Something's Gotta Give
And if I continue down my current path, it will be my sanity.
You see, as I was mentioning below, one of my favorite, if not THE favorite part of blogging is the interaction with my fellow bloggers. You make me laugh and cry and wonder and think and guffaw and mostly make me wish I had thought of it first.
But, and the big but, is that between this blog and my other blog and that other one featured up on the sidebar and commenting on everyone else's blog, I am doing a lousy job on all of them. At least, that is how I feel.
I usually make it a point to visit the blogs of people who have been kind enough to take the time to make their first comment here, and there are at least ten people that are still marked as "needing to visit." And that makes me feel bad, like I am a crappy fellow blogger. But my goodness, have you seen the size of that sidebar there? Not to mention the poor new people that come here and I seemingly ignore.
However, there are only so many hours in the day. I can spend my time commenting, or I can spend it cleaning the house (which unfortunately has to be done) or spending quality time with my kid, or one of millions of other things that I am currently neglecting somewhat. Among them the writing job that helps to pay the bills, which is also kind of important.
I have been blogging for over three years at this space, and I'm not sure if this particular blog has run its course. Most of the time lately the content here has been the last task of the day, the thing hanging over my head that I feel obligated to do, and that just seems wrong to feel that way. And I'm sure that attitude is reflected in the content as well.
So, I'm not saying for sure what is going to happen because I need more time to think it over, but I do know that I simply cannot keep up with this pace. I am, in my own strange way, a perfectionist, and I am currently spread much too thin for my liking. And I haven't even mentioned the nagging husband who accuses me of spending my life in front of the computer. Which truly is not the way I want to live.
You see, as I was mentioning below, one of my favorite, if not THE favorite part of blogging is the interaction with my fellow bloggers. You make me laugh and cry and wonder and think and guffaw and mostly make me wish I had thought of it first.
But, and the big but, is that between this blog and my other blog and that other one featured up on the sidebar and commenting on everyone else's blog, I am doing a lousy job on all of them. At least, that is how I feel.
I usually make it a point to visit the blogs of people who have been kind enough to take the time to make their first comment here, and there are at least ten people that are still marked as "needing to visit." And that makes me feel bad, like I am a crappy fellow blogger. But my goodness, have you seen the size of that sidebar there? Not to mention the poor new people that come here and I seemingly ignore.
However, there are only so many hours in the day. I can spend my time commenting, or I can spend it cleaning the house (which unfortunately has to be done) or spending quality time with my kid, or one of millions of other things that I am currently neglecting somewhat. Among them the writing job that helps to pay the bills, which is also kind of important.
I have been blogging for over three years at this space, and I'm not sure if this particular blog has run its course. Most of the time lately the content here has been the last task of the day, the thing hanging over my head that I feel obligated to do, and that just seems wrong to feel that way. And I'm sure that attitude is reflected in the content as well.
So, I'm not saying for sure what is going to happen because I need more time to think it over, but I do know that I simply cannot keep up with this pace. I am, in my own strange way, a perfectionist, and I am currently spread much too thin for my liking. And I haven't even mentioned the nagging husband who accuses me of spending my life in front of the computer. Which truly is not the way I want to live.
Comments
Just wish I had have found you earlier.
Give yourself a break! When I did that, blogging became fun again. You don't have to read or comment or post everyday. And yes, that makes blogging a different animal, but it's one you can enjoy. I couldn't keep up on multiple blogs and be an active part of my family and self. So, I had to establish priorities -- if for you that means no more " Just Another Day " then so be it, but don't do it because you think there are standards to which you must adhere. Make rules for yourself, break them or follow them, but listen only to the needs of yourself and your family. For real!
We know you'll still be around at Teeny Manolo. Why not merge the content instead of trying to compartmentalize?
Having said all of THAT, I think you need to do what you WANT TO DO. If you don't like writing for this audience, then don't. If it's because you feel an obligation to comment on everyone's blogs, that's something you need to cut loose (along with the guilt) on your own, I think. I hope that people read me because they like to READ ME, not because they like me to READ THEM. And as far as posting every day, that's something easily taken care of. I have never posted every day; my content isn't "what I did today" in nature. I go about every 5 days or so. It feels right to me.
But if you're just weary of the whole shebang, then shut it down. I'll miss reading you, but it will all be okay.
What I do is subscribe to all the blogs that interest me in bloglines. Then I can have a quick skim (when time is lacking) without actually visiting the blogs. I also don't waste time going to one that might not have been updated, since Bloglines shows only new entries. If something triggers my interest I can click it and read the blog, or mark it for reading later.
Anyway, I hope you keep on blogging even if you don't have time to visit other blogs.
I have always appreciated your loyalty. As people regularly come and blog rolls constantly change, you have been a constant -- an appreciated constant.
Having said that, there are only so many hours in the day, and ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
hugs to ya G
I couldn't keep up with the kids, housework, the occasion cooking of a meal and not to mention my playgroups that I organize, so I cut back.
I hope no one has taken it personal because sometimes I lurk then I'll comment in a few days when my brain is clear. I blog when I can which is hardly ever these days
You come first, so do what you must and thanks for visiting my blog whenever you got a chance.
And by the way, why haven't you commented lately? I AM SO JUST KIDDING :) Hope that made you smile.
But I'd be bummed if you stopped blogging :(
Heidi
I've taken a few breaks in the past, and those are the times I seem to feel most creative, just when I tell myself I'm not going to write anything for a while. I do that with the local blog I write for as well. So I know how you feel.
I also really enjoy the interaction we have found through posts/comments, but I too enjoy life and living it away from the computer.
I end up taking unintentional breaks from blog writing and reading, and have been known to go on a lurking spree from time to time. Do what you can do! We'll still be here.
You have been a great bloggy buddy and I appreciate you and all of your kind words.
Just do what you can, that's it. Nothing more. OK?
Why haven't you put up Blogher ads? Perhaps earning a few bucks would put a spring in your step. And validate how talented you are as a writer. Just a thought.
We all love you Gina and will understand no matter what you gotta choose :)
If I had my way I'd post something new to my blog every day, write 2-3 things a week for the groupblogs where I have privileges, visit all my blogging friends daily, and spend a couple hours daily reading online newspapers, magazines, and other stuff where I can find new material to write about.
Can't do all that, though. I have a wife, I have a job, I have a car that needs to go to the shop, et cetera. Unless you are in the blogging elite who can get paid well enough to earn their living this way, you gotta go to work. And you always have to deal with real life. Sitting at your computer all day and all night tends to make one unpopular with their family.
I've accepted that I can only post a couple times a week most weeks. I've accepted that my readership will probably never climb out of the low double figures. Blogging is not going to run my life, and I suggest it not run yours either. With your other writing obligations, you really don't need to do more than one or two good posts a week here. If I were you, though, I wouldn't give this gig up, since this is where you have the most freedom. Stop in at my place whenever you can.
I like this blog best of your three. I know you have the same voice elsewhere, but somehow, this is still my favorite. I'll be sad if this one goes away in favor of the one that pays. But three is too many, and you gotta do what you gotta do. Real life comes first. ;)
xoxo
If you should close this blog, you will still be at TM, right? I'd hate to see you go completely.