My oh my. Well that idea didn’t work at all, did it?
I had so much fun reading through your Freshly Press Yourself posts, getting to know who you are and how you think. It struck me that we all have so much in common, yet we express our ideas in such unique and fascinating ways. Thank you for putting yourselves out there and giving us all a tiny glimpse into your various worlds.
There were well over one hundred responses, so it was no small feat picking a mere three blogs to “Freshly Press” here on Truth and Cake. In fact, it was next to impossible. But below are three that struck me the right way at the right time, posts I think most of you will be able to relate to and possibly learn a thing or two from. These posts are so fresh and so clean, clean.
The Blackbird Whistling had me at hello. Or, rather, she had me at her About Page. The title of her blog comes from a Wallace Stevens poem:
I do not know which to prefer,
The beauty of inflections
Or the beauty of innuendos,
The blackbird whistling
Or just after.
Swoon City. Blackbird is a new blogger, and this list of truisms was her very second post (sound familiar?). But she’s definitely onto something. Revel in the simplicity and specificity of her thirty life lessons.
Here are a few of my favorites:
10. People notice when you greet them with their actual names.
13. The list of food that does not go well with peanut butter is exceptionally small.
20. Keeping a jar of nutella “for baking purposes only” is impractical and more than a little mean.
24. That singing performance to your car radio is, in fact, quite noticeable to other drivers. And that’s okay.
29. Part of growing older is realizing that you can be homesick for more than one place.
I find it incredibly endearing that Emily begins her post about introversion by listing all of the exhaustingly rambunctious (and potentially extroverted) activities her daughter may be participating in at any given moment: wearing a diaper on her head, rubbing soap all over her face, eating a pencil. You have to click over just so you can see that sweet little troublemaking face.
As often as we talk about personality types (I’m an ENFP, by the way) in school, in career counseling, just for fun, we rarely take the extra step of examining what it means to operate in a world made up of “quiet” people and “loud” people. And when we do have that conversation, the loud people tend to drown out the quieter ones. What is it like to be an introvert in a mostly extroverted world, where gregariousness is rewarded and solitude frowned upon? Emily delves into some of the ideas Cain explores in her book, “Quiet” while lending plenty of her own experience as an introvert to the mix (hint: there are beauty pageants involved).
Finally, I chose Bonnie’s post “What’s the Point?” because I think it touches on something we all need to hear now and then: blogging is about being yourself, not somebody else. You may be brand new and still slowly growing your ideas and your audience. Some days you’ll want to give up. Others you may feel like you’ve just written the most original, fantastic post only to discover that someone else has already posted something quite similar. Don’t be discouraged. Just do your thing. People can smell authenticity a mile away. As Bonnie says in “What’s the Point?”: “I can so easily get derailed when I cruise around blogland and see so many awesomesauce bloggers, and come up short. And then, I circle back with myself and try to remember this: ‘comparison is the thief of joy.'” Say it out loud. Take it to heart.
***
There were so many great posts that I had a really hard time choosing just three. I hope you take a few minutes to check out this one and this one and this one. Also, this one.
And, if you find yourself looking for a bit of reading on a rainy day, please feel free to go back to my Freshly Press Yourself post and read any of the blogs you didn’t get around to yet. There are a lot of gems there and, more importantly, a plethora of potential blogging friends. I’m sure if you say, “Hey, belatedly visiting your post from Truth and Cake,” they will be delighted to make your acquaintance.
This definitely won’t be the last time I do something like this, so stay tuned for “Freshly Press Yourself Part Deux” one of these not so distant days. Thanks for playing. You rock the blogosphere, my very fresh friends.
As a new blogger this was a great way to help me start following others. I really enjoy reading what everyone has to say. Thank you!
I’m so glad you benefited, Ana! Are you currently in Paris? If so, I am incredibly jealous and so happy for you! It’s my favorite city in the world. Enjoy every moment. Bonne journée!
Yeah! (it’s Abby but you have tons of people to respond to so no worries) I rented an apartment in the 17th for the summer. It is pretty amazing here. When you are here what is your favorite thing to see or do?
Sorry, Abby! I couldn’t find your name on your “About” page, so I just assumed your moniker “anawrock” was your real name. Oops! Hmm, favorite things to do in Paris: buy books from little French bookstores, read those books in the Luxembourg Gardens, walk around the Musée d’Orsay for hours, eat French pastries and have tea at Ladurée, visit the old cemetaries and catacombes (may not be your thing but I find them interesting and beautiful), have a picnic outside of the Louvre in the Tuileries Garden, go dancing in the Latin Quarter and then eat late night crepes at La Boulangerie de Papa (try the one with chantilly cream. Yum!), walk and walk and walk. And eat and eat and eat ;) I’m sure you’ve discovered so much already (more than I, for sure)! I’ll be sure to check your blog for updates and new tips on your fab summer in Paris. Have so much fun!
