Electric Venom turns 4 on Saturday. In anticipation of that fact — and in remembrance of VH once saying he figured I’d lose interest in blogging after realizing how much effort it was to keep on top of news — I figured I’d have something profound to say. Something wise. Something that would memorialize the insight I’ve acquired over these past four years and, possibly, enlighten those about to blog.
But I got nothin’.
See, if there’s one thing that I have learned in the past four years it’s this: don’t take it so seriously.
Not the blog fights.
Not how often you’re posting.
Not whether you’re the first to link something.
Not who links you, or how often, or how many hits you get in a day.
Not, even, whether you’ve got something original to say, because there really is value in a “me, too” response… if only to let someone else know they aren’t alone.
In four years I’ve come to realize that the single most important thing about blogging is whether it’s fun for the blogger. If it’s a chore, take a break. If it’s demoralizing, take a break. If it’s draining on your family time, your financial resources, or even your enjoyment in life, take a break.
Because in four years I’ve also found that if you post it, they will come. They’ll come and they’ll comment, they’ll link or they’ll email. But most of all, they’ll come back to see how you’re doing, time and time again.
The best thing about blogging? It’s readers — like you (yes, YOU!) — who make it both a pleasure and a privilege to be able to write about whatever strikes my fancy on any given day.
Thank you for these past four years. Here’s to many more together!
UPDATE: Heh.
Thursday, March 8th, 2007, 8:08 pm | 
Blog bites, My Venomous Life | 
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March 8, 2007 at 8:36 pm
I started blogging about six weeks ago, and your words here are quite enlightening to a new guy. I’m slowly building a little cadre of readers. I like casting the line to see who will bite. I’m starting to see that I can direct who I converse with any given day by choosing the right topic. If that isn’t theraputic, I don’t know what is!
March 8, 2007 at 9:44 pm
You forgot one vital piece of advice: to _really_ put yourself on the map, do serious damage to your teeth!
The way I see it, if my posts ever outrun my comments two to one, I’ll stop. Been riding that edge for a while now. (Just kidding. About the stopping, not the post/comment ratio)
March 9, 2007 at 12:16 am
Kate, you started up a few weeks before me, and have had a much more dramatic experience. My first recollection of your page was as I was seeking kindred spirits for my blogroll (and inspiration). Some combination of your snarky goodness and clean layout drew my attention. It is your irrepressible respect for all people that I admire. Don’t feel that you need to set fireworks to commemorate your anniversary, know that your daily writings are the fireworks that make it all worthwhile.
March 9, 2007 at 10:54 am
Congratulations, Kate. Four more years!
March 9, 2007 at 3:59 pm
For the occasion, why not change your picture to one with the hotte new haircut? Eh?
March 9, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Good idea.
March 9, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Kate, you got me by about 6 months. But you know, you get more hits in one day than I get in most months.
But as you say, I do it form “ME”, and I don’t care if I get any hits. I do it cause I like it. ‘Nuff said.
Happy Blogiversary! Keep the venom spewing.
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March 9, 2007 at 2:27 am