I've only been blogging for 3 weeks and I threw in the towel

[BizyPenguin]

I just wanted to share that I'm now a blogger drop-out. I had what Oprah Winfrey would call a "lightbulb moment" yesterday and as a result I posted my last blog entry today. My blog will remain up through the end of the month, but I just thought I'd share in case anyone else here has struggled with the whole "to blog or not to blog" thing. Click the link to my blog in the signature line if you want to "hear" about it. It's very late (or very early) and I'm off to bed now.

[Michelle in MO]

first page done! I'd probably be a drop-out, too, since I think I'd rarely have time to say anything!

I understand!

[HappyGrace]

I don't have a blog, and I often wonder how bloggers can have the time and energy to actually DO the things they're documenting in their blog, and THEN blog about it too! I admire those people so much; it's not in my makeup to be able to do that. Don't feel any sense of failure over your short-lived blogging-it's a sign of great wisdom that you realized that for you, your energies will be better spent elsewhere.

The Internet has been both a blessing and a curse to me. I am trying to get my priorities straight right now too, so I can understand your struggle. One thing I know: We will never regret less time spent on the computer and more time spent with our families.

[nuthouse]

you seem to be blogging with obligation. That is long posts, deep topics and everyday! Before closing it down completely, try blogging without obligation. That is blog only when when you really want to share. I like these blogs the best. I find them the most interesting because author is passionate about the topics, projects or happenings. Blog when you wanta, not because you hafta!

[BizyPenguin]

you seem to be blogging with obligation. That is long posts, deep topics and everyday! Before closing it down completely, try blogging without obligation. That is blog only when when you really want to share. I like these blogs the best. I find them the most interesting because author is passionate about the topics, projects or happenings. Blog when you wanta, not because you hafta!

I never really *thought* that I was blogging out of obligation, but what I *did* realize is that I was quickly becoming addicted to blogging, so much so that I was staying up late to do it. I really did have something to blog about every day and if you remember my posts from the old WTM boards, you'll remember that my replies were always long winded and I often joked about it. I guess I tend to blog like I talk...a lot! And that's why my posts were often long. LOL :p

[Jill, OK]

That is blog only when when you really want to share.

Absolutely!

Not that I'd want to pull anyone back into blogging, if it really is a time-sucker, but I don't think it has to be.

When I hear someone talk about all the time involved in blogging...I have to scratch my head. Initially, while you're learning how to do it, maybe...but seriously, a few minutes here and there, to sit down, type, and hit 'Publish'? Not any more complex or time-consuming than reading the ol' boards, here! (With this new format, it might be more time-consuming for me to read and post, here, although I'm getting better.) Ideas can be jotted down, during the day, and then posted all at once, at night.

But, as I said...if it's really a time-stealer, I don't want to sway anyone. If you really liked it, and found it to be fun, you *can* adjust *how* you blog.

Let us know if you keep it!

[Maria/ME]

It is a time sucker, I'll give ya that, especially at first. I tend to have a rather addictive all or nothing personality and that hasn't helped, either. So I limit myself, just like I do with my t.v. time. So I think it is time wasting if you want it to be. I enjoy creative writing (altho, not sure how "creative" my blog could be construed.) and it's an outlet for me. I think by the time spring/summer rolls around I'll be on it less and less, but as someone mentioned, in honesty, I"m scoping the forums more than I am blogging. I've got a bunch of posts saved up and will publish randomly... some people blog only once or twice a week, which is great too.

But if it's a burden and one more thing you have to do, then by all means quit!

[BizyPenguin]

Some of you have really made me think. I really would like to blog, but perhaps I *have* been putting pressure on myself to blog every day. It would be just like me to become a Type A blogger. LOL! :p I think my big issue is overuse of the internet in general. Writing blogs. Reading Blogs. Message boards. Researching. Surfing the net. KWIM? It's a time zapper for sure and I have a really hard time balancing things. One reason that I didn't completely delete my blog is because I really do like it, but on the other hand my blog isn't a priority, it's a pastime. I'd love for more people to chime in about how they manage their internet time without allowing it to infringe on their priorities. I appreciate all of the input thus far.

[HappyGrace]

Maybe you could start a new thread asking that?

[~Tara~]

I was a bloggy drop-out at least twice over. It just didn't strike me. I thought it sounded like a good idea, 'everyone else' was doing it. But it just wasn't me. I hadn't found my creative vibe or groove to stick with it. And that was without any self set obligation. I wasn't trying to blog daily. If I could do it once a week, great...but nothing ever seemed to come to me. So I dropped out. Repeatedly.

Then the urge hit me once again. I jumped in as before..'ok, we'll see how this goes' and it just took off. Like others have mentioned, it's as much a time waster as you want/allow it to be. My entries generally only take a few minutes. Something funny happens with the kids (like today) I take mental note then blog it when I have a minute to spare. It's really that easy.

I have a friend who often talked about feeling this 'pressure' to blog. I just didn't 'get' it. It's your blog..blog what you want when you want. You're not doing it FOR anyone. It's just for fun. She has since come to that realization and now casually blogs. Just whenever the mood strikes and about whatever strikes it. She may blog 3 days in a row then you won't hear from her for weeks.

I tend to follow a similar pattern. I'm able to just 'blog freely' I may not be highly entertaining and certainly not bringing forth any profound wisdom LOL But, I just go on doing 'my' thing, when and as I wish.

