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 4, 2009 at 11:16 pm
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hi Valerie,
Wow, can’t believe I am the first one here! Unfortunately I doubt I’ll have the best comment. ;( Oh, the pressure. First let me say the cartoons are funny. As to the question, I’ll have to give a cop-out answer and just say my new blog is still an infant and I’m still in that infant-bliss phase. I never really thought too long term when I started it – just thought I’d better get it started or I never would. I suppose someday I may have to face this question, but hopefully not for a while.
~ Steve, the bloggin-newbie trade show guru (and still changing my blog’s diapers)
Steve | Trade Show Guru´s last blog post..High School Musical – am I a sell-out?
on January 4, 2009 at 11:47 pm
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For first timer bloggers, the excitement is still there especially if you haven’t explore the blogosphere yet and you were not yet introduced to the advertorials. The hype in blogging also increases if you meet a lot of friends and attract a lot of blog visitors.
I think all bloggers suffer from getting bored in blogging. Some may totally disappear in the blog world but some just be in hiatus and surprise you because they have put up another blog site.
on January 5, 2009 at 1:04 am
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A gauge for calling a quits? I can’t say I have one. I could go with the cliche’ answer of “I’ll stop when it stops being fun,” but I don’t think that situation will ever arise. I’ve had my blog for so long that it’s now a part of me, for better or worse. When I no longer feel the need for that connection to be there or I “outgrow” the blog, then I’ll stop. Until then, onward and upward!
TOPolk´s last blog post..Sunday Night Selections
on January 5, 2009 at 2:07 am
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That was fabulous. I was thinking about these same life changing issues this morning. I am not “there” yet.
Julia´s last blog post..Winner of the Caroline Apron from Practically Necessary
on January 5, 2009 at 2:07 am
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I’ve only been blogging for a little over a year, so I am still really excited about all my babies. Now I just have to work to keep up with them all!
Loved the cartoons.
~Kat~´s last blog post..New Year, New Changes
on January 5, 2009 at 2:32 am
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Depends. Blogging can take up a huge amount of time, especially in the beginning. If you do not make money from your blog, then it is tough to justify all of the time spent blogging.
I like to post every now and then, but have decided in 2009 to scale back. I have a few other things I’m doing for my marketing endeavors.
on January 5, 2009 at 3:26 am
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Well I think I will keep my blog going for 18 years – that’s if the internet is still there in 18 years – computers might be holograms and we might all be twittering telepathically by then!
Funny, Natural.
Robin´s last blog post..What If? The Movie – Clip 4
on January 5, 2009 at 4:58 am
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I knew I had to give some immediacy to my blog – so I decided to add something called the “Contract”. I am going to be posting Monday to Friday for a whole year – and then doing some other stuff as well. Video blogs are something I’m pretty interesting in doing a well – but I lack the technical means to really produce something of the quality I like.
I’ll call it quits once my Contract is up – or I’ll renew it for another year.
Matthew Dryden´s last blog post..Losing My Way
on January 5, 2009 at 6:07 am
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Hmm, it’s hard to say when to stop. I guess it’s related to the motivation for having the baby, I mean blog.
There are a lot of people looking to monetize their blogs. From what I hear a lot of those folks fail or rather a lot of those folks expect a quick pay off and stop blogging within six months.
I also think some people blog as a way to connect with friends and family so perhaps they don’t feel the need to post on a regular basis.
And then you have the people who are into writing and discussions. If they want interaction they’re going to want to post something to keep the conversation going.
But I think everyone gets drained after a while. I’m not sure what the concrete answer is. Perhaps it’s to scale back to a few posts a month, or to just throw out the “I’m on hiatus, here are a few best of posts until I return.”
Bottom line: I think it’s different for each person and is determined by the blogger’s motivation to start the blog. But I’ve definitely felt the funk and have taken breaks.
cardiogirl´s last blog post..The book of questions, Volume 23
on January 5, 2009 at 8:05 am
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When I started my first personal blog in Summer 08, I was exactly as excited as you describe in your post…I gave it up beginning of this year, not because I have nothing more to say! No, the reason is I’ve started another blog focussing on my hobby and it really took off. Since this new blog showcases the bags and other items I design, I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it. Unless I run out of ideas for bags, but I don’t think I will.
