Blogging Break
It’s time for a bogging break.
It was obvious to me right from the start that blogging is highly addictive. When I read about bloggers who put in 70 hours per week, work so hard that they forget to drink, and sometimes even drop dead, I promised myself that “real life” would always come first.
I do have a life outside blogging. I am a mom, a wife, a friend and a daughter. After a few years’ break, it looks like I am back at my career too, this time around as a blogger for hire. So, the more I fell in love with blogging, the more important it became to find a balance.
I can’t say I found my balance. I still spend too much time in front of the computer. I still think too much about blogging, commenting, stumbling and tweetering. As you can see, my vocabulary has certainly expanded over the past few months, and not necessarily in a good way.
However, the next three weeks are going to be very busy in other areas of my life. I will tell you all about it later, but right now all I can say is I am going to take a short blogging break and post less for a few weeks.
The plan was to write this post begging you to not go away, but then I read that subscribers don’t necessarily go away when you post less - they go away when you post low-quality fillers in order to keep to your regular posting schedule.
I also read that posting “excuse posts” that explain why you can’t post is a great way to let your blog go… but I decided to post this anyway, because I wanted to explain.
Favorite bloggers who sometimes take a blogging break and even go on vacation:
Hunter Nuttal went to Japan.
Mrs. Micah took a Memorial Day Weekend break.
Leo Babauta went on a honeymoon.
Chris of Wat da Wat posted a filler because he was busy with work.
Kelly Rigby of SHE-POWER went to Spain.
Evelyn Lim of Attraction Mind Map took a one-week break and used her time off for “contemplation, reflection and inner healing, through hours of quiet meditation”.
Suzie of Up The Hill Backwards was worried about her readers leaving her when she took a week-long vacation.
Looks like I’m in good company.
In the photo: waiting for some friends to arrive for brunch at our place. Looking fairly relaxed. NOT blogging.
SEE? I really do have a life. 
Hire Me As A Blogger
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Mrs. Micah responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 4:16 am →
Amen. I love blogging but sometimes you really really have to take a break. And for most subscribers, staying subscribed isn’t a big hassle. You just won’t show up in their “unread posts”. Not a problem for me. I’m lazy enough not to delete people for a long long time. Some I keep just in case they come back. A few have.
Joel Falconer responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 4:27 am →
We won’t be going anywhere, don’t worry. Plus, if you’re only reducing your posting frequency, it’s not quite a break, is it?
Joel Falconer’s last blog post..Marketing Lessons from Guns N’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy
chris responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 4:34 am →
Vered,
You’re my hero! Man even when you are saying goodbye you managed to give some link love…Can’t wait for the big announcement.
chris’s last blog post..Day 3 at Haaaaarvard
Scott responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 4:39 am →
I’ve just discovered your blog, and enjoy it very much.
As a new reader, let me assure you I’ll be sticking around even if you do post less
I hope life isn’t TOO hectic!
Raymond White responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 4:45 am →
Hi Vered,
Nice post and yeah oh so relevant ! Nice pic!
My life is pretty busy at the moment and I kinda find myself sneaking off to the PC now and again either to post or to check out and comment on other blogs. Oftentimes I get home and after greeting the wife, kids and the dog I quickly go check out my gmail and statcounter. But it is the busyness of my life that gives me the material from which I write. I carry a little book with me in which I scribble down thoughts and events and then later post these up to my blog. I find I often can easily spend a couple of hours just surfing the net for info on SEO, affiliate advertising, Firefox browser add-ons, searching for web directories, stumbling, digging,googling……the list can sometimes seem endless. One just has to have self discipline. Fortunately I have enuff very real people(and some animals) to always pull me away from cyberspace and to give me lotsa love. This helps me keep the balance.
So I try to post about once a week to my blog and don’t have a hizzy fit when I don’t keep up with that schedule. You will also find me an an irregular, regular commenter on your blog so I do apologise for that as I also would like to comment on various peoples blogs on a more regular basis but just don’t get around to it.
