The freezing rain stopped and mist was rising off of the parking lot in dragon fire tendrils. I was doing my after-lunch laps, a routine I’ve had for most of my working life. I’ve written at least three blog posts about the fact that I do a lot of my thinking and creative work while walking and my post-lunch walk is one of those times I let my brain have free rein. Well, yesterday I was thinking. That is always dangerous, me and thinking, but this time it might actually be pulling back from danger. I decided I’m going to take a blog slowdown. I won’t shut it down completely and I’ll still read a few posts, particularly when I really can’t do anything else, but I’ll slow down.
At the beginning of the year I made a huge list of things to do. I’ve yet to accomplish one. I haven’t even done more than a tentative first step, if that, on most. What have I done? I spend at least three hours a day every day reading blogs. There have been weekend days I’ve spent 10 hours or more.
My blog posts take me on average less than 30 minutes to write and post. I can easily handle that. But I feel like a total hypocrite if I expect people to read my posts yet I don’t read theirs. So I read as many as possible.
Also, as many of you have seen, I’ve become too obsessed with the stats. Of course when quirky things happen, like I get no International traffic for 36 hours or my views drop by over 60%, I respond by spending even more time reading!
So anyway, if my posts slow down a little, if I’m not reading and “liking” your posts, or if I’m not responding to comments in a timely fashion, don’t worry, I’m just taking some Trent-time.
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Pencil and “computer ink” selfie (and no Dottie, I don’t think I look like that ; ) )
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Hey.. Happy Trent-time! :) But Its great how you give time to other blogs.. I find it always inspiring to read others bogs.. it takes you into a different world..more ideas..more variety of thoughts..:)
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I do like to read other blogs. There are a handful of favorites that I try to read all of the time, including yours, but trying to keep up with everything has just been a little much!
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Oh I completely agree with that.. Its a lot to read each post carefully, not browse, but read and comment and discuss and think on it..:)
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Yes, and your poetry often takes a lot of rereading and thought! Which is a good thing. I find it rewarding to try even if I don’t get it every time, for even if I don’t get it, it forces me to think of things a little different. “Thoughts” – an appropriate name for your blog. I’ll admit that sometimes you act as my muse and I take those thoughts and put them into whatever I’m working on.
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That is the best comment/ complement I could have asked for as a writer, I think you have always kept me inspired to write better, as you read them, understand them and comment on them, I have always liked reading your stories and poems, the creativity you bring in into the everyday life workings, it does make me smile:)I hope to write better with time with more versatility in thoughts..:) Thank you so much.:)
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You’re welcome: ) Thank you for your complements – I’m glad I can make you smile.
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I think the fresh air of spring is what we all need. I try to comment, read and like as many pictures and post as I can each day. I do my best not sure it is ever enough, but I do try. Try to worry less about those stats.
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It’s just been growing way too time consuming. But I’ll still drop in and check things out once in a while and perhaps posts stuff and just ignore everyone on occasion ; )
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It is time consuming that is one reason I only post on one blog now. Two blogs just became to much work for me.
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Sometimes 1 blog is too much : )
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I agree.
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Awesome. Trent, your talents have been challenged, if you’re interested follow the link.
I’d love to see how you interpret this
https://simplycomplexiscomplexlysimple.wordpress.com/2015/03/19/loves-clever-poetry-challenge/
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Hi Simplycomplex. Somebody gave me that challenge. I might still do it. If I do I’ll put both of your names down as challenging me. Thanks!
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No thank you. I just wanted to reach out to those friends who I’ve been harassing the longest. Here’s my submission as an example,
Take your time. No rush :)
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I hope your slow down allows you time to figure out what works best for you because if blogging is not fun, it’s not worth doing. The weekend coffee share posts are a good way to keep in touch with others and let us know what you are up to. I hope you continue doing some of those!
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It’s no so much enjoyment or not as much as I haven’t been doing things that either I need to do, i.e. I’ve been slacking on responsibilities, or things that mean more to me. I’ll most likely do coffee posts most weeks : )
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It’s happening all over, Trent – you’re far from alone in coming to this decision. Must be a kind of natural timing thing, I guess …
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I know how hard it is to keep up – I fret about how much time I spend reading email, but I feel like I have to keep up with my followers. It is a balancing act… I hope you come back refreshed – I enjoy reading your posts!
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Thanks. I’ll stop by on occasion and put up posts every couple of days or so, but I may not spend even close to as much time reading.
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I understand. We get so wrapped up in reading blogs, our own reading and writing falls aside… enjoy your time! ;-)
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I’ll be sad not to see as much of you, but I get it. Time is precious. You need to use it for the things you really want to do. Too bad work is so necessary.
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Thanks. I’m not taking a full sabbatical so you’ll still see me at least every couple of days or so. And if I won the lottery… ; )
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Blogging has not real rules, do what works or you, enjoy your time off
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Thanks!. Yes, no rules, but sometimes when you make a drastic change people wonder.
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We would wonder if you suddenly vanished away.
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“He just silent slipped away into the cyber-void.”
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Niceeee, very smooth,
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Unrelated comment…let’s say a person wanted to email you about something…how would a person do this thing? ;) Or is that prohibited?
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People can put in a comment they want to reach me and either put their own address here or I’ll put mine back in a comment and delete it once they see it. If you’ve never seen an e-mail from me first check your spam folder and then let me know.
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I totally get this. I’ll be sad to not read your posts as often, but I get it. I sometimes wonder if I’ve put my blog too high on my priority list…home school and family certainly come first, but I still hold that blog pretty high. I hope you have all sorts of time for your chosen adventures!
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Thanks! I hope to get at least some stuff done.
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Good for you, Trent. I know how difficult this decision is to take – having failed to last more than a few days off myself! But I also know how necessary it is for us to remind ourselves every now and then that there is a huge and beautiful world outside the blog. Good luck with your slowdown! xxx
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Thanks Ali! Maybe I was just hibernating for the winter and now that the snow is beginning to melt I should finally go out into the world.
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