I have a small addiction~ Blogging:) I'd much rather do this than say.....the dishes.....the laundry....the vacuuming....oh, any household chore. I love talking with other people during the day, and reading other's blogs, and making my own posts, and reading e-mails. I have made so many new friends and I am thrilled!!!
So, how do you do it? How does everyone manage to keep up on all the blogs they follow, respond to those that comment on their posts, and create such wonderful posts themselves? How do you balance your days and weeks full of life and blogging? How do you keep your blog alive? I am finding as my blogging circle widens, it's getting harder to manage my blogging time.
I would love to know each of your methods for this madness.
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| My Grandfather's clock that sat by his bed for years |
I'm not that busy with blogging yet, because I just started two weeks ago. While writing this, I notice that it is already 10.30pm. I have been reading blogs for 2,5 hours!! :-):-):-) Addicted I guess. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGoedele
Oh Sweet Steph....I'm the very LAST person to give you advice on this topic....because, as you know, I don't do it very well....There was a brief window of time when I was a "good" blogger - I blogged regularly; followed everyone who followed me AND many more; commented on each and every post posted by anyone I followed; and responded to all the comments I received. (Yeah, my house was a disaster zone, and I wasn't getting as much stitching/hooking/crafting in, but it was working blog-wise). Then life happened. Guess I didn't really realize how much time I was spending blogging until I didn't have it to spend....Then, once I got behind, there was no catching up. But I tried - and even now, when I "catch up" and visit someone's blog I haven't been to, I feel like I need to go back to each and every missed post and comment on it. Hello - don't think I'm going to ever catch up that way....but, still, I can't help it. Anyway....I'm not helping you, am I??? Sorry....I don't have any answers as I said (but if you find any, please let me know!!) All I can say is that most of us struggle....I do the best I can....I don't blog real frequently (and....have to say that I still feel guilty posting when I'm not "caught up" on reading/commenting on other folks' posts); I don't, unfortunately, get around to responding to everyone's comments....I guess I believe -correctly or mistakenly - that others would rather receive a comment from me on their posts (i.e., something THEY said) than receive an email from me about a comment they made on one of my posts (i.e., something I said....) I also have limited my comments on posts of blogs that I follow but who don't follow me or comment on my blog (although I still follow them and read their posts, etc.) And, when doing catch-up, I'm trying to convince myself that I can READ missed posts without having to comment on each and every one.....It's not perfect - I'm still missing so much and I feel badly because I feel like I'm being neglectful...but I believe many can relate - and do forgive. Some don't I know (and funny thing, my number of followers seems to be going down, rather than up) - but, it is what it is. If it gets to the point where I have to stress out over it, or cannot enjoy it for what it is, then, it isn't what I need. I don't make new year resolutions - but I did choose a word for this year, and that word was "balance." I'm still striving to find, still falling short; but what a wonderful life it will be when I get close. Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin
ReplyDeleteDitto Robin!! You said exactly what I feel! =]
DeleteGeesh....perhaps just limiting the length of my comments would go a long way, hey? ;o) Robin
ReplyDeleteOh dear sweet Steph...I know what you mean. I am and always have been a "people pleaser." I feel like if I don't respond I'm being rude...like if someone says hi to you...and you just walk on by rude! Lol...I know...I know...I'm weird! BUT I need to give myself limits. I took a look at my blogs last night at work and felt so overwhelmed by all the posts I'd missed while being internetless for the past few days..that I just turned it off. That's not how I should feel. I definately have my favorite blogs...and favorite bloggers, lol! But that's not to say that I can't make new faves...and how will I know if I don't read ever single one!! PLUS I dont want to miss anything. Like those awesome blue jars you made. WHICH I must say thanks alot..because I had a box of jars I was going to send to good will..as I have TOO much stuff..and now I need to save and make jars. BUT I think I will give them as easter gifts for my sisters and sister in law. With packing I decided..I really need to stick to my if I don't completely love it...get rid of it rule. That by the amount of boxes I moved out of that little apartment..I'm not doing so very well at!!! Anway...I do try to limit my blog time to a an hour when I get up...and then later at night. THAT however doesn't always work!!! Katie
