Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Blogging: knowing when enough's enough

Warning Will Robinson: there are a lot of words in this post. 876. It took me a while to write them and it might take you a while to read. I found the 'writing down' very helpful. Perhaps you might find something in this post for you too...I hope so. I've thrown in some pictures as well...consider this a de facto top ten or so for this week :)
I said that I was going to do some navel gazing over this long combined Easter/Anzac break. And I did. I also told you that I would have a cunning plan by the end of it...a plan to transform my life into some sort of organised miracle. And I tried that too. Much more difficult than the navel gazing bit!
In my 'real life' I'm a consultant. I'm not too bad at it. So I attempted to put my consulting skills to work on me, instead of some poor unsuspecting client. It appears that I'm a difficult customer... as the 22 year old will no doubt confirm!
Heaven forbid that I give away my trade secrets, but suffice to say I asked myself a lot of questions. I probed. I poked. I suggested alternatives. I asked myself why, what was important, what was stopping me, what was supporting me, what was giving pleasure, what should I start doing/stop doing/change, where were the frustrations...were they worth it? On and on I went...for most of the long weekend. I was a pain in my own butt!
One of the things I try to do in my work is help people see through the complexity of the issue they're dealing with to the simplicity on the other side. It's almost always there somewhere. So that's what I tried to do for myself. I got clear...well, pretty clear. And I decided that I have four areas of focus (loved ones and paid work aside). 
Four discretionary areas of focus if you like. I'm not going to give you the details (you'll probably see some of them emerge over time anyway) but I will say that two are creative, one is about health and one is financial. And I'm very comfortable with them. I could have had a heap more but I thought it was important to set some sort of limit...simplicity remember!
What I will share with you is this. Having found my areas of focus, I now have two questions I can use to keep me...well, focused. And they are: 
"is doing this/spending time or money on this/investing your effort in this going to have a positive impact on one or more of those four foci Kez?" 
(ok, I don't actually say foci...who would!!) AND...here's the second question kicker...
"will it enrich your life or someone else's in the process?" 
Except in the case of the financial focus...because if it's enriching someone or something else external to my life, (especially a bank) and it's not enriching me as well...then that's a big no- no!
So you're probably wondering what's all this got to do with blogging and the title of this post? It's this. I've been blogging for a bit over a year now. It's been a fabulous thing to do. It's introduced me to new things, masses of ideas, made me laugh and sometimes cry, shown me that I can do some things, and not others...and most importantly helped me find lovely people who weren't in my life before this experience began.
But it takes up so much time. If I were to add up all the hours I've spent composing blog posts, thinking about posts, rewriting blog posts, reading other people's blog posts, 'cutting and pasting' beautiful pictures to put into blog posts, squirreling away ideas for things to make, projects to attempt....well, let's just say that I could probably point to a few 'lost' weeks, or more. 
So I asked myself those two questions. Does blogging have a positive impact on one or more of my areas of focus and does it enrich my life? The answer was yes...and no.
It really does take up too much time, when time is one of those increasingly precious and rare commodities...especially now that I'm back working full time. It does actually steal time from other things that are important to me...especially now that I have that focus. And sometimes you just have to wise up. So I'm not going to stop, but I am going to cut back.  I'm not entirely sure how...as we all know it can be slightly addictive...but I know I have to. So there'll be fewer posts and possibly, unfortunately, fewer comments on your posts. I will keep commenting I promise, I think that's a really important thing to do, but it's not going to be as frequently as I'd like, and certainly not every day. I'm going to restrict my blogging activity to some set times...not sure what they are yet. So if you don't hear from me as much as you used to...it's not personal. Well, it is...but not in that way. It's about me taking control of 'my personal'. 
So there you go. That's where I'm at. Extra long weekend well spent? I think so :)
first image: chasing satellites; others from weheartit

30 comments:

  1. hi Kerry - great post and it is impossible for me to disagree. Time is short and limited and needs to be spent a way that doesn't make you think later - 'I really didn't need to take all that time on that particular activity'.

    I have been hardly posting at all - of course I have that pesky cancer excuse but I have to say even when it is all over I will never go back to 3-4 times a week.

    It just takes up too much time for me and where I am at the moment. xoxo

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  2. Good for you. And good for you for keeping your options open. It does have its pros and cons, blogging. And I was reading this whole post thinking I should probably do exactly what you've spent the weekend doing. I tried once.

