This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Monday, September 14, 2015

Do You Still Love Your Blog?


        I love my blog.   In a manner of speaking I can say that.  After all, the word "love" is perhaps one of the most misused and misunderstood words in the English language.  We all tend to say that we love certain foods, times of the year, places, or things.  Then of course we love certain people. There should probably be degrees of love or different words to actually express the kind of "love" we are trying to express.  Instead we lump a lot of things into one word that loses power in its overuse and misuse.

        So in thinking more about my blog post title today, maybe I should change the word "love" to something less enigmatic.  What is actually on my mind is enthusiasm or interest perhaps.   From my own standpoint I continue to be dedicated to my blog with a sense of commitment.   I don't post like I did in my first year of blogging and as I continue to blog I seem to be cutting back more.

        It's not that I dislike blogging or anything remotely like that.  I remain passionate about my blog, but in a different way that I once felt.  Blogging can be an enormous undertaking as those of you who have blogged as I do already know.   A time for reevaluation of blogging has come for me.  Now don't get me wrong here--I'm not indicating that I am going to quit blogging.   But I will continue to see a metamorphic cycle in my blogging activity and currently I'm not exactly sure where it will all take me.  For now, my blogging trend will be as it has been in the past months--a combination of Battle of the Bands, Insecure Writer's Support Group, and a random assortment of peculiar or even utterly normal thoughts. And let's not forget Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.  In other words, business as usual.      

        My Blog Schedule tab at the top of my page has become more of a historical artifact of where Tossing It Out once was and no longer representative of what it has become at this time.   Next week my schedule might become more predictable, but then again maybe the schedule will go further awry.  I like my blog a lot.   Sometimes it has a mind of its own and I must respect that.

         But love?   There are many words that work better than the word love to describe certain things.   Likewise there are many synonyms that can work for the word love.  How can we say love?   Let us count the words...






       And speaking of Battle of the Bands, what a convenient Monday day-before-the-event post this is.   It's kind of a throwaway post that will likely pass as quickly as most of those I used to put up when I was posting daily.  

         Consider this post a prelude to tomorrow's BOTB post and a clue as to the song I'll be using this time around.   I will say that it's a love song.  It's also a song that I posted about a few months ago.  The song is one that I find very touching and meaningful in my own life.  Be sure to stop in tomorrow Tuesday September 15th for my next Battle of the Bands post.

          What do you "love" most about blogging?    What do you dislike most?   What replacement words for "love" can you think of?    Can you guess what song I'll be using for my next Battle of the Bands post?



76 comments:

  1. My blogging has definitely suffered over the years. I still adore my blog, but like you, I have started to blog less and less. Having said that, I recently rejuvenated my blog and am going to try and blog more. Blogging is just a great way to meet new people, and connecting with my readers, has been the best part for me.

    All the best with your blog and finding a schedule that is best for you.

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    1. Murees, I agree about the "meeting" people. We can make numerous connections that we'd have been unlikely to make without blogging and social media.

      The rejuvenation might be a good idea--nothing like a recharge to get the energy going again.

      Lee

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  2. Hi Lee - I'm pleased with my blog - I suspect that's the word I'd use ... the huge advantage it's been to me is that it's kept me stimulated during the last few years.

    But I think the best thing has been - being around here with you ... as you had that excellent idea for the A-Z Challenge .. which has to be the best thing that happened in the blogging world, and I'm sure many other will agree.

    We learn lots too - and can tap into others' ideas and creativity ... it's a fun place to be around .. cheers and thanks to you - Hilary

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    1. Hilary, such a great place for sharing and learning! Blogging is an opportunity to learn so much about others and the world. "Pleased" is a good word to replace "love" in the case of blogging.

      Lee

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  3. What I love about blogging is the interactive friendliness between the followers.... or friends as I call them.
    I love the A to Z of course that goes without saying and Alex's ISWG.
    Both are wonderful to take part in.
    My own blog ? I still love writing though lately have not been too well but hope to be back fully soon.
    A great blog to read to-day Lee............carry on blogging.
    Yvonne.

