A fourth of a score and some change ago, I started this little blog that you happen to be perusing today. Called Cedar's Mountain, it basically contained my witty and sometime acerbic observations about life, the real world and the cyber world.
For 1,047 posts, I managed to keep not only my readers, but myself entertained as well. Through the various peaks and valleys, and yes, even through the cyclical nature of people's tastes, attitudes and their lives, I tried to be that anchor of calm in an ocean of chaos.
This past week, after posting two throwaways (1048 & 1049) on my bog, I've come to the bitter realization that maybe it's time to ride off into the sunset.
I came to this realization not gradually, but rather suddenly, in that while I was supposedly procrastinating about writing a post about turntables & music, I was really procrastinating about having to write something for the blog.
Sometimes, after we do something that we love for an extended period of time, we wake up one day with a case of "WTF am I doing this for?"
In other words, we are nauseated by what we love to do.
My friends, after five and a quarter years of blogging, I am suddenly overwhelmed with a bad case of nausea. I look at my blog and say to myself, "What am I doing here?"
Previously, the answer would be, "You're here to write a blog post, so get to it."
Now, the answer is, "Damned if I know."
Granted, it's a bad answer to give yourself. It's also a bad answer to give everyone else who depends on you to fulfill their weekly dose of you.
But, as I'm want to say from time to time, there is more to this than meets the eye.
Burnout coupled with disillusionment can often cause people to make snap decisions that they later regret (guilty as charged). So my friends, I need to think long and hard about what I want to do versus what I need to do with this blog.
And because I need to think long and hard about my blogging future, I'm going on hiatus for short spell. You'll still be able to peruse my blogs, as not only do I detest closing a blog for any kind of reason (FSG notwithstanding), but I still intend to be a presence in the cyber world.
I'll still read and comment on your blogs, because quite frankly it's the perfect mental break for the day and/or evening.
Piltdown Man, Lovecraft and Tequila Sunrises for all.
I remain yours in perpetuity,
George
Sunday, September 8, 2013
22 comments:
Go on, give me your best shot. I can take it. If I couldn't, I wouldn't have created this wonderful little blog that you decided to grace with your presence today.
About that comment moderation thingy: While yes, it does say up above I can take it, I only use it to prevent the occasional miscreant from leaving thoughtless and/or clueless comments.
So remember, all of your comments are greatly appreciated and all answers will be given that personal touch that you come to expect and enjoy.
G. B. Miller
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Sometimes a break is all we need. Time to refill the well. Then the blogging urge may reawaken. Hope to see you around the blogosphere again in the future!
ReplyDeleteDebra: Thanks. I'll still be around reading and commenting while I'm on hiatus and hopefully will come up with a decision that makes everyone happy.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Debra. It sounds like it's time for a sabbatical. Enjoy, and return when your brain feels fruitful. (One possible interpretation of that: when you're feeling bananas!) ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe all need a break. I've felt just the way you have before, but recently I feel I'm getting closer and closer to closing my blog too, but something stops me. Having a break will definitely help you make the right decision. Enjoy your holiday!
ReplyDeleteS.R.: It's already been a tough blogging year for me, but as of late, I've been more or less suffering from brain freeze. Can't tell you how many times I've started writing something only to simply dry up halfway through.
ReplyDeleteJoe: Thanks.
The reality is that I've been thinking about this issue for quite a while, but lately it has forced itself to the forefront and dominated my down time.
Hey, I'm with Debra. Sometimes a break is all we need to recharge :)
ReplyDeleteM: Yup.
ReplyDeleteWe shall see what we shall see.
Nothing wrong with a hiatus. I've been considering it. Disillusionment is a helluva thing. I'm going through it pretty strongly myself right now.
ReplyDeleteDon't go away, G. But post when you feel like it. I, for one, can not post every day. Too many other responsibilities. And I'm sure you're the same too.
ReplyDeleteCharles: To tell you the truth, I really need a break. Last real extended break was back in 2008, when no one was really reading my blog. Also the last time I took a real vacation too.
