I think I'm close to approaching Junior Year now. :):)
Amy
Oh my word... this really hits the nail on the head. I love this!!! It is all so true. This one really hits home for me because the blogging world can be intimidating and it's so hard to find your spot, especially when you find bloggers you love but are 'bigger' than you. Thanks for posting this! I am going to bookmark this one and keep it when for when I am feeling discouraged...lol.
Jessica Dimas
Yes it can be! I remember feeling so intimidated at first and it felt so huge. And it IS huge but you see so many blogs end all the time, most people don't stick it out so it doesn't feel as "big" as it appears to be. Thanks for your comment and I'm glad you found the post encouraging! xo
Meg O.
Hehehehe. This is awesome. Sometimes I feel like I'm in the "master's thesis" portion of blogging. Have great friends and support but don't really thrive on being "cool" anymore. Always struggling with a goal in sight. Does that make sense? LOL. Adored this post, Jess!
Kristy
Meg, you're totally working on your Thesis. Lol. 🙂
Jessica Dimas
Lol if that's the definition of the master's thesis portion of blogging, I'm right there with you. And always struggling with a goal in sight 🙂 Thanks Meg! xo
Emily Smith
Oh my goodness I love this! My sister Worthington Avenue just sent this to me! I'm currently feeling like a sophomore who skipped a grade so she's ahead of the norm but super little still with my 3 month old blog! (high five self!) Thanks for writing this and giving me the little kick I needed to write my next post I've been putting off!
Jessica Dimas
Thank you Emily!! Hey, that's awesome. I feel like I flunked my freshman and sophomore years for a while and didn't have much progression! Glad you liked the post 🙂 xo
Tabitha Blue
Yes! Haha, group hug for real!!!!! Love the entire analogy... And dang I totally feel held back, lol! I should be at the seniors table, but I've got a ways to go! You rock babe! Such a great post!
Xoxo
Jessica Dimas
Hahaha yeah I should be too, but I think I spend a few years flunking my freshman and sophomore years lol. Thanks Tabitha xo
Alli
hehehe! Your post made me laugh! I think I was briefly a sophomore, but got sent back down to freshman year. 😀
What movie is the junior year gif from -- with the funny dancing? That made me want to watch whatever movie it is, heh.
Jessica Dimas
Bahahaha, oh I know how that feels. Some days I feel like I might be sitting on the edge seat of a junior's table but I'm booted back to the sophomore table the following week LOL. Whatever, we don't give up and that's what matters 😛
And I don't know what movie that was but doesn't it look hilarious?! Those girls had me cracking up.
Cat
Love this. Although, I'm trying to translate you're analogy into the UK school system ;-).
Hello from a Freshman anyhow! I'm new to all this but I've been reading some great stuff. I found your blog through Scary Mommy, and am very glad I did.
Jessica Dimas
Hahaha oh man, good luck. The UK school system terribly confuses me, so I'm sure ours confuses you too. So glad you found my blog and thank you for commenting! xo
Jillian @ Baby Doodah!
Ha! I love this post, and this analogy. Brilliant!
Sadly, I've been stuck in Freshman year for 2 1/2 years. 🙁 I just can't seem to find my way out. I feel like I'm posting decent content, and I am sharing on social media, and on link-ups, but I'm just not getting the traffic.
Something isn't working... back to the drawing board, I suppose.
However.... I am SOOOO happy that you've made it to senior year! 😉
Jessica Dimas
Oh no Jillian, I have NOT made it to senior year, that part was all speculation lol. Heck I wouldn't even consider myself a junior! I'm sure you'll figure out whatever it is that's holding you back, blogging wise. I find myself going back to the drawing board all the time!
Michelle
You just described how I feel EVERYDAY since I began blogging. I even said to my daughter a few weeks back that "blogging feels like high school all over again." Then I found your post. I am not insecure, I am not going crazy and I am NORMAL. But, still between freshman and sophmore years, I so have to pass to get to the next level so I can feel included! LOL! GREAT, GREAT POST! Will you be my new friend????? Or at least sit at my table for lunch.
