The Post In Which I Realize (Again) That Blogging Takes A Lot Of Time
by Jenners • 04/28/2011 • Blogging, Randomosity, Silliness • 101 Comments
Hi! I’m back! Though I have to tell you that taking a week-long break from blogging made me realize just how much time and energy I devote to this. It was weird (and wonderful) to free up so much time in my day. One can read a lot of books, watch actual movies and do all sorts of things when you take a blogging break. It made me realize a few things:
- I need to take blogging breaks more often.
- I need to relax about the “pace” of blogging. This means posting only when I want to, not worrying about keeping up with memes, not stressing about having a long list of books that haven’t been reviewed, and not feeling that I have to leave a comment on EVERY post I read on other people’s blogs.
Although I still enjoy blogging very much and don’t plan on stopping, I realized that it is a time-consuming hobby. And, with summer vacation looming over me, I know that I will have to be scaling back anyway. So expect less frequents posts, fewer comments from me (though I’ll still be reading your blogs), and a more relaxed and lackadaisical blogging approach. Do you ever go through this in your own blogging lives?
Giveaway Winners
Now for some (long delayed) giveaway winners:
- Erin from Erin Reads won The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde
- Heather from Raging Bibliomania won Complications by Atul Gawande.
Congrats, Erin and Heather! If you didn’t win this month, stay tuned for the May Giveaway coming up soon.
Movie Stuff
During my little break, I watched 127 Hours starring James Franco. Wow! That was one intense movie! Although I pretty much watched the whole “cutting off of the arm” part by peeking through my fingers, I was just blown away by the whole story. I plan on reading the book now to get more details. I thought the director, Danny Boyle, made some really interesting choices in how he told the story. The whole movie had this weird groovy strange vibe that really worked for me. Have you seen it? What did you think?
I’m currently watching Into the Wild, which is sucking me in as well. (It makes an interesting companion to 127 Hours.) I really loved Jon Kraukauer’s book (on which the movie is based), and I think the movie version is doing an excellent job telling the story.
New Hairstylist
Those of you who have followed this blog for awhile know that I’ve had problems with my hair in the past. Well, I think I found a new hairstylist who will work wonders for me. She is a bit of a bird brain but she has an unique approach that I found refreshing.
When I tell you I'm not good looking, I'm not lying. These photos prove it!
I decided not to worry about the blog while we took a week vacation. It was awesome. I definitely need to do it more often as well! I’ve been considering ending my tenure as a blogger but I don’t think I’m quite ready to do that yet. I am, however, reducing the number of blogs that I am trying to keep up with. I need to spend less time on the computer and more time in real life.
I hear you. I had the same realization. It is nice hobby but it has the potential to take up way too much time.
I think it’s very smart to take a break from blogging. It’s extremely time consuming. I never manage to visit all th blogs I want to when I want to or reply to comments in a timely manner or get posts and reviews done when I really want to…
Taking time away from the computer to recharge and relax is like going on a holiday!
Your hair looks fantastic, I love it. I’ve always found the best hair stylists to be a little odd, in a good way, but odd. So long as they do a great job, No worries!
It is good to take a break and remember what you enjoy about blogging and learn to let go the stuff that makes it a chore (like worrying about visiting every blog on your blogroll, posting a certain amount of times a week, etc). Taking that week off was so refreshing.
Blogging breaks are very good and you know all of your loyal readers will still be here, no matter what. I thought both Into the Wild and 127 Hours were so good and very similar. Both had a dreamlike quality, though one has a much happier ending than the other. I love your new haircut! You’re too cute.
I think that Into the Wild and 127 Hours are great companion pieces and offer two sides of the same coin. One alienated himself from everyone and never came back. The other one had to experience facing death to realize that he did the same thing … but he realized he wanted to come back. They are great companions to watch together.
I’m totally with you on the blogging breaks and the whole relaxed pace of blogging. These past few weeks have been quite interesting and blogging plus blog reading has been low on the list of priorities. Just like you said, it takes up so much time that when I went on my reduced schedule, I realized I can get so much more done when I’m away from the computer (though having a broken computer helps with keeping away from it).
