September 27, 2010
Throwing in the Towel?
This may come as a giant surprise to many of you, but today I actually comtemplated throwing in the towel and taking a break from blogging for a while. I am so ridiculously busy with running the girls to all of their activities and running myself to physical therapy, that I just haven't found much inspiration to write lately.
I used to savor even 15 minutes of time so I could quickly write something and put it out there. Lately, when I have 15 minutes, I grade something or clean something or start preparing a meal that we'll barely have time to eat before running to the evening's activities.
My original audience is long gone. So are the posts about all things martial arts related. If I do eventually get cleared to head back to karate, right now, I don't even know how I'd find the time to get to class. My girls have something every night of the week. Soon, the competitive swimming season will begin and it will only get worse. My student's papers will only get longer. I'm already sleep deprived. When will I find the time?
I spent time and money on going to a blogging conference this summer and it was a lot of fun to meet so many interesting people. It was also a bit frustrating to me. I've been blogging for almost five years now. I love this writing space, but I've also wanted to turn it into something else. I've wanted to be "discovered" and published. I wanted to use this as a launching pad; but it seems my rockets are fizzling out.
Maybe I'm stagnant because of all the negativity from the past months: the loss of our long-time pet Colby, my Grammom's repeated hospital admissions and death, a third knee surgery and recovery, and many frustrating days trying to turn a country club around when the old-timers don't want to see it turned around. The list goes on. . .
Right now I am frustrated with my writing and I'm frustrated with my life. Would anyone even notice if I packed up and left right now? Would anyone care? Would I? I just don't know.
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I may not be original, but I’m still hanging around. 🙂
I think maybe all that negativity is the reason you should keep writing, but I understand your frustration. I’m there, also, with my blog. I barely get comments anymore. It is such a struggle to find time to write. But I don’t know. I feel bad if I don’t write. Not guilty bad, wrong bad. I’ve been having a very hard time posting the last two weeks. There is too much going on in my life and it is crowding my words right out of my brain. I want to write. That’s what I keep reminding myself when I look at my blog and think, “Where did everybody go?” I’m still there sounding my barbaric yawp into the world (Thank you, Dead Poet’s Society. Oh, yeah, and that Whitman guy.) I would miss you if you stopped yawping.
Yup. I’d miss you.
I originally stumbled across your blog when I googled something about continuing karate while pregnant. From the first post I read, I was hooked. Like you, I’m not able to continue on with martial arts any longer (for a different reason) but it seems we have things in common. My mom tore her ACL around the time of your original injury, and I lost my grandfather this summer.
If you choose to take a break, we’ll understand, but know that you will be missed. If you choose to hang in there, we’ll be here.
NOOOOOOOOOO…(*insert dramatic hands to face moment*)…I would miss you!
K.
I’d miss you!! this IS a part of you! hang in there!
What about a compromise? Perhaps a slower rate of posting — say, once a month?
It might be the break you need.
-B
I’ve been around a while now – and certainly after my own martial arts trip ended I’ve followed closely. So yes, there are people that’d miss the blog – and I think you would too. But I know what you mean about trying to find 15 minutes to spend doing something you want to do!!
For what my 2 cents is worth (in this economy, probably not even that much)… I understand where you’re coming from with regards to blogging. Check my humble blog and see I haven’t made more than a dozen posts all year.
I get it. I get you have loads of things to do each week. And while I can’t possibly know what you’re going through with stress and recovery, etc., I get how busy you are.
All that said: yes, I would notice if you ceased blogging. I would care.
And that’s because I’ve come to know you through your blog. Occupation hazard, you know?
But I’ll back whatever you decide to do.
Don’t you dare, you’re made of stronger stuff than that, giving up isn’t in your blood.
I can’t speak for everyone else, but I don’t come here for your karate updates, or posts about anything in particular. Sure, I found my way here in the first place because of a shared interest, but the reason I keep coming back is nothing to do with what you do, it’s because of who you are.
Anyone who’s spent any time at all here will know what I mean, we come here to see what’s happening in the world of BBM.
