Okay, you guys have got to help me. I have a problem. In fact, I have an addiction. It's called blogging.
I made a resolution of sorts to post less frequently. Toward the end of last year, I was posting every day Monday-Friday. I was kind of feeling an imagined deadline, like I know some people would be disappointed if they didn't have something new to read on my blog every weekday. And it had to post at 6:00 AM so that whenever people wake up they would have something new to read on my blog. (I readily admit that I am a control freak.) So I decided to stop posting on a schedule, and start doing it randomly.
Here is my problem: I have eight posts currently in draft form. I keep thinking of things to write about and to share with you. I even have a draft talking about my other drafts! (So this post, in essence, is a draft talking about a draft talking about other drafts...now the word "draft" is looking weird to me.)
Pathetic, I know. My sister Brooke just laughs at me when I tell her stuff like this. (Although, she might just be laughing with me because she understands!)
I haven't decided what I am going to do yet. I'm still not going to post according to some imagined schedule, because it was getting a little too OCD-like for my comfort. (Don't we all have OCD traits? Mine just happen to exhibit themselves through blogging.) I have to admit that making this decision has helped me to feel better. If you noticed (which I'm sure you didn't), yesterday I posted at 6:45 AM instead of 6:00. See? It's practically like doing a 180. And it only took a little over nine hours to post to Google Reader, and I only freaked out a teensy bit. Honest. I'm setting this post for 7:21 AM, a random time to complement the randomness of my mind. Let's see how long it takes this post to show up on Google Reader.
This post is a little weird. Am I kind of like on a blogging high? I'll try to be more normal next time I post. Tomorrow. Or the next day. Whenever I feel like it.
Wednesday, January 7
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I've been considering a schedule, and I have drafts lined up, too. Hmmm Is it a sickness? No, really. Cute blog, love your ramblings. How about scheduling your drafts and taking a vacation? That's what I'm thinking.
LOL! You are too cute! Hope you have a beautiful day my precious friend! ♥ Hugs :) Shauna
No brilliant advice here. I've thought about being more structured with mine--which I think would help how much time I spent on it. Sort like Scribbit. I already have a theme for Wednesdays, as you know, but I'm toying with others. But then what if I have a fun, random post idea?
See? No advice.
Oh, and this popped up in my Google Reader at 9:02. In case you were wondering.
I feel the same thing sometimes! I do have a routine. I will post on Monday and Tuesday, and then either Wed or Thurs., and then on Friday, and take weekends off. That's actually my cut down routine from before.
Maybe I'll shake it up!!
Amen, sista.
See, my problem is that I can't schedule the genius. I can't just sit down at a certain time each day and write something both profound and hilarious. It just comes to me. A few at a time, usually after i've been writing in my head for a day or two. So I schedule. Because i like to string people along and because i'm afraid they'd get annoyed at me if i feast and famine them with my greatness. (see me laugh out the back of my head)
I think it is funny that you write drafts. I just write as things come to mind which is probably why all of my posts ramble and I always have typos. Oh well. If people don't like it, they don't have to read it. I wouldn't worry too much. Only do it when you want to and don't worry about what other people think. That's what I say.
I'm such a random poster, no rhyme or reason. Keep 'em guessing maybe?
Do they have a blog anonymous?
Usually, I try to have some sort of stability to what I do because I like to have things the way I want to have them. Yes, we all have OCD issues. Lately though, I just haven't felt up to being stable and keeping a schedule. It's just felt like too much effort. It's a way I've been thinking about trying to force myself to be again so that I can be a little more normal.
I'm someone who really looks forward to your posts and I'm sure that there are lots more like me out there.
I think we're kind of the same in this regard. I want to try to cut back (although I didn't really announce that fact), and I am freaking out that I have NO drafts, and nothing set to post today. I was going to write something, and I probably will, but I am not sure if I want to just post it today in the afternoon when I'll have time, or let it post tomorrow at 6 am. Sigh. :)
Need to get together soon!
Normal is over-rated! Just do what feels best for you. Your posts are delightful, at any time of the day. :)
They really need a therapy group for people like us, don't they? Nobody ever tells you that the world of blogging is a great big black hole from which can never escape.
Random? Not remotely! :)
I think this is the same age old question of how much time to spend blogging and how to organize it. I always post three times a week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (very occasionally another day, too) and always at about 2:30. That way I can write them whenever I want and just schedule them to post on time. It works great for me. I really like having the structure and three times a week is the perfect amount for blogging not to take over my life. I like having every other day where I'm not on the computer to read my comments, but just to check out other people's blogs.
Good luck figuring it out! I personally feel I sort of NEED the specific schedule, but if it wasn't working for you I hope you find what does!
Or this afternoon. :) I know, I vowed never to start blogging because it would be a time-sucker. Well, I started blogging and it is indeed a time-sucker. Good luck with your review and revisions.
You know what stopped me dead in my blogging tracks? An obsession with watching The Office (and anything else really) online. So I just replaced one time sucker with an even bigger, more wasteful one. Sheesh.
I'd say just be happy it's ONLY blogging and know that you will probably have your ups and downs with this too - lots of posts sometimes, none at others. We'll all still love you and what you have to say!
You are too funny! A gal after my own heart though! I am what my hubby likes to call CDO (thats OCD in alphabetical order, because I am that compulsive) It's TRUE!
My posts all post at 7:00am. And it drives ME CRAZY when it takes 4 hours for them to come up on google! AAGHHH!
