I'm sure the world has been waiting with baited breath, wondering why I haven't blogged since December 16th.
The year 2009 for me has been all about re-examining my priorities. I've taken a break from the blog to look at where I spend my time. With each addition of my children, the time I have to myself, to do what I want to do, has been whittled down to almost nothing. So while I've been holding onto that little bit of time for dear life, I've been thinking about what I want to do with it. My conclusion? I'm only going to do things that are fulfilling to me; that bring joy to my heart.
There are so many things in my life on the "to do" list. The laundry, driving kids here and there, homework, school projects, the grocery shopping, cleaning up messes. I don't like the fact that my blog is often another item on that list: "I haven't updated my blog for x number of days, I better do that."
I think blogging has made it way too easy for people to keep up with each other without making much of an effort. Rather than calling my sister, sending her a note or even an email, I can check in on her goings-on, become a voyeur of her life, at the click of a mouse. Why bother giving her a call? I have my update. Sometimes we're too shy even to post a comment on a blog. What's up with that? The person has put themself out there, exposed themself, and we're too intimidated to see our comment in black and white?
I've also asked myself who I'm blogging for. Myself? Others? Probably both. I love the fact that I can look back 2 1/2 years and see photos of Gavin as a two year old on the beach in Monterey. I've documented things on this blog that I probably wouldn't have otherwise. That's a great gift. On the other hand, I feel like blogging has become a fad. Everyone has one and they're often superficial. A bragfest. They're a way for us to show our good side. How many people blog about the other side of life? Not many. But that's not real. I'm at a point where I want my history to be complete. That's why I'm going to continue blogging, journalling, whatever you want to call it; but I'm going to do it for myself in private.
Several years ago I read through the personal history of an ancestor. One of his decendants had printed and bound the information in his journals. I was amazed at how much this man had written but how little he'd said. Through hundreds of pages of this history, I read about what time he'd risen from bed; the chores he'd completed and even when he'd retired to bed. But I knew nothing of his feelings, his thoughts or aspirations. Really, it was the mundane stuff of daily life that he'd documented. It was disappointing to read through one of the few personal histories in my family and feel that after doing so, I knew nothing about him. I guess that's what I've thought of as I've pondered the fate of my blog. I want to spend my time documenting that which will be meaningful to myself or others down the road. So that's what I'm going to focus on for now.
P.S. Now just to decide whether joining Facebook is something that will be fulfilling or just another huge distraction?
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5 comments:
I've thought lots about how I spend my time also. Blogging does take a ton. But like you realize that this is the best way I can keep a journal. I was never good at writing things down in a book. I'm glad you're going to continue your blog for you. I think you will always love having it to look back on things.
A little about Facebook. I joined last summer. I didn't mess with it for a long time, then in November started getting friend requests from old High School friends. It was fun to see where they are now. Also found College day friends and that's been fun. But, as fun as it is, it is a time trap. You can spend hours once again looking at other people's lives. I've decided just last week, to stay away from it all a little more. I am going to blog once a day in Feb. about things I love, but they will be quick little things. Anyway, I still love talking on the phone with you. So I'm going to give you a call this week!!!
I will miss your blog. Your life is so busy. I DO think you have shared your feelings in your blog. I also don't get printed pictures, so I have seen pictures on your blog that I otherwise would not have seen. I also feel you have shared feelings that we normally don't hear. You have done a wonderful job keeping a "history" in a lot of ways.
BUT, I know all good things do come to an end.... Hope you can do as nice a job on your future project.
That's a bummer. I know we don't call much, but the kids are just too loud to even hear myself think, let alone have an actual conversation.
Have you checked out blurb.com? There are other blog printing companies so you can have it in a book format to keep. It's on my to-do list.
This is only the third time I have viewed your blog. I am a little intimitated commenting as I'm not sure how this will show up. Blogging may be a fad but it hasn't caught up to me yet.
Hey, I think it is amazing that you have documented your life like this. But I agree with you. Part of journal writing has got to be a place to vocalize feelings and frustrations. It's therapeutic to write it out. But this would not be the right forum for that. You either have to keep two records, one public and one private (who has time for that) or decide to just keep a personal record for yourself. I'm sure your many lurkers will be disappointed.
I think Facebook is addicting and time-consuming. It's fun to catch up with people from your past but it will suck up some of that very little time you have for yourself.
I have enjoyed all the blogging you have done especially the pictures and interesting and funny things the kids have done. I know that anything on the computer is very time consuming but each blog went out to many people. Sorry that the comments did not come back as expected, I suppose we are all guilty of enjoying but not really responding appropriately. At least we all have the pictures and documented events up until now. As time goes by you think you will have more time but as you get older,everything takes you much longer so it is almost the same with only differing circumstances. There are never enough hours in the day to accomplish what we think we should get done. However, time spent with family,being the person who keeps it all together for the kids on a daily basis is very important and takes priority over everything else. Motherhood is an extremely time-consuming job. I saw a saying today that being a Mother is like being pecked to death by a chicken. Funny thing is you will never stop being a mother no matter how old your children are. (I am sure Toni will verify this) Anyway, thanks for all the time you have spent on the blog. It was really very interesting and enjoyable to see the inner workings of the family on a day to day basis. I will keep in touch mostly by phone. My e-mail is getting so cumbersome that I find myself not checking it as often as I used to. SUSAN
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