So, over the summer, I got a little out of control with the whole blogging thing. I got a little obsessive. A little consumed. I was all about the posting, the commenting, the Site Meter checking, the commiserating, the relationship building – the whole deal.
But over the last couple of months I’ve felt like I needed to step back a little. Part of the reason for that is because of a “gentle nudge” from the Holy Spirit that was really more like being hit with a two by four. Another part of the reason is because my husband told me back in July that there were times when he wanted to throw the computer out of the window.
Both of those things sort of got my attention.
So gradually, over the last month, I’ve become a little less active in the blogosphere. I don’t read blogs quite as often (I still read all the ones I subscribe to, but I don’t check Bloglines every single hour). I don’t comment as much. And I’ve been posting less, too.
I’ve been surprised by how difficult cutting back on the interweb time has been for me. It’s felt a little bit like a diet, only it’s a diet where you lose absolutely no weight and still can’t fit into your old clothes.
In other words: all the deprivation with none of the benefits! Would you like to sign up?
In truth, though, I have to admit that it really has been a good thing. I may not be as connected to the internet as I was a couple of months ago, but I’m much more connected to my family. This past weekend, when it was just D and me at home, I probably spent thirty minutes total on the computer. THIRTY MINUTES! And I didn’t twitch or anything!
This morning I decided I’d better make my way through the piled-up email in my inbox, and I found myself answering emails that were two weeks old. Normally I answer emails within, say, two minutes, but I’ve let myself be a little lax lately. Honestly, I can’t think of anyone who emails me who would mind, especially knowing that instead of answering emails within 120 seconds, I’ve been sitting on the front porch with Alex, or going out to dinner with my husband, or talking on the phone with my sister, or getting some work done, or listening to the new Chris Tomlin CD (it’s EXCELLENT, by the way, as is the Selah Duets CD), or singing in the choir at church. I still love getting emails just like I still love blogging – but I’ve had to slow down the pace a bit. I think that’s understandable.
I guess I’ve just been dealing with what so many of us face: trying to find a balance, trying to keep blogging as a part of my life without letting it take over my life. I mean, if left to my own devices, what I’d WANT to do is to stay on the computer all day long, reading and blogging and commenting to my heart’s content. But it isn’t what I NEED to do – not when I have family and church and friends and work that also deserve my care and attention.
I guess it’s sort of like fried chicken…just because I love it WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING (ahem) doesn’t mean that I need to eat it three meals a day, seven days a week. I could, mind you – but I don’t need to. Sometimes too much of a good thing is just too much.
And so it goes with blogging.
Because here’s the bottom line, at least with me: I don’t want to be so busy writing about my life that I forget to live it.
Feel free to hold me accountable.
I do understand….when my daddy died, his wife told me “we were so busy living that we didn’t think a lot about dying!”…and I have to say, “Amen” to that philosophy. It is easy to spend time on the computer especially when you can “maintain” many relationships at one time. However, FACE time is very valuable when it comes to our families and church families, and there’s no substitute for that. I LOVE the relationships that I’ve been blessed with by the internet….and I often wonder what life would be like without them. But I still have my family and IRL friends and so I am doubley blessed. See, I think we are saying the same thing, you just a whole lot more eloquently and Southern style, which I just LOVE. Keep bloggin’ when you can, and when you can’t we’ll know you’re out there LUVIN on friends and family! You’re just good at luving, Boomama!!! ;-)
I love that last line! (not the accountable one, the one about living:) ) I’ve had to do the same thing, mostly because I was falling into bed every night with everything still on my to-do list, and the feeling of being overwhelmed isn’t one of my favorites:) Good for you!!
You and me are in the same boat- and it sounds like we have the same husband (well, you know what I mean!)
Ill hold you if you hold me… deal?
-H
This is why I’ve been scared to begin blogging myself. :-) Truly!
What a wonderful post to read Boomama!
Moderation. Balance.
I’m proud as punch that you actually chose the phone over blogging!!! I do think the majority of us understand since I think I have read about this very similar topic on most of the blogs I read.
The good news is if you post less I might actually come up with something witty to say when I comment. Or, after reading this one, maybe not! =)
No apologies needed, but understood. :>) I like the analogy to fried chicken. Extra crispy or original recipe?
I can see what you’re saying. The other day I found myself plugging my blowdryer into my surge protector at the computer desk so I could dry my hair while I checked my feeds. Bloggers Anonymous anyone?
Oh man! We’ve all been there, Sistah. It takes some will power to break a habit, but our families love us for it!
I am in full agreement! It is easy to get obsessed with the whole blogging thing, I am in the process of cutting back my time. I turn off the computer by 9 each night, I set up my meme’s on Sunday so all I have to do is post. I am still thinking of cutting back even more. I also want to realign my blog to be a gift to God and not something that takes me away from God. I am not about comments, in fact I pray that my comments would be small so that I would not become obsessed with the number of comments I recieve. I pray more for others via blog and I like it that way. The trick is to find the balanc-blogging should be fun-not obsessive. I don’t want my blog to take me away from my family, it’s just a blog-a funny little word where you can type.
