blog woes

Starting a blog, I did anticipate a better record of my daily dailies, a creative outlet, and the best-keep-in-touch-possible with some of my favorite people.  I did not, however anticipate the friendships and inspiration from other bloggers.  Honestly, pre-blogging, the idea of these "imaginary friends" would have creeped me out more than slightly.  Yet, my blogging sisters have made the world seem smaller, lovelier.  They’ve moved me to move beyond myself, sparked creative projects, planted deeper thoughts in my [current] mommy mind.  It overwhelms me.  And I'm elated to "meet" so many women who "get" where I am right now. 

That’s the short version of the good side of my blogging venture.

Then comes the bad, my solitary blog woe:

Blogging has deeply injured one of my best relationships.  Books.  My "recent reads" tab says it all.  I think in November and early December I read about five books...and then, well..then I started blogging.  And now I miss my books, but still love my blog outlet.  So, here I am trying to find the balance on this "slippery slope" (Lisa's words, I think).  Honeymoon over.  These balance blues have been on my mind for a while now.  Mere awareness has honestly improved the situation and found me efforting to read more over the past few weeks (War and Peace review coming soon!...well, not that soon).  Do all bloggers go through a similar initial frenzy stage, then realize they need to limit the time they spend reading blogs so they can focus more on their own writing (and laundry, and life)? 

Ever-elusive balance.  Can I read & blog & clean & play & still do my hair and make-up (as if that happens daily!)?  We shall see.

Well, today I'm (finally!) adding to my Recent Reads.  Last night's book club pick:  The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict. 

 

The beginning seemed a bit general and…good, yes, but nothing you don’t know if you’re continually aiming at a Christian life already.  But the end furnished some helpful tools to maintain & establish peace in relationships.  I loved this part, and even copied one of the diagrams to put in front of my desk as a Remind of how to reach people and keep peace.  When we start by establishing peace within ourselves, the rest falls into place more easily.

Comments

[Megan]

Email me a diagram please.
I agree with blogging woes. I want to blog each day, but we've been so busy as of late that I don't have extra time,and my extra time is spent doing the mother things of bathing my babies, laundry, dishes and general upkeep you must do with two little boys in the house. And then I'm over at our new rental, cleaning, taping, and painting. I'm torn as well. Maybe I'll come back to blogging at the end of the summer, my schedule is really kind of full until then. :)

[lelly]

i am right there with you. waxing and waning. searching for Middle Ground.

(ahhh, thank you for selective use of capital letters to describe Important Things!!)

[crystalyn]

oooh amy, i hear you on the balance in life...especially with adding blogging into it. i feel like i'm doing more of the things i should be doing (i say that as my children are sitting next to me watching curious george and i have yet to shower or eat) but i feel as though i'm "neglecting" my blogging and not able to comment as often as i'd like. so i feel torn about it at times. i feel the exact same things about the positive it has added to my life.

funny side note, my husband trying to explain good mail to a few of his friends over lunch yesterday. they couldn't get over sending things to people you don't even know. and thought the good mail shower was unbelievable.

ok, i'm interested in the book. not that i have read ANYTHING really in, well, so long i'm not willing to admit how long it's been. but it sounds like the end has something good to offer and goodness knows there are a couple of relationships in my life that could stand to have a little more peace.

[Michelle]

I have had similar feelings before about blogging. When I start to feel like I need to pull in the reins I tend to limit myself to blogging time. I think the good in the blogging world is far out weighing the bad for me right now. I have been inspired by so many woderful people.

[Anna]

Yeah for Arbinger books! They are great. For me, I continue to struggle to find balance...some weeks are good, some weeks are bad and the computer is calling to me too often. I think I'm finally finding a happy medium...only reading certain blogs everyday and then every couple days I freely search the blog world. It frees up a little bit of extra time for me to read, clean, eat, or nap. Hopefully it will continue to work. Good luck on the slippery slope.