LoCTY!!
Raymond White responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 4:53 am →
Hi Vered,
Sorry after that long preamble just trying to say I so totally understand where you are coming from and no even though I’m new I won’t be heading off into the blogset away from your blog. Take a break if you feel you need to, reduce the frequency of your postings, its your blog and your life, don’t put yourself under artificial stress(I’m really good at that). All the best.
LoCTY!!
Kelly@SHE-POWER responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 5:06 am →
The answer is “Yes, you must have a LIFE!”
Blogging is great connector and highly addictive, but you also have to step back and assess what’s important to you and consciously decide how much time and energy to expend on every area of your life. Blogging included.
My holiday really helped me see this and I have realised that I have spent far too much time blogging this year and not enough time finishing my novel and starting a new one. My blog is important to me, mostly because of my friends like you
But I really want to be a novelist and I probably need to be more present in the rest of my life so I am going to be keeping a similar 1 - 2 posts per week schedule for SHE-POWER in the future.
So don’t feel that you have to explain or justify this decision. Do what’s right for you Vered and your loyal readers won’t go anywhere. My subscriber numbers have not changed over the past 2 months and I do not post nearly as much as I did while I gained those numbers. I used to post 4 times a week and that’s the blog people subscribed to. It’s been wonderful to see everyone hang around as I have dropped to posting once a week on average.
Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. Have fun.
Kelly
Kelly@SHE-POWER’s last blog post..Coming Home
Suzie responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 6:16 am →
Ok Ill allow it. You may go have a life and post less. Im going away a bunch this summer so if you check in every once in a while Ill do the same too. Enjoy and by the way you look great!
Suzie’s last blog post..Not So Wordless Wednesday
zoe responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 6:59 am →
Oh yeah, blogging breaks, I’ve been on one for months. Life has a funny way of interfering doesn’t it. Between being busy at work, busy socially, and preoccupied with thoughts and planning for trying to have a baby, I haven’t much time to blog. We all get too busy regardless how addicted we are to blogging.
I use a feed reader, so I rarely notice when someones posting frequency changes. For me it’s more like, “oh sweet, so and so posted today.” It’s a surprise everytime.
zoe’s last blog post..Kitty Pictures
RJ responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 7:26 am →
Enjoy your break Vered! See you when you get back
Marelisa responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 7:33 am →
Well Vered, it was very nice knowing you, thank you for stopping by my blog so frequently, take care . . . Noooooo! Of course I’ll still be here during your semi-hiatus.
Natural responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 7:57 am →
i see a lot of bloggers taking a break from blogging, i don’t blog as much as i used to, i see a decrease. we all need to step away from the computer and i admit, it is hard not to think about blogging sometimes because i enjoy it so much, but i do have a life and blogging is not, should not, be in the number 1 spot for me.
i’ll be here whenever you post. you’re in my reader whenever you post is fine by me. go enjoy life! it’s warmer outside too, it should be enjoyed to the full with friends and family. Not goodbye, but see you later.
ironman responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 8:43 am →
No one is going anywhere.
PS. You are so pretty.
thinkneat responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 8:45 am →
Vered,
Glad to read your post. As a blogging newbie, I did see that after first 2 posts I felt obliged to post something, even tough I do not have many/any readers. I started blogging for pleasure, and I saw that it might turn into work. So I walked away from it, for few days. Now I post only when I really want/have to say something.
Many bloggers do not realize that anything done in excess is addictive, and it takes over life. I am glad you wrote this post to remind that we need to have a real life.
Enjoy Your break, and we will be waiting to hear all about it.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 9:24 am →
@ Mrs. Micah: I agree. Once you manage blog reading through a feed reader, the ones that do not get updated are not a problem and in fact, some of those that get updated a LOT (such as LifeHacke or even Dooce) are more annoying than the “quiet” ones.
@ Joel: Thank you. Not a classic break, but having to scale back while I’m still in the process of building my blog and my online presence makes me nervous.
@ chris: thank you.
