September 28, 2012

Bloghonesty

Like my made-up word?  I think it flows well enough.

Sound it out like "Blah-gon-es-tee".  Neat, huh?

Skirt: Old Navy // Sweater: Target
Blogging has been stressful lately.  Not that it's not fun.  I LOVE being able to get it all out there.  To tell the world how I really feel (What? The whole world isn't reading this? pshh.  I don't believe that.)

Trying to keep up with it is stressful.  I feel this compulsive need to read every one of your blogs every single day.  That, friends, is a losing game.  You all write too much great stuff!  And if I let myself, I'd find new blogs to read the whole way through everyday (sometimes I do this on weekends).

And when it comes to writing?  I would like to think that I contribute a bit of quality to the blog world.  Writing comes to me at weird times.  I can't just sit down and churn out a post.  I need to think about it, preview it, edit it, then publish it.  Sometimes I go back and forth for a week or more before I decide to publish.  I started this darn post about sewing back in MARCH.  It kept getting pushed back because I had other important stuff to say.  Finally, I edited it and published it just because I didn't want to look at it anymore.

But when I commit to so many link-ups per week, I start to feel obligated. I feel responsible for giving it my all. I mentioned before that I do as many link-ups as I do because I support the bloggers who run them.  I love Ryan!  And Jane! And Ashley/Neely/Amber are geniuses, because I've made so many friends through their link-ups. Plus, I can totally make these link-ups "my own", so I put my current thoughts and feelings into their format and BAM. Linked.

It's no secret that bloggers don't necessarily love other bloggers who do nothing but link-ups. I've never seen myself that way because I generally make link-ups my own. I mean, look at this It's OK Thursday post, for example. Or this one where I made fun of Alaska. I put a lot of time into these things!

So when I can't dedicate the time to give a specific link-up my all, I feel like I'm not giving YOU my all.  And I don't choose to half-ass this. This is where my creativity, in the form of snarkiness and sarcasm, can actually shine. (Sarcastic/warm-weather-only elementary teachers are NOT in demand.)

True story: Scott read one of my posts. This one about me not being able to keep track of anything.  He sent me an email telling me I was funny. And here I thought that was why he married me in the first place.

So, I think I'll be taking a step back from all of the link-ups I'm over-committed to.
I know that no one really cares if I link up or not (in the grand scheme of things, it's not a big deal), but I notice if/when I don't. I'm clearly the one with the issue here. So just bear with me.
Some days I might link up, some days I might not.  I guess it depends on if I'm being forced to cook dinner or grade papers.  (My parents were quite horrified to learn that I, in fact, do not grade papers every night.  I blog.  My mom was shocked when I went to bed without grading the tests that were piled up on the counter.  I, personally, can't even believe I had brought them home.  One step at a time.)

Hopefully I can keep sweet treats, turtlenecks (soon people!), and television references coming your way.
Don't worry.  I'll be okay.


Yes, Jason.  A hug from you would indeed make it all alright.

21 comments:

  1. Insightful post! Have a great week!

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  2. I definitely get that it can be stressful and you feel obligated at times. I love reading your posts but if you need to cut back at some point, that's totally understandable too. I obviously cut way back and I have lost a few followers from it, but if people truly want to read your stuff they'll still do it whether you post every day or every...um like every ten days. happy friday love!

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  3. I feel you. Keeping up with reading/commenting/posting can get pretty stressful.

    It takes me a long time to prepare a post too. I'm revising it for days before I think it's ready to publish.

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  4. I agree! it is stressful sometimes. I always want to read so many blogs and then want to comment and read new bloggers all the time too! I have to remember that it is a hobby and that if I'm stressed about it, it's because I'm doing it and I can decide to do less!

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  5. I took a step back in June and now don't stress as much. There are days when I don't even get to reading the blogs who comment, much less get through my reader and some days where I can't find the time to post at all. I've learned thats its okay and haven't lost any readers because of it! Don't let it be a stress, I'm sure the link up ladies will understand. And happy Friday, hope those jeans aren't holding you back today (see, I just had to catch up with your whole week!)