Duni´s last blog post..Cute little sleep masks
on January 5, 2009 at 8:57 am
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It’s kinda like putting the dog down–you just sort of know when the moment is right….. that and he can’t walk unassisted anymore. To me, blogging is art, expression, and extremely personal. When you have said all that you want to say and achieved what you started out to do, then you are done. When you dread posting or you are not posting very often, it is time. Like the old dog, you raised it, loved it, and now you need to let it go—and it is ok.
Lin´s last blog post..If our band had a name, it would be………….
on January 5, 2009 at 10:17 am
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For some of us, blogging is more like having a whole houseful of babies and kids of all ages. Kind of a gruesome simile, since most wind up being neglected and a few die off. I’m currently down to one paid blog, no personal blogs, and trying very hard to resist the pull of starting another.
Catana´s last blog post..A Slipping-down Language
on January 5, 2009 at 11:26 am
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Great idea for a post topic. I’m with you Valerie!
I have plenty of topics to write about and things to say but the back-end issues of blogging are driving me batty. Researching SEO for each post, finding visuals, subscribing to 1001 social networks to promote the blog (and no, I’m still not on Twitter, when would I have time to shower?). Calgon…take me away!
I had NO idea how time consuming blogging would be. Had I known before I started I may not have jumped into the pool. Now that I’m in, I’ll swim around for a while and see where the mystery bus takes me.
My blog is a vehicle for my personal message but my intention with Giggle On is larger than simply a blog.
on January 5, 2009 at 1:13 pm
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I’m ashamed to say, I know what you’re referring to…not about blogging yet, since my blog is still new…but, about the newness of the baby wearing off. I had to do EVERYTHING right the first year and now, she eats way too many french fries, watches too much tv, and sometimes stays in her pjs like mommy. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I don’t love her any less, I’m just more relaxed about it. I was going to stress myself with trying to be the perfect mom. Now that I’m more relaxed, I’m sure my parenting is even better because there’s no stress. It’ll probably be the same way with blogging. Sure, I still awake first thing in the morning to read comments on my blog and see if I have an Entrecard advert pending, but when the self-imposed pressure subsides, I hope it will give way to a well-thought out, enjoyable-reading, long-lasting blog…that I still love.
Thanks for the tip about the cartoons!
Davida
Davida´s last blog post..Are You a Regular Reader Who Wants To Know More About This Blogger?
on January 5, 2009 at 1:42 pm
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I think you have to hang in there during the dry periods. It’s not all that different from being married or having children – there are times when it’s not so much fun but you hang in there and it changes. Happenings throughout the world are always changing and always giving us something to talk about.
I think it gets sticky and complicated because we don’t really speak our minds but instead we say just enough to stay out of hot water with our readers (mostly). I think if we really spoke our minds that there would be plenty to talk about – I never seem to tire of talking to my sister or girlfriends about “stuff”, why is it so difficult to talk about the same kinda “stuff” on my blog?
I do think that dropping 300 cards per blog is getting old though and I’ve tried to do less dropping and more commenting (albeit slipping in the ratings).
on January 5, 2009 at 1:53 pm
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Well written. I’m surprised all those comments are positive and none of those bloggers blogs have hit the bucket like mine, by the way, LOVE the analogy. I have to say I still have a lot to say so that’s not my reason for not writing. Like you said at the beginning you like to tell everyone about your baby well that back fired, some overly sensitive people started getting hurt. I tried to edit my posts to suit them but even I got bored with my own posts, so I gave up. I like the post you wrote last about caring what people say, I think it’s time for a change. If they can’t take the heat I guess they could move on, RIGHT? Any who, so the hibernation period has extended to summer, LOL, but I’ll be back.
Tondy´s last blog post..Rescures and Pleasers
on January 5, 2009 at 2:00 pm
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I remember when I first started blogging I didn’t know what to blog about. I just knew that I wanted a blog because someone else I knew had a blog. I was told that you had to blog every day. You should include keywords so people can find you with search terms. And all the while I was thinking to myself, “I thought this was suppose to be fun, not work.” And one day I told myself “f” all that. Just blog when you want to and if you have something to say or if you don’t have anything real interesting to say but want to blog then go ahead and blog about that too. Do what you like.
Have I ever thought about throwing in the towel? Yep. Many times. And then I enlisted a friend to join me in blogging and then my brother came along as well (you know there are three of us). So that keeps me motivated.
