Don’t Hate Me and PLEASE Don’t Unfollow Me. PLEASE? Why is this such a scary post?
K. So, I’ve debated whether or not to write this post. For lots of reasons which I’m sure you will soon see. I logged onto my blog today to see that I had been nominated for the Liebster Award by two different bloggers just today. Thanks Ladies!! So, the thing is, I’ve also been nominated by some other fabulous bloggers. (Names have been removed to protect the innocent) And these were all in the past month. But, here’s the deal, the award kind of bothers me a bit. Please don’t stop reading! I couldn’t quite figure out why. Then, I ran across another blogger that said it reminded her of those chain letters you used to get when you were a kid.
EXACTLY.
It gives me anxiety. Will I die the next day? What? I might DIE if I don’t pass on this letter!!?? HA! Remember that? Well, for a person that has had some form of anxiety since she was a kid, this does not work too well. So, I remember I used to set it on my dresser to remind me to do it and I don’t think I ever did. Not once. Whew. I’m still alive. Thank goodness. The Liebster is similar. Will those bloggers hate me if I don’t pass it along? Will they think I’m not grateful, or how the heck am I going to find 11 other bloggers to nominate when I think half of them have already been nominated? My blog is proof that people get nominated multiple times and I know it’s not because I’m that great. I have to think up 11 questions? I can barely remember my kids’ names. Will I remember to even do it? I did after all forget all of those chain letters as a kid and almost died!!
These blogger awards are so sweet. Don’t get me wrong. And, the people passing them along are equally as wonderful and generous. I seriously have been so flattered the past month since I started this blog by all the generous, uplifting, and truly heartfelt comments I’ve received from my readers. I have come to really relate to most of you by reading your blogs, and the blogging community is the reason I keep writing. I just keep feeling bad for not passing along the love. Because I do love your blogs, and I do love the generosity and recognition. IT IS APPRECIATED. I can’t make that clear enough. So, if you want to unfollow me now. It’s OK. I understand. And if you want to un-nominate me for the award on your blog, I get that too.
I promise I’m not an ungrateful person. Here’s what I try to do to show the love to my fellow bloggers out there and what you can do for me if you like me still. (oh I hope you do)
Leave Comments.
Actually Read an entire post and think about it.
If you love a post, share it.
If you love my blog, share it.
Get to know me by reading my blog.
Follow Me and encourage your best friend to do the same.
Link back to me when you were inspired to write something by something I wrote.
I know it’s asking a lot. And, if you’re not ready to make that commitment, I understand. 🙂 But, seriously, THAT is what blogging is all about. At least to me. Because although I don’t have many followers and this award is specifically for up and coming bloggers, I’ve actually been blogging for 5 years now. And so I don’t feel like I really fit into the category of new bloggers. But, all of that aside, I think the award is great. And, I don’t think you’re dumb if you want to do it. At all. And, please don’t think I’m one of those snotty types who feels “above” the award. Knowing that people like my blog is the best compliment a girl could ask for. So, I hope the Liebster creators don’t hate me. Whoever they are. Because according to google that is unclear. And, I hope that those of you who are sweet enough to nominate me don’t either. Because I really want people to like me. I really do. But, in an effort to “keep it real” and be honest about my own feelings, I’m not going to do it.
Please tell me I’m not the only one that cringes a tiny bit at these awards? And please tell me someone is still reading this. If you don’t know what any of this is about, then just disregard this post or google it. Whichever you choose. And apparently I’m the only one in the entire blogosphere that I could find on google that doesn’t like this award. What does that say about me?
Look at me. I think I might just be breaking a rule.
I have no idea what the award is but I definitely enjoy your blog. I can relate to a lot of the this you post about.
P.S. yay you! You broke a rule!
Haha! Thank you!!!
Ha! I loved this post! I was nominated for the Liebster awhile back and had a similar reaction. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to take it seriously (aside from the the kind sentiment that someone wanted to give it to me in the first place)…so I kind of didn’t. I totally just had fun with the rules (after looking up what the hell the award was anyway). I even went ahead and posted the little badge on my site. But I have to admit, the other day I looked at that badge and thought if it made me look like a tool…displaying it and all. But then I was afraid if I took it down I would offend the person who nominated me. Or should I leave it up in case someone happens upon my site, sees it, and thinks it is some big, prestigious thing and that power of suggestion leads them to believe I am the greatest blogger of all time? All in all, it is probably nothing to stress over. The overall sentiment comes from an appreciation for good blogging, so the best thing you can do is just keep writing a good blog. I just started following you and plan to continue…Liebster or not!
Awesome! I was starting to panic that I was the only one feeling this way. It is a nice gesture though. So I get that!!
And thanks for the follow!!!
Kudos on the honesty. One of my absolute favorite qualities in a blogger. Minus kudos for linking me as a perpetuator of something that you openly dislike. Talk about embarrassing! 😉
Sorry!!! I don’t dislike that people give it to me at all. I just don’t like feeling obligated to carry it on. I really hope I didn’t offend.
And I unlinked you. I definitely did not want to embarrass anyone.