Jessica Dimas
LOL it really does, doesn't it? It's TOTALLY like high school, you aren't going crazy. Or I should say certain aspects totally remind me of high school. You can TOTALLY be my friend, the more the merrier lol! xo
Kayla
This is amazing! I'm a freshman in the blogging world so it's fun to see what I have to look forward to. 🙂 Wonderful job with this, though!
Jessica Dimas
Haha thank you Kayla! xo
Cindy Hasko
LOL...Awesome. So true. ...and I love being in high~school with you. ha ha!!! 😉
Jessica Dimas
Lol thanks Cindy! xo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom
Too funny and such a great analogy.
I'm definitely not mentioned here... the nerd who sits on the sidelines watching everyone come and go and do their thing.
Thanks for sharing!
xoxo
Jessica Dimas
HAHAHAHAHA yeah I forgot to mention those of us who sit and watch from the sidelines, but doing our homework every night after we go home lol. Thanks for your comment Jennifer! xo
Chelsea
Oh my goodness, I love this. I feel like I am in the junior stage! Which is pretty impressive, I think! I hope I can keep showing up and doing the work and become a senior! I still have things to learn, but I'm ready for it!
Jessica Dimas
Hahaha yeah I feel like I'm getting close to "junior year"! And I TOTALLY think you will keep showing up and doing the work and become a senior, you are an amazing blogger!
Chastity
Ha, you nailed it! It's so funny because it's true - great post!
Jessica Dimas
Lol thanks Chastity!
Rebecca
LOL I love it. The gifs really set the mood too. Blogging definitely has a high school breakdown when you put it like this- I've seen some blogs stuck in Freshman year for 3 years! OMG look what you've done! You've made me all catty with this high school talk. Psh!
Jessica Dimas
LMAO dang if only we could've talked longer about the blogging world when we were hanging out. Well I was one of those blogs stuck in 7th grade the first 3 years so it's okay bahahaha.
Rebecca
Well...I won't lie (because blog life is forever and if you really wanted to a simple search would reveal my own jhfgdfkjhgfdkjghd)....I had a thing with collages? Like the really bad kind that suck. They're awful.
I refuse to even edit some of my beginning posts because they're so awful that they're my "never forget where you started" inspo lol
Lexi
I love this analogy. I think you perfectly described the way I feel right now as a newbie to the blogging world.
Jessica Dimas
Haha I'm glad you liked the analogy, it's definitely the way I felt too as a newbie. Stick around for awhile and it will all start to look smaller and more familiar 🙂
Beth
This is so true! I am in my freshman year with what I refer to as my first "real" blog. I truly hope to make it to graduation in 4 years, maybe less if I don't waste too much time in study hall 🙂
Jessica Dimas
Haha yes, you can definitely graduate in less than 4 years if you don't waste too much time in study hall, love that analogy lol. Some of these bloggers hit the ground running and surpass the bloggers who have been around for several years. I definitely think it's all about great content, effective promotion, and genuine interaction 🙂
Beth
I agree but it is also about learning "the business" of blogging which right now, quite frankly, is definitely going to lead me to gaining the "freshman 15"...oh wait, that's not until college 🙂
Jessica Dimas
Hahaha yes! The sacrifices we make in the name of blogging 😀
Angela
LOL! I love this...I think I'm repeating Sophomore year. Thanks for the giggle and the encouragement! So familiar.
Jessica Dimas
Hahahaha me too!! I totally had to speculate on the junior and seniors years lol
Christine Annee
This is so on point. I'm definitely one of the new freshman. Looking up to all the junior and seniors with goo goo eyes. Haha I'm get so giddy when someone comments on my post!!
Jessica Dimas
Hahaha I know what you mean!