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  6. It really can be stressful! Which is why I haven't really read blogs the past couple of weeks. I've commented here and there but it can be a lot!

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  7. Link ups were the only thing I did back when I first started blogging. And I would write two or three (gasp) posts a day because I thought I had to link up and also write a "me" post. Glad I got over that haha.

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  8. Do what you gotta do girl, everyone understands the pressure that this can cause. I've gotten a lot better about not worrying about clearing out my reader every day, but I still struggle with that. Whatever fits your life, I'll read whether you post once a week or five times a day.

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  9. You should do whatever you can to make sure that this blogging thing remains FUN! When it becomes an obligation or a source of stress, I think that means something needs to give. I try and only comment/link up when I'm really feeling it, and I certainly never want anyone to feel like they HAVE to link up. We'll all be more than happy to have you whenever you join in, even if that's just once a year! :)

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  10. I know exactly what you mean!!! I like linkups but they aren't my favorite thing to do. I would much rather just write about what I'm feeling and what's going on.

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  11. I feel you. But I am of the opinion, and always have been, that your blog is yours and yours alone...if you don't want to do link ups...don't! If you want to write 3 times a week instead of 5 times a week - great!

    Honestly, I discovered early on that I *don't* like to spend a ton of time writing/revising posts. Most of mine are written in 30 minutes or less, I revise them maybe 1-2 times, and then I hit publish. Blogging is my hobby...not my job, and if I get too serious about it, I start feeling like it's my job and then I don't want to do it anymore.

    It's just about having fun!! :)

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  12. I feel the pressure too... and I just started blogging. It’s like a commitment you are supposed to honor every week. Well, I have fallen off that wagon and haven't done a link-up in over a week. I think it’s time to acknowledge why I started blogging. For me, myself and I! You are always entertaining to me no matter what you blog about! If that is any condolences! I think you are on the right track though...just do what you want to do and that’s enough.

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  13. You just need to do what feels right for you. Just keep writing!

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  14. Sometimes I feel that way, too. I like link ups, but I have realized that if I don't feel like it or don't like the questions, it's ok. I'll just read others' posts.

    You ARE funny, and your sarcasm makes me happy. Because sarcasm is my life.

    I also know what you mean about blogging stressing you out (and I did quite enjoy your made up word and read it exactly as your pronunciation guide explained :)). I feel bad if I don't blog for awhile, but between checking all of my social media, e-mail, reading other blogs, and keeping up with my iPad games, I just don't always have time to blog. That's ok, too. :)

    I love reading your posts, and I, too, am shocked that the whole world does not read your blog! ;)

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  15. I know exactly how you feel. It's so hard to keep up! I want to read EVERYONE EVERY DAY but I can't. I have, like, a life. And link-ups. Sigh. Mine are different than yours....but still so time consuming. I love all your posts, link-ups or not!

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  16. Sometimes blogging can get way overwhelming for me. It didn't used to be but when I started to stress about keeping up w/ friends' blogs and/or writing more I just sort of took a step away for a hot minute

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  17. I, too, let ungraded papers stack up in favor of more enjoyable pastimes (watching television, reading blogs, Facebook-ing, Pinterest-ing, etc.). I have found that the two things I DESPISE about teaching the most are grading and writing lesson plans. If I could eliminate these two activities, I would be much happier about my vocation. I put off grading as long as reasonably possible, and sometimes, I even put it off until it's unreasonable *sighs*. My mom is also horrified when she discovers this.

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  18. Xx, just take a minute like you said!!

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  19. I think of link-ups or regular features as a day off - kind of. I figure I really write 3 days a week and 2 days are just fun for Monday Listicles and WTF Wednesday.

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  20. Love the new word! I have totally been doing almost noting but linkups lately. I've been so busy and stressed, I can't make myself get on the computer to write anything worth anything it seems. Hopefully that will change now that things have settled down around here. Love your post. Inspiring!

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  21. You are right, this is stressful. I haven;t been doing much updating besides link ups either and I don't like that. But work is taking over my life and I haven't seen my boyfriend at all. I need to go live life so I can write about it right?
    Love your blog!

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