Stop the Insanity!
Last meta post for the foreseeable future. Pinky swear :)
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First and foremost, I’d like to thank those who commented on the previous post. Your wisdom, insight and kindness did me a world of good. I didn’t read blogs much last week, for which I feel very guilty, but I caught up a little the past couple days and read even MORE posts from people experiencing blogging blues, blahs, pressure and/or guilt. I had no idea.
The funny thing is that we all sort of mention the same things. That makes me think that though this is likely cyclical, as many a wise commenter suggested, I needed to draft something official to address this ennui.
Friends and passersby, I give you my declaration of independence from all ridiculous and counterproductive thoughts and behaviors related to blogging.
A Blogging Declaration of Independence
1. I will only write when I feel like writing. I will not allow myself to feel obligated to write a blog post or do any other blog-related activity if I don’t feel like it.
2. I will no longer stop to consider if a post will be boring to other people or use that as a deciding factor in what I write.
3. I will write from my heart and remember that my blog is about me and whatever I want to write about.
4. I will not compare myself to other bloggers.
5. I will not allow myself to feel bad if I notice that someone doesn’t come to my blog anymore.
6. I will not concern myself with comments or stat counters or other numeric devices that might have the ability to affect my mood or what I write.
7. I will not feel bad if something I care about doesn’t get a lot of feedback or comments.
8. I will always try to remember that blogging is a hobby first and foremost. When it stops being fun, I will step away and re-evaluate.
9. I will no longer feel guilty about not commenting “as much as I should” because my first responsibility is to myself and my kids. Though I love reading and connecting with other bloggers, real life needs to come first.
10. I will make an effort to not get lost in blogging. Just because I can while away an entire evening in the blogsophere with relative ease doesn’t mean I should.
11. I will not worry about losing readers if I change my focus from time to time.
12. I will be true to myself and my feelings. I will be cranky if that’s how I feel. Being a diplomat 24-7 is just exhausting and unnatural.
13. I will try really hard to fight that feeling that I am missing out on something if I’m not reading and commenting on blogs.
14. In committing myself to this declaration, I am setting myself free so that I can enjoy blogging more and stress about it less.
15. I will update and add to this declaration as necessary.
I invite anyone who wants it to take this declaration and personalize it to your specific needs. Post it on your blog and link to it from your sidebar so you will see it and think about it regularly. Be sure to come back and let me know about it so I can link you from this post :)
THESE PEOPLE ARE ON THE ROAD TO SANITY!
aka people posting or linking to:
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AMEN! BRAVO! THREE CHEERS!!! I really need to go to bed since it’s 1:12 am, but after I get the boys off to school I will link to this and get it in my sidebar (if I can figure out how). The only thing I can think of to add is my “Golden Rule of Blogging”-Comment unto others as you would have them comment unto you.
You know this is EXACTLY what I needed to read right now. Which is why I think you are absolutely awesome. Thanks for saying what so many of us needed to hear. And repeat, over and over.
These sound like good rules. Although, I’m a new and naive blogger and I didn’t realize what pressures popular bloggers have. I like my simple little blog just the way it is. I don’t think I’d like all the work involved with being popular.
I hope you find a balance that will keep you posting because you have some important stuff to say.
Oh goodness…what a set of rules! They are wonderful and so true to blogging. I admire you for writing them and I admire you for adhering to them..it will be difficult…Good for you.
I think it’s great you’ve set this out for yourself Izzy. I’ve always said that when it’s not fun for me anymore, I’ll quit. So far so good! :)
Real life has to come first though!
I solemnly swear to try and follow your lead! Good rules, there.
Now that is a wonderful guideline. You hit ALL the points I go through in my head and feel guilty about. I will remember these points.
Lisa
*hugs* I think blogging, at least personal blogging, should be fun, should be an outlet for you, not a burden and just another thing to do. I can think of better things to do with my time than forcing myself to write a personal blog that isn’t enjoyable for me, kwim?? I’m glad you are working it out!
I feel like I should be standing next to you with one hand over my heart and the other raised in the air repeating these words after you. great post on a topic that seems to resonate with so many of us.
These are great rules, and I think for a newbie like myself, they are an excellent starting point on how to not burn yourself out! I will have to take the oath as well. Thanks for sharing. Your hindsight is great foresight for those of us just starting out. I can easily see myself alerady starting to fall prey to some of the guilts and ambitions you have outlined. I will heed your warning for all it is worth - and that is a lot!
Good work, Izzy. I agree that it is easy to get too sucked up in the blogosphere and real life is a nice place to spend some time.
Oh, Izzy, it’s like you crawled right into my brain with this post. These are the very same rules I had to come to grips with when I returned to blogging this fall.
Good work, and thanks for articulating what many of us couldn’t.
Wow - I am a brand new blogger and your declaration is “speaking to me” to help me get over the blog-freeze that I experience … what should I or should I not say, do, talk about, should I just change the site again instead of writing! Thanks for putting down in words what I have been stressing over ever since “a blog sounds like a great idea” became yet another stressor in my life!
I’ve been swearing allegiance to this declaration for some weeks now. I just hadn’t made it official.
So - I SOLEMNLY SWEAR TO UPHOLD THE SACRED PRINCIPLES OF BLOGGER INDEPENDENCE AND ENJOYMENT AND HEREBY DECLARE THAT SHOULD I FAIL TO UPHOLD THESE PRINCIPLES I WILL OKE MYSELF IN THE EYE.
(pump fist in air)
Thanks for saying it out loud, Izzy.
Hooray! These are things we all need to remember from time to time I think.
These are great blogging “rules”……I do find myself writing for comments, or wondering why people don’t seem to comment about certain stuff that is really important to me. I am definately all about reminding myself about #7, 5 and 4!!