Don’t worry about taking long breaks and visiting others. Just go at your own pace and we’ll catch up with each other eventually
I’ll be joining you in the relaxed blogging caravan. I’ll even bring baked goods 
By the way, I hope that bird didn’t end up leaving poo on you
With what you’ve been through, I’m sure you’ve reevaluated your perspective on what is important and what is not. And while blogging is a fun and creative outlet, it needs to fit in with the rest of life. : )
Glad you are back! I know, blogging takes up so much time. I love it though because its a creative outlet. I don’t try to comment on everyones posts myself and do keep it stress free. If it starts to feel like a job, then its not fun anymore, and I won’t do it. Blog breaks are definitely needed every once in a while.
I want to see 127 Hours, luv James Franco.
I wish I could cut my hair short, unfortunately if I did, it would become an afro puff.
I do think the key is keeping it fun and light and not letting it feel like a chore. I need to keep that in mind, and take frequent breaks.
If you like James Franco, then you must see 127 Hours. He is in every scene pretty much and carries the film. He is just brilliant in it!
I am with you in regards to how much time blogging takes. I have just come off a month long blog fast. I did not blog or read blog posts. The amount of time I gained amazed me, but not only that, I was not worried at all about writing posts or reviewing books in an intelligent way (which I think I always fail). I am hoping to slow my pace down as well, and may be even, when I am not in the mood, to not write up thoughts on every book I read even the ones I think are good. To let those books pass by. It does feel a bit crazy to let good books slid by without saying anything about them. i wish I knew how to write my posts quickly, but I don’t.
I do hope you take more time away from blogging, for you sake. It is refreshing.
Wow … a month off! That sounds amazing. I was just gobsmacked at how much more time I had. And I didn’t realize just how much pressure I put on myself regarding book reviews and visiting blogs. It seems so silly. I do enjoy it though and hope to slow down enough to get all the good and leave the bad behind.
With going back to school and having teenagers and an extremely demanding dog, at times blogging has had to take a back seat. But it’s still a hobby I thoroughly enjoy and feel like there are certain bloggers who are *friends* (like you ~ pretty one!) and lord knows I think we all understand when life needs to come first. You should take your bloggy breaks and not feel an ounce of guilt at all. This should be an outlet for you, something that makes you feel better, not obligated or rushed. Enjoying life is what it’s all about and it looks like you’re doing a fine job of it with your new hairstylist!
I agree … blogging should be a pleasant and stress-free creative and social outlet … not a chore or an obligation. Now if I was getting paid or something, that would be different. But I’m definitely not! ; )
i hear you on this! blogging (and the book reading that goes along with it) can be a huge time suck. i tend to go in cycles and it’s way easier for me to blog and comment in the summer because of my break. sometimes i’ll go to bed at 9pm with book and lament to my husband that, “i should be blogging” but when blogging becomes work then i don’t want to do it! it’s all about fun. as for 127 hours, i haven’t seen it but my students have. i’ve read excerpts of ‘between a rock and a hard place’ with many of my classes as a non-fiction piece and have showed them parts of the dateline special with aron ralston. they LOVED the story and were amazed by ralston’s determination. i have to admit that a few of them went to see 127 hours for james franco, i think! lol.
Oh the movie 127 Hours is so good. Franco is amazing. And I’m sure some of your students got more than they bargained for with the movie … it is friggin intense. I want to see that Dateline Special with Ralston. I’ll have to hunt it down to watch it. His story is amazing. It makes you think if you could do the same.
This past week I have been lucky to keep up with my own posts and have had very little time to ‘go visiting’. It is time consuming, but a community I appreciate and consider friends, even if some like to take goofy pictures with birds
I wish I had enough guts to cut my hair as short as yours. As it is, I’ll be bald soon since Gage can’t get enough of pulling out as much of my hair as he can get ahold of. Surprisingly, quite a lot.
Short hair is a godsend when you’re a mom — less grabbable, less time to style. The downside is you look like a boy!
I’m amazed you’re doing as well as you are with your blogging and having a newborn. I was such a wreck when my little one was tiny – the sleep deprivation just did me in. But it would have been neat to have some more adult interaction back then. I was going mad. In fact, when I discovered blogging, I realized it was what I needed — some “time” with other grown-ups. : )
Great pictures..your sense of humor really comes through!
