I could use some advice, peeps. I’m in a quandary involving this here blog and time and balance in general. I’m trying to juggle my life and this place is suffering for it. I feel bad about that because this blog and you are VERY important to me. I can say that it helped save my life without one ounce of exaggeration. I love the friendships I have made and so I am not happy with how I have been treating Looney Tunes and the lovely people around it.
What (if anything) to do? What (if anything) to change?
It’s a puzzlement.
I am usually very vocal out in the blogosphere. During my almost three years of blogging, I have been pretty consistent in this, though obviously my blog list has grown and some of the blogs are not stalked quite as heavily by me as they used to be simply due to time. But usually, my presence on blogs is still usually big, loud, incessant, and totally HAWT. (Ok, you’ll just have to take my word on the whole, “Hawt” thing.) I have also had a history of trying to talk back to my peeps in my comments section, either by posting a reply or emailing.
Anyway, as some of you have noticed or commented or emailed, I have been a whole lot less active in the bloggity world as of late. I am quieter on your blogs and even though I read every link and comment and treasure, and jump up and down on my sofa like Tom Cruise hankering hardcore for Katie Holmes about every single one, my poor comments section has mold and cobwebs growing in it. I know, I know, but dude…I have been loving being domestic, making my new house just how I like it and spending time with my family. Plus, I have been trying to open a show that is 2 hours of commute time and there is just a lot going on that requires my focus.
Besides, it’s summer and the available time for blogging is cut down to a fraction of my previous time. I DO check in a read blogs as much as I can but I do not comment nearly as much as I used to, which means (in my opinion) that I comment more like a normal blog reader instead of a hyper-vigilant, typing spaz that must have an opinion on everything and make it known to the world.
But for the time being something had to give, ya know? (And yes, it makes me feel like a freaking ingrate. Here I am being quiet on the internet and I’m asking YOU to pipe up with advice. What a hypocrite! “Hi! I am the pot!!! You’re the kettle!!! I’m calling you black!!! Oh, and nice to meet you!!!! I am a lame, lame, weenie. Or boobie if you want to be all anatomically correct n’ stuff. Ok, I am now leaving this increasingly weird tangent now.)
Another quandary I’ve been having is about my Google Reader. It is about ready to beat me up and choke me out. I am seriously considering dumping it in the garbage. Here’s why…I cannot read anyone else. Which means that I will very rarely be able to visit new people. While I love the posts my friends share, OMG it is upping my unread posts by a freaking TON. I am having a really hard time managing it and the guilt factor is legend.
I KNOW that a ton of other people have these same issues. So? What do YOU do about it? Have you just dumped all your subscriptions? Do you just read the people who comment to you? Have you gotten to the point that you only read people you have met in person? Is it a combination?
I know that my days will not always be this crazy. I know when the kiddies go back to school and the weather turns icky, the internet will get a lot more of my focus. I know that I am not the only blogger to be in this place.
My quietness and less frequent posting does come with quite the price tag traffic wise. I know I have lost readers. I worry about that at times, but at the back of my mind I kind of wonder if I would want readers that only read me if I’m reading them, you know? Still…nobody loves it when it happens. I do not have the subscription level of some of my peers and while some people I have talked to have steady, even traffic, mine is a lot like my personality-erratic. Unless I am uber-active and on top of things my traffic can go from being in the thousands of hits and plummet by hundreds in mere days.
I’m not really sure what to think of that. Or how to fix it. Or if I should even care. Truthfully, if it didn’t effect my check every month, I am not sure if I would. It’s only taken me three years, but I’ve kind of gotten over the whole “Traffic” thing and living and dying by my stats.
So, here is my question…would you rather someone READ your blog more often and rarely (or less often, or never) comment or would you rather someone periodically check in and then pipe up when they read? I never know which to do. Of course, I never do anything with stunning regularity, but I can at least attempt it, right?
I’m afraid this has turned into quite the brain dump on you all. I just need to write out some of the thoughts and questions that have been swirling around in my head. I am just trying to find some balance. I could use some advice.
Stumble it!
Filed under: 
I think that I would rather somebody read and rarely comment than rarely read and rarely comment. You wouldn’t be commenting on every post either way. I’d at least like to think that people are reading what I’m writing, even if they aren’t responding in a manner I can see…
My list of blogs that I read is pretty manageable, although it is growing. I don’t comment all the time on the ones I read, but I do when it’s a subject I can chime in on, or they ask a question I can answer, etc.