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    1. Yvonne, there's not much else like the support of friends even if we rarely or never actually see them. Blogging is communication. I hope you're back fully soon too.

      Lee

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  4. I still enjoy blogging. I've met so many amazing people through blogging. I'll continue blogging for a long time. Besides, I still have the IWSG to support.

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    1. Alex, if the enjoyment is ever gone then that's probably the time to stop anything that we are passionate about.

      Lee

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  5. Your post today made me realize that I have a relationship with my blog. And like all relationships, my blog and I have had our ups and downs. In the beginning, when it was brand new, there was passion and excitement, I couldn’t stay away. Now, four years have gone by and our relationship has evolved into quiet comfort.
    Writing has been a life line for me, my blog has been a lifeline for me. And while the passion may have waned, just a little, my blog is the scratch to my itch.
    Is that love?

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    1. Lynda, all relations evolve in some way. Any good relationship eventually becomes comfortable. Blogging is an ideal vehicle for anyone who enjoys writing and feels an urge to do so.

      Lee

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  6. I am in a bit of a love hate relationship with my blog. But while I can post on a regular basis I do, I am trying to post at least 20 times a month at present to test a theory, but trying to keep it interesting can be hard and it has always been a bit of an acquired taste. I know it has changed a bit over time, heading off in different directions from the blogs original concept. And I still cant type or spell that well.

    I think you need to be fairly disciplined if like myself you get very few regular followers to keep motivated, and I have seen many blogs fall by the wayside since I began my blog at the start of 2011.

    My main weakness is visiting other blogs I just dont have time to write a post and visit other blogs at present so I focus that time on my own blog.

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    1. Rob, the visiting is where I fall shortest in comparison to what I used to do, but then I do more things outside of blogging than I used to. There are always trade off in anything I guess.

      Lee

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  7. I think the question is really more, 'do you love blogging'. Some people say it's a dying thing, but I like doing mine with crafts and photos. I wish my readership was up, and comments. I've been holding steady at 178 followers. I had 179 but someone dumped me. No idea who.

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    1. JoJo, "Blogging" certainly has broader connotations than "maintaining a blog". I've been holding steady as well, but I'm pleased with the level I've reached. I guess we'd always like a bigger readership with more comments, but that's where more work comes in and that can be hugely time-consuming.

      Lee

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  8. Time is my enemy as of late... I enjoy and like my sites, though it's become mostly robot posting. I find a topic for the week and find information that goes along with an image or two... people are still coming, not like the start. So of us who have been around are becoming like the dinosaurs... extinct.

    I would love to have the time again... maybe some day. :)

    Jeremy

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    1. Jeremy, there never seems to be enough time like we'd like it. It gets worse as I get older.

      Lee

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  9. I've gone through many phases of blogging but I always come back to it because I enjoy sharing what I know and interacting with others.

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    1. L.Diane, anything worth doing is worth changing when the call to change is heard. Blogging is hard to resist once one has started and become involved.

      Lee

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  10. Hi, Lee! I'm keeping my fingers crossed, hoping that your band battle will include Disco Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes! :)

    I love my blog and we're planning a June wedding. :)

    I might ruffle some feathers by writing this, Lee, but I think most people publish too often. I do not agree with people who publish a new post every single day or every other day. The time it takes for me to "service that account" - to read and comment on all of that blogger's extra posts per week, is time I don't have for other deserving bloggers, for creating new posts of my own, for my family and friends in the "real world" and for myself. On average I publish one post per week. If every blogger agreed to do the same things would immediately get much more reasonable and more balanced. We would all have time to breathe, to think and to have a life. Post once a week or less and make it special, an event. That's my philosophy.

    See you tomorrow, good buddy Lee!