I have learned to blog when I feel like it, under no obligation. Then again, I don’t have a lot of followers to disappoint if I don’t blog
, but still, why do we put ourselves under so much pressure? Sometimes there’s just nothing to say. Every once in a while, just for fun, I will challenge myself with NaBloPoMo.
Re: movies – I saw both 127 Hours and Into the Wild and found both of them riveting. So well done and the storylines were captivating.
You have a great blog, btw!
My new mantra is “Blogging without Obligation.” I think it shows in the posts when a blogger is going through the motions. That said, sometimes I need to challenge myself to write when I don’t “feel” like it — it is a good exercise in writing discipline.
And I found that part of the pressure started coming when I got more readers/followers. I felt like I had to give them something.
And riveting is the right word for those movies. I’m thinking of rewatching 127 Hours and reading both of the books again. I just can’t shake 127 Hours. I keep thinking about it.
thanks for your kind comment. I’ll be swinging by to visit your blog soon.
Blogging breaks are great for just helping me to refresh my love of reading. And I love keeping blogging low key…I’ve got enough craziness with three little ones
Hope you have a great week!
With three little ones, I’m amazed you can string a coherent sentence together … let alone read and blog!!!
I have this thing called “blogging guilt” – another metamorphosis of my Catholic Irish upbringing. I find myself stressing about keeping up with all my great blogging friends. I agree that it is time consuming. I have to break away a bit more just to take that stress off of me. It’s tough when I LOVE visiting great bloggers like you
Love that picture of you by the way!
I hear you. I feel the same guilt but you just can’t visit, read and comment on every great blog put there. There are too many!
Blogging breaks are important for one’s sanity. Love the bird and you are as cute as a button!
Cute as a button with a big nose, bad skin and horrible hair!!! (I’m my worst critic.)
I didn’t care for “Into the Wild” (movie form). Thought the story sounded great (I love sad movies…they’re cheaper than a shrink!). Something about the way it was filmed or maybe the main character himself, turned me off. I still might read the book one day. Perhaps I’ll like my own “visual” better.
As a blog reader, I’d rather read quality than quantity. I don’t have time to read blogs everyday. (I got burned out on the girl who remade an outfit a day, after awhile they all seemed the same.) When I do have time, or when I’m in the mood for a new book, I check out your page. Sometimes I read in order, sometimes I skip around, but I ALWAYS come back for more! So for me it doesn’t matter if you post once a day or once a week. If there is nothing new, then there’s always something old I haven’t read yet.
I do appreciate that you comment back on the replies you get to each post. To me that’s better for building up your readers than you posting comments on the blogs you read. (Just my opinion. I’m not a blogger.)
May you find your balance in blogging….just don’t quit!
Thanks for your feedback! I truly do appreciate it. I think itmis interesting to think of a blog as a resource to be visited and “poked around in” rather than having to keep up with it on a daily basis.
And I read Into The Wild Years ago and was very affected by it. So far I’m liking how they adapted it…though the boy is a bit hard to understand and love. (same as in the book)
Blogging takes lots of time as does commenting. Love your little bird.
Sorry I don’t get around very often, but I do enjoy your posts.
Happy May!
Don’t apologize!!! You are what I aspire to be! I want to drop by every so often but not feel like I have to read and comment on every post on every blog every day. There is much more to do in life!
Blogging breaks are totally necessary. I feel awful because it’s been a month and a half since I posted. I worry that the few readers I have will be gone when I finally post again, but I’m okay with it. My family, job, and sanity have to come first. You’re right when you say it takes so much time. I had no idea how much time would go into it when I started. When I’m busy and have very little time, I’d rather spend that time reading rather than blogging.
I agree — family and real life must come first and we can just do what we do. The world won’t end if we don’t post or comment or shut down altogether.
Glad u enjoyed your blogging break. I feel burned out at times, and guilty when I don’t comment everywhere. Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves?…….gezz. Are you are Parrot Head/Jimmy Buffet fan too?? LOL
I have the same thoughts about guilt/pressure…it is just silly! Let’s let go of that! : )
I’ve been a sporadic blogger these past few months due to real life crapola, and things have really backed up on my lazy butt, making me a bit crazy; however, I am much better now about not feeling guilty about the fact that I am not posting (even close) to every day. Ah, blogging.
