Sometimes, Life Happens
Offline diversions keeping me busyby j. brotherlove
I know this keeps you on your toes. But here’s the thing. As someone whose been writing online (blogging) for over eight years, I sometimes run out of steam. As such, I reserve the right to take breaks whenever the mood strikes; usually without notice.
There’s nothing tragic to report or deep-seated depression to tackle. I’m just a bit uninspired by the blogosphere so I’m focusing on important offline projects. Between finalizing my design portfolio, wrangling clients, applying for design jobs, redecorating my new room and listening to a lot of music, my days and nights are full.
Sometimes, life happens. And that makes for better blogging overall, in my informed opinion. Be honest, how good are your entries?
My entries suck, which is why I took everything over to Vox. There’s less pressure to write The Best and Most Important Weblog Entry of All Time when I write there. It’s my goof-off, hang-out space, and I intend to keep it that way.
Good luck with the offline time. Be sure to check in now and again, hm?
I’ve been blogging less these days myself, even though I have more time to do so. I’m trying to have something worth saying when I do, but that doesn’t always work out. When you make the decision not to go “pop culture” and also try to limit how much personal stuff you reveal, that doesn’t give you a lot of things to write about. As they say in comedy, they can’t all be gems.
I do not think it is about losing steam. I think it is about priorities. If you have something to say, then say it. If not, don’t make something to say. We’ll wait for you.
Your entries do not suck, Cecily. But I know what you mean about expectations. I also have to agree with Bernie:
When you make the decision not to go “pop culture” and also try to limit how much personal stuff you reveal, that doesn’t give you a lot of things to write about.
You know me, Chris. I’ll be back on the scene sooner rather than later. Until then, I’m not the only one feeling blahg.
hey sweetness…enjoy your break! I’ll be looking forward to your return.
I’m not having a lot to say these days either. Similiar to Cecily I spent and incredible amount of time over on Vox too - it’s just easier over there.
Enjoy your hiatus!
I would say my entries suck, but that would require having actual…entries. I also have to agree with Bernie; after awhile, it feels like you’ve written all the pop culture stuff you want to write, and as for divulging personal info, the desire is just not there anymore. And sometimes, the engine is just out of steam. So you go on about your business and do your thang. I know I’ll be around; I think you’re one of the best writers around.
I think it is a combination of inspiration, motivation and priorities. Blogging should certainly take a back seat to real life.
Neither should you write if you aren’t inspired then you’ll end up putting out crap. I should know. But regardless of your inspiration whether it be pop culture, the hot next door neighbor or politics, if it makes you want to write then it will show in your writing.
Enjoy the blog break.
I’m going to have to give Vox another try. Chris, you can more than hold it down on the gay Atlanta tip…
As for the confidence from everyone, thanks. We’ll see what happens. Meanwhile, Lynne also joins the disenchanted blogging circle. Is this sentiment catching or is everyone finally ready to admit it?
You know what I miss about blogging? Strangers used to buy me presents from my Amazon wishlist. Fin.
I can just repeat what everyone else has said. Tired of blogging pop culture, tired of giving out too much personal information. On the flip side though I very much enjoy my non-personal blog ventures though and my only very occasional drops back in to the old blog
Heh… going through that now myself. It’s hard to blog and blog well. And sometimes it’s hard to break away when you’re not engaging in quality bloggng (my problem :-) ).
Taking a hiatus is so natural and so necessary.
Ooh, I just got another idea for an entry … that may or may not get written.
Let me also add that comments have dropped way off on my blog and that impacts my motivation and inspiration. While I try to write for myself, it is nice to know people are reading it.
But then, maybe the lack of inspired blog entries has impacted the desire to comment by my readers?
Ah, the decline of comments…
Outside of small web cliques, the days of receiving 5-10 comment per entry on a personal blog are behind us. There are simply too many bloggers online competing for the same number of eyeballs; even if the vast majority are writing about the same thing. This influx is chiefly young and pop culture obsessed. So, do the math.
I am not necessarily motivated by comments. Obviously, I like them. They promote interaction but I don’t use them to gauge what or when to write. The popularity of feeds have made it so people don’t have to actually visit blogs. That increases the number of blogs a person can read but it doesn’t promote interaction in the form of comments.
Besides, blogs with consistently high comments often have consistently useless comments. I have no interest in being a depository for ignorant or intolerant opinions (been there, done that). I prefer genuine discourse on a subject.
My site traffic reports and referrals give me a good idea of how many people are reading and that’s fine with me for the most part. And let’s face it, most people are not hopping on the web to think.