Good for you Izzy. Blogging is a hobby. It should be something that brings you joy — not anxiety. Your list should be a blog pannel at BlogHer next year!
Yes, yes, YES!!!!!!!! Blogging CAN turn into yet another pressure or responsibility at times…I’ve dropped my posting frequency to focus on other things, and now when I look back at the old daily post schedule, I can’t remember how I did it.
I would like to put my John Hancock on this if I could please. Great list!! Here’s to blogging that’s fun and not stressful - the way it should be.
Blogging should not be a job. Blogging should be fun and easy and a hobby, just like you said.
I like your declaration, Izzy!
Amen, Sister. This is supposed to be fun.
YYYEEESSS!!!! This is SO how I have been feeling over the last month or so…you said it well. Obviously, from the other blogs I have visited from time to time, you are not alone in your thinking…..neither am I. Do it because you want to do it…once it becomes an obligation, the fun evaporates. :)
I know what you mean. One blog is enough work; two is exhausting. My birth stories blog seems to be dying a slow death but I know the stories are helping people by the google searches that land there. I’m going to keep it up but finding new people to post is exhausting.
I agree, though I am more guilty of being somewhat number obsessed and wondering why I seem to get very few hits. It doesn’t bug me that much though, i’m more interested in improving than self flagellation (which is different from flatulence, just so we’re clear, but does not mean I’m not full of hot air).
I’m still ticked about bit@cle, but figure there isn’t much I can do. I’m back to blogging for fun.
Man! I go away and I miss all the ‘fun’! Good to see that you have re-focused in a POSITIVE manner!
Quite honestly I would hate to have to miss you, but if you aren’t having fun at this then it is just a tremendous burden!
I could swear I heard God Bless America playing as I read this…
Thanks for synthesizing many of the same thoughts going through my mind this last week. Only you did it much more clearly!
*applause* Nicely put. Very nice.
By the way, I linked to you yesterday. Others are agreeing with the Declaration!
http://nupboard.blogspot.com/2006/10/managing-to-say-no-to-nablopomo.h tml
I need to post #9 on my wall. Thanks for the list.
This is great - I’ve tried to uphold these, but seeing it all in writing really helps. That said, I should admit that we’ve agreed to do NaBloPoMo - because to us it was time for a challenging change, but I can also understand how it would seem stressful or high pressured, or even a little clique-y (which is why I initially hesitated). Anyway, I really appreciate this.
These are great, Izzy. I solemnly declare that I will try to adhere to these principles in my own blogging life. Now, is there a super secret handshake or something?
THANK YOU for this IzzyMom! I will gladly live by these blogging rules and take one more step to restoring sanity to my life!
Very cool - I am not supposed to stress out that I can’t blog because of life and schoolwork taking over. So — this is perfect for me! :) Thanks!
Thanks for this very important public service announcement! I just put up a post linking to it (warning, chock-full of kid pix).
I agree whole heartedly with your declaration and I’ve linked to you (I’m not sure how to put the badge in my sidebar….)
That is great, thanks.
As posted to Em:
Ninotchka said…
I’m going to follow your lead. I was actually going to do the ANTI-NaBloPoMo because I’m honestly feeling a bit burned out. You’ve inspired me to blog whenever the heck I want to! Or not. :)
Thanks for this, Izzy. I do believe this is my first time here. It’s nice to know you. :)
Thanks for this Izzy, from a new reader.
WONDERFUL post. I just wrote a small one on why I have decided to quit NaBloPoMo. Thank you for this, Izzy. I’m a new fan, referred to you by Momma Bean! :)
Superb Declaration! I am printing this and posting it near the laptop. Thanks so much.
Izzy, I love this idea. I’m putting the declaration on my blog right now. Thanks a million!!
I’ve just been thinking about all of this myself. It’s now up on my site.
Yes! Amen! Uh-HUH! You go, girl! Preach ON! I ssoooo hear THAT! Rock ON!
There. I think that might begin my praises for this post & you.
I hope its okay, but I copied this when I found it at Troll Baby, but I linked to you. Now I just need to figure out how to get that nifty button on my sidebar.
You would not believe the relief I feel just from posting that. WHEW!
Wow! I’m a little bit flattered since I feel like I wrote the post that rocked the blogosphere last spring. I feel like your discussions here have taken my angry rant and put it into something positve and productive. As usual, you rock!
For example, the Blogger Chicks blogroll. It’s arbitratry, it doesn’t pick favourites and it leads you to some new voices. It totally gets rid of the “why didn’t she add me to her roll” agony.
This bloggerfesto is yet another reason why I respect you. Great idea Izzy.
hehe this is cute. I have been following this for a while now and love the freedom :)
Oh Izzy! Could I please have the code for this button?
Thanks!!!!
This is great!! I love it ! I am going to snag it for my blog if you do not care. I will place you on my blogroll ,also!!!!!
This is terrific - just what I’ve been thinking. Could I have the code for the button? I’d love to link it!
I felt a few iron bands around my heart loosen as I read this. It says it all for me. Thank you.
Count me in for the sanity check!
here hear! three cheers for your declaration!
I want one of those buttons on my blog, for all the members of my world to see! (can I get it?)
Yeah!!! I used this as my entry today! :)
Wonderful points! I have to share this on my blog as well. Thanks for the wake up call.
I’m a newbie at blogging, so I need all the help I can get. This is great!
Got here through Worksformom’s blog. Amazing post! I shall now make use of your button. :D
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Got here through G’s blog. This is wonderful, I am loving it and surely use your button..
Thank you for this declaration…
with liberty and justice for all.
There are a couple of others with the same idea. It’s good. I like the discipline of posting every day. But I’m not chained to it. I’m adding the graphic and link to my blog. Will be up in a few minutes.
That Grrl’s last blog post..Sew You Can