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    1. I agree with you on publishing too often. If I can't write a post that has some interesting content, then I just wait until the ideas are fully formed.

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    2. I also agree with you about publishing too frequently. That's based on my own personal experience. I have found that readers will get to my posts leisurely during the week. And I figure when they get to me they are going to be reading the most recent one. Anyway that's what works for me.

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    3. I'm with all of you on overly frequent publishing of blog posts. I mean, if they're all real short and sweet posts with some kind of ongoing substance, then maybe I'll deal with it, but I find this to be rare.

      Lynda, you're right--we get to the posts we can as we can. If there are less posts with which to deal then it's easier for everyone all around.

      But the lure of frequent posting is always there for me. My experience with 7 day posting had some very good points to it.

      Lee

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    4. Thank you, dear Tami, lyndagrace and Lee, for your replies to my comment. I think there is conventional wisdom in blogging that you need to post three times a week to maintain reader interest. I refuse to believe it. I publish once a week and my latest post received a total of 84 comments - 42 from readers and my 42 replies. That's the second highest total in the 7-year history of my blog and quite enough to make me feel loved, appreciated, relevant, etc. As lyndagrace pointed out, posting once per week is the responsible thing to do because it gives your readers an entire week to make time to visit your blog, read your post and, hopefully, leave a thoughtful, intelligent comment. If you publish every day, you put your readers under pressure and you will most likely collect a bunch of brief, generic "Twitter tweet" comments. That's not what I am looking for as a blogger. I'm not interested in running up the score and having hundreds of click-on friends. I'm looking for a few genuine friends with decent communication skills who enjoy expressing themselves.

      Thanks again, ladies (and Lee)

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  11. I enjoy blogging - it is a labor of love. I know I have a good-sized audience but I rarely get comments. I have even kicked around the idea of turning off the comment feature.

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    1. Tami, don't turn off the comments even if they are few. It's nice to be able to respond to a post if it particularly resonates with me.

      Lee

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  12. Love my blog? Hmm, I think you've got a point. I still have a vested interest in my blog but I'm not as passionate about it as I once was. It has served me well and helped me get through some rough times (although that's more the readers that helped but so did writing it out). And like you, I've scaled back. Now it's once a week during the school year and once a month during the summer. That's a big change! But like Diane said, it's that connection with others that keeps me coming back. That and the desire to help others.

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    1. Elsie, I think your comment speaks for many of us.

      Lee

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  13. Blogging is what it is. I don't think anyone should have any definite expectations.
    It is a lot of work to have exciting posts. What people focus on is usually a surprise. So the randomness of fate and how interesting your post are determines your blogs popularity.
    The social part is what I like best.

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    1. Ann, I can't disagree with your comment. We each either have expectations to suit our own needs and if those expectations are not met then we need to evaluate and adjust.

      I also like the social part which is why I like to use questions that stimulate discussion in my posts.

      Lee

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  14. Lee, I took much of the summer off from blogging so I'm raring to go again. I love blogging but seriously needed the time off.

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    1. Stephen, those summer memories with family are so important. I realized how much I needed my time off too when my wife and I did our vacation travels.

      Lee

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  15. I loved blogging, now I think I strongly like it. I lost some of my earlier passion with it, I no longer search out new blogs, except during April with A/Z. I think I have a doable list of blogs to read and keep up with. I used to be passionate about trying to grow my blog, now I'm content with where its at number wise. Won't give it up though; do enjoy the friendships made and things learned from reading other people's writings.

    betty

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    1. Betty, yeah, I can't see giving up on my blog as long as I am capable of doing the computer stuff. We start off building but when our blog circle starts getting too big it can be very difficult to keep up adequately.

      Lee

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  16. I'm more dedicated to blogging than in love with it. It's still my preferred form of social media. I think the word 'love' is overused and misused. I can never guess your song selections.

