Blog Update!
For those of you not following me on Facebook, as of the Summer of 2019 I've moved to Central WA, to a tiny mountain town of less than 1,000 people.

I will be covering my exploits here in the Cascades, as I try to further reduce my impact on the environment. With the same attitude, just at a higher altitude!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Might as well face it...

Addicted to bloggingI'm addicted to blogging.

Well, not addicted, but since I announced that I wasn't going to post for a while (which I had written a few days before I actually posted it), I really started missing it.

I've been saying for the last 9 months that blogging is my therapy and I guess it really is because I started feeling depressed not being incommunicado with you all. Since my husband's treatment was cancelled, I actually have way more time than I have had in the last two months. It just took me a week off to realize it.

I think having the "burden" of posting lifted re-inspired me a bit. The problem is I like to post consistently Monday through Friday and oftentimes on the weekend. I just need to give myself a day off now and then and not worry about you guys not coming back.

Plus, I just like to yammer into space and see what response I get. And I have a few new ideas to torture you guys with. Anyway, I guess I'm back after a week and a half break.

Expect my posts to be more cavalier, fun and/or trashy depending on my mood. So, if you have problems with the content or word choice, feel free to complain in the comments, but just know that no one is forcing you to read my rants.

So, let's start back up with a poll!



And, finally, do you feel pressure to post even when you don't want to?

50 comments:

Sam said...

Generally I blog when I feel like it and when I'm in front of a computer. I like yammering off into the void of the internets as well. I usually don't blog on the weekends since I'm away from the computer.

You are aware that Chile is running an addition challenge right?

Sam said...

Uh...that's addiction.

Mrs. Spit said...

For what it's worth, I blog fairly regularly, but I have some short cuts. I only post on Sunday if I feel like it, and Saturday's I pick a quote or piece of poetry. Monday's are a micellany - what ever little observations I feel like making. Takes some of the pressure off me.

Green Bean said...

Love to have you here whenever you feel like dropping in Crunchy. Sharing your internal stuggle with us has been a great lesson for everyone. It is definitely hard to find a balance, to not be concerned with what people think and whether they'll come back.

I gotta go find my own balance. Welcome back, Crunch.

Chile said...

I feel like I should post at least a couple times per week but I generally post almost every day. I guess this really reflects the fact that I like to "talk." :)

Seriously, too, I'm behind on some things I want to post about. It may have been Beany that asked if I would post about my past experiences "homesteading" and living off the grid. I want to, I just haven't had the time or opening.

oh, one more thing I wanted to say was that I love, love, love that I am consistently getting more comments finally. I like the interaction in the comment section as much, or more, than actually writing a post!

Jenn said...

I blog when I dang well feel like it. No guilt.

I love when new folks come by nad leave a comment but I don't actively recruit them.

I blog about MY life. Not to share a greater message.

Don't put pressure on yourself. You've got enough going on.

Blog when you want, about what you want.

No worries. We'll still be here.

Anonymous said...

I have no blog, but do often comment, probably daily in a few places. I don't go to bars, no theatre here, no mall, tiny town, not that many interesting conversations either.
The net is my entertainment.

EcoBurban said...

Yippee! You're back and I think it's just wonderful - trashiness and all. I secretly *heart* trashiness and if you throw in a little green gossip, I just might die and go to heaven! ;o)

I don't feel like I MUST post every day, but I pretty much enjoy the routine of monday-friday as my time to vent, talk about what I want, read about what everyone else is saying... With 4 kids and lots of responsibilities I didn't really take much "me-time" before and this is sort of my own space now. No kids, no husband, no dogs, no work, just something I do for myself. What a dork, huh?

I wish you and your family the best, Crunchy, and I am glad you're back - in which ever manner you choose.

Erika said...

I like the wording of your question - how often do you "FEEL" you should post... If you happen upon my blog, you'll notice I haven't posted since the 30th of March... So, although I think I should be posting much more frequently, I don't actually get it done all the time... (Oh, and thanks for the motivation to actually post before it's officially SUMMER! I don't have NEARLY as much going on as you do, and I'm amazed you continued to post regularly for so long - Lord knows I certainly can't keep up NOW, let alone if I had more on my plate!)
:-)
Erika

Anonymous said...