Now, throwing in the towel isn’t an option. But I can still see the towel on the rack. Just in case that day comes.
I probably didn’t answer the question but who cares.
Urban Thought´s last blog post..Last Day of The Year
on January 5, 2009 at 2:04 pm
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I’m still a new blogger so the excitement is still pretty high for me. I don’t know if I will ever wear out. I guess that’s what the occasional guest bloggers/posters are for.
carla´s last blog post..Tagged!
on January 5, 2009 at 2:17 pm
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Well I have set up myself a gauge of sorts. It I don’t get comments in seven posts in a row (or so) then it would be the time to stop the blog.
But that’s not scientific or anything that a rule of thumb for a blog that is already 3 months old.
on January 5, 2009 at 2:49 pm
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Nice post..I like the carton drawing as well..
YouLin´s last blog post..Osechi Ryori For New Year 2009
on January 5, 2009 at 3:19 pm
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Hi Natural. I am learning of the ebb and flow of blogging. In my experience there is the initial honeymoon period of 3 months, then 3 months of stonger focus. Then 6 months hit and I ran out of steam. Kind of like barreling up the side of a mountain and suddenly needing to pause for a breath and check out the view from where you’re at.
Why did you start blogging? How has it changed for you?
Have you given yourself permission to take a break from it?
During that time you could find clarity about whether or not you want to continue.
I quite enjoy reading your blog and I’d be here when you came back. I’d miss you if you didn’t, but would wish you well on your next creative endeavour.
Davina´s last blog post..The Quote Effect: Naughty, Nice & Niche Bloggers
on January 5, 2009 at 3:33 pm
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Like everything else, there are cycles to blogging. I do plan to be in it for the long haul and that’s why I have been slowing down.
on January 5, 2009 at 4:41 pm
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In some ways, it’s still too new for me, but in other ways, I’ve already experienced running out of ideas and feeling obligated to post because I have readers to please. So some of my posts are pretty lame, because I didn’t have much to say that day. Sooner or later, I think of something else.
I started my blog to express myself and see if it would draw readers. I discovered that I could express myself pretty much any way I wanted, but that it would have repercussions among the readers. The more way out I get, the more readers leave. So there’s a decision to be made. I also discovered that you don’t just “draw” readers — you have to promote yourself. So I agree with Christa that I had no idea how time-consuming it would be, because the only part you really see, at first, is the writing.
If I get burned out, completely burned out, I’ll post a goodbye on my blog and then go on to other things. Right now I’ve just reached the level of being able to carry ads, so it’s encouraging rather than tiring.
I’ve been meaning to ask you, does all that work for EntreCard really get you that many more readers than just commenting on other blogs?
Dot´s last blog post..This and That
on January 5, 2009 at 5:23 pm
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Hi Natural: Motivation is something that needs to be rekindled constantly. I find that the best way to do this is to set small goals you can reach in a short time span without over-exerting yourself. For example, could write down something like the following: for the month of January I want to post two times a week on my blog, send out two guest posts, increase traffic by 50 people a day, gain 30 new subscribers, and have 20 new followers on twitter. I hope you’re not thinking of quitting Natural because I really like this blog.
Marelisa´s last blog post..10 Ways to Have a Zen-Like Day
on January 5, 2009 at 6:23 pm
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My blog is me, and I am my blog. It will die when I die, and I hope to have some ghostly posts ready for after that. (They’ll just pop up randomly as time passes).
When my blog is being awnry, I like to bring out the belt and beat it a little. Seems to work well.
If I hit burnout, I’ll let the burnout happen, but my blog will keep going.
Wayne John´s last blog post..How To Get A Password – Twitter Phishing Scam
on January 5, 2009 at 6:50 pm
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This is an excellent post! Your post illuminates why I do not advise most of my clients to start blogs – it takes resources to launch, grow and maintain a blog. The measure for quitting depends on the original objective. If your blog is personal I would say quit when you are no longer willing to invest the time. We have to make choices daily and if blogging falls out of your top priorities, then stop. If you’re blogging for business I would again evaluate the objective – is the objective still solid? If so, perhaps the strategy needs to modified. For example, a business blogger may decide to switch to a different posting schedule, change the content, do audio or video rather than text, or outsource content development.