No, of course not! You don’t have to explain your feelings and opinions to me – ever. It was just one of those moments where I saw my blog name and cringed. 🙂
Ha! Ok. Well I just sent you an email!! Sorry again. So that leads back to my issues with the need to be liked! 🙂
This had me chuckling. I so appreciate just where you are coming from. Love your honesty.
Glad you could see the humor. Thx for sharing.
I don’t like them either! I have maybe an hour each evening to blog and they take forever to do!
Truth.
You’re not the only one my dear….and I doubt ANYONE would even consider unfollowing you for that reason, your blog is by far one of the more interesting to read…..so I wouldn’t worry at all. And if anyone DOES unfollow you, I’ll beat them up for you.
Ha! OK. Thanks.
Preach, sister.
No, seriously– I accepted and re-posted the awards I received in my first year or so of blogging but it was such a source of stress!!!! To come up with a list of blogs that I GENUINELY wanted to nominate (and that I thought would WANT to participate) or a list of things about me that my readers could a)learn by reading my blog or b)seriously don’t care about was such a source of anxiety. And I know that’s not how it was meant to be!! I’ve taken to graciously accepting/emailing the blogger that nominated me/commenting on their post and then not doing a post of my own. I hope that’s sufficient. I hope no one hates me or unfollows me or gah electronically unfriends me!
You’re not the only one. Google got this one wrong 🙂
That’s exactly what i was doing too, because I am grateful!!! But I felt too much guilt for not responding. Thx for letting me know I’m not alone.
I must suck at blogging because none of the 4 people who read my adolescent posts each day have ever nominated me! Good for you though. I’ve read a couple of your posts after seeing you comment somewhere and I enjoy your writing. I ain’t no professional though, so don’t let it go to your head that I said that!
That’s the thing…I don’t think it’s about sucking or not-sucking at blogging. I think there are some people that nominate you because they really love how you write, or whatever, but I think some do it because they are simply being forced to choose 11 people by the mysterious liebster blog gods. So, they maybe throw you in there for good measure. Thanks for following. I think more dads need to be out there blogging. It would even things out a bit. 🙂
After getting nominated for a Liebster Award, I was just curious what others thought about it and I enjoyed finding your post. I share your mix of appreciation for being nominated and anxiety. I hate to think of passing it along–trying to find some people to nominate and imagining just passing along the anxiety.
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Thank you for your honesty! No, you are not alone. I could relate personally to what you wrote, almost as if I said it myself. I appreciate the honesty and that you kept it real. I have dealt with chain letters & emails enough in the past and their never ending loop. You saved me some time. Chain letters is waste of my time, whenever that is? LOL I joined face book because I can keep in touch with family and friends. I love socializing, keeps me connected. As small business owner I have been exploring social media and different marketing techniques, etc., while searching the web trying to get additional info on the “award me” or “like me” besides the obvious, when “Why I Don’t Like the Liebster Award” caught my attention. Thank you for sharing….
Reblogged this on The Cheese Whines and commented:
This post explains better than I could about why blog awards make me uncomfortable.
Like you, I cringe a bit when I read the ‘tell us 11 things about you’ awards/requests. On some level, I believe poetry is basically autobiographical. Too much information can be just that. Too much.
OMG! Another kindred spirit. In the past three months I’ve been nominated 3 times for the Liebster. In 2012, when I first started at WordPress I was nominated 4 times. I passed it on reluctantly tagging some bloggers with commercial interests just to complete the requirements of passing the thing on. I didn’t want to hurt the personal who nominated me. But when I looked at the graphic I didn’t like it at all. I have a very strong work ethic and feel that an award is something you earn by participating in a formal competition. I have cringed when I had to decline recently but truth is I just don’t have all that time for the award’s requirements–and they keep growing in some places.
I’ve put up a page at two of my blogs dedicated to sewing that state the best award is the reward of sincere followers and those who add valuable comments to a posting.
So far no one has complained. Bravo to you for the courage to state what many feel but are reluctant to say.
Hello, just started following – because of this post 🙂
I have to add: Not only because of this post of course, you have a great blog! But I stumbled across it because I was googling “Liebster award don’t want it” 🙂
I made a link to this post from my own blog, hope that’s all right…
of course!
Well, I’m glad you’re here!! Thanks for the follow!!
I totally agree I was recently nominated but I just think it detracts from what I really want my blog to be about. I thought I was the only one that thought this.
Melissa xxx
Ugh. No! I don’t like those awards. I just usually reply with a “thank you so much!” and then don’t do anything. 🙂
I think the Liebster creators are mythical. No one seems to know who they are. I did the Liebster Award post because my blog is new and I never really created an About Me post when I started. It was a great way for me to connect to other bloggers. I tagged other people, and I am not overly concerned whether they follow through with the post or not. If I were a seasoned blogger, I would forgo this type of post too. There is nothing wrong with having said ‘no’ to this. I plan on only doing this one time. Great post!
