So I've loved blogging, I still love blogging and am not suffering from burnout in any way. I'd love to post reviews, interviews, guest posts and giveaways everyday. I'd love to run a site that offers all of those daily. But only if I got paid. See, I've run into a problem. I have a family that needs me and bills that need to be paid. So I'm going to be looking for a job while still caring for my family. Since blogging is a hobby I'll have to cut back. {If anyone has a job offer please let me know! I'd love a job where I didn't have to leave the house :)}
One thing I've realized while being on this three week vacation is that I can still run a blog but contribute less time to it. But that means that I'll be cutting back to mostly just reviews and maybe a meme here and there {Saturday Situation will continue}. I'll have less guest posts and giveaways. Right now I can't afford to ship books even though I have a whole stack ready for my blogoversary- I guess I'll have to hold off on it for now. My reviews {you may have already noticed} will be a simpler format and less links, etc. I'll be experimenting with that a bit to see what I like and what is nice and fast. I don't have anything against simple {kind of like it actually} but think the content of the review is the most important. So I'll be focusing on that mostly.
It's likely you won't see a big change at all. It'll be pretty subtle really because I still plan to have daily posts most everyday. But if I don't have anything, or I don't have time I'm going to just let it go and not stress that I have to get a post up {at least I'll try ;)}.
As for me visiting you- I subscribe by email to many many blogs and read them there. Then I try to go through once or twice a week and comment when I'm able. This has worked for me while I've been on vacation. I've been able to visit at least some blogs every other day and catch up on posts {for the most part}. Once I get home I'll be able to read them more then just 10 minutes every other day or so, I'll likely do 15 minutes a day of commenting. I try to return comments for those who comment but if I don't have the time then I won't be able to. I'm not going to stress about it. Hopefully I can find a routine that works for me and doesn't require as much time online. But if you don't see me as much, this is why.
I thank each of you who reads my blog and I appreciate each and every comment. I love being a part of the book blogging community and hope to be here for many years to come!
I leave my mothers {and internet access} this Sunday {the day this will go up} and will get home Wednesday. I have posts scheduled but won't get back to my normal routine until Thursday {and you know that takes time, lol}.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
17 comments:
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I hope you'll take the time to leave a comment. I try to reply to comments on here and/or through email (if you have it set so you can get replied to by email) but I'm not ALWAYS able to.
I do not accept awards because I do not have the time to repost. I thank you for considering me and your comments are the best award I could get!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
That's the beauty of blogging - you make the rules up as you go along. As a stay-at-home mom, some weeks I have lots of time for blogging, and others I'm lucky if I get one post up in a week. Once my baby is weaned, I'm hoping to get back into the workplace, so I'll be in the same boat as you.
ReplyDeleteNice timing. I just had a post earlier this week saying that I am changing things up a bit to be less stressed. I also stepped down from the second blog because it was just too much. Almost every comment I got was from someone saying they have the same feelings at time. Interesting, huh? Good luck in your changes and I hope you find a good balance. I know I have.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with everything, Candace!
ReplyDeleteStarting January I'm slowing down on my blogging too...well, really starting a couple of weeks from now I'm starting it off with a little review-vacation.
ReplyDeleteIt IS our hobby. Family and "real life" has to come first.
Good luck on your job search!
So funny that you say this -- I've been thinking the same things! I'm trying to be a better planner so it'll take less time but still provide great content.
ReplyDeleteHope you find an awesome job!
Totally understand Candace! I've been job hunting for over a year, and now have one, but its only part time temp work, better than nothing, but still I've noticed myself how much I've cut back on reading. Because I still do my part around the house as well. So blog as you can!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you still love to blog. I just came back from a fairly large hiatus, and I've been worried about having to post often. i'll take up your planning strategy ^_^ Hope all goes well!
ReplyDeleteBlogging can be expensive, and time consuming to boot! I think we are all in the same boat and probably aren't too far behind you. Real life always comes first and foremost! Your blog is incredible, and my fave! You already knew that from my first fangirl email I sent. lol
ReplyDeleteBut one thing you have proven to me, is that it IS possible to keep a successful blog without having to constantly micro manage it and throw in a million bells and whistles. You have proven that these past few wks! What keeps us coming back, is your trusted opinion that we value more than all the giveaways in the world! :)
Sucks that you won't have time for much anymore, just when we finally "meet" LOL!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand though, life & family comes first! :)
Blogging should be fun and not a chore. Reviews are what I enjoy reading the most -- the other daily stuff is just gravy.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and I'll look forward to having your blog around, however often it is. Family always comes first.
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head when you said that this is a hobby! Family & work has to come first. (don't we all wish this could be our work! lol) Plus I also think that the reviews are the most important part. If I want a book...I can find the links myself!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the job hunt! (and not stressing)
♥ Melissa @ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
The thing I've discovered about blogging and bloggers, is that they're all very open and understanding. You know how much I've struggled with managing a blog on top of life, so I understand how you need to cut back now too. Blogging is like a full-time job, but stressing out doesn't help at all. Trust me, I know.
ReplyDeleteJust do whatever works for you and we'll still be here to check out your reviews and such.
Good luck on the job hunt!
Good luck with the job search! And I say YAY for being your own blogger! ;) I'm totally a fan of the idea that I can blog however the crap I want. Seriously. Yay for you! And again- good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you find a great job that you love, and we all understand if you need to cut back. I love your blog and ill continue to visit it for as long as you post things :)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with everything
xoxo chick!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the job hunt. <3
I've had to take a set back in the last year with not devoting so much time to blogging. It was an easy choice because would I rather read of blog? Reading will win out every time. I'm the most ahead I've been in maybe...a year right now, but it won't last and I've decided that if I get behind and stressed I'm just going to stop posting everyday. So I completely understand where you are coming from and good luck with the job search!
ReplyDelete