From one OCD Sista to the next...way to be, making a post at such a random time like 7:21. That takes a lot of work, that people just don't understand ;)
I'm like that too. I drive to work thinking of my next post...hurry in so I can type it before work and before I forget. Weekends I try to stay away but I'm now posting about my long runs which I do on Saturday and I can't help but see what others are doing on the weekend.
But as long as it's fun I'm ok with it
:-)
love you background!
You really threw me with the 6:45 post. I cant get the day to go right now. Its all your fault!
Lol! You are too cute! I look forward to your blog. It's always fun and upbeat--and randomness would be great too! Have a great day!
That's funny. I could never expect myself to be able to write coherently on a schedule. I have to have been thinking in blog for a few hours or days, and then I write. Sometimes I think of lots of posts at once, sometimes one every few days or even one a week. It just depends on how clever I'm feeling and what's happening in my life. Sometimes I hate my blog and I think no one even cares about it, so I decide to never blog again. Then I think of something to write, and off I go. Ah, the love/hate relationship I have with this whole thing.
Anyway...that was rambly. Good luck with your dilemma!
I used to post every day when I first started. but now its just whenever I feel like it.
There's nothing wrong with blogging so much unless you're neglecting important things.... Like I did with grad school this semester! haha
you are using the blog exactly how it is intended to be used, I draft all the time, I have one drated posts that I just keep adding too... but yeah, I love it... I think it's very creative, so either we are both odd, or you are normal... you choose :)
A song comes to mind... The eagles "take it easy." =)
You could transfer some of your draft posts to my blog since my life is so unexciting that I can never think of anything to write. And yes, I do understand.
I am a little too addicted to blogging too! I'm trying to take a step back and not let it consume my life. But I hear ya!
Way to mix things up! I have only been blogging since the end of October, so I'm still rather new to this. I thought about posting on a schedule but that would take planning and............well.....
I'm kinda the opposite. Before anyone used to read my blog--for like two years--I tried to post twice a month. But now that I have readers, I'm constantly thinking--what the heck can I write about. And my posts have changed slightly because of it. Some are the same. But I wish it could all be how it was. Does that even make sense? Oh well. Maybe you should guest post on my blog and you can get rid of your drafts and I won't have to come up with forced topics.
7:21. You are wonderfully random, Erin!
And you know what other word starts to look weird the more you type it? Knob. Try typing that out about 20 times on a spec sheet. Knob, knob, knob.
I do the same thing. Sometimes I have lots of ideas pop into my head for blogging-but I try not to blog too often. So, I'll write them up and save them.
Just hang out to them cuz you'll probly have times when you feel like you want to/should blog and can't think of ANYTHING.
Or maybe that's just me...
It is so fun to blog and we do all have a little OCD in us. I love your new design-it is awesome!
It's good to know that I'm not alone. I do so love reading your blog.
At least you have drafts actually typed out. Mine are still in my head and then I forget them.
I do love coming here and seeing new posts though. Keep them coming, even if you do post them at 7:21.
LOL a little high maybe hehe. I started out blogging thinking I had to post every day...after a couple of months I was starting to freak myself out because of the pressure. Now I post every other day or sometimes not for three or more....just whatever works at the time. It's much more relaxed and I feel so much less stressed...and the bonus is it gives me time to visit new bloggers and enjoy all the great stuff out there!
I have post OCD too. I've already written my 100th post and it's just sitting there waiting.
I hear ya! I have the same problem. I thought it was cured because of the Christmas break, I hardly even turned on my computer (except for my kids to play Webkinz--a whole other post idea bTW)
If you come up with any great ideas on how to limit it, let me know!
Yes, we all have OCD of some sort. True! I have trouble NOT posting every day too. I think we both just might have the busiest brains in the world and these thoughts need OUT. That's a big part of it. I try to hold back and stuff just keeps popping up, begging to be written. :)
If you want to post every single day because there are things to say, do it! That's just my little input. Not that you HAVE to do it and not that you HAVE to do it by 6 a.m., but you can post if you feel like it and that will suit all of us just fine! ;)
How long of a comment can I leave?
So the other day...
kidding.
You are so cute and funny--I have some OCD in me too! :-) I'm with Heather---if you want to post and it isn't ruling your life...post. However...if you need to schedule---perfect your posts and start preposting---perhaps every mon wed and fri?
Way to go breaking the time streak! Your blog always has a way of making me smile, so thanks!
I'm sure my posts would benefit from some resting and editing time, but I always do them at night when the kids are in bed and then just hit publish. We all have our particular style.
Oh, and I don't know if this works for everyone, but after I publish a post, I go into reader and pull up my blog. Then I hit the "refresh" button and it will pull in my new post. As far as I can tell, it grabs it into everyone's reader at the same time, because Kristina always shows up within a few minutes. :)
Good luck.
Even with my VERY small audience, I also feel the pressure to post everyday. Good luck with your non-schedule ;o)
Um, is it scary that I feel like I could relate to some things you said in this post? Does that make me wierd too? I think that blogging has a place in life. Usually, things balance themselves out naturally. If you feel like you have something to say, what a nice, tidy way get it out!
You are so funny Erin..I love your part about a draft about a draft about a draft...Too Cute! I can totally relate about the blogging obsession...I wouldn't be surprised if they started a bloggers anonymous:)
Yes, this OCD that we share....what can we do about it? Do we fight it or just let it win?
You have just summed everything up for me... I am going through the same thing too...
Blogging is cheaper than therapy and I get to do it in the comfort of my own home... so I will keep posting. :)
I love reading your musings Erin. I say keep it up, but only if it is enjoyable.
That has been my motto from the beginning of blogging. I will only blog if I am enjoying it, not if it's just another thing to do. I have too many things to do.
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