[Shanon]

I admire you and reading. I must say that yesterday I sat down and read for all of 5 minutes. I was proud of myself. Then I was too tired and fell asleep. But blogging feels like it takes forever just to check everyones that you want to. While it is fun, I still don't put away my laundry!!

[Mandi]

I totally understand what you are talking about. I have often spent too much time looking at blogs; hence, I have not started my own. I enjoy reading everyone else's so much that how would I ever have time for my own? But then, I had an epiphany (spurred by Kelly) and now I think I'll start one. Don't expect amazing things, though -- mostly the hilarious things London & Savy say. It'll be my way of doing trying to be good at an elusive gospel principle that I've not been able to get going on since being married - journaling.

I agree 100% with your take on the book. I also liked their examples of everyday life to help you apply the principles. I also liked reviewing the history of the Jewish/Muslim conflict in Jerusalem. Very interesting. Things I often forget & haven't thought about since studying the Koran in college.

[Elizabeth]

I recently went through a grumpy stretch and finally figured out it was because I hadn't read an actual book in a long time. I feel a little more balanced now that I have delved back into the bookshelves. I have experienced what you said about the initial frenzy. I think I have balanced back out again and it feels refreshing.

[Mandy]

Balancing blogging has not been easy as of late. I miss catching up on other blogs, but have been so busy. I want to get better at the balancing, so I don't feel like I am leaving something out.

[jenny c.]

I am glad to hear I am not alone. I seriously think about that ALL the time. I blame blogging for a lot of "wasted" time during the day. It's amazing how much time gets away. I have been trying to limit myself lately. I am longing to finish a good book. Look at me I am on the computer! Balancing is tough. But, in my opinion you have to do what is best for YOU and no one else :)

[Emily]

Oh the woes. You summed it up perfectly, it is such a balancing act. You may think this is funny but sometimes I have to ground myself from the computer for periods of time. I usually leave my computer on all day long, but sometimes when I find myself in the blogosphere more than in the my own life I make myself either not turn the computer on until quite time in the afternoon or I get on in the am for a little bit and then turn the computer off, it's not as tempting if I have to turn it on, log in, etc.

[Kelly]

Well, I know we discussed this on the telly today, but I just had to chime in with a comment, too. It is tough to balance, but you just do what you can and make sure blogging is the frosting, not the lima beans.

Fun to talk for real today!

[Amy]

You crack me up like crazy, Kelly. First with the salmon haiku, now the lima beans. And, oh yes, the chat was Fun!

[Amberly]

You're so not alone! We all need a copy of your chart! I'm definately going to check this one out, a struggle for balance is always going on internally for me. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Annalisa]

Amen. I could have written this post verbatim (well except for the book review since I haven't read that yet). I'm almost as eloquent as you, right? :)
My blogging has suffered since I made a goal to go to bed early instead of staying up on the computer which gives me time to read (something I need to be doing if I'm EVER going to get through War & Peace!) And I hate blogging with Alexis around (breaking that rule right now!). So when does that leave me? A few short hours while she's at school.
I'm hoping with summer activities everyone's blogging will taper off and I won't feel so overwhelmed with all the blogs I'm not reading, because I have been loving my reading time. I don't want to give it up.

[Price Cream Parlor]

Great choice for your recent read! I feel your pain! And indeed, without balance in the blogging world - it does indeed become a slippery slope! Ah, the word balance is a tricky one!... For many reasons.
We will take your posts anytime we can! When you find a great read, share that too! Always looking for my next great book!

[carlo]

since you know by now that my concentration skills only allow me to read fluff at this particular time, i will comment instead of what i can relate to: Blogging woes.

I too echo the need for balance especially as i speed into celebration alley...the kicker is that i did not expect to MISS the daily visits, the "touch" in my day of your worlds. it is difficult to say the least.

I haven't been around for a summer yet but I suspect the summer is a slightly different vibe in blog world? i may be wrong but i am guessing it is more relaxed in that everyone posts a bit more sporadically? we shall see.

either way, daily visit or not, i am thrilled to have found you and your words... :)