Karen Swim´s last blog post..At the Intersection of Been There and Looking Ahead
on January 5, 2009 at 8:42 pm
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I don’t know if I would actually call it quits, if I wasn’t interested anymore, I might just not go back, not renew the domain, just not go back. but….I still love my baby!
Dee Langdon – BloggerNewbie´s last blog post..Courage is
on January 5, 2009 at 9:09 pm
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The day Natural says to me “Give it up, Girl!”
Urban Panther´s last blog post..Making a bigger contribution
on January 5, 2009 at 9:34 pm
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Quitting is not really an option for me. In so many ways, it has stopped being fun a while ago. This particular Blog is my “prototype” and the one I am trying to learn on the most. It is hard watching your “Baby” fall, not getting the response you expected, but just as with a real child you don’t give up on it.
I know I have days when I don’t get around to updating since I have about 16 of those rascals running around the internet and each wants some attention. But just because it isn’t fun, doesn’t mean it isn’t challenging, rewarding (not money wise yet too much sadly), exciting when I get something right. So I hope that my Blog Babies will be around for a very long time.
I also learned by know that just like with actual kids you can never count on your Co-parent if you have one. I lost my CO-Bloggers several times, because the response was less then overwhelming!
Thank you for a fun Cartoon and a wonderful Article.
on January 6, 2009 at 9:19 am
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I’ve asked myself these questions a bit lately because my enthusiasm for my blog waned to almost non existent. My reaction has been to blog very little over the past 6-8 weeks, but also be honest about my ambivalence. As a result my subscribers have INCREASED, not decreased. Strange, but true. Sometimes the baby kicks on without you. I think 2009 will be a very different year for me because I have renewed focus on my fiction writing and so that is taking up a lot of my non-family time. But I also love SHE-POWER and my community of readers, so I have no intention of giving up. I might blog haphazardly at times as I focus on my novel or short stories, but I doubt I’d stay away for too long. It’d feel like too big a loss.
Kelly
on January 6, 2009 at 1:41 pm
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I love the interaction I have with my readers FAR TOO MUCH to walk away.
Ive been blogging since 2006. Yes, there are times when I am too exhausted to write, or comment or read or participate.
However, my love for the blog, and the written word, always returns and usually stronger.
I hope this does not mean YOU are giving up your blog?
meleah rebeccah´s last blog post..Man I Am Glad That’s Over.
on January 6, 2009 at 3:43 pm
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Love the cartoonies and the baby analogy.
I’m sure the day will come when I’m done. On one hand, I don’t think I’ll run outta things to say (and do), but I think I’ll run out of excitement and motivation for writing about them. But I don’t think I’ll quit entirely. I see me going in another direction rather than quitting. Maybe a new blog, maybe a book.
JD at I Do Things´s last blog post..I’ll Say “No” to Drugs so you don’t have to
on January 6, 2009 at 5:30 pm
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I started blogging in 2005 but this blog, I maintain it as my personal thoughts (family, parenting and ramblings) but in 2007, i started making blogs for paid blogging. It is so nice to write especially if you are earning too. But no matter how busy I am, I still find time to update my personal blog.
Anyway, to quit is not an option for me. If you have real friends, they will understand why you don’t update much. They will come back once they’ll see an update in your blog.
on January 6, 2009 at 9:30 pm
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I ask myself every single day: “Why in sam hell do you blog, Beth?” Then I lose my thought process because being almost 36 will do that to a person then I log into WordPress and start typing. I have 3 blogs. 2 active, one on its way. Yet, what do I have to say? For God’s sake, I wrote an entire post about cutting my foot while doing a home version pedicure-and bandaging it with a panty-liner. That, my friend, is desperation.
Beth´s last blog post..It’s All About Love
on January 6, 2009 at 10:34 pm
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For Christmas my minion offspring gave me a plaque that says: Blogging ~ never before have so many people with so little to say said so much to so few.” I guess I’ll stop blogging when I can’t laugh at that plaque.
Kathy @ Virtual Impax´s last blog post..Twitter Bug on the Loose
on January 7, 2009 at 3:35 am
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Wow, what a great post. Thank you. I too was like the hero of your picture, who had nothing to say, prior coming here : it looked as if I too have nothing to say at a moment, but I was healed by you – by my wish to respond to your post. The words appear by sharing the thanksgiving – by putting our nice theories to the practice (to the practice of the leaving the comments to the posts we are reading in the case of the blogging).
