I have a lot of friends. I have work friends and family friends. I have neighborhood friends and blogger friends. Most of my friends don’t even know I blog. *gasp shock* I know. It’s hard to believe because it is a huge part of my life. However, since they don’t know I blog, they would still love me if I quit blogging. That goes for every category of friends except my blogging friends because most of them only know me as a fellow blogger.
I know that there are those of you saying to yourselves right now, “Oh, we’d still love you if you didn’t blog, Shelli. We wouldn’t forget you. We would still be your friend.” For a few that might be true. But for the majority of you it would be the opposite of what would happen. Before you start arguing with me, hear me out.
I have been at this for 2 years and 8 months. That’s a long time in blogging. Most people burn themselves out long before they get to year 2. I have persevered through burn out because I have reaped so many rewards and seen so many good things that the blogging world can do. I have said that I would remain in touch with bloggers who quit and/or they have said that they would remain in touch with me. But the truth is, you don’t. It’s because of the same reasons that you don’t stay in touch with your friends from high school or co-workers who have moved on or you have moved away from. It isn’t because you don’t mean to. The intention is there. It’s just that our lives are too busy these days. Which may even be the reason they quit blogging in the first place.
It is kinda sad because the feelings that I have for my fellow bloggers are genuine. I truly do think about y’all throughout the day and worry and care about you a great deal. I would miss this if I went away. I would miss you if I went away. Right now, it’s the biggest thing keeping me here. Blue, the other day you asked me if I was serious when I said this:
Blogging addict. That’s me. Sometimes I know I should give it up, but I just can’t. It keeps sucking me back. No, that’s not how I really feel. Sorta.
I think your question went something like this, “SRSLY? NO”
Seriously. Yes.
why does this sound like a prelude to a dear John letter?
Hey, there are worse things you could be addicted to. You’re not contemplating doing anything rash, are you?
Oh girl. Does this mean what I think it means? Maybe you just need a break?
I have your home address and your cell number and your email. You ain’t getting rid of me.
you can try – others have i just come back
I am with LibraGirl. You can’t get rid of us…
ditto.
I totally agree with you. However, I see you on chat, so I am not above stopping and saying hi to you, if you decide to quit blogging.
I actually have been thinking of taking a long break myself. I know I haven’t posted as much, and I already have lost some readers because of it.
I’ve been through all of this. Quitting because I thought blogging was taking up too much of my time and energy, not wanting to quit because of the friends I’d made, quitting anyway, then coming back in a different way on a different blog.
Some of my readers/friends did keep in touch, either regularly or sporadically, and visited my new place. Others didn’t. And I don’t mind, because the blogosphere isn’t entirely static. I think it would become boring if there weren’t a few personnel changes along the way.
I guess my point is, you CAN give it up if you need to (though I hope you don’t). And you CAN pick it back up later if you want/need to.
I think you should do what’s best for you.
Seriously, me too.
Get rid of us? Hell No! But I am with you on the blog addiction thing… I can’t stop either…
I will always love thee.
I appreciate your sentiments…took a break myself…I keep coming back. The cool thing is…people feel the way about you that you feel about them…and they’ll be there or here or wherever for you no matter what you do.
I’d miss your blogging. I would hope you’d keep the facebook though. I’d truly miss our games.
You should be blogging for yourself.If you stop finding joy in what you do, then it’s time to move on.We’d miss you that’s all. =((
I took a break this summer….didnt blog nearly as much….kinda proved to myself that I wasnt addicted…but I really do enjoy the friends I have made on here and feel a kind of kinship to them even if I have never met them. I would miss you Shelli, but you have to do what you have to do. Just cut down…give yourself some space.
You’re not going anywhere, right? :-ss
You can’t because I just tagged you for a meme!
http://blondereviews.blogspot.com
Seriously, though, I agree with you on losing touch with those that quit blogging. I have quite a few friends that left and I miss them greatly, but life just gets in the way of keeping in touch.
I hope you’re not going anywhere. I would really hate that!
((((HUGS))))
I know how you feel shelli, sometimes trying to think of something to write and someway to comment feels like a burden. But man, those days and weeks that I don’t blog just feel “less”, despite the fact that I’m always surrounded by flesh friends and family. Emotionally, my blog friends are the most supportive in my life. I’ll keep your e-mail address close just in case you decide to stop blogging.
I understand – somedays I wonder why I blog.
I know I haven’t been reading you long – but I would miss you!
I feel ya… and you have to do what is best for you. I won’t forget you by the way! We’ll always have scrabulous
sigh
having just drifted in here, I have to stop and say that you talk mucho sense. I think that we move on from some friends naturally anfd that’s ok, it’s not that we go off them. As to people not knowing you blog, I worry sometimes that people from my real world might come along and blow my cover lol
I feel the exact same way you do.