To whom it may concern,
I am so sick and tired of reading blog posts that have “rules” in them I could scream.
There are NO blogging rules!
If you want to post a bazillion linkups this week, go crazy.
If you want to have a week of giveaways or a day of giveaways or a year of giveaways. That’s awesome and I would love to win all that stuff.
If you want to post every single blog post with pins from pinterest do it! I love looking at pretty pictures and so does anyone who is having a bad day.
If you want to send a vague tweet, its your twitter account my loves do what you want.
The people that try to make you feel bad about any of those things or tell you you shouldn’t care about your number of followers, or tell you that you shouldn’t be in a clique are full of shit.
We are WOMEN! We form groups. This was instilled in us from the first day of school. You find people you get along well with, you have things in common and you form friendships. Cliques is a nasty word. Now if you and your friends are so high and mighty you wont let other people be your friends…well thats different. Also saying that when someone’s friends stick up for them, thats wrong? Im sorry did you not have friends growing up that “had your back?” I sure did and let me tell you when that boy was mean to me in 8th grade you better believe my girls were on him like white on rice!
STOP BEING A HYPOCRITE!
Seriously! We are all guilty of at least some of these! Don’t act like you are not!(Yes I am talking to one person)
Don’t say you are so perfect and wonderful that you never ever commit any of these “mistakes”
And why are these mistakes? Did you invent blogging? Did someone name you queen of blog land? Are you the president of bloggers that makes the blogging rules?
Oh yeah I didn’t think so ….
And why friends?
THERE ARE NO BLOG RULES!!!!
Stop acting like you are the best thing to happen to the world since sliced bread(awesome invention btw)
We all blog, we all have feelings, we all do what WE want. If I want to write a post filled with pitnerest pins, giving away 10,000 life planners and then cry about how someone unfollowed me. Im gonna do it!
You gonna stop me?
Also don’t talk about being blog copy cats or stealing posts when lets face it we all do this. We all see an idea and think “ohhhh I love this I want to write a post like this” take it as a compliment! Did I invent “Neely lately” NOPE Chelsea Handler invented Chelsea Lately and I copied. DEAL. WITH. IT.
Hate me if you want, hate this post if you want.
But you know what? I care about my numbers, I get sad when someone unfollows, I tweet vague tweets, I have a tight knit group of friends in the blogging world(granted anyone can be in this group you just in the words of my friend Erin, “can’t be an asshole”) , I love to post giveaways and do linkups and host linkups.
$5 to whoever can find all the grammatical and spelling errors in this post.
Stoller Out.
Oh my goodness this post just made me laugh out loud. Haha! I”m going to be coming back to your blog girlfriend!
This is amazing.
Absolutely amazing.
I bow down to your awesomeness.
Bahahaha, I love you. That is all :).
ooohhh!! I wanna be Queen of Blogland. Is it as simply as just declaring it for myself? B/c if it is, I’m gonna go get myself fitted for a crown ASAP.
bahahaha…can I be the princess? I just wanna wear a tiara.
Sure.. I’ll start writing a list for my Royal Court.
Get ’em girl! I would be happy to have you on my side in a fight 🙂
This is partially why I said something about mean girls a few weeks ago.
Yeaaaah Neely, you rock!
Where is the blogger “like” button!
This is hilarious and so, so true!
lol this was awesome!!! I don’t hate this post at all.
btw did you read the post I did about blogging rules 101? It may not be what you would expect… 😉
http://www.amommasdesiresandpacifiers.com/2011/09/my-rules-on-blogging-101.html
Thank you for posting this! It drives me freakin insane when I see someone saying I’m sick of Pinterest posts, I’m sick of people only doing linkups, I’m sick of seeing only photos in blogs, I’m sick of seeing giveaways, etc. I’m sick of blah blah blah! That’s great, then don’t read that person’s blog. Nobody’s forcing you to. There are no rules which is why I love blogging. I will post and tweet whatever I want. Some people are so ridiculous!