ReplyDeleteDisillusionment is something I wouldn't wish on anyone, but sometimes, you just can't avoid it.
David: I've already cut down to three days a week and like you, I got other things that are crying for my attention first.
Not sure what I really want to do here. After all, blogging has done so much for me that I really don't know where I would be if I didn't have it to begin with it.
I'm with the others G - just stop, relax and when you feel you have something to say start up again:)I've always felt you've been too hard on yourself trying to post so regularly so just go with the flow for a while and forget about blogging. Chill:)
ReplyDeleteJane: I've been trying but so far it's been a 50/50 proposition.
ReplyDeleteRecently, I've come across so many bloggers who are feeling this same disenchantment with blogging (myself included)who are saying the same things as you!
ReplyDeleteI decided to let go of the guilt and just post what and whenever I feel like - considering the number of comments my posts usually receive I doubt very much I'd be missed if I shut up shop altogether!
Take a break, chill out, divert your interests elsewhere - and then come back and tell us what you're up to, like old friends who get together to 'chew the fat'!
;-)
SueH: I've done it for so long and established myself as as such a dependable person that I do have a good chunk of guilt in taking a break.
ReplyDeleteBut...a break/hiatus is what I really need right now. Gotta free up those brain cells somehow.
I can understand wanting to take a break. But maybe a break is just the thing to rejuvenate your blogging.
ReplyDeleteIt's also hard to keep up with reading all the blogs. I don't know how some people do it - one blogger told me she has more than 500 she visits and comments on. What???
Lynn: I have about 125-150 blogs that I read on a weekly basis (usually takes me about two-three days to get to them all), so that won't be a problem to keep up with.
ReplyDeleteWe shall see what we shall see when all is said and done.
Due to a lot of busyness and a few personal reasons, I have been doing a horrible job lately of not only updating my own blog, but getting around to OTHER blogs to read -- so I'm sorry for my very late comment!
ReplyDeleteObviously I can understand needing a blog break, since I've pretty much been taking my own for the last few months. :) But, like you, I'm not sure I want to end the whole thing just yet. So I update when the mood strikes and I have the time... I'm still hoping I can eventually get back into it, but if not, at least I have a pretty amazing record of the last eight years.
Regardless of what you decide, I hope you'll stick around Facebook! :)
Lisa: As the saying goes, real life trumps the cyber life.
ReplyDeleteI'm still staying up-to-date with the blogs that I follow/subscribe to, if only because everyone else's is fascinating to read.
I'm still around Facebook as it's fast becoming my second home, but lately even that is driving me nuts.
I've been unable to load your comment box for days! Sorry I'm late getting the words to you-
ReplyDeleteApparently you've been having a trying week- According to recent posts, n don't want to force blog-writing that isin't fun or productive.
You are always so hard on yourself! I hope after a rest you will again find motivation to continue. Meanwhile. I'll be missing your wit n sense of humor. Plus I won't do FB. Email is also very difficult now.
Personally, I've been forced not to blog so often lately, I'm fighting to continue against my out-dated technology with hours n days of persistence- even just to get these thoughts to you I've been trying to post about 10 times already!
Chin up! Love your stuff- Rest up n hang in. Hope it gets fun for you again
Snaggle: Thnaks. I appreciate the sentiment.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually been going on for a while now, this blogging burnout. It's only recently reached an apex in which everything feels forced and not up to my usual standards.
And yes, I agree that I'm always hard on myself. I've always been hard on myself ever since I was a child, which is why I'm so invaluable as an employee at my various stops over the years.
Scale back or take a break. It can overwhelm and burn out. That's why I only post a couple times a week (under normal circumstances) because in between, I can relax and refresh.
ReplyDeleteRemember, this should be fun! If it's not, time to re-evaluate.
Alex: This is very true. Blogging should be fun and as of late, it has not been.
ReplyDeleteThus the need for a well deserved hiatus, if only to get my act together, so to speak.