@ Scott: Welcome to MomGrind! Glad you like it over here. Life’s hectic… a little too hectic right now but that’s just the way things are sometimes.
@ Raymond: I carry a notebook everywhere too. It’s really good for capturing ideas, isn’t it? Thank you for the encouragement and please don’t worry about your commenting frequency – now that would be putting unnecessary stress on yourself wouldn’t it?
@ Kelly: Yours and JEMi’s blog inspire me in many ways, and one of them is that both of you don’t feel that you have to post daily. It is obvious that your blogs are very important to you, but you don’t allow blogging to take over. I respect that. You should definitely work on that novel – I think it’s awesome that you can write a novel and I can’t wait to read it!
@ Suzie: it’s a deal, and thank you.
@ zoe: I feel the same – when a favorite blogger posts something new, I get all excited, but if they don’t post for a while it’s fine. If a blogger that I like takes a long break without making any announcement, I usually email them just to make sure everything is OK.
@ RJ: Thank you.
@ Marelisa: You better stick around!
@ Natural: “i do have a life and blogging is not, should not, be in the number 1 spot for me.” – I agree. Thank you for understanding.
@ ironman: Thank you.
@ thinkneat: I like the idea of only posting when you have something to say. REALLY like it.
Ann responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 9:45 am →
Hi Vered, It’s funny, but I thought I was seeing less of you in the comments around town!
I hope you’re taking a break to do something rejuvenating, fun, and relaxing - enjoy the time!
Ann
Ann’s last blog post..Just Do It - Starting is the Hardest Part
Randall responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 9:52 am →
A beautiful lady like yourself needs to have a life. One of my favorite quotes is from the musical stage play “Mame”. Mame said, “Life is a banquet, and most poor sons of bitches are starving to death.” Go enjoy the banquet!
Randall’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
MizFit responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 9:54 am →
Im all about the blogcation——no matter the reason.
we’ll still be here!
M.
MizFit’s last blog post..Viewer Mail.
Justin Hernandez responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 10:01 am →
Don’t worry Vee we’re not going to go anywhere. Have you thought about guest bloggers maybe to help while you’re gone? I hope everything is ok and I’ll see you in 3 weeks.
Justin Hernandez’s last blog post..Surprise! [pic]
Barbara Swafford responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 10:05 am →
Hi Vered,
You look beautiful and very relaxed in your photo.
With blogging, breaks and balance are essential, even if it’s for just a day or two. We often forget that blogging (in most cases) is a hobby. We normally don’t get consumed with our other hobbies, hence, blogging shouldn’t be any different. I think what happens is that we establish our communities and if we don’t post, we’re afraid our cyberfriends will leave and move on. But, as you wrote in your previous article, the friends we meet on line are just as important as the friends we have in real life. Friends stick with us through thick and thin, and I know you’ll find the group of friends you’ve made online thus far, will be there no matter how long you take off or no matter what your posting schedule is. You can’t get rid of us THAT easy. We’re here to stay.
Enjoy your time away.
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..Blog Posts - Are We Our Worst Critic?
Christina responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 10:05 am →
We will miss you! You still have me as a HUGE fan and avid reader of your blog! Besides you do deserve a break! Thank you for all that you do and your wonderful support!
Christina’s last blog post..Surprise! [pic]
theramblinghousewife responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 10:32 am →
I’ve definitely reduced the number of my posts as well. Some weeks I have more to say than others. Some weeks I am just way to overwhelmed with other things. . . .
The minute my blog begins to feel like a job, I completely cut back . . .
Because that means it’s lost it’s purpose . . .
Enjoy your “less-blogful” life! You deserve it!
theramblinghousewife’s last blog post..Windows of Opportunity
Dot H. responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 10:35 am →
I read that advice too, but I don’t believe it. If you have a friendly relationship with your readers, they will wonder where you went and want to know what’s going on. If it’s strictly a business blog, perhaps not.
Jill responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 10:59 am →
Of course you are allowed to have a life, and I’d better be part of it. Haven’t heard from you in a while!