I actually love when bloggers don’t post daily. It is easier to keep up with. I don’t think I could post daily if I wanted to. : )
Yes, they had removed it, but you could see the blood stains on the side of the rock wall.
Oh, and don’t let me forget to congratulate Erin and Heather!
Hi, and welcome back! I enjoy blogging too, but a break every now and then is a good idea.
As usual, your great sense of humor shines through.
Sometimes we all need to recharge our batteries I think.
blogging does take a lot of time . . . sometimes I feel like I should quit but then I miss reading all the great posts. You’ve inspired me to search for a way to bring some balance back . . . less blogging more life.
I like that: less blogging, more life. Let’s get t-shirts!
I only saw him on tv, so I don’t know if that’s really cool or not. haha.
But yes, he was inspiring and kinda cute too! 
Well, if that’s all it takes to get a decent haircut…
I hear you about the commenting thing. That’s what I’ve had the most trouble with, but when I stopped thinking I had to leave a comment all the time, it was less stressful.
I need to remind myself of that. Sometimes it is OK to just lurk and leave only a comment every so often to stay “in touch.” I’ve been working on doing that but then I get stuck again or add too many blogs to my reader!
I often feel blogging burnout coming on, but sometimes I just go ahead and push through it. It helps that I limit what I do for the blog to a specific time of the day, but since I have relatively no other commitments, it fills up my time nicely without going over the top. I kind of look at it like a job instead of a hobby, and I look at the time I spend on other people’s blogs as time spent gabbing with friends. But I do get overwhelmed sometimes and feel like taking a break too.
I have just added 127 hours to my Netflix queue. It sounds really interesting!
I like the idea of limiting it to a specific time of the day. That way, when time is up, I’m done. I think I might do that!!!!
And if you watch 127 Hours, let me know what you think. It is amazingly intense but so so good.
I thought with Brian gone, I would have more time to blog. Who was I kidding? I am doing good if I put up one post a week. I am glad you enjoyed your break. I think (if you want to know) that you are cute. Plus, you are hilarious. So, who cares how “good looking” you are. Everyone knows funny lasts forever but looks are only skin deep. I don’t have tv, so I had no idea about that movie, but I am intrigued. I must google it!
It is so easy to be so down on yourself when you see photos. I see what a mess my hair looks like. I hate my nose. All my moles. Ugh. Thanks for the reminder that I’m not as horrifying as I think I am.
I think a break can help all of us keep the important things in perspective. Glad you are back.
Exactly!!! You remember that it is a fun part of life but not something that should could stress or guilt or feelings of obligation. There is enough of that in regular life.
You look marvellous – so full of joy! (Is that your bird or do you just borrow it when you need a haircut?)
Blogging does take a lot of time, which is why I don’t post as often as I used to. Mainly, it’s the visiting everyone and leaving comments that takes up the time – and it’s the best bit too!
You’re right … commenting takes the most time. But I like that … I just need to realize I don’t need to leave a comment on EVERY post I read. : )
And I visit my hairstylist whenever I’m at the zoo.
I’ve been feeling lackadaisical all year. When it comes to the blog. As far as everything else, I think I’ve been lackadaisical since I was born.
And as much fun as lackadaisical is to say, it’s a total bitch to type.
Oh it is a bitch to type. I’m impressed by your lack of lackadaisicalness in typing the comment.
I think everyone goes through some blahs with their blog. For a long time, my book blog was in that slump, and sometimes I would update maybe once a month. Meanwhile, I was updating my education blog all the time. Now it’s flip-flopped, and my book blog is where I go to have fun. I go through periods when I have to check out, too. Completely normal! The thing is that you should blog when you feel you want to and not worry so much about a schedule.
I think that is why I combined my “personal” blog and my “book” blog — it was too hard to keep both going so I thought by combining them, it would be easier. I find the book stuff never runs out of material … I’m always reading.
That’s the approach I *try* to have with blogging, too. When it starts to feel like a job, I know it’s time to back off.