Just decide if you really do enjoy blogging, if it's something you want to keep for *you*. Then work on controlling your net time if that's where your real issue lies. As for how to do that...a timer works great ;) Tell yourself you can have a 15 minute break after X Y and Z are done in the house. And set that timer. Stick to it. Then once all is finished, you can allow yourself more time. Just set a limit either way and stick to it. That open endedness is what'll kill ya ;)

[Tonia]

I think my big issue is overuse of the internet in general. Writing blogs. Reading Blogs. Message boards. Researching. Surfing the net. KWIM? It's a time zapper for sure and I have a really hard time balancing things. One reason that I didn't completely delete my blog is because I really do like it, but on the other hand my blog isn't a priority, it's a pastime. I'd love for more people to chime in about how they manage their internet time without allowing it to infringe on their priorities.

I streamline things as much as possible. I set a certain amount of time for internet use (and TRY to stick to it). I check my email and a few other things in the morning and then I don't touch it again until I've finished my daily checklist of things to do.

As far as time spent online - I use google reader for reading blogs - I don't have to go searching them out - they are all in one place when I want to read them. I usually spend one or two evenings a week composing most of my weekly blog messages and then publish them over the course of the week. Then I can dash off a quick post if I want to when the mood strikes.

[Amy in Orlando]

I think if you blog, it has to be for you. I keep my blog because I like to write and I would write long chatty/goofy emails anyway. My blog really doesn't eat up much of my time, but I generally post goofy stuff that cracks me up, not deep, in-depth thoughts. I do post everyday or every other day, mostly, but I don't spend a lot of time on what I post - I don't agonize over sentences or form, I just type it out and post it. It's not everyone's style but it has worked for me thus far. I love having a record of my initial reactions/impressions of things the boys have said, done or, unfortunately, experienced with me.

Don't give up your blog just yet. Just take some time and decide what you want it to be for YOU.

[5wolfcubs]

I left a couple comments (don't think the nature one went though) and have been thinking about what you said...I guess one of the reasons I blog is so that when I leave a comment on your blog, you know who I am.
It's just a way of sharing, being open, enjoying other people...well, for me anyway! I can read your blog and you can read mine and we're friends, or acquaintances at least -- the kind who don't pass flu germs! :)
I like to share what my kids and I have drawn and created and done. I don't really post pictures of my kids (dh said no) but you can still see who we are by what we've made. I wish I had more to give -- sage advice, lesson plans, cool links, great recipes, but I don't... and now you all know! :rolleyes:

[prairiegirl]

I've been thinking about dropping my blog, too. I am getting so bogged down with everything and I don't have time ti get it all done. But the more I thought about it, it wasn't so much blogging that is taking up all of my time. It's the reading the message boards, e-mail, reading blogs plus curriculum research,etc. That is what sucks up all of my computer time. The actual blogging only takes 15 --20 minutes. I, too, used to blog every day but now I only blog when I have something to say. That usually averages to 4 times a week.

So I have decided to keep the blog for now but I am going on a break for a few weeks. During this time I am going to organize the rest of my computer time. I am going to unsubscribe from my e-lists, weed through my blog favourites and keep the ones that are truly helpful to me. I am hoping that this was will cut down on my computer time, yet still let me blog. I love blogging so much. It is my only way of truly expressing myself. I think I would be unhappy if I didn't have that venue.

Julia
mom of 3 (8,7,5)

[Susan]

I don't blog, probably because I'm a private person, and I never quite understood the need to do it. I used to get caught up reading Yahoo group emails. I found myself feeling very bogged down by people's debates, attacks at others' posts, and writing to anonymous people who had no interest in real friendship. I had a Yahoo group at one time to try to get local homeschoolers together, but even then people just wanted to keep to themselves. I thought it was strange that people would join a local email list and never show interest in doing anything. Speaking of lightbulb moment, I gave up on trying to get local homeschoolers together b/c it was also taking time away from my own personal life, to my own detriment. I unsubscribed from the Yahoo groups and focused on my family--the best choice I ever made! But back to the your point, I love what you wrote. There is so much to enjoy in our children, our families, nature, and our personal lives. Unless a person wants to advertise his/her personal life to the virtual world, blogging is not for everyone and doesn't have to be. It's too bad you don't live closer to me! You've described all of the things I'd like to do too!

[CindyPTN]

I enjoy blogging because it provides a form of accountability for me. I kept saying I was going to make fitness a priority, but I wasn't doing it. An opportunity came along for me to blog and I jumped at it. It has been a large time commitment, but as my husband has pointed out, I am happy and doing things that I wasn't doing 2 years ago.

I'm getting more efficient and have systems in place to knock out tasks. I'm still trying to figure out my role to become teacher (homeschool) and stay mentally (for me) and exercise (to be fit) for our whole family's well-being. If I'm unhappy then they are too!

I think the decision to blog is very personal and needs to be accepted by you! Keeping a home journal wasn't enough for me ( I wasn't accountable to myself), but it might be for you. Or self reflection and calling a friend might work just as well.

For me, I've found a hobby that has pushed me to interact with others, make fitness a priority and allow me to be creative and write!

[GLOWAcademy]

I dropped out to after a month. I got tired of it lol:p

[mcconnellboys]

I sort of considered it, but didn't think I had that much of interest to anyone to say - and I'm such a dinosaur that I couldn't figure out how to set one up with all the stuff I wanted, either.....so I gave up.....

Just think though, now you'll have more time to live your real life, LOL.....

Regena

[BizyPenguin]

I've decided to continue blogging afterall. I don't have a lot of time to share my thoughts right now, but I'll share more with you here and on my blog at some point this weekend. I just wanted to say, "Thank you so much" for all of your thoughtful words, ideas, and encouragement. You gals are a kindred bunch! All the best!