HELLO, GOODBYE – FOR NOW

34 CommentsBlog-related, Life

How's it goin?

Hello out there in Blogland! Yes, I’m still alive. A couple of people have come looking for me and I thank you for that. It’s nice to be missed! So, what’s been going on? Basically, I’ve lost that blogging feeling and am concentrating on photography, mostly through Instagram, Facebook and a few other sites.

Here’s the thing. Blogging is great, in theory. I love the friendships formed and social interactions, BUT (yes, big BUT) as my following grew, I found myself unable to keep up with the demands of reciprocity. You see, it’s always been my credo to respond to each and every person who took the time to visit and comment here and I still feel that’s one of the most important aspects of engagement in the Blogosphere.

Because of this, likely coupled with poor time-management skills (I’m so easily distracted), I found myself spending long hours at the computer, gaining weight, neglecting various household chores, etc. etc. (Keep in mind that I also run a business offline and have a husband who needs attention from time to time.) Which brings me to last year’s April A to Z Challenge..

A to Z Challenge survivor, 4 years in a row!

It was my fourth year in a row, and I was looking forward to it! Probably the most successful in terms of readership, but also the most difficult and time-consuming. I found myself unable to respond to everyone, and that was a source of stress. (I know, many people would say “don’t sweat it”, but I do.) Also, it was starting to feel more and more like an unpleasant chore and I was getting burnt out.

After it was over, I took a short break to recover, except that didn’t happen. I still published several times a month and participated in a few blogfests, but the enthusiasm was gone. To keep the blog alive, I resorted more and more to republishing archived material.

Nothing wrong with that; we all have some good “evergreen” posts that deserve a second look, but (there’s that word again!) what have I done for you lately, eh? I’d rather not do something at all than do it half-assed! To that end, I have chosen NOT to take part in this year’s challenge but wish all the participants great success!

April A to Z Challenge 2018 logo

That’s not the only reason for bowing out. I’ve taken a good, hard look around my home and see that our packrat tendencies have resulted in a staggering amount of clutter. Our basement looks like a bomb went off down there!  We are determined to fix this before taking an extended trip to Europe in Sept. (details in the sidebar, if you’re interested.) and handing the keys to a house-sitting friend.

Then there’s the weight issue. I need to shed some pounds and get in better shape before we go. There will be extensive walking, some of it over rough terrain, and I don’t want to be gasping for breath! The good news? I invested in a Fitbit and have lost about 20 lbs. since early January. It helps me keep track of caloric intake/activity levels and even prompts me to get off my ass if I’ve been sitting too long. (Like now, in front of the computer.) Finally found something that works. Yay, me!

Workin It

 

Giving up blogging altogether isn’t part of the plan and I do miss you all! While I intend to publish a few things here and there in future, for now, I will content myself with visiting some of your A to Z entries, indulging the photography muse and attending to offline stuff.

Thanks for your patience and see you again soon.

Cheers!

Debbie's signature

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34 thoughts on “HELLO, GOODBYE – FOR NOW

  1. Hey, friend D … U back yet in blogger land? … if not, then not … take Ur time … as long as U r happy and healthy, eh ? … anyway … looks like Spring has finally sprung here in AB … and hope in Ur neck of da woods as well ? … and thanx 4 the comment … smiles … Love always, cat.

    1. Hi cat! The blog is still “parked”, but I’ll be posting a couple (or more) things in May. Thanks for checking in and also for your Instagram and Youtube comments. 🙂 Glad to know spring has arrived in AB. Today was the first “real” spring day here in southern Ontario. Have a good weekend!

    1. Well, I’m not saying never again; just not this year. 🙂 Our trip is mostly comprised of a Mediterranean and Adriatic cruise, plus some time with hubby’s family in Rome at the end. Thanks for dropping in, Jemima and good luck with the Challenge!

  2. I can appreciate and understand what you’re going through. Went through that exact same scenario with my Blogger blog as I was in the process of reinventing myself on Tumblr and FB. It got be harder to write fresh content for my Blogger blog, especially since I was re-blogging about my writing adventures (although from a perspective of doing it for 10 years) for Tumblr. All of my Blogger blogs are now in archival mode and from time to time, I do reference the occasional post at my current blog.

    My Tumblr blog is easier to maintain since I post once a week, which leaves me ample time to get back into the writing groove again.

    1. Blogging is such a major commitment and for me, it was usurping time I need to do other things. Tumblr is pretty easy. I post stuff there too. Will check yours out. 🙂 Thanks for dropping in, George.