Not many people read my blog, but I don’t mind – I’m writing for myself, and if people comment, that’s totally cool.
As for your question, I don’t know what I’d pick. Both sound fine to me. Sorry I’m not more decisive! :)
Sharons last blog post..Dad’s Day
I’m a newbie to the blogging world, and I took a hiatus a few months back because I was getting annoyed with the amount of heart I was pouring out and the total lack of response I was getting from my 10 readers (who are all my FRIENDS and FAMILY, by the way). I re-started under the resolution that I blog for me, not comments. So I don’t respond as much in the comments section, either, because if and when I write, I’m not necessarily doing it to engage my readers.
But I also don’t have ads on my site, so this isn’t effecting me financially.
Anyways, all of that said, I would rather have a hefty handful of faithful readers who oooh and ahhh over my every semi-colon, than have occasional readers and commenters. It sorta drives me nuts not knowing who is reading, you know?
THAT said, I have really scaled back on the blogs that I comment on for many reasons, one being time, and another being that I don’t really want to be a kiss-ass to a blogger that has too little time to care about me as much as I care about them!
So, there you go. I, also, am a pot AND a kettle. Both very black.
We’re all in this together. I’ll keep you in my faves section of my google reader no matter what! (Which is a good tip – any new subscriptions go into a new file, and if they don’t wow me within three posts they are history – time wasting is averted!)
Debbies last blog post..Where to begin?
holy crap tha tis the longest comment ever. I’m so ashamed. I’m going on a more strict comment diet!
Debbies last blog post..Where to begin?
In my Google Reader account, I divided my subscriptions into groups. I keep my favorite blogs and my best friends and family in a “must reads” group, and I make sure I read all of them even if they get way backed up. Then I have a section for blogs I like, but I don’t have to read every post. If I’m overwhelmed, I mark that group as read. I don’t have to do it very often, but it’s nice to know that I can cut back somewhere if I get overwhelmed.
This is such a good dilemma to present because it needs to be talked about. You shouldn’t feel guilty for having a busy life, but when people start jumping ship because you aren’t commenting as often, isn’t that sort of horrible? Doesn’t that sort of say (about them) that they were only commenting and reading so YOU WOULD comment and read? And isn’t that totally missing the point of all of this?
Shouldn’t you read (and comment when the mood totally strikes) because you are getting something from the material, the writer? You enjoy their perspective, you like the voice they offer, you get a laugh in the middle of a busy day, you are invested in their stories? Shouldn’t you read and comment because you enjoy both not because of the returned favor?
My Google Reader list is limited to the blogs I love because I am busy too and my husband really would like me to just PUT DOWN THE LAPTOP ALREADY and as much as I love the blogosphere, he’s more important. There are plenty of people (not tons, but some) who comment on my blog who I don’t regularly subscribe to (sometimes I click over now and then) and I don’t feel guilty. Because it shouldn’t be a contest or a constant battle of “how to raise my stats…by commenting as insincerely as possible.”
I hope that makes sense. I read and comment because the blogs I read make me a better woman and writer. I appreciate every comment I receive, and am touched when someone takes the time to share their thoughts with me. But I find the two separate.
She Likes Purples last blog post..His Mother
I think you’re thinking too much about it! As with everything our interest in something waxes and wanes. Right now, I’m struggling as well – knowing I don’t post to the quality I’d like, and not leaving as many comments as I’d like. And as with you, it’s due to a multitude of things.
I am only one person. I can only do so much.
As an aside – tonight I’m going to the butcher. Mmmmm. Steak…
Gretchens last blog post..Product Review: My Fruit Roll-Ups
I read every post of every person on my Reading List. That’s a lot of posts. I also comment on a ton of them. That’s a lot of comments.
But my Reading List is not actually every feed I have in my Google Reader: there are a ton of other blogs in there (Wired, Boing Boing, Kottke, Sports). When I am feeling behind I usually just zap all of these. Like today, when Reader tells me I have 153 unread items (and I’ve already gone through all of my List) I’m just going to zap them all. Sorry Cory Doctorow: you are a firehose and I don’t have the time this morning.