Amen amen amen!! Wise words my blogger buddy!
Loved it! 🙂
The rules are… There are no rules 😉 Well said!!
Get it girl!!! LOVE this 🙂
Ya know what, Neely? I pretty much LOVE this post. I am a “follower” of yours who is not really a “follower” strictly because I’m not exactly your demographic. I’ve never commented before even though I’ve wanted to because I figured since I am older than your awesome Mom, maybe I shouldn’t. But in the spirit of this post, I’m throwing caution to the wind and coming out of the woodwork.
When I first started blogging back about 6 years ago things were a lot different. The Pioneer Woman wasn’t even THE Pioneer Woman just yet! I love blogs of all types and by all people and all age groups, so I’ve seen how things have evolved. It makes me so happy to see so many really great blog out there, authored by extraordinary young women. Gives me lots of hope for the future. You can count yourself in on this, as well as so many others. What doesn’t make me happy is the kind of thing you were addressing in this post. It just doesn’t need to be that way, and I wish the people who come up with that sort of thing would just…not.
So…good for you for saying exactly what needed to be said. And just know that even though I’m an “old lady stalker” of yours 🙂 I always keep you in my good thoughts, and love your blog!
LOVE.THIS.
I got your back. And I’d like to nominate you for blogger president, lol!
I’m sorry but your post didn’t have a picture or a link or a giveaway or a shout out or sponor feature…and you call yourself a blogger! 😛 This post made me laugh so hard, and as I said on Twitter… Neely for Blogger Prez!! 😀
YEAHHHH!!!! Amen sista!
This is awesome that you wrote this because it. is. so freakin. true! We all write our own little blogs as a representation of ourselves, and who does anyone think they are to critique that!
I think I might just go write a post about pinterest, and a link up, with and a giveaway just to ruffle some peoples feathers!
amen. And this is why I love your posts. 🙂
Woo-hoo!! My thoughts exactly. Thanks for posting what so many of us want to but don’t. Agree 100%!
THAAAAANK you for this sister!! You go girl!
I. Love. You. This is amazing and further solidifies why we are friends. Adore!!
I love this. LOVE THIS. There AREN’T rules and it’s so annoying when people act like they’re better than everyone else. It’s difficult to have original ideas when there are so many blogs out there. That’s why when I find something I like, I credit that person! It’s not hard.
Amen, girl!
Not sure what happened but I so need to repost this. 🙂 No one should have a problem with that. 🙂 HA! 🙂 Seriously, awesome post, girl.
xoxo
Love this!!! You’re DEAD on!
Lol I have a dear male friend who always tweets me ‘VAGUE TWEET’ when I tweet something vague. Its MY TWITTER DUDE. Funny thing is he isn’t even in the ‘blog community’. I do feel like its my blog so I do what I want (within reason).
Whoa, girl! Get. It! Seriously though, I understand the necessity to have a rant sometimes. You are awesome and this post makes me feel better about blogging. The “rules” about blogging make me a little nervous.
A-freaking-men! Thank you for posting this!
AWESOME POST! Sounds like a damn blog bully to me and nobody likes bullies! Kick @$$ Neely! 😉
Can I get an amen! I am new to blogging and you are one of the first blogs I started following so I basically don’t know anything about it so I always say to myself, “if Neely does it, it is okay”
Yeeeep! Amen.
I totally agree!!
Very well written. I think a lot of the blogging “rules” are really just things that annoy the blogger writing the post. But if someone is annoying enough, I’ll just unfollow them. Not try to make them follow “the rules!” 🙂
I love it. Ha ha. You’re right, there are no rules. And if someone doesn’t like what someone else is posting? Guess what, no one’s forcing them to read. There is an unsubscribe or unfollow function for a reason.
PERFECT POST!!! and how might we get involved in that inner circle of friends in blog land if I am not an asshole? lol
Happy Wednesday!
