Here we are… it’s another D-blog Check-In Day.
Christopher Snider, author at A Consequence of Hypoglycemia, and moderator at the Just Talking Podcast, and also the originator of last year’s edition, has designated today as the day for all of us to leave a comment on each and every blog we visit.
Last year on #dblogcheck day I wrote about the importance of telling your story, being that hand that reaches out into the abyss to pull someone in and make them feel less alone. Today I’d like to talk about the importance of leaving comments.
If you write, think about what it was like the first couple of times you received a comment from someone. Anyone. It meant a lot, didn’t it? It was an instant measure of readership, to begin with. You were no longer posting your thoughts to an empty internet. That measure of validation, that show of support, that initial connection… it’s special.
It’s just as special to someone who’s been writing for some time and wonders if the community has somehow lost track of them. Leaving a note at the bottom of someone’s heartfelt blog post promotes a greater sense of community among all of us. We know the writer is special. I, for one, don’t want to miss the opportunity to tell them.
I started writing in this space about two and a half years ago. Since then, more and more diabetes blogs have popped up from writers all over the world. Those writers deserve just as much (or more) support than I’ve received.
But you know what that means: More writers = more comments.
I know that sounds difficult for some, and I understand… I do. I’ve heard a lot of “My time is so limited” and “I can never think of anything good to say”. I guess what I’m saying is I feel a sort of responsibility to support writers who share their personal stories in a way that challenges me to think more and feel things more deeply. Why? Because I want them to continue writing.
I should also talk about what it means for me to leave a comment on someone else’s blog. I look at this differently than most, perhaps. But to be honest, leaving comments makes me feel better. I didn’t come by this naturally. But I’ve found that it’s great therapy for me.
Especially when I’m feeling down, or when I’m experiencing trouble either within or outside of the diabetes community, as soon as I leave a little comment somewhere, I nearly instantly start to feel better inside. Even when I’m tired and I can’t think of anything witty to say.
So I’ll conclude by first reminding you to leave a comment wherever you visit today. Share your favorites via Twitter using the hashtag #dblogcheck. And second, think about using this day as encouragement to comment more. None of us has the market cornered on great writing (especially me). What you can do is help deliver that measure of validation, and remind someone that what they have to say is really important. It really is, isn’t it?
Finally, I want to ask a favor. I have a confession to make: I haven’t really discovered a lot of new d-blogs lately (this is my time-constraint problem). If you’ve found a blog that you really like, and you can’t think of anything else to say, just say “Check” and leave the address of yours or someone else’s blog below.
And since I haven’t mentioned it for a while… Thank you so much for reading!
Diabetes Blog - Happy-Medium.net 
Comments
I find that writing is a good way to get out my feelings about stuff. I sometimes get conflicted, one day I’m perfectly fine with my conditions, other days I’m freaking out. I like to show that even the most calm, collected person can have a moment of insecurity.
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Well said, Stephen. When new bloggers ask about how to get more readers for their blog, I always suggest making comments on other blogs. If someone cares enough to post on my blog, I always start following their blog (if they have one) and I’ve made some good DOC friends that way.
And thanks to you for your many comments on my blog:-)
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I completely forgot today was Dblogcheck day… AND I agree with everything you said! xo
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I love your blog posts. They are, much like your comments, always very encouraging and honest. 🙂
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Check 🙂 Thanks for being such a pillar in our community.
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You know me, and know my blog 🙂 But here is one I recently started reading that I enjoy a lot! http://www.thediabeticscornerbooth.com/ (you may already read it, but putting here just in case you don’t 🙂 )
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I really enjoy Mike’s take on all things D- and not-D. Thanks!
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You are spot on. Since the death of Google Feed Reader, I’ve found my blog consumption has gone down. But I know that when I began blogging about diabetes, it was through comments that I formed friendships in the DOC and got to know people.
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Thanks for this post, Stephen. Yep, I’m on the same page as you — really love commenting because it does so much for me. Not only just supporting and giving feedback, but really helping me to figure out what’s in my head on the particular blog topic. And with all of that, this has now motivated me to post my own blog today… so, thanks for that! And all that you do, of course!!
