When Kindness Feels One-Sided: My Journey into Global Blogging

Tag : curahanhati - Asep Haryono | When Kindness Feels One-Sided: My Journey into Global Blogging - Powered by Blogger

Over the past week, I made a major shift in the direction of my blog, Simply Asep. I transitioned from writing in Bahasa Indonesia to English — aiming to reach out and connect with a broader, international blogging community. The response was beyond what I expected. My blog has received between 600 to 2,000 daily visitors in just one week, with readers coming from various parts of the world. I felt seen. I felt hopeful.

But along with that excitement came an unexpected wave of sadness and disappointment.

Like many bloggers, I believed in the spirit of community. I took time to visit fellow bloggers’ sites, read their posts carefully, and left meaningful comments. I followed their blogs, not just for the sake of following, but because I genuinely enjoyed connecting with their stories and perspectives.

What hurt was this: many of them didn’t follow me back.

Now, I didn’t expect instant fame or a flood of compliments. But I thought maybe  just maybe  the kindness I extended would be reciprocated. It made me question things. Was it something about me? Was it because I’m from Indonesia, a Southeast Asian country not often in the global spotlight?

The thought crossed my mind: Could this be racism?

After sitting with that painful feeling for a while and observing more closely, I realized something important: it's probably not that personal. In fact, it’s likely not racism at all.

In the global blogging world, people engage in different ways. Many Western bloggers no longer use the “Follow” button on Blogger. They may read your blog through RSS feeds, bookmarks, or social media, without formally “following” you. Some are just more selective, while others simply don’t have the habit of following back.

And yes, many people are just busy. Distracted. Focused on their own lives. Online engagement can be inconsistent, and silence doesn’t always mean rejection.

My friends,

Here’s what I’ve learned — and what I want to share with others who may feel the same way:

• Focus on those who respond. When you’re growing your blog, it’s easy to feel discouraged by those who don’t reply, comment, or follow you back. But instead of focusing on who didn’t respond, shift your attention to those who did.
  
  Even one loyal reader is the start of a real community. These are the people who take the time to read, comment, and engage with your posts. Visit their blogs, build friendships, and show appreciation. Over time, these authentic connections will matter more than hundreds of silent views. Quality engagement fosters trust, and trust is the foundation of long-term blogging success.
  
  

• Keep commenting with purpose. Generic comments like “Nice post” are easy to ignore. If you want to build real connections, leave thoughtful, meaningful comments that reflect what you actually enjoyed about the post.
  
  Mention something specific a sentence, a story, a personal insight. Ask a follow-up question or share your own perspective in return. Bloggers notice genuine engagement, and they’re much more likely to visit your blog when you show that you’ve read theirs with care. It’s not about flattery — it’s about real human connection. Purposeful comments open doors to deeper blogging friendships and encourage reciprocal support over time.
  
  

• Invite engagement openly. Many bloggers hesitate to ask for support, fearing they’ll come across as needy. But a polite, warm invitation goes a long way. If someone enjoys your post, there’s nothing wrong with gently saying,
  
  “If you liked this post, feel free to follow my blog or leave a comment  I’d love to hear your thoughts!” This creates an open, welcoming environment and reminds readers that their interaction is appreciated. Some readers may enjoy your content but need a small nudge to engage more actively. Don’t be afraid to ask  you're inviting a connection, not demanding one.
  
  

• Don’t give up. It’s easy to feel invisible when you put your heart into a blog post and hear nothing back. But trust that your voice is being heard even if it’s quiet at first. Many readers don’t comment, but they are still reading and coming back. Keep going. Consistency builds visibility.
  
  Every post you write adds to your presence online. Over time, the right audience  people who truly connect with your message will find you. Stay passionate. Stay present. Don’t give up, because your journey is just beginning, and someone out there is waiting for your next post.
  
  

Blogging is about more than numbers. It’s about connection, growth, and sharing your voice. And sometimes, it takes a little longer for the world to truly listen.

So, to all my readers thank you. And to fellow bloggers, especially those just starting to reach out internationally: don’t let silence steal your spirit.

You belong here.

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"

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