Ellen Wilson responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 11:00 am →
Hey! A full frontal Vered!
Yes, I’ll still be here.
I hear you. I’ll miss your stuff, but you need time. I have the same problems. I think it takes awhile to work it all out. I know I spend way too much time on the computer, but then I’ll go a day or two without it. And i told, Mike, my husband, that I would turn it off at night unless I had a dead line to meet for work. But I try to keep that to a minimum, too.
I think burnout it a very real problem for bloggers.
Ellen
Ellen Wilson’s last blog post..What are You Fishing for?
Bamboo Forest responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 11:12 am →
Balance is of utmost importance. In addition, blogging should take a backseat to the priorities of ones life! It may come as a shock, but there are many things far more important in life than blogging. Even though, blogging is a fine hobby to be sure. Do what you gotta do! I will stay subscribed, because I enjoy the quality of your posts and am willing to wait for them. Blogs one enjoys are not so easy to find. When you find one you like, you don’t unscribe because someones frequency of posting has been altered. That makes little sense.
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..Being Happy for Others: Something to Truly Aspire to
J.D. Meier responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 11:21 am →
Interestingly — I happened to see the back of a Stephen King memoirs on writing book and he mentioned he keeps his desk on the side of the room to remind himself that art supports life, not the other way around.
J.D. Meier’s last blog post..Develop Disagreement Rather Than Consensus
Mark Salinas responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 11:32 am →
Obviously you are a very talented writer. Great site!
Mark Salinas’s last blog post..Healthy Heart Foods
MomGrind responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 12:06 pm →
@ Ann: Thank you.
@ Randall: That’s a great quote. Thank you!
@ MizFit: “blogcation” – LOVE that.
@ Justin: Oh, I’ll still be here, just on lower intensity.
“Have you thought about guest bloggers maybe to help while you’re gone?” – so far, I haven’t gone the guest blogging route. I will think about it – thank you for the idea!
@ Barbara: “You can’t get rid of us THAT easy. We’re here to stay.” Thank you. This made me smile, and helped put my mind at ease.
@ Christina: Thank you!
@ the rambling housewife: “The minute my blog begins to feel like a job, I completely cut back . . . Because that means it’s lost it’s purpose . . .”
EXACTLY. You said it so much better than I could have.
@ Dot H.: I agree! Hope your blog will be up soon.
@ Jill: I’ll call you.
@ Ellen: I noticed that you say on your blog that it updates twice a week. I like that. I do agree that burnout is a real problem. I’d like to avoid that.
@ Bamboo Forest: “blogging is a fine hobby to be sure”. It is! It is fine, and fun, and SO time-consuming. Thank you for your support. I really appreciate it!
@ J.D. Meier: This is a beautiful quote. Thank you.
@ Mark: Thank you. I think I am more about interesting ideas and thoughts than about great writing, but I will take the compliment.
Sarah responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 1:04 pm →
Vered, enjoy your break! I’m not going anywhere
Sarah’s last blog post..Which Disney Princess are You?
Zandria responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 1:11 pm →
Of course you’re allowed to have a life. And that’s what Google Reader is for…so I’ll know once you post again! Good luck with whatever you’re up to.
(You look really cute in that photo!)
Zandria’s last blog post..Advantages of Working Out with Weights
Alik | PracticeThis.com responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 1:16 pm →
Take a break, post less.
It will only create more anticipation, I’ll be waiting for you to post when you are back.
Enjoy life, control life, not the other way around.
Alik | PracticeThis.com’s last blog post..Emotional Intelligence Meets Influence Without Authority In Outlook 2007
Hunter Nuttall responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 1:27 pm →
Thanks for the link, but to be fair, I did schedule 3 posts to be published while I was in Japan.
I’ve always been concerned about getting stuck in a blogging schedule, so I’ve always tried not to set the precedent of frequent posting. Even when I’ve had a lot of posts I wanted to write, I forced myself to slow down. Once your readers get used to daily posts, they supposedly won’t like it if you slow down significantly.