Backpacking Dads last blog post..She has to top this forever
Go easy on yourself! I know you are very busy right now and I’m sure everyone else does too. Don’t beat yourself up about it. We still adore you.
Okay my little bitty blog has minimal readers so I doubt this will help, but I honestly only comment and read those who comment me back. I am a little too sensitive for the blogging world so every time I would comment somewhere and not get a comment back I would take it really personally.
Now, of course I will always read everything Jessica (Kerflop) write no matter where she writes it or what about. Same with Dooce, Mimi Smartypants, OMSH, etc. Same goes with you. Regardless of if you stop commenting on my site I won’t stop reading what you say, but with you it is more because I really care about how you are doing and I could never forget how much your emails meant to me during my big breakup.
I hope your enjoying all your fancy time away from the computer doing actual life stuff, you lucky! ;)
SparklieSunShines last blog post..I’m so bummed
You are so sweet. and I’m typing with one hand because I have a sick child in the other. which makes it hard to say too much like I usually do.
Don’t sweat it.
Comment if you feel like, but I know that it doesn’t determine whether or not I read you.
Set your reader up in levels/folders. Fav’s, Likes, Testing/New. Read your reader when you have time from the top down. If you never really get to the New’s, eh… maybe someday…
My problem is too many fav’s.
One-typing-hand cramp now. Gotta go
Danielles last blog post..Friday Foto Fiesta
I actually think that people should read and comment on blogs as they see fit for them personally. I am all about making connections with people… so if people don’t come and connect with me either by reading and commenting on mine or email or twitter or whatever then I am less likely to take the time to go and read theirs…maybe I am a bad blogger because of that (based on comments above that is suggested) however, I only have so much time.
I really think blogging is about connecting. If I read someone and comment and never hear a peep in return well then really that isn’t connecting. So I have limited myself by that.
I may burn in blog hell but to quote your son, Whatev.
Kamis last blog post..Saturday in the Park
I read blogs I like, and also those of people I know. The only factor that determines whether I comment or not is if I have something to say. If not, I don’t comment.
Between your two options, I’d probably pick “read more/comment less”. I think most of us here would say that we are more interested in having you post here than comment on our sites, if you have to choose. That’s why we come here.
Craigs last blog post..You Got Owned
Dump the subscriptions. Read the ones that you like all the time. Go to the others semi-periodically. Comment on the ones you do read – it makes people feel good. I don’t look at stats so I have no idea who comes by unless they leave a comment.
JoeInVegass last blog post..Video Monday (animations)
i totally keep a favorites folder in google reader and make sure i get to those first. if i’ve cleared those, i’ll wander over to the other 874 blogs i have on there!
alis last blog post..Rockstar Hotel, Rockstar Style….
I skim through my Google Reader, keeping up with what everyone has written. Especially those that I’ve met. If something jumps out at me then I’ll read more in carefully and comment on their posts, but I don’t have time to comment on EVERYBODY’S site. It may affect my traffic, but I don’t care that much about stats. I do like when people pipe up and add comments to my site, but I don’t want them to feel obligated to comment if they’re not feeling the need to say anything. And I would never want anyone to feel burdened by coming to my site, especially if it may take them away from experiencing the joy and happiness of daily life. (The misery and pain of daily life seems to spawn more blog posts for most people anyway!)
Love ya lots Loralee, and I want you to enjoy your family and new home and theater productions and anything else you can!
Jill – GlossyVeneers last blog post..Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
I’m a little slower than most to have entered into the blogging world. About 3 years ago I first discovered two or three sites that really interested me and I began to check them daily. I never commented, mostly because the sites I was reading had way to many comments for mine to count..and I didn’t really understand that the blogger probably would have appreciated it if I did happen to have an insightful comment.
After a year or so, I finally started reading the comment section & it lead me to start browsing all sorts of sites, including yours :) I like to leave comments when I find someone’s thoughts intriguing and I can relate.
I like the first part of JoeInVegas’ answer to your question. Read what you want to read. Comment when you want to comment. With so much other stuff going on in “real life”, who needs the stress of feeling like you HAVE to read so and so’s site b/c they read yours!
