Good arguments. On both sides.
"I will stop blogging.", I told Husband. "I think it is the right thing to do. I will have more time to write Something More Substantial. You see: it frays out my time - looking for photos (each day one for 'Burstingwithhappiness), looking for poems, sometimes translating them from German into English (a very unprofessional thing to do). Waiting for comments, looking at the stats (oh, they roar at Happiness - while the comments that come on Youarewittyandpretty are manifold, but not the stats. Best results concerning price-earning ratio is Gardeninginhighheels). And I don't want to increase the number of followers, though I know how to do it - but that would mean more attention and re-commenting, and..."
"I don't think it is a good idea to stop now", said Husband. "You are a bit tired now - normally you are strong and positive but at the moment your spirits are a bit low, understandably..."
"But that is why I want to do it - I don't want to be on the lookout for comments anymore, don't want to lose a single moment by thinking about how my 'readers' might like or dislike it, I..."
"I don't think it is a good idea. You have a bit much on your plate at the moment" - "That's why! I need my strength!" - "... and blogging takes off your thoughts of the very tragic and sad blow of fate that happened to your best friend's child three days before. You are brooding too much."
"You are right. So you don't think that it would be a wise move?"
"No, definitely not. You love your blogs. You love your fellow-bloggers. You get inspiration, feed back, ideas and tips and..."
"Yes, you are right. Forty: love."
16 comments:
Hello Britta:
Oh you would be such a very sad loss, dearest Britta, to the blogging world. We do so hope that you will continue for our lives are the richer for your words.
From time to time life does seem to become overburdened with all the demands that are made upon one's time and energies, but there is something rather wonderful about the blogging community in the way that there is always support and kindness in one's darkest hours of need.
We are with your husband on this one!
Dear Jane and Lance,
thank you for those kind words! As you know: I admire your blog very much, and it always rouses a yearning for Budapest in me. I marvel how you manage to answer the many, many comments on your blog - and reading&commenting ours so emphatic and witty as you do!
Well, I am another who would be disappointed at your disappearance from blogdom. I stay away from the stats things - don't look, don't count and don't respond to comments. I work full time, and then some, and after taking care of this place in the remaining hours I have only so much time. What I like to do is read blogs and comment on the ones I like. It takes me away, provides a little escape.
I am sorry to hear about a terrible blow to your best friend. That, on top of your husband's accident is a lot to bear. I hope you'll take your husband's advice though!
Dear Pondside,
thank you! Yes, it is a much at the moment - and other as in husband's case there is only compassion to give.
I will think about your advice of not looking at stats or responding to comments. Sounds interesting, and might be worth to be the subject of a post.
My dear Britta,
When I first started blogging, my husband told me, 'Keep it simple. Blog when you want to.'
I still think that is good advice. The moment you don't want to blog anymore or for a time, step back. This, I believe, is how it goes; a churning cauldron which catches each of us when we dive into it and continues to churn when we step out for a rest to collect ourselves.
Much love.
Dear Suze,
yes, that sounds good. Today I had another idea: asked myself in a determined tone to stop "navel-contemplation" and go outside, to marvel at the great sight summer has brought to the Charlottenburger Schloss. A Baroque garden is so soothing! And finding a theme outside the little 'Me' - a good idea! As you say: I might just wait till I feel like diving again. Thank you!
Many of us take a break every so often. Eine pause is good. Sorry to hear you have sadness for your friend's child.
We are funny, we bloggers. We do like our blogging pals and miss when they are absent. Don't give it up....pause if you need to, but stay out there.
LOVE those sunglasses!!! (Butterfly is my fav)
Dear Britta
Sorry to hear you are feeling tired and flat. I too would miss your blog but perhaps having three is too much. Would it be worth consolidating the three into one. Just a thought. Sometimes I find It hard to get around to all blogs and write replies.
Hope you feel better soon. Penny x
Of course I loved this, as I am caught in such a conundrum about this very thing. I have, of course, BIG PLANS, but as for action on them, well, as some might say, "Not so much." That aside, though, though you give it only a glance (and understood, this is not something for sharing with the blogosphere), my heart goes out to you, your best friend, and her child.
Dear Janet,
thank you! Maybe even the idea that I CAN take a pause is good :-) The sunglasses I found in the shop window of an optician in Munich - he disolayed a collection that would make Dame Edna or Elton John envious! Even the idea of using tennis rackets as a frame!
Dear Penny,
thank you - I also thought about mixing the three, but then they are so different! I see that the garden lovers are seldom on W&P - and the poem-lovers seldom comment - which I think is quite OK, as of course I appreciate comments - but it would be an utterly unreasonable demand to expect a comment every single day on 'Happiness'! Just enjoy - and I will find a mode when my batteries are recharged.
Dear Sue,
thank you! Yes, I sometimes find it intimidating to concentrate on a piece of work ("My Big Novel") - what makes me think is that I can do it effortlessly (well, moaning a bit) when I get paid for it and have the deadline of an editor. Best thing for me: sitting down at a special time of the day - and SIT - doing something or not - but it gets boring to sit for two hours without doing nothing :-)
Please keep blogging!
SSG xxx
Dear Sydney Shop Girl,
that is so kind! Thanks! xxx
Dear Britta,
My view on this issue may be different from those of the fellow bloggers here. If you really really want to write Something More Substantial, I would think that to stop blogging completely for a while (until the day when the Something more substantial is finished) is one way, actually a very good way, to have more time to write what you truly want, for life is short and be energy wise!! But please remember Britta, that I love your blogs!!
PS
You look beautiful, cool, and lovely in the former post.
Dear Sapphire,
thank you! I thought long about that - and you might be right. Of course all I could come up with at the moment is a compromise: I will take a pause till end of September (and try to get on with Something More Substantial) - then I will look what really comes out of it, and then I will decide.
The only thing I will continue - in a reduced form - is www.burstingwithhappiness.blogspot.com - but not every day, but only two or three times a week - because I love to do and show photographs and find poems I like.
Thank you for your help!
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