I started my blog for far away family members and friends to stay connected, so it's purpose is different than yours I guess. But I think that like you said, it's therapy, so you should treat it as something for you and not so much as for everyone else right now. It's ok to step back from being a leader...I hope you can let go of the guilt. I hope no one causes you to feel guilty. Sometimes I think blogging is like high school, we feel we have to do all the things the cool kids are doing to keep up. So remember what the counselors told us? Be yourself. Treat yourself well. Invest your time in things that give you confidence (ha! that's why I joined the golf team!) and make you feel successful. We know you (at least we feel like we do!) and most things that you enjoy doing benefit others in some way or another. Know that we appreciate and enjoy reading whatever you get around to posting!

Anonymous said...

I hear you loud and clear. Sometimes I feel I should post consistently. Then I come up with stuff and think, wtf, who is really going to care about this anyway, so I trash the whole thing. Still, I end up posting 2-3 times a week because I enjoy the company of my loyal readers, all two of them. LOL. And sometimes I find myself wondering if there is something I could do to attract more readers, which is pretty stupid really, although I imagine many people think that same thought.
I'm glad you've decided to lighten up on yourself and carry on. I love visiting.

ruchi said...

Beany, HAH. It would be really funny if Chile were running an ADDITION challenge!

Crunchy, I know how you feel. I certainly feel pressured to post every weekday. But even if you only post a couple times a week, even if you only post once a week, hell, even if you only posted once a month, I'd keep coming back. I promise. I'm glad you're back.

Jan said...

I think the poll missed one answer.
when you feel like posting.

amandalouden said...

I like to blog a few times a week...not that I actually do...sometimes its more/less. Its a funny thing blogging. What did I do before???!!!

Anonymous said...

Im glad you are back. A lot of people subscribe in readers and i find that in a reader you dont miss people if they dont blog for a few days - their blog just pops up every now and then. I had a blogging breakdown a while ago, i had a sceduled break and then couldnt motivate myself to start again. eventually i said i was only going to blog 2 a week, and now im back to everyday almost, but i feel now Ive said only expect twice a week from me if a skip a day or two no-one will care (i had one reader email me after a few days asking what was wrong and telling me how much they missed reading my blog - kind but put me under pressure to perform)

Anonymous said...

Well, certainly take my comments with a grain of salt (or a whole cup maybe) since I have not been blogging consistently for very long (like a micro-second). I have tried establishing blogs a couple of times before and found that I dropped them after a few entries.

My most recent attempt feels different as I've finally found a theme or reason that makes sense to me for pushing my words out into the ether. I'm treating it as formal writing practice and committing to post daily, sitting down to write at a predictable time each day.

If you care about blogging, perhaps you care about writing. To my mind, that's not a guilty pleasure it's an honorable use of time. Certainly, you shouldn't feel pressured by anyone but yourself.

Debbie said...

I've committed to blogging every day for the rest of the year (http://blog365.ning.com/) and have done so since November 1 of last year, but ordinarily I just post a few days a week.

Post however often you feel like, we'll always be here.

Anna Banana said...

Since my blog appears to just be about what I make for dinner, I can just post about that. Don't feel any pressure. My only pressure comes from having multiple blog posts writing themselves in my brain, and it feels so good to click POST! PS welcome back!

BerryBird said...

I voted for a couple times a week, because that is what I see as my ideal, but I don't always make that. Sometimes I have other committments and the blog slips. No biggie.

I have been utterly amazed with your blog ever since I fist stumbled over here. It is a complete mystery to me how you've been keeping up with everything all this time--I sort of explained you away in my head as some kind of blogging superhero. I say embrace your human-ness, and blog whenever you damn well feel like it. We'll be here.

Wendy said...

I blog when I feel like I have something to say, which isn't all that often :). Of course whether or not I actually have "something to say" is very subjective :).

It's your blog. You should feel free to post or not, and frankly, I'd check every day (several times, some days) anyway, just to see if you've posted anything new.

I'm glad you're back :).

Katie said...

I don't feel any pressure to post since I don't have a following. However, to get into the habit in case I ever do, I like to come up with something at least 3x a week.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

OKay... I voted "every day," because it's close to what I do, but my real answer would be: "Every time I can't help sharing something."
And you can't break now, because I just added you to my sidebar and feed, and linked to you today. Your post today is a good match for the conversation I have in my head every 4-6 months, and I still keep coming back for more!

Anonymous said...