I still haven’t completely warmed up to the Google Reader. I use it, but the way it looks when I open it up after not checking it over the weekend…it’s enough to stress anyone out. I guess it’s just my personal preference to go visit people’s sites & catch up on their posts as much as I can or have time to. Plus it allows me to get a little more slacker time in at work! :)
Raychelles last blog post..Family Weekend
I have no idea.
But I’ll still read you anyways ;)
Actually sometimes it’s quite nice when ‘must reads’ start posting less frequently – I miss them horribly at first not being able to check in every day, but then it becomes a nice treat when they do, plus I get less overwhelmed trying to keep up with the list.
That’s what I tell myself whenever I hit a slack posting patch anyway :)
But yeah, there’s no money in if for me, so dunno what I’d do if I had to care, sorry *completely unhelpful*
sarah beans last blog post..Making memories
When life gets overwhelming, the blog has to take a back seat for me. It’s usually pretty difficult for me to keep up with all the blogs I read and comment back on all the comments left on my own site. If I had to choose I guess I would give up reading some of the blogs I read so I could pay more attention to my readers? I don’t know. At some point though I will need to make this choice.
Google Reader is both my friend and my enemy. When all else fails, I hit “read all” and call it a day. Sure I feel guilty for a minute or two but I can’t do it all! So don’t feel badly about it. :)
sizzles last blog post..I Didn’t Mosh
I am an avid READER, but I usually only comment when I have a sure-fire opinion on the post. And though I love, love, love comments on my own blog, I am quite happy just to know that it’s being read (be it only like, 100 hits a day). So go ahead and read my blog all you want without commenting. Or only read it occasionally. If you’re too busy, you’re too busy, yo.
He he. I said “yo.” Just like you would.
Camilles last blog post..{Life Lessons and Muffin Tops}
I find myself in a similar situation, actually. I’ve been uber busy the last week or so and I have SO many unread items in Google Reader. I feel a little guilty to admit that there are a few that I just mark as read, but I try to read my “favorites” (like yours!).
I try not to worry about traffic, but I know I do to some extent. There’s no easy answers here. You just gotta do what you gotta do. The holdouts will be here when you’re ready to play again. :)
Marilyns last blog post..Reveling in the Homeness
I totally agree with Joel.
I also think that taking a bloggity break now and then is absolutely necessary. I don’t have nearly 1/10th of the readership that you do and I sometimes feel a bit bogged (blogged?) down with trying to visit the sites off my blog-roll as well as new commenter’s sites. Then I just take a breath and realize that the blogosphere is so much bigger than I am and it will survive without my comment-responses and blog visits. It’s not meant to be a “job” or even a major responsibility—it’s supposed to be fun. For everyone. You included, so take your time with everything and enjoy every moment of your domestic bliss-ness!
The Over-Thinkers last blog post..Did you know that an entire post can be about suspenders?
I know life gets busy & time is limited. For example…I check your site often, but don’t always comment depending on time or whatever. I tend to have about 15 blogs I read daily or at least try to check in with, but I don’t always comment either.
I don’t use the google reader just because it totally annoys me.
I sometimes think about stats, but usually not (maybe that’s why my blog doesn’t have a lot of readers :) I say do whatever makes your life not stressful.
JoLynns last blog post..Evacuation…
I know! I know! Pick me!
I just figured this out this week so the information is still new and passionate. I dumped the reader because it was just stressing me out because I couldn’t ever ZERO it out. I have added the blogger blog list which I am sure there is a similar widget out there for non-blogger users that has my blog list on it with the most recent updates and their titles. NOW I can choose what I want to read in a timely fashion. With the reader I was just going alphabetically and always late to the party. When I have time I can check in with other posts but NO ONE (me) is keeping score like the reader did. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.
As to reading vs. comments. I want you to do what is best for you so that you can enjoy LIFE, but my suggestion is to check in occasionally and leave a comment. That will get you further searching if you are interested or just keep you briefly up to date if you are not.
The second part of all this is that having desperately needy readers that need you to comment daily is a no-win situation. We are all big people with real lives and need to take graciously what people are willing to give. Alrighty, I will step off my soap box for now…
PS–love ya and hope you are enjoying life.
HRHs last blog post..Monday’s potluck of tangential proportions…
Blogging should be something that is comfortable for you, not a MUST DO!
I love to read what is going on in your life, and I totally understand when you are too busy to blog or comment.