At the very least, this place has chronicled everything you’ve been through in the last however-many years and I’m sure would serve as inspiration to a lot of people.
If you need a break, take a break, no-one will mind, but there’s no real need to make a definite black-or-white decision one way or the other. Just see what happens :).
Come on, seriously? I was barely able to find few GOOD blogs amongst all the web crap and you’re ready to pack your bags? Ufff.
I would say … take 2-3 days off. Then come post again. Write about your day, write about what you experienced, just write. Because you have some great talent and it would be a pity to go to waste.
Maybe posting 3 times a week is better for you. Maybe twice. We’d still be here, enjoying your writing, while you’ll have more time to dedicate to yourself and the family.
PS: I’d love some karate articles, that’s for sure 😉
Just a lurker, here, but I would both notice and care. 🙂
I would care, but the decision is always and will always be yours to make. You could just put it down for a while and see if you ever come back. Feed readers are awesome for letting us know if you do. 🙂
Of course I’d care. A lot of people would.
Take a break for a while. Don’t quit because you’re tired and frustrated. You’ll regret it. As Poppy said, that’s what feed readers are for. We’ll be here when you get back.
Take care of you until the mojo comes back. Don’t put undue pressure on yourself.
I’d miss you, too. Take a break if you need to – just come back, please! Too many great bloggers have gotten burned out and stepped completely away. Don’t want you to step completely away (OK – call me selfish)…
I miss the karate stuff, but as we also have lots in common (adjuncting, writing and stuff like that), I enjoy all you bring to the table. You’ve got lots on your plate right now. No one would fault you for taking a break…
Just come back, ya hear?!?
I would care. I would care a lot. I’ve too many blogging friends who have moved on as it is!
Dear ms. BBM,
I have been reading, and enjoying, your blog for quite a while. I got interested because of the martial arts aspect, but still enjoy reading it even now that has gone to the background. Seems like a good time to let you know.
Best wishes,
Sander
I would miss you!!!
You need to regroup, and if that means taking time off, please, take the time off. I found you via a web search on martial arts, but I’ve stayed because I feel like I’ve gotten to know you and can call you a friend. I know what you’re saying about lacking time. I think your blog is a good outlet for frustrations. It helps you be able to keep things in perspective.
Take some time off, but don’t close down completely. Please?
(((HUGS)))
NO, please don’t go. I just met you.
People would care, but you have to ask yourself what is best for you. I have stopped blogging myself and quite enjoy just reading others. Sometimes life gets busy and we find it best to let go of things that stress us out. If you are writing for yourself, then I urge you to keep blogging. But if you are writing for others and feeling bad about not blogging as much, then maybe you would be happier becoming a reader…
Do whatever you feel is right, but we would miss you.
You would definitely be missed. I’m a newer reader, but I would care a lot.
Those moments where blogging feels stagnant, and real life seems to crowd out the words-I relate to that so well. My advice is to take the pressure off of yourself. Let the writing come when it does and don’t force it. Life has seasons and so does blogging. This might be a slow season for you, a time when everything seems very upside down and your blog may change and become something very different than what you ever expected. It might be time for a break. That is okay too. You have to do what is best for you.
Have you gotten the validation you needed to continue? It seems a lot that when I am feeling down about my blog, it’s validation I need. We’ve discussed how comments are just down all over the web-it sucks. I’m busy…trust me, I know how hard it is. So you post when you can, if you want to, at whatever frequency is healthy for you.
And I’ll take this time to be honest with you…I love you, but I’m not here for the martial arts post-i usually just skim those. 🙂
I like your non-martial arts posts. I may not comment every time, but I always read you. Don’t go. 🙂
Blogging is a public diary; you write what you feel and give everyone a chance to read and relate to your experiences. I am sure everything around you will give you inspiration for the next blog topic. Don’t ever stop writing!
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Good to see you’re still here. I really enjoy your blogs!
Hi, I really enjoy your blogs.Good to see you’re still here.Interesting Topic.