I don’t see why bloggers shouldn’t be allowed to slow down or take a break. It’s not like you’re the only blogger out there, and if you’re not posting then no one will have anything to read. I’ll always let you take a break.
Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..SEO School
Urban Panther responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 1:35 pm →
New to your site, and I’m not going anywhere! And if it is okay with you, I have added MomGrind as a link on my page.
Being new to blogging, I am struggling with the balance thing. I am passionate about writing, and equally passionate about reading quality writing. I’m working on walking away from the laptop…hmmm….I believe I am supposed to be packing for vacation right now.
Whatever you have planned, enjoy! See you when you get back.
Urban Panther’s last blog post..Francophone Fridays
Sara responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 3:40 pm →
Vered,
You’ve built up so much goodwill with the attention you pay to others that I’d be shocked if there was much of a drop in traffic. You get what you give, and you give a lot. Time to take some back!
Sara’s last blog post..Weekly Links: Gone Swimming
Robin responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 4:05 pm →
Well that’s funny, because I have just decided to really get a grip on the RSS thing - although I’d set up google reader I’ve gravitated to bookmarks up till now - and I came over here to subscribe. So I won’t be missing your next post!
Posts like this one and the one about online friendships are great because I get to see how a whole lot of other people are feeling. Thanks.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 9:18 pm →
@ Sarah: Thanks.
@ Zan: Thank you!
@ Alik: “Enjoy life, control life, not the other way around.” Amen to that.
@ Hunter: “Even when I’ve had a lot of posts I wanted to write, I forced myself to slow down.” I try to do that too!
I agree that there’s no lack of reading material in the blogosphere, so even if I’m not around to provide entertainment, someone would.
@ Urban Panther: Thank you so much for adding me to your blogroll. Laptops are magnetic.
Enjoy your vacation!
@ Sara: It was SO nice of you to say that. Thank you.
@ Robin: Glad to know I’m on your feed reader now. I don’t know how people keep up without a reader, there’s so much worthy material out there.
crunchy domestic goddess responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 9:59 pm →
enjoy your break. we all need (and totally deserve) one from time to time. in fact, i’ll be taking mine at the end of july. woot!
crunchy domestic goddess’s last blog post..Guest bloggers wanted - inquire within
Shilpan | successsoul.com responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 10:40 pm →
Vered,
As much we may miss you while you are gone, your family should always come first. Do whatever it takes to share happy moments with your family. Your blog buddies are not going anywhere as you have them by your ankle.
Shilpan
Shilpan | successsoul.com’s last blog post..An Interview with Tina Su of Think Simple Now
Linda responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 10:48 pm →
Hi Vered,
I just found and subscribed to your blog yesterday via Barbara Swafford, BWOB and NBOTW — congrats on that achievement btw!
I’ll be looking forward to reading your posts — whenever they show up. No worries, I’ll be here.
I’m a brand new blogger and I’m sure I will be dealing with the addiction issue myself in the not-too-distant future. My son already tells me I’m addicted to Twitter! When I write, I have to close it, and email, completely to stay focused.
You look lovely and relaxed in your picture. Enjoy your family & friends — in person!
Linda’s last blog post..When Your Aging Parent Is Hospitalized - Part 3
Andre Kibbe responds:
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 11:05 pm →
Sounds like the break’s for something important or fun (hopefully both). I wouldn’t dream of unsubscribing you. The suspense of your return announcement is killing me. Have a great quasi-sabbatical!
Cath Lawson responds:
Posted: June 26th, 2008 at 4:12 am →
Hi Vered - taking a break is fine. I’ve done it two or three times. I’d rather read one or two great posts a week than several mediocre posts a day.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post..You Can Profit From Something You Suck At
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map responds:
Posted: June 26th, 2008 at 4:56 am →
Hi Vered, I do enjoy reading your posts, even if some of them are pretty short ones. You’ve got a way of drawing attention to the littlest of things but which make plenty of sense to me.