ReplyDeleteI have to put my hand up and say other things suffer when I blog eg the housework and what I don't like happening is when the kids feel neglected if I'm stitching and crafting. So I try to limit blog time until later in the evening when things are quieter and I try discipline myself throughout the day but I sometimes sneak a peek at everyone's blogs!!!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Christine
LoL @ Robin! Steph comment when you can.Visit your favorites and skip the ones that look like the subject that day doesn't interest you.I have over 300 blogs on my list but only about 50 of them are ones I read regular and only about 25 of them are in my "circle" of what I would call can't miss regular friendships.It's impossible to keep up on everything but figure out whom you enjoy spending time with and visit and chat with those.We'll all be here when you stop for a visit.Warm Blessings!~Amy
ReplyDeleteSteph, I blog when I feel like it. I never know when I sit down to blog, what I am going to blog about, and that is the truth. I guess I fly by the seat of my pants. I love reading blogs and leave comments when I can. Like Robin, I don't respond to very comment left on my blog. I hope I say it often enough, that I love all the comments and appreciate those who leave them.If someone asks a question I try to get back to them asap. I want blogging to be fun, not a chore. When it becomes a chore, I'll stop. Like everyone else I have made a lot of blogging friends, and that has been the icing on the cake. Give yourself time and you'll find your "happy." Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI've been struggling with the same thing...not enough hours in the day to do all the blogging AND blog-reading/commenting that I'd like. I'm a little like Amy; I try to focus on my "inner circle" but even those get neglected a lot. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI guess that's a long way of saying that I don't have any answers for you either, Steph.
What I'd like to know is how these power bloggers do it...you know the ones. They blog every single day, hold down a full-time job, have three little ones at home under the age of five, are married, and find time after the babies go to bed to make beautiful pretties that they sell on Etsy. Where oh where do they find the time, not to mention the energy?
Hugs,
Pam
Steph, only you know what best fits your schedule. I would say that the most important thing is to "not" let is stress you out. It's supposed to be a fun outlet to share and learn from one another and like I was told a few years ago when I started, there are no rules. Wish I could remember who told me that. I agree with Betty, if it becomes a chore I'll stop too.
ReplyDeletehugz,
Sheila
Hi, Steph:
ReplyDeleteI spend what I think is too much time online. I never paid attention before but yesterday I remember glancing at the clock when I had finished reading the current posts of the blogs that I follow the most and it had been almost 3 hours. And, not all of the blogs that I follow had left posts yet for the day. I don't have a solution yet for managing my time better. I like to respond to each comment left on my posts and I try to leave a comment on each blog that I read every day. It's time consuming but any hobby is. And blogging has become a hobby just like sewing and reading. I just enjoy it and don't worry about every little thing because then I wouldn't be enjoying it, and blogging should be enjoyable.
Hugs,
Susan
I get on for short spurts at a time unless my hasband is out and then I am on longer.
ReplyDeleteI am addicted to it too.
Hugs
earlene
Now that we have wireless I have more time without tying up the phoneline with dialup. I try to reply to fellow bloggers posts as much as I can but sometimes I just can't, with 5 kids and farm animals and chores to take care of it can be a challenge sometimes. I get on here while I wait for my one sons van to pick him up, than between doing the chores I pop in to check on things. Weekends I end up staying up late at night to read through blogs and respond. I feel bad if i can't always leave a comment, I try to read as many as I can:) Some days are easier than others lol. Have a great night steph!
