Yes, I have already posted today. I know. You get a bonus post readers. Doesn’t that just rev your engines?
Why the bonus post?
Well, because I’m trying really hard to participate in the 31 Days to a Better Blog challenge through the wonderful site Yeah Write – a site that challenges and encourages writers.
Today is Day 7. So far I have only done one of the post challenges. I wrote a list post about TTTS for the Day 2 challenge. I did technically participate in Day 3 as well – I promoted that Day 2 TTTS post!
Then, I took a few days off. We’re now at Day 7. Come up with 10 ideas for future blog posts using a technique called “mind mapping.”
Rather than outlines, mind mapping is a more creative way to really stretch the brain.
If you wanted to see what a map of my mind may look like as it relates to blog posts, here it is in all it’s glory. This is a mind map using the titles of my last five posts and brainstorming the future posts that could stem from those.
Kind of disorganized and chaotic. This was only a small portion of where my mind wanted to go. Thankfully for you, dear friends and readers, I am tired tonight!
I’m lucky because my blog covers so many topics. I’m rarely at a loss for things to write about. Each of my last five posts gives me an insane amount of topics to try and cover in this short life! It’s a lot for you all to keep up with. God Bless my loyal readers.
However, what I found as I opened up the creative juices was a desire to write about things that were outside of the topic areas in my “map.”
As I thought about all the topics I could cover, these are what I found rushing to the front of my mind:
Getting dumped by a friend. I had a close friend one time. At least I thought we were close. Then she just shut me out of her world. Entirely. 10 years later and I am still dumbfounded and hurt. I think about writing about this all the time.
Crying. The good, the bad, the ugly. How everything makes me cry. Happy, sad, mad. Embarrassing moments in which I have just busted out crying.
Messed up relationships between mothers and daughters. Oh, the things I could write about. The pain and craziness that I have seen, witnessed, and experienced. I need an even more anonymous blog to go there!
Life long damage of low self esteem. How never feeling “good enough” caused me to be afraid of so many things. The regrets that come along with never chasing rainbows because I just knew I’d fail. Part two of this – how I’m not going to let history repeat itself with my children.
War stories. I’d love to share some of the adventures I had while deployed to Oman and Qatar. My thrilling combat air drop into Afghanistan, and my two day trip into Iraq. The crazy boss I had who carried around his gas mask everywhere because he was convinced Iran was going to launch a chemical attack on us at any moment. Experiencing life in middle eastern countries. Seems like a different life.
Boring blogging stuff. Oh wait, it’s not boring! I am becoming a blogging nerd. I’m really loving learning about the back side of the blog. HTML, coding, SEO tricks and tips, and so much more.
Philanthropy. How we can save the world. Oh my goodness, I am a bleeding heart. There are so many amazing organizations doing so much to change the world every day. I wish I could give to all of them, volunteer for all of them, and adopt every orphan. I wish I could feature and promote all of them. I wish I could make all of you love and support all of them. But for now, if this is something that interests you, I have a friend who already is doing this, with the exception of adopting every orphan in the world. Jennifer at Another Jennifer has a Philanthropy Friday series in which she does what I just described. I have learned so much about so many organizations through her.
32 days strapped to a bed. Sounds somewhat like a Stephen King novel, but in reality, that was my life. 32 miserable days in a hospital bed, waiting to see if my babies would live or die. I kept a journal. I wrote things in there that were emotional and raw and quite frankly, I am afraid to share. But I’d like to one day.
How blogging has made me a better mother. All the things I have learned that have helped me handle my life, children, and being a stay at home mother better through the incredible people I have encountered in this journey. Counter to this, I could write a post about how blogging has made me a worse mother!
Key political issues. I would LOVE to have political discussions, IF I thought they could be done in without getting crazy. But I don’t like what I’ve seen other places (ahem, Facebook) when people try to have a discussion, so this will likely never be a major focus of my posts. Never say never. But I doubt it. I have tried to keep another blog going Democrat or Not? that is dedicated solely to debating political issues, but I just haven’t had the time to write there much. Sad, because that was my first true passion. I suppose I could wrap this into my post on damage from low self esteem. There is a link.
So, if you’re still awake and with me, you can rest assured that I will not run out of topics any time soon.
Do any of these topics peak an interest with you?
Erica M says
July 7, 2013 at 11:02 pmWhy do friends break up with friends? And so unceremoniously? I also have a friendship I am still mourning in confusion more than seven years later. Sigh. Thanks for making us your second post of the day. So honored. You have a big Post-It presentation pad laying around your house? Woman after my own heart.
katbiggie says
July 7, 2013 at 11:09 pmHahaha, Oh I hate to ruin your image of me, but I have to disclose that I stole my kids’ Melissa & Doug magnetic chalk and dry erase board specifically for this challenge!!! But now that you mention it, I think I would work better with a big Post-It presentation pad. Come to find out through this exercise, I like jotting things down on boards in color! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
July 7, 2013 at 11:14 pmI would love to hear more about so many of the topics you mapped out, especially the lose of a friendship, because I think so many of us can relate (I know I can) and seriously love that your stole your kids Melissa and Doug Magnetic and Dry Erase Board for this one!!
katbiggie says
July 7, 2013 at 11:53 pmThanks Janine! It really sucks when a friend dumps us, doesn’t it? Especially when there is no reason. No fight, no drama… she just walked away from me. Ouch.