Even if you do permanently drop the frequency of your postings, I am not about to unsubscribe because of it. As a mom to young kids too, I also understand how hard it is to find that balance. Yes…blogging can be very addictive and admittedly, it takes a lot of time to write and also to visit other sites (hope that you’d still come over to mine, though!). I’m experiencing some challenges myself in terms of managing my time.
By all means, take a break or do what you have to do. A lot of us will still be here!
Hugs,
Evelyn
Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map’s last blog post..Five Hindrances To A Successful Meditation
Sandier Pastures responds:
Posted: June 26th, 2008 at 7:36 am →
Hi Vered, just a little concerned…I hope you don’t forget eating because of blogging? You are so slim! (but look good — love the smile)
Nevertheless, I enjoy reading your posts though I am new here. I will still read all the posts you can manage to write when you can despite your busy sked.
Sandier Pastures’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #50
MomGrind responds:
Posted: June 26th, 2008 at 9:19 am →
@ crunchy: Enjoy your vacation!
@ Shilpan: Family definitely comes before blogging. Thank you for the support!
@ Linda: Thank you and good luck with finding your balance!
@ Andre: You made me smile with that suspense comment… so thank you.
@ Cath: “I’d rather read one or two great posts a week than several mediocre posts a day.” Me too!
@ Evelyn: OF COURSE I will still visit your site! You have a calming effect on me – I would never give that up. Seriously.
@ Sandier: Thank you for your concern. The only problem is, I forget to eat when I’m busy, but I promised myself that I would eat whenever I make something for the kids, so that should take care of it.
Hyrcan responds:
Posted: June 26th, 2008 at 1:05 pm →
Heck yeah bloggers should have a life… think of how dreadfully boring their blogs would get if they had nothing substantial to base their writing on!
Hmm, forgetting to eat when busy…sounds familiar… I’ve had to setup a 2pm recurring appointment at work that includes me and a table at Java Green, otherwise I’ll not remember I haven’t eaten until about 5pm…if at all… I know that can’t be healthy.
Jan responds:
Posted: June 26th, 2008 at 1:53 pm →
Have fun.
Jan’s last blog post..Saucy’s Wedding Party - Ya All Come
CharlesP responds:
Posted: June 26th, 2008 at 4:33 pm →
For me it’s the beauty of RSS readers that I can keep up with you even if you go infrequent because you’ll show back up in the reader when you do post again (and I’m so far behind on my RSS feeds I can use the extra time to catch up on somebody else’s stuff :D).
I’m torn on my own blogging projects about how to handle times when I’m going to be away. Lately my pattern has been to collect stuff over a few days and then do some time-shifted posting (set the time to future dates) to keep the new content coming even when I don’t have time to post on a given day thanks to one of the kids getting sick or hurt, or just not letting me sleep.
Best of luck with the mysterious project Vered.
CharlesP’s last blog post..Naps
DavinaH responds:
Posted: June 26th, 2008 at 10:08 pm →
Hi Vered.
I too have found you through Barbara Swafford. Glad I did, but just in time for you to leave us…
Just teasing. Have a terrific break - we’re all only human right? Absence makes the heart grow fonder! Looking forward to your next post… when you’re good and ready.
DavinaH’s last blog post..The Fire’s Dance
Emily responds:
Posted: June 27th, 2008 at 6:45 pm →
Hey Vered! Enjoy your break!! I am on vacation for 6 weeks. I panicked. I worried about my blog. But at the end of the day, I decided my blog would not die while I am away. I have taken the opportunity to feature guest posts from some awesome bloggers and have only put up like 3 real time posts of my own in 2 weeks but things seem to be surviving. See you when you get back. You’ll still be in my reader
Emily’s last blog post..I Quit Reading Better Homes And Gardens
MomGrind responds:
Posted: June 28th, 2008 at 11:21 am →
@ hyrcan: you’re right! We should have a life for our readers’ sake!
@ jan: thanks!
