When I first started blogging, I threw myself into it by commenting on a million blogs, entering every bloghop in existence and basically running myself ragged trying to get everything done. Frankly, it was the best thing to do because it helped me find some awesome people and taught me a whole bunch of things I'd never have learned otherwise. By the end of 2012, I was tired. I found myself skipping bloghops, and posting and commenting a lot less.
For 2013, I'd like to find a balance. I LOVE blogging and communicating with people but I also need to remember that I can't do everything. I have to live in the real world, I have to write, I have to do many other things as well as blogging. So, I guess my insecurity is that I might not be able to find that balance, and that if I take too much time away, people will forget about me.
I'll keep working at it, and hopefully everything will fall into place very soon!
Hello from IWSG and Happy New Year! If you need to take a blogging break, I'll understand. I didn't blog for a few months after I had my baby last year. (That's so strange referring to 2012 as last year!) Most of us here should understand that we have other responsibilities outside of our blog.
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to find a balance sometimes and think most of us struggle with it at some point. I find myself putting the computer on while eating breakfast before heading out to work or grabbing a few minutes while the dinner cooks! We all need to say 'no' occasionally (wish I could take my own advice!). I hope you find what works for you, Kyra. Have a Happy New Year :)
ReplyDeleteLate last year, I dropped back to posting 2x per week instead of 3. And I decided that I couldn't possibly visit every blog I followed all the time. I would have to visit periodically -- and hopefully people would understand.
ReplyDeleteThe elusive BALANCE. I have probably blogged about that topic at least 5 times last year alone. I'm always searching for it and just when I think I may have found it, events strike and knock it all to hell.
ReplyDeleteMay you find balance in 2013.
I understand exactly what your thinking. I toned it down this year, but last year I had to comment on everything and post often. It was exhausting and taking time away from my writing.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll find a good balance.
I'm still struggling with finding that balance. It's difficult to do when you really want to do it all! Good luck finding your balance.
ReplyDeleteHoly crow, finding balance is so hard. You always go above and beyond with the commenting. Kyra- I always laugh when I see a post go up because it amuses me to see if it's you or Alex who will leave the first comment. You two never fail to beat me there first! LOL
ReplyDeleteSeriously, you do what you must do, so as to not burn yourself out. Make sure you take time for yourself to unplug everything-even if it's just ten minutes to have a cup of tea, or close your eyes in quiet. Sometimes, that can make all the difference in the world. xo
That's just so creepy...you totally read my mind!!!! I am so in need of balance! I have almost totally given up TV and doing my hair. It's frightening!
ReplyDeleteFind your balance! Even I need to scale back now and then.
ReplyDeleteI agree, this is so hard! I wish I had more time to blog as much as I want to. I hate when I miss people's posts. But it's just not always possible, especially when there are so many awesome bloggers to keep up with!
ReplyDeleteI've so been there! I had a freak out moment at the end of 2011 and I stopped blogging completely. That lasted all of two weeks until I started the blog I have now. It's been great to find that balance. Here's hoping I can keep it up in 2013!
ReplyDeleteBalance is so hard. I've been trying to find balance, but really I'm just running back and forth between two extremes. And I love blogging and commenting so much. I never thought I would, but the writing community is awesomesauce on toast.
ReplyDeleteTook me FOREVER to accept I couldn't blog as much as I wanted. I still have a tough time with it. But on the priority list, it had to slide down a couple rungs so I could get crap done. Schedules help a TON. But don't worry about not 'doing it all'. No one can do that.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hear you! That was me a few years ago. Balance is imperative for my well-being. I've finally excepted I can't comment on all the blogs I follow for every blog post. I'm working on getting to each at least once a week. I work 3/4s time to defray medical costs accumulated and try to write as well as take care of family/ranch chores. Something has to give and it can't be my health again. Sheesh.
ReplyDeleteAll you can do is your best and you know what? Your best changes from day to day. :-)
Good luck with the balance, and you are so right, you can't do everything and have to balance it as best you can. I don't have as much time as I'd like for commenting and joining in things but I try and accept that I just do what I can!
ReplyDeleteWe won;t forget you. I took part in a lot less bloghops in 2012 than the previous year. They do help you make friends, but the more you do, the more friends you make and keeping up with them all is hard. Quality is better than quantity!
ReplyDeleteAs in all things, balance is essential. I really do understand how one can be swept away in this era of constant communication, but--like you-- I've decided to make time for other things in my life, too.
ReplyDeleteHere's to both of us succeeding in our "balanced" goals for 2013.
I need to find more balance between blogging, social media, family, etc. which is hard to do. It's so time-consuming and after awhile, it gets exhausting. I comment less on blogs now because I don't feel like it. I'll continue to read posts, but don't comment.
ReplyDeleteI definitely need to find balance in this New Year! Hopefully, I can find it!
Good luck with this Kyra! You're not alone! :D
I agree wholeheartedly with this. I totally crashed at the end of 2012. There's just so much to keep up with. And I completely understand the feeling that if you're not commenting and posting people will forget about you (I won't forget about you!). This is something I'll be looking to work on this year too.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and good luck!