Kerstin @ Auer Life says
July 7, 2013 at 11:30 pm#3 hits home for me. Sigh. And in conjunction with that, definitely #2 as well…
I think it’s awesome you have a very diverse list and I would read them all!
katbiggie says
July 7, 2013 at 11:56 pmWe all seem to have our “mom” stories don’t we. Sadly, that could be the post that took my blog to bigger places, but I don’t know that I could really write the things I’d like to say, because, well, it’s too real and could really hurt some people. That’s the last thing I want to do! I’m sorry that is a topic you relate to! Thank you for the encouragement!
Kerry says
July 8, 2013 at 12:06 amI love all of these ideas! Can’t wait to read a few when you get a chance to post them. I need to do something like this as well. I need to do a better job planning out my posts and getting a bank of ideas to tap into. Thanks for the inspiration.
katbiggie says
July 8, 2013 at 12:10 amThanks Kerry! It’s not too late to join the 31 days to a better blog challenge. There aren’t post requirements every day, if that seems intimidating. I’m learning quite a bit though. And now I have a solid list to choose from next time writer’s block hits me! Hope you are having a good day and your daughter is pooing on the potty!
Victoria from the Busy House Big Heart says
July 8, 2013 at 2:59 amI would definitely be relating to everything except for war stories and being strapped to a bed! Very nice selection here 🙂
I was dumped by a friend recently. I thought for 4 months she was just busy, but no she was legit avoiding me. I am still not sure what I did, what I didn’t do, if I said something. I miss her and her kid. I thought we were really close. Then communication just stops with no explanation. I’m really hurt.
katbiggie says
July 8, 2013 at 8:57 amHa ha, thanks Victoria. It seems that the friend dumping strikes a cord with almost everyone. That is very similar to what happened to me. It stinks. I don’t get it either.
The Dose of Reality says
July 8, 2013 at 6:06 amOoooh, I’d like to read about ALL of these topics! You’ve got some GREAT ideas. I’d call out specific ones…but that would leave me typing in every single one! –Lisa
Pary Moppins says
July 8, 2013 at 8:52 amI’m sure you would do a great job writing about any of those topics. The crying one made me laugh since I didn’t cry much before I was pregnant (12 years ago) but ever since then, I can cry a the drop of a hat. It’s ridiculous. 😉
katbiggie says
July 8, 2013 at 8:54 amYes, pregnancy does not really help matters. It definitely got worse after having kids! But I’ve always been a cry baby! LOL.
Ilene says
July 8, 2013 at 11:11 amOooh. Great topics! I have a list of blog topics but I need to update it more often. I have lost friendships in the past – one in particular still dumbfounds me. I would love to hear your story on this one.
katbiggie says
July 8, 2013 at 2:10 pmThanks Ilene. I do believe I will share the friendship story… as it appears to be the most popular post idea.
that cynking feeling says
July 8, 2013 at 12:22 pmSuch a diverse list!
And when I saw “war stories” I was surprised that you LITERALLY meant war stories. I hope you share some in the future.
katbiggie says
July 8, 2013 at 2:09 pmYes, literally war stories! LOL. You never know what you’re going to get round here!
Chris Carter says
July 9, 2013 at 1:07 amI would love love love to read about each and every one of these topics Alexa!!! I can relate to many and want to learn about the others… 🙂
Robbie says
July 9, 2013 at 2:44 amI love ALL of these ideas! I have several friendship ending stories myself…that I’ve been avoiding writing for a billion years.
another jennifer says
July 9, 2013 at 8:51 pmI’m catching up on my blog reading this evening. I love these topics. The air drop into Afghanistan sounds pretty cool. I love politics, but I’m also leery due to the heated debates. I just know I’ll offend a couple of people close to me and then that’ll be it. I didn’t know you had a political blog!
And, of course, I love philanthropy posts. And, no, I don’t adopt all the orphans. I already have 2 kids and 3 dogs. My house would get way too messy. 🙂
Donetta says
July 10, 2013 at 3:45 amWow these are wonderful ideas. I’m sorry to hear about your loss and can’t imagine. I do know the feeling of a raw journal where I don’t think I would want on here just yet. I love the layout of your blog and the first topic ‘Being Dumped by a Friend’ is a terrific idea. I am 36 years old and ‘grown ups’ are supposed to find their friends, partners, and have it all correct, right? Nah. I have actually had this happen, being dumped by a close friend. It is sad. The crying is another wonderful idea. There are people who say ‘cry and let it out’, then some (such as me) who prefers not to let anyone see. I am so glad you commented on my blog!!! Thank you.
Kristen Daukas says
September 29, 2013 at 7:48 pmSo have you written on all the topics?! One of my fav posts that I did on my site was about when is it time to dump a friend.
katbiggie says
September 30, 2013 at 6:48 amHa ha hardly!!! I think stories about being dumped/dumping friends speak to everyone!