Monday 12 March 2012

BLOGGING: A Love Hate Thing

Well not just blogging. When you just have those down moments when you just want to hide away. Sometimes things get to me especially when you mix hormones, cabin fever and feeling lonely - everything comes to a boil. You start missing crazy things like the BBC TV channels, salad cream and quavers then you get to be a stalking mess with regards to your blogging statistics. Blogging is one of those activities you can have such a love hate relationship with. While we should all blog as a passion its oh so easy to get tied in wondering why people aren't commenting, why you're loosing followers and why others have blogs growing triple the rate of yours. Ah.

I need to take a step back from my blog a little. Because of not being able to work yet [another issue that's getting at me because I sometimes wonder if my two degrees are ever going to get me anywhere], sitting on the computer has become my way to spend the day until Joe gets home. But that isn't the way to be spending my life. You probably won't even notice I'm not there has much  because I'll still post, read, comment and things but I'll know in myself I'm doing more outside of the blogging world. I've registered myself at the local library and grabbed a couple of books [Remember Me by Sophia Kinsella, Jodi Picoult's Songs of the Humpback Whale and ordered The Hunger Games]. I might even wander there during the week and spend the odd hour especially with the weather getting better.Plus hopefully with the spring coming up I can get back out with my camera.

On a happier note we spent the weekend eating tacos, drinking at The Oakland - a 1920s styled speak easy cocktail bar [complete with seedy lighting and posh drinks], tried frozen custard for the first time. All of which were utterly tasty beyond belief. And won three compacts in a lot on Ebay after making over $80 selling some of our stuff.

I'm still trying to organise the bloggers who collects series - they'll be getting posted as soon as I start getting some backs! And if you still want to get involved just let me know. But it might have to get pushed back till I get some posts back.

45 comments:

  1. I love your honesty! Blogging can be very time consuming and you need to go out and try new things. Don't worry about commenting or visiting, we love you and aren't going anywhere. x

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  2. ahh hun i completely agree with you as you can see from my last posts on my blog!! When your feeling low your mind just cant get round to blogging!! hope things get better for you soon xoxo

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    1. Blogging is such an odd thing, I love doing it but at times it feels like the hardest thing to do.

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  3. Aww I'll always follow!
    I think it's brilliant that you have completely changed your life and moved to the other side of the world - I think most people can only dream of being brave enough to do something like this!
    Just relax. Enjoy the time that you have able to do what you want to do. Go to the library and have a look on boards! In the York one there was always things going on - book clubs, activities? Maybe see if you can find people with the same interest in collecting vintage compacts?
    x

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    1. I had a quick look and there's a sign for a toddler group which i'm sadly too old for lol I plan to head back down there once I finish these books to have a couple of hours down there. Even if it just gets me out of the apartment and it's like a mile away so it's a bit of fresh air too!

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  4. I didn't know frozen custard existed, looks delicious :) xx

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    1. I doesn't taste overly custard like, but it was yummy for sure!

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  5. I know exactly what you mean, sometimes things you usually enjoy doing can end up feeling like more of a chore if you're not feeling great. Taking a little break sounds like a good idea, reading books always helps me to relax and makes me feel like I'm on holiday for some reason!
    The Oakland looks amazing, I've just been having a look through their photos. I'm definitely in the mood for a cocktail now!

    Gillian x
    elevatormusik

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    1. The Oakland is lush, they seat you and you get your drinks all hand made, was really dark though and some people probably wouldn't like it because they ask you not to use your phone and things. But it was a gorgeous place and very atmospheric!

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  6. I'll always be here! :)
    Sorry it's taking me a while to get the post to you - haven't been able to get to my Dad's recently to pick the things up. Will get it to you asap though xo

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    1. No, no worried my love! Was just getting stressed about the whole thing when I really shouldn't be at all!

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  7. I too have a love hate relationship with blogging. I love it but I hate not having enough time, or more creative ideas, etc. Taking a step back is good. I have been trying to do the same. I need to pick up some new books.

    The speakeasy sounds so fun!! That custard looks yummy in the photo, but I am not much of a fan myself. I just love the toppings :]

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    1. Oh yeah so many different toppings! The speak easy was so fun - certainly a place we'll be heading back too.

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  8. Hi girl! I discovered your blog via Melissa! We both adore her, right? Congrats on your blog! I am following you now. Hopefully you can visit mine and follow me as well, so it's easier to get in touch. Have a great week,

    http://cafesocietyxxi.blogspot.com/

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  9. Blogging is a funny hobby and sometimes it can be all consuming. Growing my blog has taken the better part of 2 years, and I still spend a lot of time wondering how to improve it. But ultimately it's not what puts a roof over my head, so I try and take a step back.