@ Charles: it makes a lot of sense to pre-post. I think Leo Babauta said a while ago that he writes all his posts for the week in one day. I was intrigued by that too.
@ Davina: Welcome to MomGrind, and thank you for the support!
@ Emily: Have a great vacation - sounds like things are under control despite your absence.
Bonnie Peachy Baby responds:
Posted: June 28th, 2008 at 11:29 am →
Hi Vered, I’m happy you let us in on your vacation break from blogging. You deserve it - with all the quality posts you put out. I am taking a break in my blogging world, too .. but, didn’t think to do what you did. I think it was good to let us know. I will definitely be here waiting for your post. Until then, I’ll go through MomGrind withdrawal. And ooooh.. I can’t wait for THE Announcement.. ! .. Have fun! ..
MomGrind responds:
Posted: June 28th, 2008 at 11:36 am →
Thank you Bonnie! Hope to read more of your posts soon. You make me THINK. I like that.
Ellen Wilson responds:
Posted: June 29th, 2008 at 6:37 am →
Vered,
I like the twice weekly posting schedule. If I post more than that my writing will turn to crap and I will get burned out very quickly. I even tried three times a week and that was too much.
I wouldn’t be able to visit other blogs as much either. And I do believe blogging is more about conversations rather than gaining numbers, numbers, numbers! I’d rather talk to people than treat them like a number coming to my blog.
I find it very hard to keep up with people that post everyday.
Ellen
Ellen Wilson’s last blog post..Archetypes and Symbols are for Everyone
Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) responds:
Posted: June 29th, 2008 at 11:26 am →
This is the first time I can recall reading your blog.
This post hit a chord with me, because I have been struggling with blog fatigue.
Late last night/this morning I wrote six (count ‘em, SIX) posts to get me through this coming Saturday. It took several hours (three or four, all told), but I can take a BREAK.
Yay!
And I’ve been on a mini-break from commenting (particularly on my own blog) the last week or so.
Even with a more hands-off approach, I still have had about the usual number of visitors. (I averaged about 60 a week ago. This week, I’m averaging about 50.)
I hope your life-stuff goes o.k. and that you enjoy your break.
Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba)’s last blog post..Weekly Winners: June 22-28
phyllis responds:
Posted: June 29th, 2008 at 9:04 pm →
i’ll be here when you are. i do love the feed reader system. i don’t have to remember to check on you, you just pop up whenever you’re ready! and isn’t that nice….enjoy your break:-)
phyllis’s last blog post..Haveil Havalim #171: The Packing for Camp Edition
MomGrind responds:
Posted: June 29th, 2008 at 11:15 pm →
@ Ellen: That makes a lot of sense. Right now 3/ week works for me, but if I change it - it will be in the direction of posting less, not more, to free up more time for interaction with other bloggers and, well, for LIFE.
@ Rebecca: Building a blog is so much work, that it’s almost scary to step back. But I think most bloggers find out, once they do scale back a little, that their blog can still thrive and grow, even if it does so at a slower pace.
@ phyllis: I love it too. I can’t imagine managing all my blog reading without a feed reader! Thank you for the support.
Clay Collins responds:
Posted: June 30th, 2008 at 12:10 am →
I’m not going ANYWHERE. You’re blog is too awesome, Vered
–Clay
P.S. You don’t happen to be a Scorpio, do you?
Clay Collins’s last blog post..Not Being a Real Person: The #1 Self-Development Anti-Hack
MomGrind responds:
Posted: June 30th, 2008 at 8:20 pm →
Thanks Clay.
I’m a Gemini but I must confess, I don’t really believe in these things.
Avital responds:
Posted: July 3rd, 2008 at 2:08 am →
Hi,
I have stumbled upon your blog (not by using Stumble Upon…. but by a link from another blog). I read your profile and saw your were once a lawyer and now a blogger and involved with a social network for parents.
I am going through the same process myself. Half a year ago (more or less) I was living in Israel, working as a lawyer and not having any kind of personal life, whatsoever. Somehow I have managed to get married and less than three months afterward I found myself on a plane to Ireland with a one-way ticket.