I haven’t seen either of those movies but I read both of the books. I don’t know if I could watch 127 minutes or not. It might be too intense for me.
127 Hours is intense but very watchable except for the arm part. I just felt like I was there with him. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I still felt suspense and dread and fear. It was soooo good. I can’t wait to read the book now.
Yay, I’m so excited to have won! Thanks!!
Your post inspires me to take similar steps. I need to stop worrying about a posting schedule (I’m doing better with that) and feeling like I have to comment on every post I read. I’ve been avoiding Google Reader just because I don’t have time to read and comment on EVERYTHING! I’m glad you’re letting yourself loosen up. I hope it works for you. I’m going to try to follow suit
Also…love the bird pictures, too cute!
I was thrilled that you won!!! Woo hoo! I’ll get it out to you early next week.
And I do think that finding a rhythm that suits your life is key to lasting a long time in blogging land. That and not worrying about growing your blog too much. It can get tiring if you do that.
I took a break when we went to Vegas last week and it did feel good. Before it I was feeling so burned out- for the moment I am in the groove again
. See how long it lasts
I think regular breaks are the key to lasting long-term. I saw your Vegas post … soooooo fun!
yes, blogging takes a lot of time.
which is why I consider giving it up almost monthly…
I will admit … it is tempting sometimes to just walk away and never come back. I’m sure one day we’ll all finally do it and say “Wow … I have 25 more hours in my week!”
Amen to blogging breaks! Seriously. It does take a lot of time and energy.
My question, is your hair fine or coarse and wavy? Just curious. Mine is short like that, but the gray that is creeping in has made it more of a pain than usual. Mine is very fine and we have been having such windy weather, I look like some kind of disheveled small boy all the time. LOL
Mine is pretty fine. And I would say that “disheveled small boy” is a very accurate description of me!!!!!! I have gray problems too. I despise my hair but the one time I grew it out, it was even worse.
Nice to see you back.
Don’t stress about slowing down your posts – its supposed to be fun, otherwise you’ll be burnt out in no time and quit altogether. Which I would not like. At all.
Glad you like your new hairstylist, thats a big deal. I’m my own hairstylist right now, and fortunately I have enough crazy hair to hide my…. mistakes.
I tried to be the Little One’s hairstylist and things went poorly. And you’re right… when you have short hair, it is hard to hide mistakes (as I found out with my son. Poor kid. At least he can’t see the back of his head.)
You are too funny! And your hair looks marvelous BTW!
There are seasons of each year when I need blogging breaks – some are consistent (like Christmas and parts of summer vacation), others sneak up on me – though that’s usually more burn-out than anything else. Finding a balance can be difficult, but blog breaks are good to put everything in perspective.
I saw a special on one of the networks (I think Dan Rather?) where the guy who cut off his arm went back to the scene and told the story, retracing his steps (and then they played the audio of the videotape he made). It was riveting stuff. I haven’t seen the movie though.
The movie was amazing. I’d love to see that special. I can’t imagine him going back there. I wonder if they removed the part of his arm he left behind???
I find blogging very therapeutic, and relaxing, but you are right it does take a great deal of time, and I almost feel rude when I don’t comment.
See, that is my problem. I feel rude if I read something and don’t leave a comment. But that is silly, right? Some people post multiple times a day or every day and that is hard to keep up with. I’m giving myself permission to slack off.
I don’t comment on all the blogs I read. I don’t post if I have nothing to say.
I have an idea for your next post: The Post In Which I Realize That I Will NEVER Say I’m Not Good Looking Again!
Love the haircut! Not so sure about the bird, though…seems to be a bit of a pecker.
Oh that bird was nibbling away at me … or licking me. It tickled quite a bit. What hurt was when he squawked directly into my ear.
And I’m going to work on not commenting so much. It gets tiring. Nothing worse than trying to think of something to say when you don’t have anything to say!
I’m a big believer in keeping blogging “fun”. Post when you want about what you want. Otherwise – what’s the point?
(I like the new ‘do for the record. I think super short is very bold.)
I agree … what is the point if it isn’t fun? I need to stop doing things I feel “obligated” to do and just do what I feel like.
I am terrified of birds. These pictures are freaking me out! Glad you enjoyed your break!