Give yourself a break! Enjoy your family, your new home, etc.
Sharons last blog post..Games for Geezers…
Do what you need to do, honey. I go through the same cycles – we all do.
xo
Kimberlys last blog post..Care to Settle?
I began my blog as a way to speak to the outside world while I was injured and truly unable to talk.
I hoped that the things that I wrote might provide someone with a touch of humour, kindness, support, camaraderie that they might otherwise not have in their life.
I love getting the comments because it means someone is actually reading the drivel I write, but I still truly do it for me. I do it because I have things I want to say and quite frankly my family does not want to hear it anymore, and because I hope that one word, one sentiment might make someone’s day brighter. Reading other blogs certainly brought joy to my very lonely and sorrowful existence. Pay it Forward…..Now I am in a place of light, I am passing it on.
So I guess the answer is, do what it right for you…you….you.
4s last blog post..Quark’s Day
I don’t think I have much to add. I pared down my Reader a while ago :)
I take the time to comment when I can, and I definitely comment more on sites belonging to people that comment on mine. It’s because we have built a rapport and that is important to me.
The “Mark All As Read” button is scary…and also liberating. I don’t do it often…but sometimes it is necessary.
And if your stats are down because you aren’t holding up the Internet with comments?
Those people who left aren’t worthy of your time :)
Angellas last blog post..Pierced
Blog for you, not for other people. Read blogs that you want to read, not because you feel you must reciprocate. We all have different interests. There is nothing wrong with that.
Charlis last blog post..First Beach Trip of 2008
I say read whatever you truly enjoy reading. And if you truly enjoy it because you feel a connection to the author, or if it’s because you love their style of writing, or whatever reason, read it because you derive pleasure from it. Cut out anything that isn’t as important. I’ve had to think out my feed reader quite a bit in the past. Sometimes it just happens.
As for commenting, I really appreciate people who comment on my blog, whether they do it every time or if they just pipe in once in awhile, I appreciate it all the same. But I also know that some people read my blog and don’t comment, and I still appreciate that they read. The only reason I know that they read is that they tell me about it in real life, so most of these people are people I know and care about in the real world, so it’s not as vital that they don’t post comments, cause they are there for me in the flesh, you know?
I guess all this rambling is to say, don’t worry about neglecting the sites you usually read and comment on, and don’t worry about neglecting the Tunes. Your true fans will keep reading no matter how infrequently you post. And if you decide to break for awhile, then that’s fine too.
I have found that in life there are things that come and go on the level of importance, and while they are meaningful to you, it is good to devote a lot of time to them. But once they become somewhat burdensome, sometimes it’s best to let them go. Or at least put them on the shelf for awhile.
Don’t feel bad about it.
Sras last blog post..Relief
I just wanted to wish you well in all those things that are taking you away from your computer. ENJOY THEM!!!
Elizabeths last blog post..Checking in
Oh hai. member mee? in sayme seechuayshun.
i doo whats i doo and dumped reeder long tyme go.
am in lolcat classes. no time for blags.
moosh in indy.s last blog post..Dropped my basket.
You clearly have your priorities messed up. You should be over on Melarky.com pouring over everything I have to say!
It’s hard for you to be so popular. :)
Mellys last blog post..Wellington cooling off.
I like the idea of different groups on Google Reader representing a different level of priority.
I don’t mind people reading less regularly, but I think sometimes there’s a thing about posting a comment on an older post. Meaning, don’t. Which I hate. I love comments anytime!
Good luck with this! I have a feeling I’m going to struggling with the same thing after BlogHer when I get a heap more awesome blogs to read.
Missys last blog post..Going A Little Crazy
well i write for me. if someone leaves me a comment on my blog i always respond to them, but i have yet to get more than 20 comments on any post so it has been manageable. that said i don’t expect people to comment on my every post. some may feel the need to, and of course i appreciate it, but i rarely comment on every post of the people i read daily. i still love them though. so i say read when you want, comment when you want, write when you want, and don’t worry about it. if you lose readers don’t worry about it. unless of course you need the money. i don’t have ads so it hasn’t ever been a big deal to me.
natalies last blog post..Therapy
Hi, I don’t blog – I just have about 12 blogs on my favorites list that I try to read every day. I don’t always comment, unless it’s something close to me or answering a question, like now. I do love reading you and understand that you’re where you’re at right now in life and don’t get upset if you don’t post every day. But I do look in every day to say hello – just not in comments.