Interesting to watch you go through this, Crunchy. I was blogging daily for about 9 months, until I created a challenge on my own blog: The Technology Free Challenge. The idea was to take one technologically free day each week, for a whole month. (For the challenge I defined "technology" as anything technological built since the 50s - very technical, I know.)

Turns out it was really, really good for me and for my relationships outside of the blogosphere. And maybe not so good for my blog! Since the challenge, I've allowed myself to not post if I don't want to or I don't really have time to.

I must say it feels healthier, though I know some of my readers stopped reading when they couldn't go read a post every morning anymore. And I definitely get emails that readers wish I'd post more again. On the other hand, I have spent more time working toward community-building in our new home, I have learned more new skills to pass on to readers, and having more time between posts has allowed readers who visit less frequently to still comment on recent posts. And now I have more time to live and put into practice the ideas I write about.

I guess I've learned that a good blog is full of quality rather than (necessarily) quantity. And that a good blog is written by a human who deals with life issues, so it's ok to have postings ebb and flow.

Anonymous said...

OK so I said I felt I SHOULD blog a couple times a weeks but seriously I have been so busy for the last couple months I have not blogged since the end of April. Since we're confessing sins here I have also not made updates to challenges I agreed to participate in either. I am litterally scrambling to get everything done this time of year and I expect that once I attain that goal all will fall into place and I can once again blog semiweekly.

Anonymous said...

P.S. For what it's worth, the number of subscribers has increased since I've been posting less... which to me means people still want to hear what I have to say, they're just waiting patiently until a new post comes into their reader!

I would do what feels good, Crunchy. Post every day when you feel like it, but don't feel compelled to do it (or compelled to be happy when you post) every day. You've built up quite a readership, and quite a LOYAL readership here. We'll come back. ;)

Deb G said...

Glad you're back! I love it when others come to visit my blog and comment, but I mostly write for myself. It's the idea that someone else could be reading what I write/looking at my photos that I wanted-to force myself to be more critical about what I write/create. So, no, I don't feel any pressure.

Brandie said...

So glad to see you back.
In regards to blogging - I go in spurts. Sometimes I blog a lot and sometimes not at all! =)
Post when you want to and don't worry about the other times. We'll miss seeing new stuff, but definitely don't want you to get burned out and stop completely =)

Connie said...

I've had quite an enjoyable time watching you persiverate.


It brings me back.

Anonymous said...

Now see, it was such a good idea to log in and just "check" to see if you really did leave. It's very nice to start my week off knowing that my favorite blog is "back on the air".

Crunchy Domestic Goddess said...

i feel like i *should* post every day, but usually post 4-5 times per week instead. i was posting every day for a long time and it burned me out. i like having less pressure on myself now and try not to beat myself up if i don't post.

welcome back :)

Anonymous said...

Yep, I'm addicted. I get sort of twitchy when I can't blog :-O

I'm an every day poster. I think the key is to realise there is no pressure to post except the pressure we put on ourselves. Lighten up a bit :-)

Melissa said...

I too seem to have a fear that people will get mad and go away and never come back if there's a lag in the entertainment :)

I try to remind myself that I do this for me, first and foremost though...

gpc said...

I go through long dry spells, where my thoughts are not fit to share. So, while I'd like to post a couple times a week, I don't hold myself to it. Go easy on yourself, I am pretty sure your readers won't desert you -- we all have you bookmarked, after all. (and, BTW, now I have 'addicted to love' playing in my head -- not the worst way to start a monday. So thanks!)

Anonymous said...

Wearing my webbie work hat, I should tell you that readers like to know they can count on a schedule because you're creating a conversation with them, blah, blah, blah.

That being said, I'm on break! :-)

For your personal life - and this blog is personal to you - you should write from the heart when it moves you. That will bring the greatest joy to you and to your readers.

People will wait for a good writer, whether it's on a blog or a book.

And don't fret when life gets in your way and you need to slow down from blogging. When I started my blog, I was enthusiastic. Then my husband lost his job, and my head had to deal with that before I could refocus on sharing what I've learned on my site. If I don't have the heart or enthusiasm, it shows, whether at work or at play.

That being said, I still write a lot, even if it's a "look at this" entry. I think it's one part my journalism background and one part the fact my attention span rivals my toddlers!

Theresa said...

