Thursday, October 1, 2015

Decisions, decisions..........

I am up and down about my blog at the moment.  Should I continue with it or should I say goodbye to it?

From my lack of posts recently I have been leaning towards saying goodbye.  I am finding it more of a chore than a joy at the moment.  Writing a blog should not be a chore, it should be done with joy and because you want to do it.  I think you can tell when a person is writing a post because they feel they "have too," and I can even see it in my posts.



I still haven't come to a decision whether or not I will carry on, but would love to hear how you feel about your blog and if you have had those times when you say enough.........

P.S. Life is good, busy but good.  Got a lot going on though.

34 comments:

Gillian said...

I've been blogging for about 16 months now. I often wonder how I am going to get the time to do a post. And I find it very difficult to get the time to read other people's blogs and leave a comment. There's only so much you can do! I wonder sometimes what other bloggers do that seem to just spend their whole time on a computer. Sometimes I just feel like giving up. Sometimes I don't do a post for longer than I think is a reasonable gap between posts but it doesn't seem to matter. I thought at first that no-one would bother reading again but they still do. So just do it your way. Blog less often if that suits. Just don't let it get you down for, as you say, it's meant to be fun. I hope you keep at it.

Anonymous said...

I would be sad to see you go. I have been following you and your travels for 5 yrs. at least. And especially recently when you would blog about your knitting and the group you joined. I, too, am an off and on knitter and joined a group at my senior center. I have found so much fun and excitement to be with these 'older ladies'. They are very talented. So blogging about your knitting has kept me interested in seeing what you're working on. Perhaps to blog once or twice a week might help. Thanks for all your insights. Bess from Massachusetts

T'Pol said...

Gill, you wrote down my sentiments exactly... I enjoyed having followers and comments and answering those comments when I had my old blog in my own language. There weren't a ton of followers but enough that kept it interesting for me. Then I went on a hiatus and lost most of my followers. After that, I decided to write in English. However, I do not have the time to make it interesting enough to get many followers. I was originally planning to write about Istanbul and how you can visit this city on a budget but, I never had the time to do things, take pictures, calculate costs and such...

Soooo, I am contemplating too. I am not out of words but rather out of stamina to write them down...

Take care!

Boyett-Brinkley said...

Back in the day when I started my blog I didn't really know what it was all about. As I look at it now, I still don't know what it is all about. I read other people's blogs and they are very theme oriented with lots of photos and opportunity for learning and such but that isn't what I thought my blog would ever be. I sort of think of my blog as a bunch of friends getting together and having a cuppa and chatting. I never meant for it to be earth shattering and I certainly never thought of generating an income -- I just thought about making some friends, maybe. And I have, I think of you and Jane and Mary and Joy (well, she is family) and a couple of others as friends. I don't have a big following and that is ok with me because when I write something I am mostly sharing with a handful of people who have become an important part of my day. I think it just all depends on what you want the blog to be. Mine has turned out perfect for me. I hope you stay around -- maybe just take a bit of a break now and again -- like the one I am on now.

Mum said...

I only post when I want to, not because I feel I should. I'm sure inspiration will come. In the meantime don't make a too hasty decision to quit. Just have a little blog break until you think - Ah, I'll do a post about that.
I'll still be calling in.
xx

Jane and Chris said...

I've really had nothing to write about recently...plus being forced to go private means it's difficult for blog friends to access. I know how you feel.
Jane x

Mysti said...

I have thought about stopping. Not sure how interested anyone really is. Comments have become fewer. My troll annoys me. But I really want to be able to finish what I started....

The Cranky said...

I've had, and still have, those times... I take a few days or weeks off. Try giving yourself a formal blog break; if you find you dread the thought of returning, say goodbye to it. In the meantime, we'll leave the light on for you.

Jackie said...

I have started to post when I have something to say. Some of it could be classified as fairly boring, but that is how my life is at times.

Have a break, and see how things go.

God bless.

mamasmercantile said...

Only you can make that decision, post when you have something you want to share and see where that takes you. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Jenn Jilks said...

I'm with Mum! Post when you feel like it. I love reading other's blogs. There should be no pressure. I don't think people notice when you DON'T post, only when you do!
I am happy to read your blogs then.

Pom Pom said...

