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I am not sure how you blog, but recently I have used a schedule - so I have a list of projects I want to make, I know approximately how long they should take me, and I try to schedule the days I blog about them - and related projects if appropriate - trying to balance tutorials, finishes and progress posts.
The theory is good the practice less so - I would say half of my posts are according to the schedule, the other half is definitely not. I suppose the schedule itself is a bit vague - there are days for posting 'inspiration' for instance... that involves having inspiration in the first place, that day.
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I have a schedule for December and I have come to the conclusion there is no way I can make it happen. The list was ambitious, but as I have decided to redo the two projects I made progress with I have managed to really delay progress. Going back to work, despite my best efforts, has disrupted the schedule - I suppose so did going to A+E on the Sunday night prior to going back...
So to pause or not to pause? To come back to my first comment, I do not like not blogging, or and not commenting. But I cannot bear writing posts just for the sake of writing posts within half an hour. And blogging is the only flexible element of my life right now, and time I need, time I will get. I will be crafting - so expect many finishes when I come back. I will continue to update followers on IG, twitter and Facebook.
I will be back on 11 December... This is the date when I get my old desk back - the one that does not show my screen to the world as I will sit in the far corner of my office - and I believe a little blogging at lunchtime is good for life/work balance...
How do you feel about not blogging? How do you manage when it gets too much? Do you have spare posts just for that occasion? I would love to know!
I sort of use a schedule for blogging, but I only plan in detail about a week ahead. Otherwise I kind of know what I have coming up but it's not written down anywhere. I definitely think its ok to take a break when you get busy or if you're just not feeling that inspired! I also don't have a small child in the mix which I'm sure takes up a lot of time!
ReplyDeleteI have a schedule that I don't always follow ;). I used to PANIC when I didn't, but now I am less stressed. I do have a few spare that I have brought up from the draft area, but I don't stress about it. I do make sure they are relevant. I have a sticky note on my whiteboard that says "It's not for them". Because, in the end, my blog is mine. So a break here and there? No worries!
ReplyDeleteI have been HORRIBLE about reading blogs since Google reader is gone. I just got out of habit when I lost some blogs in transition. I have said that I wouldn't get back in my reading cycle until all of my Xmas gifts are done. But I just spotted yours in the dashboard ;) :D
I have no schedule at all. Sometimes I know what I'm going to write about but other times I just write whatever! Of course some things take planning but when it gets too much I do those wordless wednesday posts!! I never post at the same time, rarely every day and only if I want to, which most of the time I do. I love blogging but have to get sewing time in too - that has to come first! I haven't been reading as much either and agree the demise of the google reader has a lot to do with it (and the 3rd baby!!) but I'm trying to be better because I do love the inspiration the comes from seeing other peoples work.
ReplyDeleteIt is all a balancing act isn't it! I am like you: hate not blogging and tend to use IG at lot more. And I don't like not commenting either, but sometimes there just isn't time. Remember you are a working mum, with a very little person. That's two full time jobs in itself!
ReplyDeleteI don´t have a schedule. Probably that´s not professional but I see my blog not as a business, just as a place to record my makings and to interact with other people who make stuff. I just make things I like (sew, quilt, draw, paint flea market finds) and when I feel like I blog about them. Having not so many followers and not accepting sponsors gives me the relaxed freedom to do so. ;) Sometimes I don´t blog because I didn´t find time to take pictures in decent light. To take pictures is usually harder during the darker months when I only have daylight on the weekends.
ReplyDeleteI think it's obvious where I stand. I hate to blog about nothing and yet can't find the time lately to sew much less blog about it or even comment very much. I hate it. I hate not commenting and also not blogging. It makes me feel disconnected. BUT when something's gotta give, it's gotta be the thing with the most flexibility and for now--that's blogging unfortunately. Enjoy your break and know we understand!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy blogging and love the little history is creating for me. I have the worst memory ever! I do have a few posts "in the can", but generally, I have more to write about than I have posts to hold it! I figure if there comes a day when I dont have something I want to say the best thing to do is step away a bit. Posts that are made for the sake of posting are not interesting and the quickest way to lose me as a reader. I certainly don't want to do that to the folks that are nice enough to read mine. Take your time with real life and come back when you're ready. The internet isn't as fickle as it seems. :)
ReplyDeletemy husband had a saying when our children were small "you can only do what you can do" and when times are busy it is very true.
ReplyDeleteI am new to blogging so have no schedule but try to do it weekly. I find I enjoy keeping the sewing diary, helps to keep me focussed and love the connection with other people and their ideas. See you when you are ready!
ps have never used ig, am still getting to grips with flickr.