  3. Dearest Debbie,

    I’m glad you’re not abandoning us in Blogosphere completely and I certainly understand your desire to do more away from the computer. I continue to strike a nice balance between the two worlds. Sometimes I’m successful and other days not so much but I do see improvement in how I handle it all and I’m confident it’ll only get better.

    I’m very impressed and envious that you lost 20 pounds already this year. So…hooray for you!! I need to drop some weight, too. My doing in is always the holiday eating which I need to stay focused to not overdo like I tend to every year and then have to work like a crazy woman to get it off. That cycle is just nuts!

    Life is too short make the most of it doing what you love and if that means posting and visiting less in Blogosphere then that’s ok. Feel free to stop in with a cup of coffee for a visit anytime at Curious as a Cathy. You’re always welcome, dear friend. Have a pawsome day! XO

    1. Hi Cathy; I’ve never been able to find that good blogging balance, somehow. 😛 I get SO involved and then other stuff falls by the wayside. Good for you for figuring it out (most of the time, anyway). Thanks for the weight loss hurrays! Still need to lose more; it’s gotten that bad! 🙁 Always a tough challenge to lose weight, especially now that I’m over 60 and also have a thyroid condition. As for holiday eats, you can’t really enjoy yourself if you’re counting calories so I go with the flow and worry about it later, too. We’re very excited about this trip we’ll be taking in Sept. Five bucket list items in one shot and celebrating our 45th anniversary. That’s mostly my focus, these days, along with straightening out the mess in our basement. The photography muse continues on Instagram. (A lot easier than blogging! 😀 ) I’m looking forward to checking out some of your sketches for the A to Z Challenge. Wishing you another big success with those! Thanks for coming by and have a very Happy Easter.

      1. Debbie,

        I don’t know how good my balance is but for now it’s working out ok. I think I need to scale back on the amount of time I spend in front of the computer, too. It’s not good to sit so much. I certainly have plenty to keep me mobile if I plan my time better. Perhaps I’ll find ways to baby step to get where I want precisely in both worlds.

        Growing older does make the battle of the bulge harder to fight off and if you complicate matters with health issues then it becomes more difficult. It sounds like you found something that works, so stick with it! You’ll find yourself feeling better soon. 😉

        I don’t know much about Instagram even though I have an account. I haven’t done anything with it. I will have to check it out to see what this is all about, though. I can’t wait to get more active again with my photography. That’s taken such a backseat with DH’s eye condition but he’s scheduled for surgery early May which can’t come soon enough to suit us both. We just want to close the door on this chapter as long as it has a happy ending and so far things are looking good.

        September will be here in a blink of an eye at this rate, so get those plans ironed out and I can’t wait to read all about your adventures abroad. 🙂

        1. If you do get your photography ramped up again, I’m sure you would love Instagram! There are so many outstanding photographers on there, plus some interesting photo challenges. I hope all goes well with DH’s eye surgery. Yes, I need to get busy and off the computer. Thanks, Cathy! 🙂

  4. You’ll get that clutter under control, lose the weight, and be ready for a great trip. I was ready to return to blogging when the flu bug bit me. I’ll be back . . . eventually.

    Love,
    Janie

    1. Nice to see you, Janie! 🙂 Yes, I think we’ll get ‘er done. I hope you bit that bad old bug right back! This year has been brutal in terms of illness. Hubby and I have been battling bronchitis for about 10 days now. 😛 Feel better soon! Thanks for dropping in.

    1. Thanks, Bren. 🙂 Hosting is paid until end Nov. Depending on how I feel, I may revert back to WordPress.com. On the other hand, the restrictions would probably drive me nuts. LOL “To blog or not to blog.” That is the question! Don’t want to give it up altogether. Will see how it goes…

  5. Congratulations on your weight loss. I wish you success with being fit enough to really enjoy your trip to Europe. We’ll expect to hear all about it! 🙂

  6. Congrats on losing 20lbs! You have to do what you feel is best but I’m glad we are Facebook friends for sure because I miss you on blogland. I am looking forward to your trip and I’m not even going!

    1. Thanks, Birgit. It’s nice to be missed. 🙂 I’ve always had a hard time losing weight, so it’s thrilling to find something that works! I’m hoping this prolonged absence will rekindle the urge to blog. In the meantime, the photography muse keeps me going. Can’t wait to take photos in Europe! 😀 (Which will be shared, of course.)

  7. Totally understand this Debbie. No way you should do something if it is a chore. I think the break is a most needed one and you will come back refreshed! All the best and have a great trip in September. And yay on the fitbit!