My husband had got a job offer and we relocated. Leaving the office was very hard for me. I didn’t even take sick leave, as I always thought everything would fall apart, and there I was, leaving the office permanently. My license isn’t valid in Ireland and in order to validate it I have to study Gaelic, among other prerequisites, so I gave up on it. Started a blog on creativity and vowed to have a life.
hank responds:
Posted: July 5th, 2008 at 11:22 am →
Yea, especially during the summer it’s probably a decent reason to skip town. A lot of people do. People just stay off the web in general during the summer. They get outside a bit more; it honestly is more of a hassle (still small) to UNsubscribe from a blog than it is to just keep it in your reader! People read because they like what you write; taking a break just creates anticipation…
hank’s last blog post..A Month of Quintessential Savings Tips!
MomGrind responds:
Posted: July 5th, 2008 at 8:30 pm →
@ Avital: I visited your blog and like it very much. Good luck with everything!
@ hank: Thank you for the support!
It’s good to know that in summer the trend in general is to be more offline.
Vern at AimforAwesome responds:
Posted: July 13th, 2008 at 8:54 pm →
Blogging is sincerely addictive. You start with one - pretty soon you have 19. Then you scale back to 14. Drop a couple more and down to 11. Then you realize - hey, those other 8 are getting traffic too - might as well write something for them. Write something. Write some more. You’re back up to 19. Then you get some more great ideas, run them by your spouse for new blogs. S/he vetoes it. You blog at the ones you have. You keep getting these amazing ideas for new blogs - the veto hammer keeps falling.
You content yourself with maxing out the 19 you have and pray to the Google gods daily.
In a year, 18 months you realize - wow, there’s only 3 blogs that are really working. Forget the rest. You work on those three for a while. Eventually you realize there’s really only 1 that works and that you have time for if you want to make it the best. You re-dedicate yourself to that one. The eggs are in one basket, but - if you want to make it the best - do you have time for any more blogs? I’m down to one focus and 5 blogs I write occasionally for. I was picked to write for b5media - and I decided I just don’t have TIME. Better to work for myself and try to get Aim for Awesome going as well as possible. It’s the one I enjoy the most and has the most long-term staying power.
I just found Momgrind - and though I’m not a mom you have articles that are interesting to me too. Go figure! I’ll grab your RSS and browse your categories in a few minutes. Excellent blog - glad I found you. - Vern
MomGrind responds:
Posted: July 15th, 2008 at 8:27 pm →
@ Vern: “Better to work for myself and try to get Aim for Awesome going as well as possible. It’s the one I enjoy the most and has the most long-term staying power.” Makes sense. Good luck!
Ricardo Bueno responds:
Posted: July 17th, 2008 at 1:48 pm →
There’s nothing wrong with taking a break and/or reducing your post frequency. Sometimes it’s exactly what we need to refocus our motivation and efforts in our journey of blogging. I’ve always thought that if you’re true to yourself and your write from a place of sincerity, the rest sort of just takes care of itself (the community continues to grow and develop out of an instinctive attraction to the real “you” whether you post more or post less).
I’ve just come back from a 1 month hiatus and I feel more focused now than before and though my blog is new (new topic and direction all-together) I’m hopeful of the future
Ricardo Bueno’s last blog post.."We All Make Our Own Sandwiches"
Internet Safety: Did I Go Too Far? - MomGrind responds:
Posted: July 18th, 2008 at 4:05 am →
[...] I tell you, dear readers, about my vacation? Nope. Instead, I said I was going to be busy for a while, and blog less. Why did I do that? Because a while ago, I read [...]
MomGrind responds:
Posted: July 18th, 2008 at 5:27 pm →
@ Ricardo: Thank you, and good luck!
I Need Your Support Today - MomGrind responds:
Posted: July 21st, 2008 at 9:18 pm →
[...] Are Bloggers Allowed To Have A Life? Asks whether bloggers must pay a price when they take a few days - or weeks - off. [...]