    Susan Says

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    1. Susan GK, dedicated is more like my circumstance with blogging. The word "love" is so ingrained within the English speaking thought that it's difficult to break from its idiomatic usage. Synonyms! We need synonyms!

      Lee

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  17. Karen, and if your current style works well for you and serves your intended purpose then you should do it that way. I've actually used your blog posts as a model for what I've been trying to achieve on my blog.

    Lee

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  18. I love my blog. I take great pride in how far it has come. I may not always feel up to blogging, but I still so it. I like blogging a lot more than dealing with any other social media platform. I love the community and I dislike how much time you have to put into it.

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    1. Chrys, for me one of the most exhilarating feelings is getting a blog post published when I don't feel like it and then getting a really good response from that post. If we are committed to what we do then we find great reward in that act. Time--not sure how to solve that one yet, but not having enough time is a problem.

      Lee

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  19. I like my blogs (Rainforest Writing and 21st Century Journal) They provide an opportunity for discussion, and for sharing interesting tidbits, some writing practice and a trove of images I have. I have slowed down in the last year due to hubs illness and the lack of time available for posting. For now, it gives me a way to keep at the short writing when I can't do the long novel writing. I have migrated more towards slow blogging and the occasional blog challenge. At this point, that's what works. It's a place I can be happy most times, although an occasional sweeping of trolls has to be done. . .

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    1. DG, our personal lives and our job obligations come before blogging. I'd be concerned with someone who doesn't feel this way. The happy medium is usually the best place to be.

      Lee

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  20. I go through phases with my blog. Sometimes I'm passionate about it. Other times, it feels like a chore. I think that's normal.

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    1. Robin, I get that way sometimes, but the biggest payoff is when people start commenting with opinions and ideas to bring to a possible discussion table. I don't think it usually is done well with daily posting--unless you have a different commenting audience. Daily deep is hard to keep.

      Lee

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  21. Lee-

    I think the level of activity on my blog over the past nine months answers your question.

    Turns out that there just is not much of an audience for what I am interested in posting about on either of my blogs-it was generally the same handful of people leaving comments, and while I am glad to have met those people through the blog (well, except for McDogg-I already knew him), it became less enjoyable and more of a chore. Even BOTB felt like an obligation at the end, where now I feel free to visit BOTB posts or not depending on my whim.

    I am free!

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    1. Larry, still though, maybe one day you can regroup and try a new angle on your blog. I think you have a good concept, but building the audience does take a lot of time and effort and then it requires the same in order to hold onto that audience. I can see where my activity (or lack of) has kept my audience at a certain level.

      Lee

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    2. Lee-I think the big difference is a lot of bloggers are aspiring writers, so you're in a niche with an audience.

      Sadly, most people seem to lose their interest in music after early adulthood. The few other music blogs I found (that were not devoited to a specific artist) have even fewer followers than mine-there just isn't enough interest in the blogging community to sustain it.

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  22. So true, too much of a good thing – is never a good thing. The word love should never be taken or used lightly. Here on out, I shall try to curb my own tendency to use the word frivolously and apologize for clicking “Love it” on your reactions poll (wink, wink)

    That being said, I highly regard my blogs for the social (and sometimes promotional) conduits that they are, though yes, sometimes perseverance is all that gets me past my trepidations.

    Other words that come to mind are passionate, devotion and distraction. Though I refuse to admit the latter – ha!

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    1. Diedre, there seems to be a difficulty in not resorting to the word "love" without a concerted effort--for most of us at least. We should blog because we want to and enjoy it. What happens after that is probably 90% perseverance. An arbitrary figure I know but it comes close I think.

      Lee

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  23. I blog because otherwise we'd eat up the security deposit when my head exploded.

    I think you should blog when you have something to say. Some of us have more to say than others. But for me, blogging is FOR me, to get off my chest, to share, to show. I post when it is necessary for me. I figure since I can't control if someone reads or not, then I'll post and they can read or not.