    Getting out there and doing other things, despite it being more difficult with your employment situation might actually lead you to other things to blog about and you might find something you didn't realise was out there, I hope that works out for you. In the mean time I'd say this: blog what you want, when you want to. If this isn't your job, make it work for you, don't work for it. IF you find it all consuming, make yourself do something different, even if it's for the purpose of blogging about it later. And mostly, good blogs are about good people with something interesting to say, sometimes getting those blogs out there takes longer than expected, but ultimately those are the qualities that help your blog to grow.

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    1. True words and thank you - when your doing other things they can spark off interests and things to share a lot of the time. I guess sometimes we all just find it easy to feel like we have to blog a certain number of times to keep that following up because that's what we always read when we head how we should be blogging. Especially when you see people out there that have thousands of followers and blog constantly. I just don't know how they do it - or keep their interest in it enough. I guess all the PR goodies help them [being cynical!].

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  10. Don't start the Hunger Games late at night =P It is incredibly hard to put down!

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    1. So i've heard! Hope I don't have to wait too long to get it though, apparently they keep having to buy new copies to keep up with demand!

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  11. I completely agree with you! I have the same thoughts!
    I noticed this recently and I think that blogging should be more about passion for blogging and what you blog about rather than be sucked into getting more followers and comments and blogging things you think would interest a certain group of bloggers. I realised I was doing this and losing sight of why I started blogging and now I'm trying to focus on being the blogger I want to be rather than what I feel like I should be. It's like invisible and self pressure... Weird huh?

    By the way, I do love your blog :)

    xx

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    1. Thanks! I agree, sometimes I think we as a community can get too caught up thinking we have to blog in a certain way about a certain thing, the same thing constantly. When we really don't have too. That's something that bugs me a little - like my blog not having a key theme, it just figures around my life.

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  12. I can completely understand what you are saying. I go thru the same feelings about blogging. I sometimes I even think of quitting but then I change my mind and continue on since my blog is the only way I can get my passion out there.

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    1. The amounts of times i've thought about giving up too, I don't think I could and I certainly don't want too. Like you stated it's one of the few places I have to just get things out!

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  13. Agree about the whole blogging paranoia thing. Love reading yours though :) xx

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    1. I've always wondered if it wasn't just me!

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  14. I will miss you on my screen!!!

    Remember me is such a good book! Xx

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    1. Just finished it this afternoon - had me in tears!

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  15. I'm having a bit of an odd relationship with my blog too at the moment. Not much to say and too distracted with other stuff to think of anything....
    Taking a break can be good :-)

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  16. wow, this totally is my life today. i am having a lot of trouble blogging at the moment. and since i'm not working all i do is blog until the hubby gets home. need to take a little breather for sure!
    xo TJ

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    1. I think a lot of bloggers are feeling that way at the moment. At least the weathers getting better to have that separation a little more!

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  17. I might just be starting but I know how you must feel; blogging is frustrating sometimes but I feel like your blog is good and that's why we keep reading every single line of your posts :)

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  18. Culver's sounds so good right now! And hope you love Hunger Games as much as I do :)

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    1. I do like a Culver I will admit - their burgers are certainly a little better then the standard burgers.

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  19. When I was looking for a job last year, I got really frustrated with my life and that kinda translated to my blogging, so I kinda slowed down a bit and then picked up speed again when I felt better :)

    ♥ laurathe blog of worldly delights

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  20. Oh my goodness right post at the right time - exactly how I have been feeling. Hope it all works out!
    x

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  21. I was jobless for 6 months and it can be HARD. That's actually when I really found my love for blogging. But you're right, you shouldn't spend all your time on the computer. Like you, I also started going to the library. I also took my dog on lots of walks (which he appreciated) and went back to school!

    Hope all works out for you, I'm sure it will.

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    1. I'm up to five and I can't even really apply for jobs because of not having the say so. So all my attention goes into the blogging world or twitter or facebook. Hopefully with the spring weather it'll allow me to get out a little more!

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  22. i agree, while it's easy to just sit in front of the computer all day, it's definitely not healthy to do so. i love to blog (and i blog quite regularly), but i do make it a point to set aside some time to do other things (like read or take walks). and on the weekends, i usually give myself time to rest. i think it's really all about balance. :)

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
    Fashion To Figure Giveaway

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    1. Yeah I agree about the weekend time, I stopped the majority of my blogging at the weekend when I moved to the USA because I wanted to share that time with my guy. I'll occasionally pop on to read blogs or comments because i'll be online anyway and I think banning it completely wouldn't be the way to go.

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  23. yumms what a yummy weekend!! you know i've never had frozen custard before!! i really want to try it though.. will have to put that on a to do list when i visit home :)

    i know what you mean though.. sometimes blogging is draining!! sometimes i put posts up that have like 3 words because i can't think of anything to say hahaha but after the lull i just love it! and wouldn't trade blogging for anything in the world! :)

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    1. Frozen ice cream really is worth a go - especially with all the fresh fruit pieces you can get added in! It's a good job the place isn't too close to home or i'd be walking their daily!!

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  24. p.s. ohh good luck on the job front as well!!! fingers are crossed for you :)

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