I can just picture you throwing up a wad of loose cash, turning on your heel, and walking the other way at the end of this. Like, “boom, what up, b*tch?”. Love it!
God I know! Those posts were getting on my nerves…everyone needs to play nice!
Hilarious and soooo true! Loved the post. 🙂
Love this! You are so right! There are no blog rules! Its a free world and you can blog whatever you want! If you want to blog a picture of your butt crack, do it! Someone might find it interesting. haha
I hope your vent made you feel better! Perhaps that what I need so I can get out of this funk…a good vent!
Happy Wednesday!
I’m an asshole & you fucking love me. BAM!
This made me laugh. And thank you. I agree. There are no “rules” to blogging. That’s the beauty of it. It’s your blog so you should be able to post what you want!
It’s pretty easy to unfollow a blog if you don’t like what they post. I clean out my reader all the time! And I do Kristin Lately every once in awhile. I don’t think Chelsea Handler would mind. I mean, we have bought all her books, so she kinda owes me one..
Preach it girl!
Spelling errors:
“its your twitter account my loves do what you want.” it’s
“are so high and mighty you wont let other people” won’t
“your friends…well thats different” that’s
“Im sorry did you not have friends” I’m
“when lets face it we all do this” let’s
“you just in the words of my friend Erin, “can’t be an asshole”” ???
I love finding spelling errors! Hehehe!
Great post
Awesome!!! 🙂
Oh how I love you!
This is my first time reading your blog. It happened to be on a day which I posted a vlog about my personal pet peeves of: open ended/vague conversationalists and blogs with nearly all pinterest pics and/or linkups…
I dont continue to read someones blog if they love to do linkups or post pinterest pics everyday of my life. Just as you said, do whatever the hell you want. But I am just someone who likes to read posts to get to know another blogger… So I just have to move on and find others in my “niche”..
I certainly have never called out anyone or blogged about this topic before, but its my opinion, and its okay for me to not enjoy those types of posts 24/7…
(I do love a good link up every now and then, and Im totally wanting to win a giveaway!)
Im glad I found your blog. Thanks for being honest! 🙂
Shannon
YES!!! LOVE THIS POST! (and the caps was necessary 😉 )
Hahaha– I literally just read the post that this could be a rebuttal to… Lol. Blogging pet peeve posts get annoying– who cares so much that they need to tell other bloggers what to do?? It’s my space, I’ll do what I damn well please.
Love this!!!
Girl… I needed that laugh. I’m kinda sick of the “rules” myself!
Blogging is absolutely an escape. It’s personal and whatever you want/choose to make it, so you are very right! Good for you for being genuine, being confident with how you do life, and letting the haters roll off. I commend you for simply being you and letting your light shine on.
Blog on, girlfriend!
Amen, sistah. I’ve read so many “rules” posts that I now live in constant fear that I’ll unintentionally copy someone and get crucified for it. I feel like I have to post every idea ASAP so someone doesn’t do it first and then think I copied. And sh**, if I copy someone, I admit it and call it out right in the beginning of the post! And god forbid if I do too many linkups in one week… good lord. The last thing any of us need is to be living in fear that we’ll break some rule! I guess maybe some of the “rules” are things people find annoying – like if they don’t like reading blogs with a zillion pinterest posts (but then, stop reading that blog! Done and done.).
Trying to figure out if I’m making any kind of point here. Probably not. But good read! 🙂
hahah! This is one of my favorite posts you’ve ever written.. and possibly one of favs ANYONE has ever written. Well.freaking.said. And I kinda want to know what this is in rebuttal to! You rock my socks, Neely!
And I saw your email but have been an email slacker. 🙁 We leave for Barbados on FRIDAY! I have a couple pre-scheduled posts and I kept typing that I was already in Barbados, but then would delete it b/c Eric gets superweird about people knowing when we’re gone. Granted, I totally just left it in a comment, so tehre’s that. 😉
BEST.POST.EVER! That is all.