    You're a wise woman who has an enviable equilibrium already. You won't disappear completely, you'll emerge occasionally when you have something to say.

    All the best with getting the balance back. I think you're fabulous. xo

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  3. Well said Kerry and I hear you! Blogging is a lot of fun but it should not come first and it is so easy to let it slip into first place. When we lived in Australia I visited the Golden Door health centre outside of Brisbane a few times. A great experience and the funny thing, all these years later, three words come to mind from the experience. 'Let it go'....we had a fantastic speaker...I went back the second time just to see him. Ok, he was very handsome and funny...but he was right, you just have to 'let it go', when things get to be to much. Once you do, you feel incredible. I paid a lot of money to get that :) but it has been a constant reminder and a good one.

    You take care...and I will always look forward to reading what comes next from my friend Kerry in Canberra...whenever that may be :)

    Best wishes Kerry..

    Jeanne xx

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  4. I'll bet you slept a lot better after you made the decision! I'll miss seeing your blog as often but you need to do what is best for you. Life is too short to be stressing and worrying about something you are not enjoying 100% any more. BUT I am glad that your blog won't disappear completely. Mary xoxo

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  5. Very well put Kerry. Some things are more important. Now step away from the computer! xx

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  6. Yep..I get it...and I think I should apply these thoughts to my life as well.
    I have enjoyed your blog, you are one of my true favourites, but I totally understand what you are saying.
    Thanks for all the good reads (and eye candy!). So look after yourself and we'll see you when we see you! :)

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  7. Phew...you had me worried there for a while...from a purely personal point of view, of course! But I know exactly what you mean about focusing your time on things that enrich and enhance, rather than things that drain and deplete you. I've had a little blog break over the long weekend, and it's been nice to just kick back and relax. So long as you're still around to have a chat with, I'll be happy, but I have to say, I'm so very glad you started your blog last year - without it, I would never have met such a wonderful friend! K xxx

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  8. Kerry, power to you! I will enjoy reading you however often you chose to write.

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  9. I couldn't agree more Kerry. I'm at the same stage. I think it's a good idea to cut back. But am so pleased you're not planning on giving up entirely (yet).

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  10. I can totally agree Kerry, time seems to be in short supply at the moment. It is all about finding that balance and what feels right. xx

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  11. yep, i'm a firm believer of you cant do it all, and if you think you can, well then you're probably not doing any of it very well of effectively.

    more power to you darl, good time spent over the weekend and i think you've made a good choice! xxx

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  12. I understand completely. Know that we'll be here cheering you on no matter how much or little you post.

    Be well, Babe!

    xo,

    Raina

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  13. Here! Here!
    Blogging must have the fun factor or it becomes another Job.
    However you can make it fun will be perfect!
    ~kATHY ~ @
    sWEET uP-nORTH mORNINGS...

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  14. I hear you Kerry!! I have been through this myself and am now happily feeling a sense of balance in my life. You have made a very wise decision!

    Take care and enjoy the extra time away from the computer!

    Best wishes always,
    Natasha.

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  15. Thank you ! For not stoping and for giving me an idea. I'm in a time in life when I have to make a decision and it's difficult. I think that I also have to spend a weekend doing lists and really find out what I want.

    Promise to be here now and then ??

    I wish you a wonderful day !!

    xo
    Anci

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  16. What a wonderful post Kerry. I really enjoyed reading it. I have cut back my blogging too and feel no sense of shame or guilt. It is first and foremost something I do for myself, and a balanced life is sooo important. Good for you!!
    Angex

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  17. Well thank goodness I got to the bit where you said you were cutting back, not giving up! Like Kerri, I'm looking at this from my perspective, and using your own questionnaire - your blog, and meeting you via blogging, most certainly does enrich my day. However, I was nodding along with much of your 876 words (how long did it take to count them?)and the time factor is a big one. For me too. I understand exactly where you are at, and will look forward to your posts just as much, if a little less often. (And of course more projects a la the kniited rock and dishcloth.) xx

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  18. totally, totally agree. so relieved that you are still going to be around though. phew! A-M xx