    1. Thank you, Shailaja. 🙂 Much as I’ll miss it, this was the right decision. Real life is calling and I can’t ignore it any longer. 😉

  8. I figure you will make the best of your time away… Strategically bowing out, during the A2Z Marathon, is a wise move, in my estimation… Perhaps you will return to active duty at the close of hockey season… If and when you do return, you will find me here waiting.

    1. Yes, I knew I couldn’t do it justice, so bowing out is the best solution. Maybe next year! I’ll likely post a few things before our trip and then again afterwards. Thanks for your support, Myke. You’re a gem! 🙂

  9. I totally understand what you’re saying as I’m pretty much in the same boat. I gave up on total reciprocity a couple years ago because I needed to get more balance between blogging and the rest of my life. Mostly I’ve only been doing the BOTB and IWSG posts and that’s been enough. I’ll be posting for A to Z because I kind of feel obligated and I still enjoy that Challenge.

    As for downsizing, I think some of my posts all along have addressed this theme and now it will be my total A to Z Theme. I can see us moving to smaller digs in the next couple of years so now’s the time to start getting ready. I’ve been working on this project (not very hard) for several years.

    Hope you can keep voting on the BOTB posts since we’ve lost some voters and it’s the thing that has mostly kept me going.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    1. Hi Lee; I think giving up on the idea of responding to everyone is the key to happiness during the A to Z Challenge. Still, I’ve always felt that if someone is willing to take the time to read and comment on my blog, I should return the favour. Anything less really isn’t fair, but then, neither is life. Haha! Of course, as founder of the A to Z Challenge, it would be shocking to everyone if you weren’t participating. Have fun! I will miss it but couldn’t do it justice, this time. There’s always next year, right? 🙂 I’ll still try and visit a few blogs, including BOTB for the month. Don’t want to be completely out of touch! Thanks for dropping in.

  10. Hey Girl, I totally know how you feel! I was up til 6:30 this morning, working on my Monday’s Music Moves Me post! And it seems that happens more often than not on Sundays—when I should be enjoying the day. I cut down to one BOTB a month and sometimes that seems daunting. This 4M post every week is fun but it’s a lot of work. I’m starting to burn out too. I’m not doing the A-Z Challenge either. I still have my theme I started on 2 years ago and I may get that out through the 4M hop.
    Was just thinking of you the other day! Glad to hear you’re not quitting altogether. I do miss chatting with you but let’s stay in touch. You have my email.
    Good luck on clearing the clutter! That is a massive job and you’re smart planning to do it over several months.
    I still haven’t made it up to Niagara Falls yet but for sure will get in touch when I do.
    I’m at my Pre-Op appt right having: having shoulder surgery on Monday. ?
    I fell just before Christmas and have some massive full-thickness tears in my rotator cuff. I’m not looking forward to it. Thought I was done with surgeries (this will be my 14th surgery!!). Anyway glad I got your post notification in my email while I’m hanging out waiting for the nurse to come in.
    You take good care of yourself and please do stay in touch.
    XOXO
    Michele at Angels Bark
    L

    1. So glad to see you, Michele! 😀 Like I said, I do miss the interactions and yes, I want to stay in touch with you, for sure. Just read your 4M post. Another great one! I’m so sorry you’re facing surgery. 🙁 Sounds like a painful injury though and you’re bound to feel much better in the end. Best wishes! I fell a couple of weeks ago (tripped over my own feet) and cracked a rib. Do we get more clumsy with age, or what? LOL It would be fantastic to meet you in Niagara Falls! Here’s hoping we’ll get to do that one day. Thanks for coming by and good luck with the operation. ♥

  11. Congratulations on your hard work and success in weight loss!!! I completely understand first hand, how things in life can build up and get a little out of control, because we’d rather spend our time here. Every once in a while, a break from the computer is not only necessary to accomplish things, but can actually bring a little feeling of freedom. Preparing for your trip is GREAT incentive! See you when you’re ready, or if you have time to drop in
    for a little visit. <3

    1. Thanks, Gina! 🙂 I’m still around on Facebook, but blogging just became too much of a time-consuming hobby and I need to step back, for now. Besides, when something that’s supposed to be fun feels more like a chore, what’s the point? Hoping to regain the joy sooner or later…

  12. GOOD-FOR-YOU!!!! I totally get it Debbie and support you 210%!! I know exactly how you feel. I can’t say it enough, good for you!!! – Love you first. Take care of you first. We’ll all be here and soon I’ll be back on FB and Instagram so I will most definitely be following along there! So happy for you. Enjoy! <3

    1. Thanks, Karen! 🙂 I’m always amazed at these bloggers who seem to sail through the A to Z Challenge, especially when they have 2 or 3 different ones! 😮 It was definitely time or me to make some changes, but I do hope the joy of blogging will return at some point.