I love the photo aspect of blogging and I wait until I have some photos I love and then I share them. A blog is such a personal little venue and I think that's why I haven't tired of it yet (over five years now).
There are so many blogs that there should be no obligation whatsoever. I'm always overjoyed to find a new blog to read and look at and I feel very loyal to my longtime favorite blogs.
I hope you don't hang it up, Gill. I'd miss you.

Terra said...

I just post when the mood strikes which is about once a week, that way it stays fun. Like you say, it is best when not a chore. I hope you choose to keep blogging :)

Betsy said...

I think a lot of us have had those same feelings about blogging. I began my blog when I went to Japan after the earthquake/tsunami and worked in the shelters. People had donated knit and crochets items for me to distribute, (over 4000 items) and the blog was a way to take them along and let them see where things went. I had absolutely not planned to continue blogging after the trip. But, and it's a big but, I made some very good friends on here that I have actually met in "real life". My life is not interesting at all and I just write about the repetitive things I do when I feel like it. If I don't post one week, that's okay. People still seem to be there when I do post. I don't have a huge following, but the people that do read it and comment seem to care and that's big in this impersonal world we live in.
Take a break. Blog less often. Step back and think about it. But I would be disappointed to lose complete contact with you. We're here when you decided to post. :-)
Blessings,
Betsy

barbara woods said...

Dont go, we would miss you

Unknown said...

I'm struggling with the same decision right now. Follow your heart.

William Kendall said...

Post when you want to, once or twice a week, for instance.

Meanqueen said...

Hi. I enjoy writing my blog and don't find it a chore. I like writing anyway, I have written for magazines and newspapers, and published a newsletter every month for three years. It's my hobby. I write my blog for me, if anyone reads that's a bonus.

I find I write better in the mornings when my brain is fresh. It is now almost 10pm and my brain is slowing down, this is when I struggle to write.

You should blog if you want to, not if you feel you ought to. Perhaps take a break, or write shorter posts.

I find that having a blog makes me get up and do things, so I have something to write about. I view writing as being creative, I like to think up new ideas. Every morning I think about what the topic will be for that day. Sometimes I take a day off if I have nothing to say.

Stop if you are not enjoying it.

Anne in the kitchen said...

I think it becomes a chore if you feel you must post something regularly, if not daily. I am just not interesting enough to be a daily blogger, so I don't worry about it. If something comes up that I want to mention I do, otherwise I just read everyone else. If I am on my phone or Ipad I don't even try to comment because they are both too "touchy".

Only you know what is the best thing for you to do, but I will miss reading your adventures if you choose to quit.

Aodhnait said...

I enjoy reading your blog Gill but do agree that blogging can be tiresome! Good luck with whatever you decide to do in regard to your blog.

Scrappy quilter said...

I haven't done a post since July so you know where I am with blogging. At times I enjoy it, other times like right now I am just to busy and having too much fun with life to blog. I would definitely miss you. I've followed you for years. You have to do what you feel is best for you. Hugs

angela said...

Don't leave. But don't feel you need to post everyday. Not even every week. Just post when you want to pop in and tell us something exciting or significant. That way it's nota chore and slowly you will find you get your mojo back. That's what I did. I no longer have to post every day. We will miss you if you decide to go

maggie said...

I hope you dont quit, your blog is one that i look for an update from. Perhaps like others have suggested and post once a week and see how you feel with doing that, or just take a little break. So many people seem to be giving up on blogging in favour of other social media, but for me fb and instagram just dont have the same feel, my comments have gone right down over the last year, but then i think well my blog is like my diary so although the comments are really nice to have im not so hung up on them anymore. Just blog when you want, i bet you will enjoy it if you dont think about it for a while. Xx

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I'm with you Gill, so I'm not going to be any help. But you've gotten some great thoughts, that I need too -- I'm also struggling at the moment to keep going, especially because I feel pulled in so many directions. I honestly don't know how people do it every day, truly admire those that do, and and have done it for years.

But I will say that I've gotten attached to you Gill, so I'm glad that there's at least FB to keep up with you! :-)

maureenlthompson said...

Blogging for me is something I do because I enjoy it. If I didn't, I wouldn't do it. It's a kind of journal too for me to look back on. Sometimes I have a couple of weeks between posts, sometimes I'll post a couple of times a week. Depends on the time available and whether I have anything I want to be able to look back on. I read quite a few blogs too but don't always comment, I just enjoy reading them. If it ever became a chore I would just leave it alone. I wouldn't delete it.

Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

Scarlet said...

I stopped blogging in May,and don't really miss it ( I definitely don't miss the horrible coments I sometimes received).It seems that lots of people who started blogging around the same time ( 4+ years ago) have also stopped. Returning may have been a possibility at some point, but the comment that someone left suggesting that I had mental health issues, that I was going to end up a bitter, angry old woman and that I needed to not only seek professional help, but to talk to my family about it, made me realise that there are some very odd people out there, who thought that they knew me better than my own family knows me, who didn't care that my family saw their comments, and what was worse was the fact that I was sharing aspects of my life with them, whereas in real life I wouldn't have anything to do with people like that. That was a sobering moment.
I can honestly say that life is full and I'm having fun living it, and I'm sharing it with people who don't judge me if I'm occasionally worried, sad or angry, but see those as perfectly normal emotions to experience.
You must do what you think is best for you, not for anyone who says they will miss reading your blog. If you stop and then at some point you decide you want to blog again, then do so. If not, you still have a lovely record of your life over the last few years.

Evelyn said...

I don't blog but I do read blogs, I prefer them to facebook and I really enjoy yours Gill!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Gail I have been struggling with this question for the whole year. A lot has happened in my life. I love to share and I write twice a week now. I truly think I would not be able to handle losing another big part of me and losing my blogger friends so I keep going. I am hoping they understand my random posts and commenting. Bloggers are an amazing compassionate bunch. It is your decision and I am sure you will make the one you need. Even if it is temporary. It should not feel like a chore. HUGS xo B

slugmama said...

I get these "what the heck am I doing anyway?" moments about twice a year.
As with all people who write, sometimes the words just dry up and no inspiration strikes so it's not just you.

Blogging should be a joy and not a chore....unless of course you are doing it for money and then it becomes both. lolz

I feel you should blog for yourself and if other kindred spirits online find you, all the better!
Just post when you feel you have something to say, a wisdom to impart or a joy to share.

Sometimes life gets too busy or not worth commenting on.
Do what feels right for you.
Your posse will still be there if you do less. 8-)

Country Gal said...

Maybe take a break from blogging . I base my blog on my photos , I post when I have something to post about when I want to share . Blogging is an open book thing like an on line journal , even though not much goes on in my life there is always something going on outside in our yard or valley and nature to me is worth sharing as each Provence and country have different wild life plants and what not so I like share them as much as I can . I have been blogging for going on 6 years now and enjoy it . I just hope others do as well as I try not to over do it or to often as that even for me can get boring .I enjoy other blogs with their ideas , photos , crafts and DIY'S I mean to me it is like traveling the world from ones comfy chair with out all the hassle that goes with traveling . What ever you decide we the bloggers will support you . Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !

Joolz said...

I tend to take pics on my phone then blog around that, being daily or a couple times a week. I love seeing what you are up to, knitting etc.

Clippy Mat said...

Well I can't tell anyone to keep blogging because I've been very neglectful of mine for a long, long time now. But I do know that I read yours whenever I DO log into mine, which hasn't been that often, and I always enjoy finding out what you've been up to, which is usually a lot. I think I've been reading yours for quite a long time now, since before the country house and those escapades which was really enjoyable. I would miss it.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Hi Gill, I just finished reading this post and then most of the comments about how folks feel about blogging. I too have had similar thoughts that sometimes it can be overwhelming. Years ago, we posted almost daily, but now we average 2-4 times a week, unless we have things we want to share, rant about, etc. I don't think there is any hard and fast rule, but you need to decide in your own mind if blogging takes up too much time or whether you want to keep at it, but perhaps cut back. I enjoy reading comments, but a big problem is trying to read and post on other blogs. I am in awe of those folks who can follow so many other bloggers.

Craig said...

Gill - I jut returned from a few weeks off. I considered closing my blog but decided that I'd try to post less often and thus make it less of a chore. Taking a few weeks off (writing and reading other blogs) helped too. But I totally get where you are at.
I assume that you're having some "off" time at the moment.
If you come back (and I hope you do), just take it easy... blog maybe once per week to keep it ticking over.
Trust that all is well with you and yours.

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