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  19. Great post Kerri and glad you won't be disappearing from blogland permanently. I went through a similar 'blogging crisis' recently as I was feeling overwhelmed trying to keep up with things, reading posts, writing myself all whilst trying to run a household, raise a toddler and when I had just found out I was pregnant again. I really took a good look at my blogging and now I stick to pretty much just an hour each day while Grace naps and only if I feel up to it. As for my posts, I don't post as frequently as I used to but I;m ok with that and I've come to accept that I can't read/comment on everything. One big thing for me was I cut down my blog list significantly, and now I just follow the blogs whose content I find contributes postively to my life or whose writers I have connected with personally. I feel much more at ease with my new 'system' and hope yours works for you too x

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  20. I totally understand Kerry and have to say, like some of the other commenters, I am so relieved to read that you are not saying "no" to blogging, just scaling back. We'd all miss you sooooo much!
    x

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  21. Good for you, Kerry. I completely understand and agree with your thoughts. Blogging drains a tremendous amount of my time as well - don't forget I am on permanent bloggy rehab! I will treasure every post and comment from you, precious as they are. Bravo, my dear friend, for having the courage to work this out. J x

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  22. Good on you K! Glad you aren't disappearing altogether x

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  23. Excellent post, you also had me a bit worried, actually very very worried. I would really miss your posts if you stopped blogging. I always feel they are meaty and make me think, well most of the time. Sometimes they make me laugh or cry or are just plain eye candy. So thanks Kerry, you were one of the first bloggers who extended a warm and encouraging welcome to me. I am sure there are many others of us you also welcomed. I think your decision is great and I agree with your thoughts. I must say one day I think like that then the next I get all fired up with a trillion post ideas and could go full time at it.
    Anyway, the long and the short of it is, it will be lovely to hear from you when you do post and I will understand when you are not around. I only ask that if you do decide to stop altogether can you just let us know so we can say goodbye. Phew, all that in just over 160 words. X Deb

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  24. I too would miss you Kerry, so I am glad you are only cutting it back. I cut it back a little while ago, our renovations can't possibly keep up with it. They too take time, money and energy! I look forward to the next post from you whenever... Be happy! ;-)

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  25. Hi Kerry,
    I see I picked the perfect day for a visit to the Tranquil Townhouse!
    I hear you loud and clear my friend and good for you to really ponder the things you are doing in your life... I applaud you!
    Your musings are excellent and I for one have come to some similar understandings of my own.
    I think it is great of you to post about it and be so honest... which I've always loved about you. I too love blogging but have had to cut way way back on visiting and commenting on other blogs which has been very hard. I have a lot of guilt especially when so many lovely people take the time to leave me comments, but alas we all have to do what is best for us. Balance is so hard to achieve in one's life.
    So glad I stopped by if only to say... I love you and take care and always listen to your gut.
    You rock my friend... never forget that!!!
    XO

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  26. I think blogging should be a fun thing to do...I blog for family and friends as I now live on the other side of the world to them...if any body else comes along for the ride that's fine but I don't go out of my way to source them. I don't care how many followers I have or whether people comment or not. I only comment when the mood takes me, I feel no obligation to make it must do. I have followed you because I like your sense of humour and if blogging becomes a chore for you then I am sure that humour would soon disappear from your posts. So do what is right for Kerry and no one else.

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  27. Dear Tranquil Townhouse,
    thank you for that post! "And then you took the words out of my mouth" sings a band - because: you do! I see that after a year some of my fellow bloggers give up. (And they sometimes had very, very interesting blogs). I had two blogs (and have a website with a special Berlin blog), and started to think: too much. Too much time (I have to translate them into English), too much thinking about themes - and too much replying (by the way: men are commenting and re-commenting far less than women!) I reduced it to one blog (and my website) - but am not happy with that. I have a job as a career adviser, and I am (a quite successful) author - sitting on a bigger thing now. And I came to the same conclusion as you: I will not stop blogging, but I will do less. Those who love my blog will - hopefully - remain. I will follow your blog further, whether you comment or not :-) So: see you! Britta

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  28. No question that blogging can be addicting and a huge time commitment...hoping you can find that happy balance!!

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  29. C'mon over to the lazier blog side,. It's great here. There is a little bit of guilt but if you're strong you can ignore it.

    Seriously though (I know, shocking) good decision. Your blog friends do not mind... most know they should do the same. A x

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