This was the BEST idea – so many wonderful blogs to follow now! Thank you for contriving this!!!
Dear Truth,
I benefited so much from your act of kindness.
I won’t forget it!!!
:)
Thank you so much♥
Lisa
Yay! Can I just tell you that I wanted to “Freshly Press” you for your header photo alone? Gorgeous! (Your post was also fantastic).
Dear Truth,
Can I tell the truth?
It’s not us.
But, it’s a party of 5, that I could possibly pass off as my family.
Is that wrong?
:)
Love, lis
xooxx
Not at all! When I have children, I may be tempted to pass that off as my family too ;) They’re like the perfect beautiful hippy family. I loved your funny post about freshly pressed. One day, you’ll have to recreate that poem about Diet Coke for us ;)
Dear Truth,
It’s weird. I can’t reply under your last comment.
Complete weirdness.
And can I just tell you…you are convincing me that I am just the luckiest girl ever.
I feel like I’ve entered a circle of bloggers who are genuine, kind, and awesome writers on top of all that.
:)
Love, lis
xoxox
Dear Truth,
Oh look!
It showed up in the right order.
:)
Love, LIs
xooxx
I met so many new people and read waaay more than 3 other blogs… you just can’t stop there! And somehow I missed the ones that you “Freshly Pressed”! (Cake Pressed? Freshly Baked? I feel like there’s almost something there…) That just goes to show that there are SO many wonderful blogs out there that you can never stop reading!
Thank you again! ^_^
I also tried to think of a witty cakeism but my tired brain wouldn’t comply ;) I’m glad you met so many great new bloggers. This little experiment has made me so happy!
I made new blogger friends, followed new blogs and won new followers thanks to your excellent idea, thank you Rian, you ROCK!
It must have been very intense to go through all the posts and select only 3 of them but I’m glad you did because I had missed them in the flow of submissions! In any case, great selection, I enjoyed reading all of them :))
I’m so glad that you benefited from this, Cécile–you deserve as many new followers as you can get. Your blog is so funny and so good.
Yay Emily J!! Great choice. I can’t wait to really dive into th others. And thanks so much for the shout out! What a wonderful surprise! And most of all, thank you for putting in all the time and energy it took to do this. You AND your blog deserve all the accolades out there. Thanks again!
I adored your post about French book stores–you discuss some thought provoking topics on your blog. I’m definitely a fan! Hopefully you had a bit of fun with this and met some cool new people. Thanks for participating!
Thanks so much! I really adored writing that one. :-) This was a very kind thing for you to do to spread the love and I found a bunch of great blogs to follow and have a few new followers myself, so THANK you!! :-) And I love your blog, even the posts that aren’t freshly pressed! Thanks again…
A excellent Idea and it looks like you did a lot of good!
This was such an amazing idea! I found so many new people to read through your post. Thanks again!
I’m so glad! I’ve been searching for new veggie recipes galore since reading your post :) Thanks for participating!
Thank you so much for choosing mine! I screamed and did a little dance around my kitchen. And I am excited to check out the others. What a great idea! You rock!
Yay!! I gave a little hoot for you as well. Very well deserved. :-) Keep up the great work!
Jennifer, you are too kind to me. I have been so flattered by all of the kind praise you have given me over the last week or so. I am so glad we have connected through blogging. I am enjoying your blog immensely, too!
:-) I just appreciate great work and thoughtful engagement. Thanks for all of your support as well! I am so surprised by all the blogging friends I have made and I am so happy I ventured into the blogosphere to get to know all of you!
Yay–that image just made my day :) By the way, your inclusion of teacup pigs in your latest post makes me like you even more. I can’t wait to read more!
Thanks for the follow. I hope I can deliver!
I can’t wait to explore not only your “Freshly Pressed” picks, but all the other people who came to visit you too! There is nothing like a good blog party!
A blog party–exactly! I hope you make some cool new blogging friends, Sally. Thanks for checking things out!
What a lovely surprise!
Rian, I can’t thank you enough for introducing the new girl on WordPress to so many thoughtful new friends. I’m honored to be mentioned on such a well-loved blog (and happy to find a fellow Wallace Stevens enthusiast)!
Thanks all for your very kind words. I have had a lot of fun reading your comments and am excited to continue blogging/reading!
You’re very welcome! We’ve all been the new girl/guy at one point or another. And you’re off to such a great start–I can’t wait to see where blogging takes you. Keep at it! It was very nice making your “virtual” acquaintance :)
Thank you so much for doing ‘Freshly Press Yourself’ as a new blogger it was fantastic to not only get a little bit of exposure, but also find a lot of wonderful blogs to start reading myself!