When you figure out the balance thing please write a post so the rest of us will know how to do it too!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Kyra!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that it is difficult to find the happy medium. I also find it a challenge to balance blogging, writing and visiting but I'm working on it!
If you find the magic formula, please share with us.
Balance is huge! That's what I've been trying to find over the past few months, and I still don't feel like I have it. I want to do more blogging, but I want to spend more time on my writing. I wish I just had more hours in the day, but then I'd probably just work slower and get the same amount accomplished. Let me know when you discover the secret. :)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I'm always trying to find some form of balance. You can't do everything, and everyone should understand that. I know I've been cutting back where I can, so I can get time to write, edit, read, just take a break. Blogfests are almost the hardest to turn down because you want to support your blogging buddies, but I've started asking myself: Can I plan this within my blogging schedule? Do I have the time to do it? If the answers are no, then I'll have to pass. It helps. :)
ReplyDeleteYES! I'm all for balance in 2013, too. :D
ReplyDeleteI starting blogging in the opposite manner. I had no idea how to reach out, and thought things would just happen. :) Now, busy with everything under the sun, I need to find more blog hops and comment more. As you say, balance is muy importante (and as I say, know-how is key).
ReplyDeleteBalance is a tough thing to attain. I don't have the answer but I wish you luck. When you find the way to balance, please share with me. :)
ReplyDeleteAhhh, balance. That wonderful ideal... I think it's important to remember that the scales will often be tipped in one direction or another, but as long as they balance out over time, that's the main thing. Best of luck with finding a balance that works for you, Kyra. :-)
ReplyDeleteBalance is hard! I'm finding the same thing. I'm busy and don't always have time to respond to comments or even blog, but I try to set aside a little bit of time each week for it. It really helps! Good luck finding balance!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat Kyra - finding balance is very difficult. I found myself burning out on blogging as well. I think that's a great goal for 2013, one I will try to live up to as well.
ReplyDeleteBalance. Is it even possible to find it when the word itself has an unbalanced amount of letters?
ReplyDeleteI too wish you luck in your quest, and hope you share your balancing success as you find it. Either way, we will never forget about you :D
Hi Kyra,
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to spend all day on the internet and not get any writing done. I applaud you in your effort to find balance! (And let me know if you learn any tricks along the way.)
I'm with you all the way on balance. Happy New Year, Kyra.
ReplyDeleteBalance is incredibly important. Hope you find it!
ReplyDeleteIf you find the key to balance, will you tell me the secret???? ;-)
ReplyDeleteI feel like this happens to me. If I don't read everybody's blog, comment and then try to post on my own blog, I'll disappear from the blogosphere. Then there's real life and writing to fit in there somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI struggle finding a balance too. I have being a mum, writing, avoiding housework and reviewing books and blogging to squeeze into my days. I need more hours in the day and then I'd be sorted!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you won't be forgotten about! I'm always trying to find a balance. I've hardly commented over the past month, due to Christmas and other stuff going on, and it feels like I've been away for a million years, but I know it's not really. I love taking part in bloghops, but feel bad if I don't get to every entry. We're only human... let me know if you come up with any tips!
ReplyDeleteA balance with blogging is hard to find! It's a great goal, and I wish you luck.
ReplyDeletekyra, we are entering a new phase of blogging. wen we publish, we have less time to dedicate to the blog & hops because we have to promote. i am finding that is what i am most anxious about and i'm not even there yet. but im a planner so this is tough to plan!
ReplyDeletejust keep us up to date on you as you can and we will be thrilled!
happy 2013!
Finding balance is hard for me, too. Something always gives, and sadly it's either blogging or writing.
ReplyDeleteThis year will be a great year for both of us! I can feel it. :)
This is really hard for me as well. Blogging has been such an amazing experience for me but it can also be so time-consuming. Good luck finding your balance and Happy 2013! :)
ReplyDeleteHello! Happy new year.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a juggling act. I too love the blogging community, but it can take over if I'm not careful.
Ah, that tricksky thing called balance... I'm still struggling to find balance. May you find yours!
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of folks have "balance" on their list of goals for 2013. If you discover the secret, let me know. ;)
ReplyDeleteBalance is such a tough thing to find. It seems that blogging might take up my time, or writing, or life. Balancing all three is tough.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to balance our time, no matter what things we're attempting to juggle. Good luck to us all!
ReplyDeleteI am looking for balance too! AMAZING! And I agree - it was great to get out there and get to know the writing community, but there is so much else to do, it's hard to fit it all in. So here's a cyber CHEERS to finding balance! :)
ReplyDeleteOh man. I'm SO like you Kyra. I started my blog in July of 2011 and for a year I was REALLY good at it. Then I really sucked at it. Haha. Now I'm staring to find that balance. Is it perfect? Heck no! But I'm working on it. :) We'll work on it together!
ReplyDeleteJust keep in mind that the balance your after centers around a moving target. Give yourself permission to be flexible with your posts (and visitations), and you'll do fine! :)
ReplyDelete