    Though it would seem when I do post for the public entertainment, like Martin World News, and I don't really have anything personal to say, THEN I get comments. Go figure.

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    1. CW, something to say is helpful. So is triviality and frivolity well said or uniquely said. Primarily I think most blog readers are looking for something to entertain them.

      I think the more personal posts can make readers less apt to comment unless they can relate. Some of the "News" that you present is so wild that we can't help but say something.

      Lee

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  24. I'm still very much in like with my blog. In fact, I not only like my blog, I am really, really fond of it. I love that I have started to acquire a somewhat schedule. I love that I've been blogging since 2008 almost non-stop. And I love that I'm back to blogging about music, in addition to writing my stories, poems and photography. I like my blog because personally I think it's fun. I think about the only thing I don't like about my blog are the various blog posts I've done and have received no attention. No comments, no likes, nothing. Sometimes I wonder if people realize that commenting is a good way to show appreciation for what's been written.

    But good or bad, it's still my blog and I enjoy it. If I didn't, I wouldn't do it any more.

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    1. Jeffrey, eclecticism I think is the key to keeping blogging interesting. The blog becomes less fun when we restrict our topics. May you continue to have fun and enjoy your blogging activity.

      Lee

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  25. I -- can't -- help -- myself...

    It's okay to love your blog, just not LOVE your blog.

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    1. Now on a more serious note. Blogs evolve as we evolve. We stagnate so does our blog and then it's bleck.

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    2. HR, any vital thing must evolve in order to stay relevant. We need to stay with times and current issues otherwise the blog is a historical anomaly.

      Lee

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  26. I enjoy blogging. It makes me feel good to read other people's posts. I have to admit though, really long, long ones I sometimes have a hard time with which I feel bad in saying. I have found a bevy of new blogs and people that I enjoy-there is that word again:) I do find it tough at times to keep up and when I don't read every single one, I feel bad like I let them down-OK sounds silly but I do! Right now, my silly laptop/computer is acting up. Yesterday we had the same issues and I could not post my pictures so I left a "note" speaking about my continued frustration over this windows 10. I hope you keep blogging when you wish-there shouldn't be a schedule that all people say you must follow just do what you like. You are right, people use "love" way too often from food to TV shows to sneakers. I have no clue what your BOTB will be but "What's Love got to do with it" just popped into my head-lol

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    1. Birgit, "What's Love Got to Do with It" is not the song though I do like that song.

      Glad I haven't installed Windows 10 yet. Maybe I should just stay away.

      Long, intricate, and overly complicated posts are difficult if we are trying to keep up with a lot of bloggers. I have a hard enough time keeping up with a bunch of short blog posts and don't need a excessively long post especially if there are a lot of links included. Now if I'm extremely interested in the topic then I might dive into the post, but usually those posts are more time consuming than actually having any real revelatory value.

      Lee

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  27. Joining you here. Being passionate is not the same as love for sure. Using my blog as an outlet for creativity, yes. Pursuing topics that interest me, yes. Being unexpectable, I enjoy that. Reflecting on subjects that are different...Basically, that is what I do.

    That said, I am facing some doldrums in reading other blogs...hard to explain. There are my favorites, of course, and I would not miss them for anything. But others are wearing me out.

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    1. Susan K, I have sensed something of the nature of doldrums as well. This is partly what has caused me to question the state of blogging in the circles we inhabit. A blog can be a very useful tool when used properly.

      Lee

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  28. I love both blogs very much. Real love, not that I love my new dress kind of love. :) I love most my blogger friends more. You are all so worthwhile, interesting and just awesome.

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    1. Teresa, I certainly care which is something that is related to love.

      Lee

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  29. I'm okay with my blog. I no longer love it or blogging-- it's more of a habit I fit in here and there, a nice activity that's worth doing. But love? Nope, not really. I used to love social media. Lately I've found it is getting old faster than I am.