ReplyDeletehugs, Trish
I may spend just a tad bit to much time reading. Don't we all? For me it is pretty much the only contact with others. Of course there is my doctor appointments & walmart checkout & best of all my kids. So I look forward to any comments. It has been fun learning about the areas where a blogger lives for me. I really have no solution. It is time consuming for sure. With the word verification I have stopped commenting on those blogs unless it is a subject that really grabs my interest. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteLara
Good Morning Friend
ReplyDeleteI get on in the mornings. Blog and read a few and read some more at night.I try to read a few every other day too. But limit my time during the day. I also never look at pin interest..I hear its addicitng. lol but awesome :)
Hugs to you
Trace
www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com
So, like everyone else..here I am reading blogs when I should be doing other things, LOL... My best advice..ignore the housework as long as you can or until some tells you to clean it up, just kidding ;)
ReplyDeleteI most generally do my blogging and reading in the morning and then I jump on a couple times throughout the day. Much like Amy, I look at the topics of blog posts and if it looks interesting, I visit, read & comment. I do try (try being the key word) to respond to all comments (except those that are no-reply bloggers), I feel that if someone took the time to leave me a comment I should thank them for doing so. After all, I love my friends that leave such sweet, thoughtful words for me.
I must admit that I do have my "circle" that I always read and these blogs tend to be those of friends that seem closer to me, the ones that exchange visits most often. One way to look at it is..you have blog acquaintances and blog friends.
Ok..now I'm going to vacuum the floors (maybe) Traci ;)
Hi, Steph, I'm sure glad to find time for your blog! I think all that other stuff like cleaning, etc., is boring too, but since I'm not independently wealthy, I guess I have to keep doing it for myself. It takes so much time... this is a big house with lots of cats and dogs (hair) and I think old houses are dirtier, maybe it's 200 years of dirt in the walls. My problem is I like all my stitching and hooking and quilting projects, and then I have the barn work too, and usually find it is past midnight and I'm trying to read my blogs... So I have absolutely no advice, except I think you are doing great!
ReplyDeleteMelinda
Steph, I am probably the worst one to give advice because I fail miserably in keeping up with all the blogs. I work full time and try to create and try to post and comment and respond to comments but sometimes life just gets in the way. I started my blog to have somewhat of a journal for myself of my craft stuff and for my extended family and local friends to keep up with our household. I never factored in the wonderful friendships that I would make outside of that. I, too feel bad when I am not able to comment and visit everyone. I have also avoided comment on the ones that still have word verification, it just takes too much time and I can't read the darn things. Saturdays that I am home, I play a sort of OCD type game with myself. I clean or paint or craft for one half hour straight, then allow myself three blogs, then back to another half hour. It is amazing what I can get done in that half hour. When I have time to check blogs, I always start with the people that have commented on mine during that week and then go on from there. I also read them on my phone when I have to wait somewhere, dr's office etc. It is harder to comment on them from my phone, but at least I am keeping up! I did finally have to seperate my work email from my blog email because I was sucking up too much time at work replying to comments. Great post, by the way, thought provoking!
ReplyDeleteCathy
I love your grandfather's old clock, how neat!
ReplyDeleteI am going to say DITTO on what Robin said! I was the same way, to the point of obsessive in trying to keep up with every single blog, post, and comment. I stressed myself out over it so bad that I just left blogging altogether for a few months. I really got to missing my blog friends because even though I have never met a single one, they are still dear friends to me!
The way I used to read the blogs I follow, is through my blog roll. I would start at the bottom of my list on my blog page and work my way up. But I discovered that those who posted quite frequently always stayed at the top so I was constantly missing their posts. I was following over 300 blogs and trying to read and comment on every single post stressed me out but I kept working on it. Then one day I was thinking to myself that blogging used to be fun and now it is a chore that I almost hate but feel obligated to do. That's when I stopped.
I stayed away last summer because of it. When school started up, I slowly read a little here and there and posted some but like Robin, I felt very guilty posting when I was so far behind on reading others. Isn't it funny how we do that to ourselves?!?! No one in blogland has ever made me feel guilty for not replying to posts or emails or not posting regularly. I just felt bad that I wasn't involved more. But life does happen and with 3 young ones at home to tend too, I just didn't have the time to catch up.
My answer to my blog dilemma was this:
1) Not to be mean at all... but the blogs that I had no interest in whatsoever (ex: complete goat farming blog that I felt like I should follow because they followed me), I finally quit following. So I dropped about 50 blogs and now only follow 250 blogs.