It’s fine. I still get them from time to time. I politely acknowledge, and say thank you, and then do nothing. 🙂 I have gotten over the guilt of not reciprocating. 🙂
I found your blog by googling “How to politely decline a Leibster award”. Like you, I am not a new blogger and answering questions about myself and especially making up new questions and finding blogs to nominate? It’s all too much and not really in line with the type of posts that I write! Hey – Maybe I’ll just say that! Thanks for helping me work it out. 🙂
You’re welcome!! It’s not my thing either. So, don’t force yourself. 🙂
Hi there,
I’ve read your post and totally agree. As nice as the blogging awards are, sometimes it feels a bit ‘spam-like’, like the chain letters in school. I don’t think you’re a bad person for not passing the award on. I’ve nominated some bloggers who never passed it on either, simply because they had 1000 of followers and didn’t want to link in a small blog like mine on their website.
xx Caz xx
http://lunchbreakadventures.wordpress.com/
I have decided to do the Liebster award for TWO reasons: 1) My grandparents are German and what if NOT doing it shames my family’s heritage?? (Because “liebster” is a German word – get it?) 2) I just plain want to drive more traffic to my blog and maybe this will generate some more followers? #SellOut
But I am right there with you on initially feeling turned off by this “award”. I kept looking up information on it, hoping to find an actual, legit webpage devoted to it, but all I am finding are posts from other bloggers participating. So, while my heart is not necessarily in it, I DO appreciate the lovely blogger who nominated me; that was cool of her. AND BESIDES – what else did I have to do today?
Thank you so much for writing this! I’ve been stressed out (probably more than I should) that I didn’t really want to join in the chain. I wrote an entry about it, acknowledging my nomination, and I linked to your blog because you expressed what I was thinking so well.
Thanks for linking back to me Stacey! You’re so nice. Glad you could relate! I wrote that post a long time ago, and it still brings people by my blog all the time. Can’t wait to check out your post. 🙂
Hi I’ve just been nominated for a Liebester award and was googling about it when I came across your post. Like you I don’t want to accept it but don’t want to offend anyone. I just don’t think the award is for me and posting about the award doesn’t fit in with my blog. I think I will take the risk and politely decline. Thanks for the post.
Great post, I have also been nominated and feel really chuffed to bits, I do love your honesty. You did what you felt was right for you and that is what it is all about. I too, prefer that if people come by my blog and find something that sparks them they would leave me a comment, like or share if they were really moved or even link back to recipes if they tried them but alas this is not always the case.
I will continue to write for me though and the little few who follow me and my madness hahaha, thank you again for such an honest post.
I can understand why you declined. I was thinking about it too, but I didn’t. I agree. It’s a chain-letter with a snow-ball system, but it’s as well an opportunity to get to know blogs one didn’t know about and which could be interesting.
I decided to see it as a kind of blog relay, to pass the “stick” on after writing a post. As a game which could be fun. Nevertheless I nearly apologizes by the blogs which I had nominated and told them that they can take part if they want to play. If not… Well, no one will die. Promised!
I don’t know what the award is about, but I like how you stand up for what you believe even though you feel kinda insecure about doing it. Congrats! I’ll definetely take a look at your blog for more true posts like this.
I love your post. Thank you!!! I’ve been completely steeeeressssed about this. Not entirely sure how I’ll handle it but your honesty and clarity have helped a lot. Best wishes with your blog 🙂
I’m still reading your post a couple of years after is was first written. Like most bloggers, I get nominated for awards from time to time. I’ve had an “Award Free Blog” sign on my site for a while now, but despite that I still sometimes get messages from people inviting me to accept a Liebster or whatever. I’m always happy that someone was kind enough to think of me when deciding who to pass an award onto next, but the truth is I barely have the time to write regular posts, let alone award related ones. If nominated, I always thank the person involved, but then explain my situation and don’t take the matter any further.
You did a great job of outlining your thoughts with respect and humour. I have linked to this post a couple of times by way of explaing my own decision to decline. Thank you for sharing so honestly something that is a bit awkward.
Thanks for your honesty. I found your blog doing research after getting a Sunshine and Leibster in the same week. My reaction was akin to yours ugh – forcing others to be social is not my thing, barely social myself!
My blog has been nominated for quite a few times, but I never actual participated, first because I don’t get it. I mean, no offence to everyone who are doing it, just do what makes you happy! But my point it, it doesn’t really give merit/s to my blog? Other than maybe one of the blogger run out of blog to nominate. But anyhow, love this post! 😀
Yes, I read to the end. It’s funny how much of what you wrote is how I felt about the Leibster Award. The difference? I haven’t been nominated. ???? Maybe I’m just a bitter blogger. ????
Joke aside. If those nominated could only nominate one blogger. It wouldn’t feel like chain emails…but then it would have disappear quickly.
OK, it’s 2018 and people are still using this post as a reference (well, I am anyway). Thanks for putting it out there!
My first thought on receiving the award was, “Yay! I am SO cool!” My second thought was, “Oh sh**! These questions look a lot like data mining.”
Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Sure glad I’m not the only one raising an eyebrow, though.
I think it’s really unfortunate that you need to practically plead people not to be petulant children and HATE you for having an opinion that may not conform with their own. That’s my only comment. Please don’t hate me for going off-topic! Actually, go right ahead…
Wow. Just realized the original post is from 7 years ago. Petulance is timeless.