Thanks for setting the example!
Susan
I have struggled in the same way. I’ve also made declarations about cutting back, and I have – but probably not enough. You can hold me accountable too. Less blogging;more living.
So what you are saying is I can no longer check my bloglines account and know, to a fairly reasonable degree, that there will be at least ONE person (you) who has posted….
Whatever will I do???
Smile, I suppose, at the thought of what you might be doing instead of blogging.
Kudos to you BM! I did the same thing after we MIRLed and let me tell you…
the balance is nice. :)
P.S. Let’s just hope these next few months in recovery don’t mess it up again! :)
You know I’m givin’ you a big ole honkin’ amen from here!
So … Tomlin’s CD is good, huh? Not that I’m surprised. Believe it or not, though, we haven’t purchased it yet! Need to get on that. :-)
Excellent. I’m going through the same thing – cutting back on computer time, telling myself I do not have to clean out my Inbox (by replying to everyone) every 20 minutes. It’s good. Not necessarily easy, but critical for my sanity.
I’ve been eyeing up that new Chris Tomlin. Hmm… It may have to go on my Christmas list, if I can wait that long.
Well goodness, your post has certainly struck a cord with me! I can tell I’m spending too much time on the computer when I start to stick to the linolium. I might need to wrap my fingers around the end of my mop, instead of my keyboard! You’re absolutely right, I need to be living my life, instead of worrying about writing about it. I’m trying to hold myself to posting once a week. Good girl. Excellent post. I needed that.
Great post sweety.
Yep, I know just what you mean. You know there’s a problem when my husband, the man who never complains, starts feeling neglected because of my blogging.
It’s kinda like being so concerned with getting the perfect scrapbook photos that you don’t enjoy the moments while their happenning…just the result.
Yeah for you Boomama…obeying the Holy Spirit. I have felt the same nudge from Him, although I was never a prolific blogger in the first place. I think technology is great, but also a tool the enemy can use to distract us from our true devotion and pursuit of Jesus Christ and the Word. Truly His is all that matters and hearing Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”. May He continue to give us all grace in finding balance… Blessings, Kat
Baffling really, to blog or not to blog, seems to be a difficult problem to be there for your family, and yet enjoy a hobby without occurring OCD.
Blog friends are fun but in truth, there is absolutely nothing on earth more important than your family. Children grow up and leave home, Husbands generally pass before their wives. Enjoy them now. You have the rest of your life to blog.
I am alone now so can do computer pretty much whenever I want, but I am still trying to learn ‘moderation in all things.”
Cool. Great articulation.
Mag
Totally understandable! We’ll still be around to read you when you do post. It’s equally as addictive when your just a reader and not a blogger! I guess balance is the key for us all. *Sigh*
:)
Hugs!
I’m with you! I’ve been very convicted that I need to spend less time online so that I can cherish every possible minute I have with my kids who are growing up WAY too fast, and so I can bond more with my hubbie. It will work out perfect for me if you’re spending less time in blogdom too because that way I won’t have too many of your posts to catch up on! :)
BooMama,
I’m right there with you! I posted about the same thing last week…blogging had taken over! I gave myself some rules.
Amen & Amen, girl!
Hey Merritt –
If you happen to see this comment, check your email re: supper tonight.
Love,
me
I went through this before and thought I had purged it, but have noticed it creeping back into my life.
Thanks for holding the mirror up!
Blessings, Karla
ps — now go outside and play!!! :)
I totally relate. It is hard to find balance in the good things of life sometimes…before they become the bad things. I like your fried chicken analogy. :)
I smiled when I read this…because you have pretty much written the sentiments of several of us lately. I, too, have felt a nudge as plain as day to cut back and find balance. This summer, I sadly passed by many a beautiful sunny day, hovered by my computer. (No laptop!)
You said what is in my heart exactly…”I don’t want to be so busy writing about my life that I forget to live it…” Wow and amen.
AMEN sistah!!! going through the same stuff. BTW- those CD’s are tops!!!
It can be addictive. I post about twice a week, and go on a blog walk about the same. I love it, but as you said – there’s a life to live out there.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Cas
Yes, the summer was full of blog goodness, wasn’t it? I also was jolted into reality when school and everything started back up, and I have survived! Amazing. Yes, the blogosphere still goes on if I don’t check every blog I like every single day. It’s amazing. I’m still trying harder, but the balance is a good thing.
soph, i got the comment but am at work and can’t check my email. call me on cell.
merritt
I love that last line, too. The one about actually having a life and boy do I relate. And it’s funny, at first you feel like you’re out of the loop and you worry about what you’re missing. Then you realize it’s actually kind of nice to not be a slave to it any longer.
And I have to say, I also really, really relate to that fried chicken thing. :-)
Thanks for this, BooMama. Just….thanks.
I just got caught up a bit on what was up at your place. (Barb told me about the deer deal…). Yep, the last line, living life versus writing about it – balance between the two. GOOD FOR YOU!!! A bit like really good cheesecake, or something similar. I’d rather have a very small slice of really really wonderful, and if you write less, I will just savor it more when you do.