2) I told myself that I had to come back to blogging because I had some dear friendships here that I really wanted to keep. So I had to give up my need to actually comment on every single post on every single blog. Boy, what a relief that was, you have no idea hahaha! The first time I read a post and didn't comment I felt really bad, hehe. But I told myself that I had to stick to this or leave blogging for good.
3) I added Google Reader to my bookmarks (it is actually my main page now). I went to my blog profile where it has the list of all the blogs that I follow. I went to each and every blog and added it to my Google Reader. When I got through all of the blogs, I had over 1,000 posts to read! I about flipped out, LOL! By this time it was almost Christmas so I didn't do much. I told my husband that Christmas break was going to be a blog vacation for me. I was going to spend the whole 2 weeks on my laptop catching up on blogs. And I did! Knowing that I was so far behind, I had no choice but to skip lots of posts so that has helped me now to be okay with not commenting on every single post.
Wow! Didn't mean to write a book, hehe. All of that to say that Google Reader has been a lifesaver for me FOR SURE! I can look at a post in my reader and if I need to comment, then I will click on that post and it brings that blog post up so I comment. If it's a post that I decide not to comment on, I have my reader set up to automatically mark that post as "read" and it disappears from my reader. The reader is awesome because it tells you how many posts you have not yet read. Like right now I am at 104 because I've been crafting a lot this week and haven't been blog reading as much. I try to keep that number around 50-60 because when it gets over 100, I start to feel anxious that I'm getting behind and I don't like that feeling at all, haha. So there you have it... my answer. =]
Happy Blogging~
Oh, and I forgot to say something... imagine that, lol! I love my laptop, it travels all over the house with me. Like right now as I'm cooking dinner, it's sitting on the kitchen counter so I can hop on and check out a post or two. It's been to the laundry room, the bathroom (tmi, lol), the craft room, the living room (while the family watches tv), just anywhere that I can hop on for a few minutes helps me keep up to date. =]
ReplyDeleteOk I have just spent more time reading your comments from readers then the post itself LOL
ReplyDeleteSteph, I for one have to limit my time, due to my busy life of sewing, I normally get up with coffee in the morning limit my reading to about an hour my blog about an hour that is answering comments, checking out and signing up for giveaways, and normally a blog post, although the past couple of days have not been normal at all!! UGH
then after dinner I spend about an hour, I miss so much now since I have had to cut back though, it is tough
and if I am swamped with emails and orders I have to cut into my blog time for those so I can sew most of the day
Hugs
Brenda
Steph: Yes, blog time is in short supply with all the facets of it. And now tonight,we are losing an hour! AGH! I don't understand how all of you do it...for one thing, I am Retired! (I still do a little "redesign/Color Consulting" once in a while but except for taking care of a small Retirement home and Mr. S. O. my time is my own, yet I don't get to all the blogging I would like to. And that old "Guilt" feeling takes over often if I read, comment, reply too long. And I don't post as often as I would like as I am fairly new to blogging and still can't do some of the things I want to. I love the friends who I have made and feel like if they walked in the door it would be heaven. Trying to stay organized is hard and frustrating but I DO LOVE IT so I will continue to do as much as I can, when I can.
ReplyDeleteMany {{HUGS}} go out to all my friends, old and new and just keep trying to find the time. Joy
well, as you can tell it normally takes me a few days to get back with people who have commented on my posts. lol. I work two jobs, craft, keep up with a family, and clean. Sometimes unfortunately blogs fall to the wayside. I try to post a couple of times a week. I used to think I had to post everyday. I just can't. Like many others have said I read posts that look interesting and comment if I have time. Most times I just find myself reading the posts and not commenting and feel bad. But as for time management I'm not the one to ask :-)
ReplyDeleteI was just saying the same thing the other day... I spend way too much time on the computer, but... I can't help it, it's such a Simple Pleasure, (the name of my blog) but I do have a sink full of dishes waiting for me right now! lol
ReplyDeletexoxo
P.S. I did see that Amish documentary on PBS, it was really good and I ordered the dvd from eBay too!
ReplyDeletexoxo
I go to bed verrry late LOL, and get up verrry early !
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