I’ve been blogging since July of 2009 and have covered an array of topics. When I began this journey I had thoughts pouring out of my overwrought mind. Every situation afforded a blogging opportunity and I ran with it. I felt inspired by my life, obligated to release the floodgates of thoughts building up in my mind like a poorly played game of Tetris and I felt excited to share my random musings with whoever might be interested.
This blogging fervor lasted for months where I averaged five weekly posts ranging from rants at a declining human nature triggered by grocery store lines to questioning my own life decision-making skills when I gave the flip-flop to employment. (I’m still trying to figure this one out folks. I traded in Working Girl for Mr. Mom and morning lattes for sippy cups of milk. And, I don’t even get paid for it. Someone needs to work on that.)
Somewhere along the way I lost a little bit of my fervor (and my mind,but that’s an entirely different post). I had been developing blog posts just for the sake of meeting my own self-proclaimed deadline, this irrational fear of slowing down my posting driving my ambition. And, while I always enjoyed the finished result, the process was getting very stressful. I’m pretty sure that blogging itself is supposed to be cathartic, not pimple-inducing.
Yet, I kept plugging along, posting frequently while developing an unhealthy relationship with Clearasil and Stridex pads.
But then life got a little busier and I (gasp!) missed a day.
Oh, boy howdy.
Once I recovered from my mild panic attack at what I considered a slight failure, I realized that the world was not going to stop turning and that, undoubtedly, my loyal readers would not feel as if a part of them was missing without their daily dose of my kind of crazy. And I felt better.
It’s as if all I needed was to take a day off, effectively giving myself permission to cut back on my own expectations. I took the plunge into inconsistency and haven’t looked back.
Now, you need to understand that it’s against my very nature to not strive for consistency so this particular mode of blogging is a little bohemian. I feel a little wild and crazy. (I know…that’s very sad and slightly pathetic.)
My goal is to one day (hopefully soon) get back to more frequent posting, as I miss that Christmas morning-like anticipation at opening up my blog to see if anyone’s even reading the thing. (By the way, thank you for that.)
But, I also plan on totally embracing my ‘flakier’ side and allowing myself the break when I need it. I did not begin my blog due to a deep desire for additinal stress and mind-numbing anxiety. No, I had kids for that.
I blog for release. I blog for humor. I blog for fun. And whether that works out to five days a week or one, the purpose remains the same.
You. Complete. Me. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the melodramaticism. I was beginning to sound like the voice over for a bad Lifetime movie-of-the-week.)
Mindy
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Brandy
I totally understand what you’re saying here. I’ve felt the same way at times and have reminded myself that it’s better to go for quality over quantity. There are times when I’m inspired where I can write posts every day and still have more ideas coming. I love those days. I think like has a natural ebb and flow to it it is good to follow that when you can. Good for you for listening to yourself and knowing what’s important. Don’t worry – we’ll still keep coming back!
Thanks Marly! I knew you’d be the voice of reason on this one! And I think to seek quality over quantity pretty much works out in our favor every time!
Mindy
Mindy, I love ya! I fully understand not blogging everyday. Trust me, if I did, you guys would be bored out of your minds!
Thanks Tinker! I realized that when I started following the dog around hoping to get some good material that I was losing a little insight.
Mindy
I understand. I’ve cut out weekends, and considering just doing three posts a week. But the Bohemian thing is appealing, just doing it when I want. Seriously blogging should not be about putting pressure on ourselves but an attempt to release it. Post when you feel like it, I’ll always check in to see what you’re up to.
Thanks Suzi! I think I’ll just follow my gut for now and if that works out to regular posting, than so be it. I have enough crazy stuff happening around here I certainly should be able to come up with something every now and again.
Mindy
Um, yeah. I have a lame, recycled post up today simply because I couldn’t think of anything and didn’t care to try. I should have just skipped a day.
For what it’s worth though – I miss you on the days you don’t post.
Mindy, I’m just getting back into blogging because I also needed to slow down and take some time to make sure that my blog was meeting my needs. Kudos to you for recognizing that your blog should be enjoyable for you! I’ll be here to read whenever you post next. Enjoy the rebalancing.
I’m with ya. It is an outlet sometimes but shouldnt feel like work or like we must do it. Sometimes I run out of rabbit stories and I can tell some of my fellow bunny people dont want to read about other things but Hello, there is other stuff going on in my life. I will always be over here to read be it weekly, daily or monthly. You are a talented writer.
Thank you for posting this Mindy! You hit on some of the things I’ve been feeling lately, too. You know I’ll be here to read whenever you post (even if I’m a week late LOL). I think a lot of people are feeling the same way; I’ve noticed my RSS reader is much less full than it had been.
I just recently decided to cut out the weekends and lately have gotten down to four a week. There are just some days when not blogging is such a relief. AND then there is the reading of many blogs, sometimes I feel like I am going to work. Knowing it will be a good four or five hours before I finish, IF I finish.
You will be missed, but I totally get it!
I like Lifetime movies. Stop making fun of me. I have recently taken some days off too and (gasp!) the world did not stop turning!! It should totally be fun and not just another daily task. Blog when you want to, don’t when you don’t. Simple as that.
♥Spot
I just recently decided to cut out the weekends and lately have gotten down to four a week. There are just some days when not blogging is such a relief. AND then there is the reading of many blogs, sometimes I feel like I am going to work. Knowing it will be a good four or five hours before I finish, IF I finish.
You will be missed, but I totally get it!
Mindy, I’m just getting back into blogging because I also needed to slow down and take some time to make sure that my blog was meeting my needs. Kudos to you for recognizing that your blog should be enjoyable for you! I’ll be here to read whenever you post next. Enjoy the rebalancing.