You Know It’s Time To Give Up Blogging When….
A blog can be compared to a newborn baby. In the beginning, we’re really excited about our “baby”. We tell everyone about the baby and where they can go1 to see the baby. We can’t wait to try on all the new clothes2 we have just for the baby.
We love our baby so much that when we wake up in the morning, the first thing we do is check the baby for “movement”.3 Maybe we give the baby nourishment4 for the day to sustain it, keep it alive, as we continually check on the baby throughout the day.
Gradually the baby starts to grow5 and demands more and more of our time, but we don’t have the energy to take care of it. Now the baby is crying for attention because we haven’t fed it in a while. Instead of the once carefully prepared meals we used to provide, we find ourselves sitting in the drive-thru at the fast food chain of “I’m Not Dead” and “I’m Still Here” for a quick meal.
We still care for the baby, maybe we change a diaper here and there, but the excitement of the first born has worn off. In fact, we’re looking for a baby sitter.
Unlike real children who we are committed to for at least 18 years of our time, energy and expenses, that’s not the case with our blog. We change as do our interests and what was once important, our baby, is no longer.
Maybe I took the scenic route to ask a simple question: Regarding your blog, do you have a gauge for calling it quits? Will you not be motivated or excited about blogging? Maybe there’s nothing left for you to blog about or you’re not getting the response you hoped. Maybe someone has trashed your efforts6 and you wake up one morning and wonder: Why am I doing this again? Maybe none of this is the case, would you still contemplate throwing in the towel?
I won’t participate in the comment section for this post, but will be, and I am interested in, reading your thoughts.
Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.
In: Blogging · Tagged with: Blogging, Giving Up, Quit Blogging
on January 9, 2009 at 11:02 am
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I had to laugh when I read your post! I’m past the newborn stage and on to the “your taking too much of my time” stage. I still love doing it, but now I feel like I have to answer my comments and visit everyone else’s blog and comment there and drop entrecards. It starts becoming more than just writing a post. It starts to feel like work.
Kirsten´s last blog post..Beers, Bars and Puppies?
on January 9, 2009 at 3:45 pm
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I know you are NOT responding to comments but, I need to know! Does this post mean YOU are giving up your blog?
meleah rebeccah´s last blog post..Friday Funnies: Wine vs. Water
on January 10, 2009 at 12:13 am
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I’m afraid I might be on that verge right now, although the blog has been a good outlet for my art. I’ve just been too busy in the “real” world with my art, y’know? There’s so much to do, just in terms of self-promotion. I also recently took on a 2nd part time job involving website design & maintenance & considering the pay, they deserve my attention. I’m also on a magazine’s art committee now.
I’ve just been posting less & less lately. I’m not sure what’s going to happen at this point. Perhaps I just need a break (we all do, at times.)
I don’t know…I don’t know…
Lana´s last blog post..Painting; My Process
on January 10, 2009 at 11:04 am
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Your analogy is very appropriate. I know that when I first started blogging back in September I tried to write something every day and succeeded for a time. But then, the juices stopped flowing and now I’m down to maybe two entries per week. The thoughts of quitting haven’t entered into the picture yet, but I haven’t really been at it for too long. The fact that I enjoy writing is something that will probably endure and so I will probably keep at it for the foreseeable future.
Robin´s last blog post..Down with the Negative
on January 10, 2009 at 3:58 pm
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Well well well, this is too funny, and ironic. I started a blog (had a baby) about a year ago and I took the utmost care for it, and it actually loved me back for a few months. But as time when on my baby stopped loving me, I thought maybe I did something wrong, so I just gave it more love. That didn’t work, so I just went all out and gave it all my time and tender care. Well to make a long story short here I am today with a new born baby (2 days) the “MACROCOSM” I just hope I do the right things this time so we can grow to be a happy family.
Paul´s last blog post..I fell asleep in a dream
on January 10, 2009 at 7:56 pm
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[...] ♥ You Know It’s Time To Give Up Blogging When…. [...]
on January 12, 2009 at 3:29 pm
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Hi Natural – I hear you. Having a blog is very much like having a baby, but now that my “baby” is reaching the terrible twos, I can’t see giving it up as it’s become a major part of my life. For me, finding balance is key.
Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..When Non-Blogger Friends Don’t Get It
on January 13, 2009 at 8:57 am
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I’ve had to reduce the number of posts – I started the blog to help me find freelance work and I was spending more time writing posts than doing the freelance jobs.
Recently, due to personal issues, I’ve been questioning the importance of the things I’ve been focusing on this past year. I’m sure I’ll move past that but I’ve slowed down with blogging and using twitter. It’s interesting what Kelly said about her subscribers increasing while she hasn’t been blogging – I’m seeing the same thing happen on twitter – I’m not using it really and am getting tons of followers. Apparently people like it when I’m quiet
Kim Woodbridge´s last blog post..Lessons in Backing Up – The Journalspace Disaster
on January 13, 2009 at 2:59 pm
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Man… So true. I had another blog. Died after 5 months. Just didn’t know what more to say. But my current blog I have plenty to write. It’s matter of level of importance. I was recently laid off so blogging has dropped lately. Maybe I can keep it going. It helps keep me focused.
MikeC´s last blog post..So I Got Laid Off
on January 13, 2009 at 3:56 pm
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NOOOOOOO…..Don’t give it up…..although I have the pleasure of being exposed to your wit and humor on a daily basis during the work week…..I do look forward to reading your blog. I might not look every day….but a least once a week or once every two weeks……..Perhaps you should do bi-monthly or monthly blog.
on January 15, 2009 at 3:36 am
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Thanks for the post, you explained it well.
I guess we are all different. Some want to make money from the start and lose interest quickly when it does not work out. Others blog about personal things and that is cool as something is always happening and you can share it with others.
It comes down to the individual themselves, some push through that phase and others accept defeat.
George Serradinho´s last blog post..Tyron’s First Day at School (Grade 1)
on January 20, 2009 at 6:30 am
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There’s no stopping probably… only pausing and relaxing…
It is so hard to do blogging together with studies. Now probably is the hardest time. Sometimes I can’t put updating my blogs in between school projects. School is killing me. I’m thankful blogging is my stress reliever. But still I have to put studies over blogging. But I won’t leave this career. I think I was born to do this. Yikes!
Bryan Karl dot Com Earning, Blogging, Tips and More´s last blog post..Why Invest In Manila Memorial Park – Cebu?
on January 22, 2009 at 5:12 pm
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I liked the way you described the blog – so true! I am definitely having problems blogging. I do love it, but sometimes it becomes a chore. I wouldn’t take that as something to make me quit though. It has to be a bit of a challenge to be worthwhile for me. And it has been SO worthwhile when it comes to just writing everyday, understanding my thoughts and making friends. Well worth the effort. So… I really don’t know what would make me quit!
Penny´s last blog post..Disconnected