I'd like to post a couple times a week, but I try not to hold myself to any sort of schedule. I started my blog for self-reflective purposes, and when I feel the "I should post" urge coming on, I remind myself of that. That being said, the blogging experience has turned out to be much more interactive and less unidirectional than I thought, which surprised me but shouldn't have, since the theme of my blog is the interconnectedness of all things! Silly Theresa.

I'm glad you had the break you needed Crunchy. And sometimes the blogs I check most often are the ones that post sporadically. It's sort of like playing the slot machines -- you never know when the payoff's coming, so you keep pulling the lever!

Anonymous said...

i'm with jan; i post when i feel like posting. my work began before blogging, but it looks like one since it's a series of poems whose title are dates. this was what i settled upon simply as part of the body of work some years back. and part of the body of work is that i'm not allowed to decide to write them, but only to grab a pen when i have the unbearable urge. i'm sure it gets less reading because of the infrequent nature of the posts, but what i'm doing is building a body of work, not seeking to entertain. i'm writing because i need to write, not to keep the audience happy. so i write when i need to write... it's all at beloved.org.

too much obligation in life already. i try to eliminate everything based in fear, such as "if i don't post enough you won't read my work." i definitely have that thought, but i don't let it win, *grin*.

Rechelle said...

I'm an addict too Crunch, even when my addiction is the most annoying thing in the world and I write pure crap and publish blurry pictures just to have something new up. But it is free therapy if you don't count the cost of the camera and the computer and the prizes and the postage for the prizes and blah blah blah... okay maybe not free, but very worth it. Just write when you want to write girlfriend. We're only sitting here waiting and waiting and waiting for you to get the next post up.

Oldnovice said...

I haven't posted anything to my blog in maybe a month. Sometimes I just don't feel like writing OR reading. Once you start establishing requirements for frequency, it kills the enjoyment, IMO, and why do anything you don't enjoy doing?

Going Crunchy said...

Post when ya wanna. I really only blog on my lunch breaks and try to limit home use to about 20 minutes a day. It can take up too much time if you let it.

I like reading your blog for your voice, so post when and what you want to. Green scene OR life. It is YOUR space to use as you see fit.

Miss Kris said...

I feel like I should post every day, but I'm lucky if I post once a week. Since becoming a SAHM, I feel less inspired to write daily - especially since most of my posts are about my son. I feel like my blog has become monotonous. It's silly, though, since all of my readers are family and friends and they want to read about all of the little things Malcolm does and what I eat for dinner. I start to get emails from them if I forget to post. So really, the reason why I feel like I should post daily is because they want me to post daily even if it's just me babbling about how little sleep I got the night before.

p.s. I'm glad that you've decided to come back. I'm still amazed that you find the time to blog!

Michelle said...

I post whenever I have something to say, usually about once a week. I do appreciate you keeping the lanuage clean for the most part, although I'm sure with everything you're going through a little bit of ranting helps get some of that emotion out. I enjoy your blog, just post when you want to, we'll be hear to read it!

mollyjade said...

Crunchy, Scientific American just published something on the therapeutic value of blogging: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-healthy-type

See, it's good for you.

Ecodea said...

I wish I could post stuff on my blogs more than I do, which is usually 2-3 times a month... :(

Anonymous said...

Hey Crunchy-- glad you didn't throw in the blogging towel just yet. I was sad thinking I was going to have to rearrange my Google Reader!

As for pressure, I feel guilty as a default emotion, so of course I feel awful if I don't post on a regular basis.

Hope all is well in Crunchyland.

Anonymous said...

Yeah!! The Crunchster is back!!!
Post when you can or feel like it - you have a loyal enough audience to check in every week to see whats new!!

Glad to see youre stickin round!!

equa yona(Big Bear) said...

Hooray for your blog addiction. I love your blog and I would checkin no matter how long in between posts. Be well.

Unknown said...

Puh-lease! You would certainly be missed. Thanks for coming back. :)

Robj98168 said...

You left out as a choice "Whenever the hell I want" on your poll. That would be my answer!

orneryswife said...

I love to write, and I decided to unofficially try the blog 365 deal this year, although I have missed one day so far. I don't have near the readership that you have, though. I just like to write, and it is sort of a journal of my life. Sometimes I add things just for others, but mostly, it's just our life. I am glad you are back, though.
TM

Anonymous said...

Don't have a blog, but think people should blog whenever they feel like it. I mean, it's not like it's your job and you have to show up or get fired!

But I am very, very pleased to have you back blogging! Whenever you feel like it, of course!!!