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    1. Karen JG, time is the overriding factor in social media. There is so much else to do and hanging out on social media seems to interfere with life more than add enough to life to make the time online seem worth the effort.

      Lee

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  30. I expect your relationship with your blog has changed just as with any other long-held companion. I take a look at mine each year and wonder whether I can make it better/more interesting etc. But when it comes down to it, I just want to say what I say, and entertain a few people along the way. I still think I'm working too hard at it. But it'll always be there, I hope.

    Love your blog, Lee, you know it makes sense!

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    1. Jemima, I don't like to compare a blog to a relationship with a person, but I couldn't help but think of that comparison as well. My blog now is more like having a job that I still like, but question as to how I can make it serve me better.

      Lee

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  31. You write more than one blog though Lee. I don't know how you manage that. I never did 'love' my blog but I mostly enjoy writing it. I just hope people mostly 'enjoy' reading it.

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    1. Jo, I started my other blogs because I was enjoying blogging so much, but now I've stop posting on two of my blogs. I was much more enthusiastic about blogging a few years ago.

      Lee

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  32. I'd say I'm obsessed with my blog, but "love" the whole blogging culture. ("Love" is a word I use all the time for things I'm passionate about, be it hubby, music, foreign places, etc. ☺) That said, I get burned out once in awhile and feel the need to step back from it as well. Blogging is incredibly time-consuming and I don't know how you manage with more than one, Lee. There's definitely more to life than blogging. We just got back from a week's vacation and it's a bit difficult to get back in the groove.

    You have to decided what works best for you. I'm sure your core followers will stick with you, regardless.

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    1. Debbie D, I still have a blogging "obsession", but I wouldn't mind cutting way back to be on vacation instead. I love the traveling time.

      Lee

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  33. I wouldn't ever claim to "love my blog". I write posts that might verge on that, but I think the word for me is 'like'. However, I went through a phase when I just blogged once a month, or frenetically every day during the A to Z Challenge. Having finally settled on once a week, every Tuesday - plus the IWSG monthly post - I'm happy... and I like my blog, today.

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  34. I think our feelings about our blogging are very much tied up in what we may EXPECT from blogging. What do we want to get out of it: popularity? connection? published? money? I find the ones that stick around the longest, and that remain creatively fresh and interesting; are the ones that tend to blog - for them. because they need to write, or have a place to post pictures, or share music: something they are already passionate about and this simply provides a new venue to express and share that passion.
    Certainly we all experience slumps, and life gets busy and we may post less, but that thing you truly love and need like are: it never really goes away. Sometimes a break can be good too. I've certainly done it, but I always come back refreshed and renewed.
    It's good to explore other creative outlets too -- helps to spark your own creativity.

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  35. I, too, am in the process of "reevaluating" my blog...it's lost that lovin' feeling of late. I'll keep you "posted."

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    1. We should reevaluate on an ongoing basis. I need to make some changes on mine.

      Lee

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  36. I do love my blog. But....I'm also in transition. I know I want a guest author on Thursday, but I'm conflicted about the rest of the week. I don't want to tell people how to write, and I don't want to spout words of wisdom about how to fix the world. And poor Katie Cat already gets enough blog time. We'll see...

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  37. Like many folks, I feel it's unfortunate English really only has one word for love. Languages like Greek have words denoting so many other types of concepts of love.

    I suppose I like my blog, though it doesn't feel quite the same since the goings-on of a few years ago. A number of bloggers who used to comment have now gone inactive with blogging, and a number of blogging events and weekly bloghops have similarly gone on indefinite hiatus. I most miss the Sweet Saturday Samples bloghop, and wonder if the woman who ran it it ever intends to come back as she initially promised.

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    1. Carrie-Anne, things change and maybe we need to look beyond the current blogging circles to find new bloggers with who to connect. Things seem different, but maybe it's only different in our community.

      Lee

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Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.
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Lee