First of all, awesome. Second, I totally wish you’d give away 10,000 life planners!
Yes, please 10,000 life planners 😀
Crap I get busy at work not play on twitter and I missed it! Power to you Neely! Love.It.
yes.yes.yes. thank you!
Neely I love you!!
OMG, I love you. I’m too old for all of these “rules” and “what not to do” posts. It’s blogging. Everyone needs to stop taking it so seriously and have a little fun.
LOL this post was awesome. Every time I’ve ever read someones “Rules” I always find myself yelling at the computer “WHO THE F DO YOU THINK YOU ARE??”
I just came across your blog…literally like 3 minutes ago & you’ve got a follower in me! Awesome post!
I never understand the bloggers who find the need to complain about what someone write, etc… Just stop reading that blog! Simple.
This is a great post!
This comment has been removed by the author.
May I offer you a glass of sweet tea? Take a deep break, darlin’. Bless your heart. This is a great post, and I hope your day gets better soon.
Blessings,
Nicole @ Three 31
http://nicoleandkevin.wordpress.com/
Go, girl!
lalalalallaa LOVE this!!! finally someone said it! its liked who died & made you blogging queen? haha! just have fun! why does everyone care so much..xoxo
YUP, you are freaking awesome and this is just one of the many reasons I love you 🙂
If someone ever makes me mad can I sick you on them? 🙂 Preach on girl.
UM SERIOUSLY! I LOVEEEEEEE THIS!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE! Yes, that was in all caps because I’m screaming it!!
I love this. You are friggin AMAZINGGGGGG <3
Love this post! Good job standing up for what you believe in!
http://laurensweetnothings.blogspot.com/
We voted for Blog Queen, you just won. Your cape and tiara will be arriving on Tuesday.
Preach sista.
I could not agree more! I usually take a little break from blogging when I start to see rules. I don’t have time for that. It is nice to see how many people agree with you. At times when I see these “rules” I want to do just the opposite in spite of those bloggers. But I don’t have time for that either. But it makes me laugh to think about doing it.
I don’t comment nearly enough…but I LOVE YOU! Awesome post!
From my feed on Twitter, I have a REALLY good idea who this was written for!
Girl – Just keep doing what you’re doing. My Mom always said ‘Don’t like? Don’t look’ 🙂
Looooooove. 🙂
Preach it, Neels! Hallelujer! <3
I love this. Preach it sister.
PS- I am such a mommy blogger that I though you signed off “stroller out” and I was so confused. Big fat FAIL on my part! Ha!
I love you.
that is all.
This is pretty much legit. I just go through phases where I want to blog but I have no desire to write something “substantial” thus…a pinterest post is born. Generally Harry Potter related because I’m bad ass like that. I think rules are silly. I just like it when bloggers do what they feel in the moment. That’s what authentic so why try to degrade it?
–Erinn
I’m sorry. There’s one rule and I hope you don’t have it because I have not yet clicked submit.
But please, for all that is holy in blognia, get rid of word verification. Please. Pretty please. Do it.
And I won’t pretend I’m not anal enough to look at the spelling/grammar issues, because I am. But that’s on me – not you. And I’ll like you, my new friend, enough to let them go. 😉
But you do you, girlfriend. That’s all that matters here in your space! Whoop whoop! 😉
Love this post, Neely!
Great Post! Its all about what you make of it and what you want to do with your blog 🙂
Great Post! Its all what you make of it and doing what you want with your blog!
Yes, yes, and yes.
When I first started blogging I felt SO constrained by all the “rules” I kept seeing… but as I got more into it and saw that not everyone was so anal, I learned to just do what I want because… IT’S MY BLOG! End of story.
Thanks!
xo,
Ash
This made me laugh–so true! Happy new follower:)
Wow! I am your newest follower! Posts like this make blog writers real! Come on over to my blog, I have linked up everyday and I do not feel bad about it!