I’m totally hip to infrequent comments. as you see me do here, but I am always reading your feeds. I use the feed feature withing the new beta version of Outlook Express. I am able to check out links and find other people when I actually go to the blog to make my comment. which doesn’t really answer your question or solve your delimma, but hey, I’m all about random sharing :)
heathers last blog post..Water
I rarely have anything to say to anyone so I don’t comment, but I read everything that comes through my reader. If I had to pick for my site I’d rather have loads of visitors and no comments.
Amys last blog post..Though we may deserve it
I read lots and commenting comes and goes. I would rather someone read and not comment than them not reading at all. Sometimes when I get really bogged down because I haven’t checked my reader in a couple of days I dump all the older posts and read and start over. Many times if there is an “ongoing” story the blogger will link about it and I can play catch up that way.
Heathers last blog post..The finishing touches of the new hip mommy coming Tuesday
as a read and runner myself…well, I don’t know. I guess if I ask a question I expect comments…
Hollys last blog post..Hello Again
A few things that have helped me:
Posting less. Some of the most popular bloggers only post a few times a week and that is what I try to limit myself to. Why kill yourself over doing it several times a week?
Commenting a couple of times a week. Something I have found with my blog is it is a dialog. There are people who will come and comment regardless. But for the most part, it is an “I come to yours, you come to mine” community. I carve out a couple of times each week (not every day) to go visit those who have come to mine).
Cutting down my subscriptions. I only have a few I subscribe to and it makes life soooo much easier! I usually get around to visiting my favorites at some time but it is all about balance!
Ambers last blog post..I would like to thank the Mom Blog Academy….
I don’t have any brilliant advice-I’m a blogging dummy. I get excited about 40 hits per day! I just wanted to let ya know that as long as you’re posting, I’ll be here reading.
Corys last blog post..craziness at the creek
I REALLY, REALLY get this. First off let me say that NONE of us OWES ANYONE our time or comments. Sure reciprocity IS important in the blogosphere, but it’s OKAY to have a life!
To answer your question (kind of), I would rather someone read me because they WANT to read me and not because I MIGHT return a comment. I’m perfectly fine with people reading and not commenting.
How do I handle my Google Reader? Well for one, I’ve stopped worrying about my number of unread posts. It’s ALWAYS at 1000+ no matter how many I read. I rarely hit Mark as Read, because I just don’t care how many are unread (does that make sense?).
I’ve divided my GR into folders. I have a “must read” section. Those are the people I *try* and WANT VERY MUCH to read everyday because they are my MOST favorite. Then I have day folders (Monday-Thursday). These are the people I like reading, but don’t feel like I have to read every single day. I have some other folders, too like a recipe folder, blogging sites folder, and a folder of new people I’ve discovered and want to give a chance before deciding if they go in a day folder or my “must read” folder.
I really try to not worry about pleasing everyone in the blogosphere. I can’t! I cannot comment on every post I read. I cannot visit everyone who comments on my blog everyday. And I’m okay with that. I don’t expect people to read me or comment on my site everyday, either.
By the way, in case you’re wondering, you’re in my “must read” folder. For reals.
Jennifers last blog post..Sign the petition to have Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease renamed!
LL,
How dare you let us all down by actually living your life! What are you thinking – online reality is SO much more real than real reality!
Sharing time with your husband, your boys, and ugh – flesh and blood friends over us – we are cut to the quick!
How ever will we get by without you visiting our virtual little worlds?!
I may actually have to walk down the hall at the office and *gasp* interact with real live humans for a change!
You are going to turn us all into loving caring people LL and I for one will never be able to thank you enough. :)
To every thing there is a season.
Davies last blog post..Doing Church (not)
Dearest Boobie:
I don’t subscribe to anyone. I pretty much only read people who comment, or people who I stumble across and fall in love with their personality or writing style. (In your case, both, dear one)
I peek in on people periodically and always leave a comment when i do. That’s just my style. Comments back and forth make a lovely friendship. I’d rather have that then be read regularly by someone and not know them back.