Well, never visit those lorikeet things they have at zoos … you’d lose your mind!
I agree blogging is a time sucker but i like it.
Re: 127 Hours, I wanted to watch it but I found out that it does show “that” part and I just can’t get myself to watch it. I saw the real guy on “A Minute to Win It” a few weeks ago, and in the few minutes that he spoke about his ordeal, he inspired me! Not to mention, he played the game so well, it was amazing! So, now I’m torn about watching the movie or reading the book he wrote (did you know he wrote a book?)
The bird is pretty, is it your new family pet?? (In addition to being your hair stylist)
I totally want to read the book — especially after seeing the movie. The movie was SO INTENSE (and I had to not really watch the arm part) but inspiring too. It makes you think about things. How cool that you saw him and he made a good impression on you.
Blogging is sooooo time consuming and sometimes I wonder if I’m doing any good spending all this time on it! That said, I won’t quit anytime soon either. I like the haircut!
I do find blogging rewarding in so many ways … it is when I start feeling OBLIGATED to do things that I start to not have fun and feel resentful.
At least the new stylist is colorful. Glad you’re back. I think finding a balance in the blogging realm is always a good thing.
You have to find a balance if you’re going to keep at this long-term I think. I do well for awhile and then forget what I was doing and then it feels like a chore.
Balance is good…and good for you that you are making the changes you feel will help you achieve that balance. It shouldn’t be a chore, it should be fun!
I try to work on my blog regularly but don’t tie myself to a schedule for posting although then sometimes I go TOO long between postings!
If I had your bird-brain stylist I’d never have to worry about finding a place to get my hair cut while I’m traveling!
You might end up with a nest-like look if you used her long-term … but she works for nectar!
And finding a balance in life is what I’m always striving for (and some weeks I get it and then I topple over so I try again.)
It’s murder finding a good hairstylist.
It is … and when you do, they move away!
It was freeing for me when I realized that just because I followed a blog it didn’t mean I had to comment on every entry! I’ve never tried to blog daily…I just don’t have it in me.
LOVE the bird! Does he make house calls? Transportation shouldn’t be a problem (except maybe I’m too long-distance).
Good to have you back.
I’m realizing that too. Sometimes I just like to skim the posts and leave a comment on one or two. I don’t know where I got it in my head that I had to leave a comment on every post I read. That is just nuts!
Blogging does take a lot of time, especially when you blog about books because you have to read the book first. I think you’re adorable – maybe you should carry a bird around on your shoulder all the time!
And I could get an eye patch and become a pirate!
I keep saying I’m going to take breaks, and then I never do. I’m really looking forward to the last two weeks of May when I’ll be on vacation, so I won’t really have time to post. That’ll be fantastic. I need that break!! You’re so right, this takes up a LOT of time.
Sometimes you need to be FORCED to take a break. And it feels sooooo good!
Blogging is like everything else in our busy lives, it has to be intergrated and balanced so that it enhances our lives. Finding the right balance is going to change with time. I’m glad to have found you on the internets because I admire your intelligence, humor and authenticity. However you share your life via blogging is a blessing. ♥
I like the thought of having blogging “enhancing” our lives. It does do that … which is why I don’t want to quit … but sometimes I let it become an obligation. That is the part I want to avoid.
I actually think you look quite fetching with that bird in your hair. Very exotic! I do feel the pressure now and then with the blogging. I am actually scheduling my reviews for JUNE, believe it or not, so I am way ahead of things on that end. I will go to Poland for 2.5 weeks in June so I want to not worry. But getting to everyone’s blogs is hard, and there are days when I just don’t. Sometimes I’m not home for the entire day. I’d never miss yours though.
You are scheduled through June!!! Yowza! I’m a totally by the seat of my pants blogger. There is no schedule … just a list of books I read and didn’t review yet (and growing longer by the day). And to be honest, I have a defined set of “can’t miss” blogs (like yours) and then the others are “as often as I can and feel like reading them.” It is the only way to stay sane.
Good for you! Taking bloggy breaks is important. For me, I only write if I feel like I want (or am obligated) to. Love your new hairstylist, does she take appointments?
My new hairstylist takes appointments … but she wants to be paid in nectar!