Simone
@busasahoneybee.blogspot.com
Why create a post in response to another bloggers post? This reminds me of high school drama. You just stooped so low and identified yourself as in fact a “mean girl.” Did you feel better after you hit publish? Do you love reading that all these people agree with you? Arent you a bit ashamed of yourself? Its a sad thing that bloggers like yourself try to encourage a positive blogging community instead of a bullying one. Stay classy…. It will take you further in life.
Well, by looking at the comments, I’d have to say that this post was created because a lot of people feel that blogging rules are silly. Neely has no reason to feel ashamed of herself – it’s her blog and her POV. She can share whatever she wants – as can I, as can you. But it’s also interesting that you call her a “mean girl” and talk about “high school drama” when you leave a comment such as this. Perhaps YOU should take your own advice.
And if that comment makes me a mean girl, well, so be it 🙂
Loving this post honey! I’m constantly amazed by the negativity in blogging. I love to give my readers free stuff, I tweet a ton…I love to promote my blog because it is my passion in life and I love the feedback I get. Why can’t people just agree to disagree and be supportive of one another? I’m so glad you posted this…way to go for being brave girl…kudos to you! Kori xoxo
Great post. This is one reason why I love reading your blog so much. You speak your mind and are not afraid to do so. And I am with you there is no reason for so much negativity in blogging. Blogging is a great outlet and people all do it for different reasons and people all have things they prefer to showcase on their blog and that is ok. If you do not like it than you do not have to read or follow them, it is that simply.
Holy whoa! Just came across your blog and to this! First, you made me LOL at multiple times. 2nd, I’m DYING to know who this was in rebuttal to and read that persons post. Pahlease?! Anyways, kudos. I agree with it all and wrote something similar last week as well. 🙂
xo
Katie
Just tweeted this post because I love it! Also sharing it on my FB page! 🙂 thank you for that! You definitely hit the nail on the head!
BAM “Stoller Out”. Love it. Love you. Everything will be ok, just breathe and head to Pure Barr to work out those frustrations 🙂
Sing it girl! I feel like I might know who your rebuttal was directed at, but I really want to know if I’m right! Love the honesty I always find on your blog. It’s a favorite!
xoxo,
Ashley
LOVE this post!! We each have our own blog and we have the right to do whatever we want to with it!
<3 Jamie
You already know I think you rock. And the person you are writing this to deserves to have a taste of her own medicine. So self righteous. Xoxo
Oh girl you hit the nail on this one! I had a blogger who bullied me because I took her button down. And her month was up. So she said my designs sucked, all I did was link ups and posted pictures of pinning and that all of my “followers” weren’t even friends of mine. Uhhhh she is sadly mistaken. I believe ALL of my 244 followers are ALL of my friends. (She only has like 14-15 and just started blogging) so she just made fun of me and said I only had cyber friends… sad person isn’t she?
Girl, you make me smile.
I am extremely late commenting on this but AMEN SISTAH!!!!!! I find it SUPER hilarious that there are SEVERAL bloggers that commented on this here post saying how much they loved it when they in fact are ones that have blogger rules or have written rules/blogger etiquete themselves! WTF right? At least in my mind I think that’s very shady! So many of them are like oooooh who was this in response to when really I want to laugh and say YOU! the ones that say they aren’t in cliques are so totally the ring leaders! Just sayin:) Great work! er writing this post that is! 🙂
I am a new follower because of this post! LOVE IT!
I am so, so late to this post but ohmygah I had to say Afreakingmen!! Just last week, I’m all “what the hell are the RULES of blogging?!”. I didn’t follow rules in school. I’m for sure not starting now. And I agree with everything you said. People can post whatever they want. If I don’t want to read it, I don’t. Simple. And the whole “you copied me”. There are only so many things happening in different circles of blogging. For instance, every Mommy blogger will have to potty train. So you’re going to hear 8 billion posts about it. There’s only so much to blog before they all start looking alike. GET OVER IT.
This is one of my fave posts ever.