I say, pull back for the summer. Just do one post a week, and allow 30 minutes a day to read and comment. Or whatever time frame works for you. That’s what I’m going to do.
Melains last blog post..Love Song Lullaby
Lots of good comments already!
I can’t keep up with my google reader and have gotten comfy with 250+ unread posts on a daily basis. I also use that marked as read button when I’m busier than usual with life.
I have mine divided into folders too. I drew a line and said I’m not reading every day. We’re allowed a life, yk? So on Tues/Thur, I have only 5 blogs I check in on and those are the ones I know IRL.
I try to read the back posts when I do get to someone’s site, but not always. Depends on my time.
I stopped commenting on every post I read too. The insanity has to stop! Arck!
The whole financial pressure is one reason I don’t have ads on my site. But with only 230ish average reads a day, what’s the point of ads?
Blogging is really teaching me a lesson about making myself a priority over others. And the funny thing is, now that I’ve started drawing lines and letting go of so much reading and commenting, my numbers are increasing. (knocks on wood)
Queen of Shake Shakes last blog post..Smaller Than a Kindergartener
I do understand where you’re at, LL. You’re the one of the people who made me like blogging in the first place, which was 2 (!) years ago. Crazy, eh? but blogging can be overwhealming, and like anything creative, it can just suck the juice right out of you. That’s why I stopped last summer and why I blog so seldom at this point. At first it was exciting to divulge the personal information, but later on, I started to appreciate having a more private life and not sharing everything. For me, the peak of my blogging experience was the summer of 2006.
It has been amazing though to watch your blog go from being a small speck on blogspot to something with thousands of hits and an extremely loyal following. You’re doing something very right, but remember – it’s just a blog. Summer’s here. The kids are out of school, the weather’s nice, you’ve got a play – go out and live! We’ll still be here in September.
Love you, like always.
Dougs last blog post..Through the Looking Glass
I only read about 8 blogs regularly. And then I read 1 or 2 posts from my commenters (of course, I don’t have as many commenters as you do). Sometimes they make my read list, sometimes not. I try to keep my read list to fewer than 10 sites.
It sucks, but I’d rather drink wine so that is the compromise I made.
Steve from winescorecard.coms last blog post..Hideous wedding dresses
Dude, I often wonder how you get anything done at all because you are such a prolific poster AND awesome commenter, plus you have a life and do theatre and everything else on top of that.
Yeah, it’s a dilemma. I think all of us have felt that way at some point. Personally, I try to read everything in my reader and comment when I have the time because I know how much comments mean, but if I commented on every post every time, I would never have time for anything else in my life, much less for discovering new blogs.
rimas last blog post..It’s a Jungle Out There
Having the post pile up in Google Reader not only makes me feel guilty, it stresses me out.
Here’s what I did. I dumped almost everyone from my reader. I kept family, and a blogs (like yours!) that I really, really enjoy.
Almost everything else I book marked in delicious. Every once in awhile when I am bored and online and don’t have anything to do (read: I am avoiding housework), I visit those blogs & I try to comment. I always try to comment, although I bet I comment less than 50% of the time. I think it makes most bloggers feel good, and I visit my stats page so rarely, that comments is really the only way I know people are even reading.
Adria Shas last blog post..Did you know?
My Google Reader is overwhelmed, but I try. Why? Not because I expect comments on my own sad little blog, but because I like to expand my range and understanding of things that can only come from truly experiencing another’s viewpoint. So if I don’t have time, I just mark everything as read. (And I have categories.) Don’t feel bad… we all may love comments, but if someone only comments to get a comment back? Way too much like MySpace! I have left lots of comments here for you and I don’t think you’ve ever commented my blog. I love you anyway, and still keep coming back for more;-)
Hey Loralee! As you probably noticed by how late I am on commenting on this post, I’ve been less active lately too. Life is just too crazy sometimes to do so much online. You need to deal with RL first – everyone will understand because we’ve all been there.
Love ya and see you around! ;)
andis last blog post..That’s Queen Dumbass to You
my reader blew up. which has turned out to be a blessing for balance in my life because when i started the bloglines i promised myself to keep it to 25. Which is good for my sanity. of course i’ve just realized i don’t have you in there which is wrong and i’m off to remedy that now.
now how am i going to keep letting my readers know i love them… not sure …
The good resource should be brought in bookmarks