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Really well said, Stephen. 🙂 A new diabetes blog I’ve been reading is: http://imperfectpancreas.com/
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Love that one!
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I love your perspective on commenting.
Check!
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I think that by leaving a comment you acknowledge the persons feelings and it may also validate your own. It helps when everything else in life gets so hectic.
check!
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Very well said. This is my first #dblogcheck and I look forward to finding new blogs and reading them. There is such a great wealth of information in the DOC to learn from, no matter how experienced we are with diabetes.
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I have been really lax on commenting lately, so I’m really glad for #dblogcheck to get me going, at least for one day. And I’m very inspired by what you wrote – I really do need to keep the momentum going and leave more comments all the time.
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Trying to get better about commenting. #dblogcheck helps!
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If writing is the effort, receiving comments is the reward. (and those of us who write know just what an effort it is!). And you’re right, it’s the comments that keep me going.
As I clicked through the “Best of the Betes” blogs this past month, I noticed that some of them had no comments — none at all. And that made me sad, because these folks clearly had something to say that was worthy of appreciation. In the past, I’d comment only if I had something to add, but going forward, I’ll try to comment more just to express my appreciation.
Very well put, Stephen.
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LOVE THIS & CHECK!!!
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Check + shameless self-promotion (you asked for it!)…we’re new to d-blogging but here is our site: http://www.inspiredbyisabella.com. Thanks for the motivation!
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Glad you visited, and glad you let me know about your blog!
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This is not a new blog to me, but Jenn’s post today is one of my favorites from #dblogcheck day. http://sweetzoo.blogspot.com/2014/07/family-reunion-dblogcheck.html
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A new one! Can’t wait to check it out.
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It still means a lot to me when someone leaves a comment 🙂 And well said post…you are a great supporter in this diabetes online community!
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I agree that reading blogs is a great way to start feeling better on those down days. It may be D causing the down, or something else, but reading a heart-warming story, or seeing a funny picture, can do wonders for the mood. I’ve never looked at commenting in the same light, though. Thank you for sharing that perspective.
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I just love your blog. You have such a wonderful voice. It’s both southing and inspiring! Commenting makes me feel worlds better too. I think it’s the connection part for me. As much as I feel I am supporting the writer, I am also saying “I’m here.” Thank you for writing about that. I am going to continue thinking a lot about it.
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Check! Thank you for writing..I am finding more dblogs to add to my reader. (I love these DOC events)
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There ARE so many new blogs. I feel like when I “moved into” the DOC it was this tiny village and now it’s a booming metropolis! Which is cool but also hard to find time to connect with everyone. Hopefully if everyone connects with someone new, then everyone will feel welcomed. I’ve been following more of the mom-to-be blogs, like http://www.below-seven.com/.
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Thanks! There are a lot of moms-to-be out there right now, aren’t there? Kelley is great, and she’s one of our medal winners too!
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It does mean so much when someone leaves a comment — and creates such nice connections when you comment on someone else’s. Great post!
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This is beautifully written and so true! I’ve faded a bit…but still love to get a heartfelt comment now and then. Thank you for this heartfelt message, and gentle reminder to continue to support the blogosphere.
#dblogcheck
http://www.CandyHeartsBlog.org
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Thank you for posting! 🙂 #dblogcheck
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So true! The first comment I got was from Kerri at sixuntilme.com the day after I started my blog. It was amazing! #dblogcheck
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Between your post last year and today’s, I think you should carry the #dblogcheck baton from now on. #check
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Thanks! If you help spread the word, I’ll be happy to carry the baton. Always appreciate everything you write.
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Check! You’re so right that it’s important to continue to encourage each other, not just as diabetics, but as writers, emotional beings, and creators.
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I got an email notification from Twitter indicating that it was a trending topic, so I got all excited thinking it was today. Wow, I’m so out of the loop. 😛
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Well, you have an excuse:)
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