Friday, May 23, 2008

The Momentous Decision

I love blogging, but this daily posting thing is getting to be a bit much. In the past couple of week there have been a few times when I realized that other aspects of my life are suffering because of my blogging commitment.

Ken has mentioned more than once that I've been "spending a lot of time on the computer".

Also I've been slacking at work just a wee tad on account of keeping up with the blog neighbours. Often I have downtime at the end of the day, when everything is done and I can take a few minutes to catch up without guilt. However, I recently got myself into a bad situation by taking a few too many breaks when there was still work to be done, and that's not like me. I don't sleep well knowing that I did a half-assed job.

So, much as I'd like to be able to honour all my commitments, something has to give. That's Blog365. So as of now, I'm officially resigning from the challenge to post daily.

I'm thinking it's more reasonable to aim for 2 or 3 posts per week. I still want to keep up with all my usual blog-pals, because I *heart* you all and can't bear to miss an instalment of your life stories.

Thanks to all of you who have read and/or commented regularly throughout my marathon of daily writing. I didn't have enough experience when I signed up for the project to realize that daily postings are demanding not only for the author, but also for commenters.

Anyway, I'm still here, and still committed to Blogland and all it's whacky residents. Have a great weekend, all!

17 comments:

Karen said...

You have to do what is best for you. Ken and work have be a priority. I am proud you made it this far.

Warped Mind of Ron said...

I guess I will accept your decision... although if I were you I would let work and your personal life suffer for the benefit of the blog. If you cut out showers and sleeping imagine the time you would have to blog!! If you dropped the personal life you would have loads of time to come up with new and creative things to entertain us :)

Leighann said...

Good luck and enjoy the extra time you'll have! I for one will still look forward to your occasional posts!

:)

Anonymous said...

All these 365 contests are designed by shut in's for shut in's. If you don't live in your parent's basement there's no need to participate.

Enjoy the life you have now. That way you won't have to "get a life" later.

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savia said...

Here's to more time in the real world! It's easy to get wrapped up in what you think you "should" be doing (i.e. blogging 365) as opposed to what you need to do to be happy and healthy.

I'm glad you're choosing balance - it's something I struggle with, too.

Besides, I'm of the firm belief that good things are worth waiting for, and your blog is on my list of "good things."

Take care ;)

Jameil said...

i felt it coming. i was sitting at home thinking about how i was gonna make sure i got blogs posted daily. it was ridiculous. i'll still post most days but i'm not gonna break my back to post every single day. that's much more feasible, right? i missed maybe 5 days (all in the last month) and that's good enough for me. you know i've been blogging near-daily since november. but you should know it will be hard to stop! lol.

Nilsa S. said...

Hopefully that'll take some stress off you. I may blog every week day, but it's certainly not because of some contest. In some ways, I think that dilutes the purpose of blogging. In any case, I hope this new arrangement works out for you!

Emma Gorst said...

I really enjoy reading your posts, daily or not. I think the kind of posts you do take significant time and effort; I don't know where you get the time (well, now I do). I can definitely relate to the feeling of being pulled by multiple responsibilities. Like now... bye! Looking forward to your next post :-)

Keera Ann Fox said...

Aw, shucks. And don't I feel real single right now! :-)

But yeah, thinking of something to write (inspiration NOW!), composing it, tweaking it, maybe adding a photo or three, editing, maybe dealing with Blogger hiccups for a bit, it all adds up. I was shocked that my post yesterday took me an hour to do. It didn't feel like an hour.

I'm very happy you'll continue to post, though. I really like your blog, Spark! (And your friendship. :-) )

Anonymous said...

Yupp, blogging eats time....
Do what is Best for you (and your job). As long as you don't quit it all, because then I need to get over there and kick you ;)

Anonymous said...

Can you convince the rest of the people involved with this to knock it the f off, too?

(Not that I don't envy the fact that you cats were blogging EVERY DAY).

I just couldn't keep up.

Yes, my reasons are purely selfish.

(Just blog a piss of a lot more than me, and we'll be fine. :) )

Sparkling Red said...