Neena B. xx
Hi Neena, I’m glad you were able to gain some exposure and make new friends. That makes me so happy. Take care xx
Rian – I am speechless..and amazed. I read your post and was just happy to be reading, when all of a sudden I see me there. I had to sit with it for a few minutes…wow. I can’t thank you enough. I am honored and pleased as punch to be part of this amazing thing you created. Yesterday I wrote about it – I couldn’t stop thinking about it – and called it a mini movement. You have set a new standard for us, and have connected people who really should be connected. You helped us all help each other…how amazing is that!? :) You are one of a kind and I am thrilled to be part of all this goodness. Thank you and I can’t wait to see what you create next. All the best, Bonnie
Hi Bonnie! It really was my pleasure. I am so grateful for the blogging community and all of the smart, feisty, kind, fabulous people I get to meet on a daily basis, yourself included! I loved your post and look forward to reading many more. It’s clear from your writing that you are an open, insightful and generous person–the world needs more like you. Thanks for participating & take care!
I’m extremely sad that no one visited my blog other than you (I assume, since I had one click). Perhaps our audiences don’t overlap as much as I thought?
Anyway, it was a really wonderful idea and I am thrilled to hear that so many others benefited.
Hmm, I’m really sorry to hear that, Carinn. I see a couple of comments from Truth and Cake readers on your post so maybe your stats are a little off? Who knows? I think your post was great and I encourage everyone to go back and read blogs they missed at their leisure. It’s pretty tough to get to all of them over a sunny summer weekend, so don’t lose heart. You may still get some visitors! I’d also recommend visiting other blogs and saying hello–that’s one of the best ways to make new blogging friends. Thanks for participating, Carinn! I hope you found some new blogs to follow and that you’ll join in for round two :)
I was Freshly Pressed myself yesterday! Looks like all I needed was to keep working on my craft while maintaining a little patience, faith and luck. Thanks Rian!
How nice of you to share your bounty. LOVED the quote “Comparison is the thief of joy”. You have no comparison Rian!
Ahh, Marsella. You’re always too kind xx
This was such a great idea!!! I loved looking at so many different types of blogs!!! It’s crazy to see all the different styles, topics and ideas out there! It’s fun feeling like you are part of such a unique community. What an awesome way to bring others together ;)
So so so great! I know Emily J, but not the others, and they sound just fantastic. I can’t wait to check these posts out. The “being homesick for more than one place” really stood out for me.
What a lovely hostess you are, AND you serve cake. Don’t mind if I do.
Thank you so much for doing this and for the mention of my little blog. I’ve met so many people thought this little idea of yours that turned into something so much bigger and it’s been amazing. It has been so great to be exposed to so many more people out there who write such incredible stories and to know that we’re all here for each other. Thank you again!
What a fantastic idea, Rian! I appreciate you using your Freshly-Pressed fame to benefit other blogs and getting more and more conversations going. You are awesome! :)
You are such an awesome person for spreading the love, Rian! Like so many others, I welcomed new followers and subscribed to several new blogs. All because of YOU. You’re awesome with a side of awesome sauce! =)
Love Your Idea and Cannot Wait for the Next One:)
I enjoyed this idea and have to admit the “What’s the point” helped me as their are certain things about me I shy away from…but it’s the whole of me. I also got to see Bonnie’s smiling dragonfly pic. In an odd way, what I wrote on the “Freshly Press Yourself” blog post of yours, became part of my “I am” page or rather, my “about me”. Which seems to be attracting other people on facebook as well as wordpress ;) It’s funny how things like that work out! I’m so very thankful to find those words and I wouldn’t have without that post of yours. What an interconnected web we weave. Be well, Rian.
Oooh the perfectionist in me wants to correct the typo ^there. I’m a nerd, yes…one of the things I’m quite proud of though ;)
Wonderful as always. You have such a great heart!
Rian! Such a great idea to bring people together! I’ve found some pretty nifty blogs through your “Freshly Press Yourself” + some awesome people have come by to check out mine!!! Thanks so much for supporting such a great community of sharing!
Hi Nanook, I’m glad to hear it! It’s so fun reading about your adventures in Canada–makes me nostalgic for my own Canadian beginning five years ago ;) I hope you have fun and continue blogging about your experiences in Alberta. Take care!
Thanks again Rian for giving us the opportunity to share our creative fruits. It was interesting reading all the different stories from a range of perspectives, as well as see how my own blog posts are interpreted and received by others. Here’s to much more fresh-pressedness.
Hi Claire, thanks for participating! I’m glad you found some new blogs and hopefully gained a few readers in the process. I always love your comments. Looking forward to round two :)
There’s a comment someone once made about sharing one’s fame and giving others a way up on one’s way to the top, and I’ve simply been unable to resurrect it from my memory, but you are clearly an example of this extremely generous impulse which makes for a talented community instead of egocentric and puffed-up individuals. I’d like to do Get Freshly Pressed, but I still have some innovations to add to my site; so maybe next time. I’m sure we’ll all continue to see someone so community-minded as you on there again and again. Good luck and thanks for the entertaining and thought-provoking reads.
This is very nice from you Rina! take care