Tuesday, March 10, 2009

That post we all seem to write sooner or later

It took me a little over a year but I am now joining the masses with a post I have read at least 100 times in the past year.

The blogging world is taking too much of my time.

It's true. I have tried to keep up with my blogs and be sure to comment on other blogs. I even had a great stretch of being able to reply to every commenter on the blog. And then Mike started working all the time, school got more intense and Spanky decided to train for the 'messiest kid in the world' award. 

I've been slacking. I look at my list of blogs and want to read each and every one. Then the second I start, the phone rings, something crashes or a child needs me right then. And the fantastic post that put such a smile on my face is left alone on the screen. I hate not having the time to leave a comment. I know they aren't suppose to be a huge deal but I love to leave comments, even more than getting one. It's my way of reaching out and padding someone on the back for congrats, prayers or just friendship.

Sadly, reaching out to other bloggers and blogging itself has turned into almost a chore. I vowed from the start if blogging lost its fun, I would stop. But I really did have fun.

So I am going to make a few changes. I will be posting a little less, unless I really have a lot to say, and trying to comment a little more. I am thinking I might spend one day posting and commenting on different days.

I don't know if it will work but I am going to try and I am going to do my very best to make blogging fun again!



20 comments:

OHmommy said...

Lisa.

I don't comment very much at all. There was a time months ago almost last year that I returned each and every comment. It got be exhausting.

Now I just scroll through my reader when I get the chance and comment when I feel I would like to contribute. Hang in there.

Blogging should be fun.

Grace Acres said...

thats what I hadto do. I read more than I comment and I post about twice a week.

Grace Acres said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I'll definitely have to slow down once this baby comes, so I hear ya. And yes, it should be fun, not stressful. Just know I'll be here to visit when you do post. : )

Elizabeth Byler Younts said...

this is what i keep telling myself...but don't force myself to stick to it. but i MUST! good for you!

Gretchen said...

Lisa,
You're right. Blogging SHOULD be fun. Surround yourself with blogs you love to read. Don't feel guilty not reading a post and just clicking "mark as read". It sounds like you are planning a good balance. Sometimes, no matter how much it hurts, we have to delete blogs from our readers. We can't read them all!

One thing I've considered is to have a reader of only like 10 blogs, then when someone comments to me I would go to their blog and comment on their post, so I have some favorites but I'm also paying it forward to the people who visit me. Well, it's just a theory for now.

Hang in there. We'll see ya when we can. Remember, right now your family needs you more than we do!

Jackie said...

I hear you, girl - it's such a tough balancing act. I haven't figured it all out myself, but I'm getting there. Find something that works for you, and never feel bad if you can't respond or visit every single blog - it's just not always possible.

Amanda said...

Life is busy Lisa and our children and home come first!
Blogging should be fun and something that we enjoy doing. Somethimes there just isn't enough hours in the day, is there?!

Take Care!
Amanda x

(hope you get that gift soon, i posted it last week!)

Brian and Staci said...

Oh I hear ya. I'll be sad to not hear from you but oh I how understand. Building this new house, trying to keep up with kid's activities...and blogging, well, it's just plain exhausting :( Maybe it's a good thing I never really figured out how to be a great blogger...with blogrolls and all. I would surely never get up from my computer :( Good luck my sweet friend. You always know what is best for you and your family. And blogging should not feel like a responsibility :) Just good old fun :)

Clare said...

keep it fun, i have definitely cut back a lot with all of the stuff we have going on at our house! it can get really time consuming:)

CC said...

I feel you!!!! I've been so overwhelmed with a google reader of almost 1000 unread items, and underwhelmed with post ideas. I'm slowing down my blogging big time.

Jules from "The Roost" said...

I understand completely! Do what is best for your family at the time. We are all addicted to this crazy system it is just where to fit it in properly! I always enjoy your blog & your comments....you are truly a pat on the back person and those are lacking in our world!!!

Sit A Spell said...

I saw your comment at the roost. She is a real life friend of many yrs of mine. she got me into blogging last Nov.! Oh my, there is sooo much good stuff out there...from God to gardening two things I love. I also feel like you...it takes a lot to "blog" but I love leaving comments and hopefully raise someone spirit if even for a moment.

So, blog when you can, or want to, it should be fun. God and family should be first, but don't forget yourself in the midst of it all.

Bless...shell

KC said...

I use to try to comment every day.. then it went to once a week.. Now it is if I have a free moment I would like to comment once a month :)
Sometime life has to come 1st ;-)

dani said...

that is kind of what i've been doing lately, lisa. i used to stay on top of posts and comment as soon as they appeared. now i play catch-up every couple of days or so. but, through lent i have had my other blog going too:?......
i hope the fun comes back for you:D
love,
dani

Anonymous said...

I do a blitz through other blogs once or twice a week. These days, it's all I can manage, and trying to do more makes it feel more like a burden then like something that's fun and gives me a chance to see other moms' thoughts and perspectives.

RuensOnTheRun said...

This exact post could be sitting on my blog right now. As you can tell, I'm going back over the blogs I follow, back 2 or 3 posts back even...my google reader numbers are out of control.

EatPlayLove said...

I started writing less at the beginning of the year, stress with Grad School, etc. I still read the majority of posts in reader, but only comment on them about 2x a week, HERE I AM!

Find your groove. I think it's happening to more and more of us. Remember quality over quantity, right?

Melissa ♥ Spoiled Mommy said...

Oh wow, I could not have read this at a better time!
I feel the exact same way...I get my blog writing done first, then read my emails/comments, I respond to those and try to visit their blog as well, and then I go through my reader...I have just now gotten it down to like 7!!! The weekends here so I wil get behind again...stressing me out!
I try to do the best I can, I really love all the blog friends that I have made.
So-my point...good luck girl!

Anonymous said...

You know we support you in this Miss VBMW4, you need to do what's best for you and the ones you love. I'm not sure which is worse for us, the blog or Twitter! Yikes!

We're keeping you in our thoughts,
Susan