ReplyDeleteI really understand you - and some blogging during lunchbreak will not hurt anybody. :)
ReplyDeleteI work full time so quilting and blogging are hobbies. I don't have a schedule, I just post when I feel like I've got something to say or show. For what it's worth I think I look forward to reading the blogs of people who post less regularly - less can be more!
ReplyDeleteYou read my mind Nat - I hate not blogging and I hate not commenting! I don't schedule - I just blog when I have something to show and that's not often these days.
ReplyDeleteIt is a dilemma! That's why I don't think I could ever seek sponsors or develop my blog as a business as I would hate to feel obliged to write within a certain time frame. As you know I like to write in English and (bad) French and it certainly helps me learn more French - but I could write more posts if I whacked them out just in English as I could do it so much more quickly! I don't want to do that though... I find it hard to find time and I don't have a baby to look after so I'm sure that people will understand if you decide to take a break or write fewer posts.
ReplyDeleteI understand exactly how you feel!! I've never had a schedule, but try and post 3 times a week, but do you know what, I'd rather cut down on post and them be well(ish) written, than lots of messy posts.
ReplyDeleteI really love blogging and sewing, but hate to put a new post out if I haven't replied to the last comments and then start to feel guilty!!
I tend to read blogs of an evening on the iPad, but I find it so time consuming commenting from the pads! They can be so fickle about letting you comment.
I definitely prefer the organic approach of blogging only when there's something to say. I don't schedule either, it would feel too much like putting pressure on something that's meant to be pleasurable. Having said that, it's hard not to get caught up in the blogging race, and feel out of the loop if you don't do it regularly which is madness considering I do it for fun.
ReplyDeleteThe great thing about blogging is that for most part you decide when and what you write. I often think of things to blog about but either change my mind or save it for another time. Your blog is your diary after all, only share what you want and what you have time for, its not a job its a joy!
ReplyDeleteCan I copy and paste this into my blog ;-) I am so disconnected from everything at the minute and I too hate it, but something has to give and unfortunately this is it for me.
ReplyDeleteI seldom plan my posts and went through the angst when I decided that I could not be a daily blogger any more. I still blog too much, but I am trying to get a better balance. You write beautiful posts and should do them when and how often fit they fit in your life. If there are bigger gaps here and there it does not matter - because we will still be here waiting to read. I cut back on replying on blogs because of Bloglovin and iPad issues, but also because I needed to reduce the amount of time I was on the computer. Find the balance that works for you.
ReplyDeleteI've on and off done memes and then rebelled against them. But I found they helped me make progress on projects.
ReplyDeleteI say do what you can and what makes you happy. But if life interferes, don't sweat.
If a little break is what you need, definitely go for it! I do not plan much when it comes to blogging... I try to blog once every 3 days or so and that is as far as my plan goes. :D Typically, my topics revolve around the pics I have on hand.. Maybe one day I will start thinking about scheduling my blog posts.
ReplyDeleteBlogging keeps me motivated to create new things. I am like you, I like to write, show and tell. So there are pictures that need to be taken and writing that needs to be planned. I also keep a schedule and try to finish a certain project within a certain time. But I, of course, sometimes overwhelm myself and the time I set for myself is not nearly enough. For me, writing a post is a type of creativity. So definitely do not let your schedule dictate your posts and write when you have the time to dedicate toward writing the beautiful posts as you always have. I love reading yours. My two cents :)
ReplyDelete-Soma
I miss blogging when I'm not blogging, but I'm not adverse to a break. That's life. I don't have any sort of schedule - I'm very much in the moment because that seems to work best for me right now - I just have to make this fit in between all the other things I can't put off. All I can say is, really enjoy the break. Don't feel bad. Time flies and we'll see you when you're back :) X
ReplyDeleteThe blogging balance is a difficult one - especially when you add a return to the office to the equation. I've been in the same boat you are, Nat, and I know what a struggle it is. I'm lucky, though, that when I go home at the end of the day, my time is entirely my own and I can choose to use it to blog or to do something else. Usually, I choose blogging. As much as it goes take up a lot of time, I hate not blogging. I suppose it helps that I have more material to write about than I can keep up with... if I don't have something I feel is worthwhile to share, I'd rather not be bothered.
ReplyDeletexox,
Cee
Bloggin really helps me keep going. I like to share my WiPs and the final outcome. I'm hooked on linky paries, challenges etc.. I don't really plan but I like to be involved everywhere, he he. Anyway I like to have the post with something to show not just bla bla nothing.
ReplyDelete