Karen: Thanks! And Ken agrees with you. ;-)

Ron: It's totally tempting to let other things slide. Writing is the creative love of my life, and the mutual relationships I've developed with mah blog peeps in the last few months are precious to me. But! Inspiration comes more readily when I'm well-rested (and showered). ;-)

Leighann: Thank you! :-)

Unsigned: Wow, that's pretty harsh, but in a general way I do see your point. I am translating your message to "Don't spend TOO much time online, because there is more to life." There, wasn't that so much less judgemental?

Neeraj: Hi and thanks for visiting. :-)

Savia: Thanks! By the by, I have been enjoying your blog very much. I couldn't think of a pithy comment for the lube post, but it did make me laugh. :-)

Jameil: Yesterday was the first day since 2007 that I didn't sit down and write a post. I kept feeling like I was forgetting something.

Nilsa: I felt that my content was starting to weaken from being forced on my tired days. That doesn't do anyone any good.
:-p "Diluting" is a good word for it.

Aurora: Thanks! I'm not sure where I found the time either. It was fine in the winter when nothing much was going on, but my family has suddenly sprung up with a lot of needs/demands, work is crazy, and I want to get outside once in a while!

Keera: Awww, thanks! *blush* :-)
I value your friendship (and your blog) very much. It's funny how much we can get to know each other just through our blogs. Part of my decision to step back a bit is because I feel confident that my blog-friends are well-established now and I don't have to keep proving myself every day.

Nicole: You can come to visit me anytime, if you promise to bring King and JoJo too. :-) I don't think you'll be needing to kick my butt. I enjoy blogging too much to abandon it entirely.

Stewie: I don't think I'd have any luck convincing the remaining Blog365 maniacs to skip a day. Last time I checked there were over 1,000 participants listed on the site. Then again I went to some of their blogs and they weren't posting every day - what gives? They just joined for the exposure? I deleted my profile on the Blog365 group as soon as I decided to quit. :-p

Jenski said...

I can definitely see myself taking days off in the near future. Sadly, it has been easier to post every day because I have not been going anywhere for long periods. I have a conference in a few weeks, so that'll be a good break.

Enjoy the outdoors and getting stuff done at work! I am always impressed with how substantive your posts are. Now when you post, you won't feel pressured and can take your time writing them.

Zoemonster said...

good for you

I didnt even know you were doing a 365 anyhoo

but regardless, that's NUTS.. to post every day

here are some of my initial thoughts on why

1. you dont have something clever to writie about alla time (hell, my husband is a front pg columnist 3 x a week and sometimes his are... well, mediocre

2. these interned peeps (most) wouldnt even know if you kicked the bucket.. SAD, BUT true (sry.. capslock alert).. I mean WHEN you die,,,, have the loved ones remember you for yr addictions to them

3. And why respond to each commenter.. I will bet a few look back, but not enuf to make it worth yr time

4, AND.. this pays no money

5.. why not just keep (at least) half the entries private and go for a book deal? All they can say is no.. and with the way YOU write, someone's gonna say Yes

Well, I will get off my soapbox now..

Oh.. one more thing.. Back 10 yrs ago, I played Yahoo Spades 24/7.. Phase lasted about 3 years.. Good GRIEF.. the actual LIFE that I missed.. awful

Now I check all my fave places on the net when I get up.. Husband reads the paper and a few Psalms with coffee

Day starts

Then I (usually weekdays only) check a select few spots again while I prepare supper

That's Just I though and

1. I aint perfect AT ALL

2. my attempts at writing are a tad more ADD than I am in person

ANYHOOOOO... GOOD on YOU

sl

Sparkling Red said...

Jenski: Taking a break is both good and weird. You'll see... You'll be falling asleep at night with this niggling feeling at the back of your mind: "There's something I forgot to do today..." And then you'll remember that it's blogging and that you don't HAVE to, but you won't fully believe yourself.

Mex aka Syb: I love responding to comments - that's half the fun! At least, for me. :-) Even if not everyone reads my reply to them personally, some people read all the comments and replies, so it kind of evens out.
Thanks for all your thoughts, and especially being so supportive and complimentary. Of course I love to hear that I should save myself for the book deal! Could happen someday, I guess, but for now I'm happy as is. :-)

Aric Blue said...

Whew! It was becoming a challenge just keeping up with READING your blogs! And you were making us all look very bad with your schedule...
:)