Let me invite you to my blogs. I hope you will enjoy my pictures and will have a good time too with my artworks.
Tomas´s last blog post..anatomy of a mirror of art
on January 7, 2009 at 6:27 am
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Good comparison on blogging and taking care of baby. So, if we want to start a second blog, it is something like being prepare for the second baby right?
on January 7, 2009 at 10:07 am
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This was such a good post, and the comments are excellent too. This is something I think about as well. I think it helps to have an underlying motivation (like a foundation for a house) – for me, I really hope to develop books from my blogs, and I wanted the discipline of writing regularly. I’ve always tended to gather info and say, I really should write about that someday – and never did. Now I do.
I always like to post something, but it isn’t always long – even a couple of sentences and a visual. I may cut back to a few times a week posting if I start a third, more commercial blog, which I may very well be doing this year.
on January 7, 2009 at 10:08 am
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Mistyped my URL, this ought to get my last post! (Clearly i need more caffeine!)
I also blog at http://kitchenretro.blogspot.com
Lidian´s last blog post..The Instant Ancestor
on January 7, 2009 at 11:27 am
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Nice blog, keep sharing!
You just got something like dropped by coolest blog in Indonesia, check it out!
Rhakateza´s last blog post..[video] Radioactive residues found on Palestinian victims body
on January 7, 2009 at 12:55 pm
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Frankly I blog for me – to laugh, to memorialize, to give a tribute, to think out loud and to count my blessings.. I have no time limit on that- if it hits a nerve and someone comments all the better. But for me it is great discipline and fun..I need that forever..
sandy k´s last blog post.."Honey , who took the Meow Mix bag out of recycling?"
on January 7, 2009 at 1:48 pm
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a question I have pndered off and on for awhile..I think when the drive to write wanes I will decide then…
robert bourne´s last blog post..Thank You
on January 7, 2009 at 3:10 pm
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I almost completely stopped blogging over the holidays. After a while, I almost (almost!) forgot about it (poor blog baby).
I like what Vered said about slowing down to last for the long haul, and what Marelisa said about setting short-term goals – both make sense to me.
Vintage Mommy´s last blog post..A Big Milestone and a Small Milestone
on January 7, 2009 at 8:51 pm
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I have kicked many of mah babies out the virtual window, I’m not sure my adoptive son twitter can fit through the window now though, my, he’s so big now!
Andy Bailey´s last blog post..I finally made it back to the gym – video blog post
on January 7, 2009 at 9:20 pm
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Very true!
My baby is just 3 months old yet I have high hopes that she’ll have a long, fully lived life LOL! I really hope so…I haven’t monetized my blog yet so Im not really sure if I can cope up with the pressure and stress once I do. ^_^
mystique´s last blog post..MSUans Reunited!
on January 7, 2009 at 10:07 pm
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I believe I am in this for the long haul and am modifying my posting to a pace where I can edit better – because the writing is still pouring out of me….after being told no one wanted to hear what I said most of my life, it is not a baby to me It is me pouring out the things I need to say and express.
I have about 51 readers a day right now, and about 4-5 commentors. I would love that to be more so I could build the conversation and the community. It is reassuring to know that people are reading my words…
I am working on Marelisa’s list to make my business end of blogging better and I would like to succeed in a financial way at some enterprise that I have undertaken. But maybe I have taken a vow of poverty – another exploration of mine?
I feel like I am doing the work I am supposed to do – finally and that I love to do and explore. I will just say I will know when…
Patricia´s last blog post..After Math
on January 8, 2009 at 3:59 am
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I actually just killed of my old blog in favour for the Life of Janna one. It’s a strange thing not entering my old environment everyday spilling my guts out on everything happening in my life and now writing about a little bit more private part of myself.
on January 8, 2009 at 9:39 am
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I never really considered quitting. I took a couple of necessary breaks but I’ve invested too much time and energy to give up on it.
Chris´s last blog post..Seventy Years
on January 8, 2009 at 10:39 am
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actually, i prefer to take care of my real baby than blogging. i keep all excited to take care of her all the time so i spend less in blogging.
maricel´s last blog post..To All My Droppers
on January 9, 2009 at 3:07 am
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Can I blog this one and will link on you… I like the idea of blogging and maybe I can compare it to other things….