Last month, there was much twittering about the fact that the uber-popular DIY bloggers at Young House Love are taking a break from blogging. They said that they needed to spend more time in their real life, and less time online. Today, the New York Times picked up this story about blogging burnout.
Look, it’s not always easy to keep this blog going. Sometimes the blog and my interests dovetail perfectly. I’m thinking or writing or teaching stuff in the real world that has an easy carry over to the blog. I don’t put too much time into making the blog posts look pretty, because that takes up an enormous amount of time. I can push out a blog post in five minutes, when there’s this nice convergence. Other times, my real life is consumed with boring, but necessary chores and that doesn’t work well as a blog post.
I’ve been busy in the past few weeks resurrecting my used book business. It went on the back burner for a while. I need more inventory, so I’m back to visiting estate sales on Fridays. I live in an area with a load of well read, old ladies. There are free old books everywhere, and some have an online value. It’s a weekend hobby. Maybe I can squeeze one blog post out of that experience, but it doesn’t translate into daily content.
I’m taking a break from writing, because I’m fed up with the freelance commissions. That means that I’m not necessarily keeping up with the online news articles as much as I should. That puts a dent into blogging.
We’re taking Ian to more concerts, and I’m exploring new restaurants in New York City. All fun and good real life stuff, but not necessarily blog post material.
If I was a super professional blogger, this disjunction between my real life and the blog would be very stressful. Good thing that I’m a dilettante blogger. So, in the next six months, you’re going to get a lot more real life type blog posts, and fewer politics and policy and news blog posts.
Apt. 11d 
You are the only blogger I read where I feel there are actual conversations. I love that your topics range from trivial to thought provoking. I am so happy that you continue to do it and offer a forum for the entertaining, interesting commentary you often illicit. You really are the only person I check on every day.
Have you read this? I thought you’d find it interesting. Beautiful writing, and she so expresses the over it notion that I’m getting to in mid-life. Over cooking, over the yard, over the appearances of perfection. http://www.cafe.com/r/7fee756b-fc78-4595-9ce2-7bf8ef736b5a/1/how-cooking-for-others-can-be-selfish
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Apt. 11d is very much of a group effort. I throw out the topic with a blog post and then you guys finish it off in the comment section.
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Your insights and great writing are always good enough to stand alone. You’re a gracious hostess allowing the rest of us to chime in. You’d still have a great blog without us, but I do love the give and take.
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When I was commissioning things from NY-based PR/Corporate Communications types of writers, they would typically ask for $2 per word; this was about six to eight years ago. A steady flow of that will help with the bills. You won’t be famous, you won’t even be internet-famous, but you will be getting better consideration for your time.
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The blog burn-out article was interesting, and, I think an analogy to the start-up workstyle everywhere (say, when we were talking about being congressional interns, or running a startup, or being a resident, or a graduate student. I always told graduate students that they have to figure out when they’re not getting what they want, and stop. The same is even more true of blogging (especially if it’s for free).
I, as a reader, much prefer it when bloggers walk away when they burn out rather than turning their blogs into shills and selling out. Now, of course, I stop reading when that happens, and if that’s the best way for the blogger to get what they need, it’s their choice. So I’m not telling anyone what to do.
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And, as Lisa mentioned, I love this blog (and the comments). Looking back, those bloggers are younguns — you’ve been blogging for what? 11 years? And I think I might have been commenting here for more than 8. I occasionally click through on the “related posts” and I love the blasts from the past. I’ve always been a fan of personal history, and love looking back on the continuing conversation and the rhythm of your life (but, sometimes, also, ours).
I still feel like there’s a project in there somewhere (say, for example, did you know that Laura predicted that Sarah Palin would have a Fox television show in October 2008? And that I said, how?She still has another term as governor. Is she going to resign? (Hmf, Laura pegged it). Blogs are the kind of history I love.
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I love this blog too! In a time where comments have dwindled, you not only have comments but discussion and debate. This is one of my “must read daily” blogs. You’ve created a special place and attracted all sorts of interesting people. No small feat.
I haven’t met any of you in real life but I appreciate your opinions even when I disagree.
Just too bad there wasn’t any reasonable money in it!
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YAY! Bring on the real life blogging, which obviously is my favorite! I do count on you to help keep me informed, but you do that on twitter with links! 😉
And I second LisaV wholeheartedly — both of her comments! And Lisa and you are two of the bloggers that I really hope I’ll get to meet someday! Your comment section is just great, I learn a lot from the comments.
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I love the variety this blog has. You are obviously a real people who isn’t in it for the money and that means a lot to me. I also realize you could stop this at any time!
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