I started this blog in March of 2007. I had others before that and created still more since (I have talked before about how I have this compulsion to grab blog real estate on a whim), but this is the one I’ve stuck with. I’ve been blogging for seven years, almost every day. I’ve never really concerned myself with being brilliant or witty (because I think that’s a quick route to CrazyTown). I blog for myself, because I feel compelled to say something to The Void.
In the last six months, I’ve had less to say. There are days that go by when I haven’t blogged–in some cases it’s because I get busy and I forget. Earlier this year, I put my food blog Pots and Plots on hiatus because I just couldn’t keep up. I intended to come back to it at some point, but I haven’t. It was something I could let go in a life full of busy busy things, very few of which I have the option to let go of.
I haven’t had less to say because I’m too busy but more because a lot of what I’ve had to say feels…uninteresting or, worse (to my mind) negative. I firmly believe that you get back more of what you put out into the world. Over the last few years, I’ve gotten increasingly sensitive to negativity. I avoid the news–most of it is bad and paints a picture of a world I don’t want to think about. I’d rather spend my time on Upworthy and at DailyGood, reminding myself of the fact that there IS good in the world. I don’t know that the world is going to hell in a handbasket now more than it ever was, but certainly the proliferation of social media means that we are bombarded more than ever before with images and thoughts and stories that show the absolute WORST of humanity–and that gives a very biased picture. Being around it makes me want to hold my index fingers in the sign of the cross to ward off evil. I can just feel it settling over me like a miasma of ICK. It gets my back up and makes me grumpy and I just hate it. So I’ve made a really concerted effort to cut down on the negativity in my life and to consciously choose to focus on the positive. It’s really done wonders for my personal level of zen.
So, since I haven’t had a whole lot of positive to talk about, and I don’t want to spread any personal negativity, I’ve been less talkative. I’m working on thinking of more ways to send positive vibes out into the world. I’ve had a great time putting together my Awesome Things posts. The direction of my writing has generally turned to one that’s considerably less dark and angsty than it used to be. The stuff I’m reading is a lot brighter and happier. So…that’s what I’m inclined to share.
5 thoughts on “On Blog Slacking”
I am so on the same page as you. I try to keep up with the big things, which I know will trickle my way through social networks and/or chatting with people. But I just can’t watch the news daily anymore. I haven’t the stomach, or perhaps more accurately, the emotional strength to see it and not be affected. I’m looking for opportunities to volunteer, I try not to whine on social networks anymore (also why I’ve stopped blogging, I want to share happy things!), and in general, focus on choosing to be content and happy rather than anxious. It’s a struggle, but it’s a struggle worth dealing with, I guess.
I’m hearing this a lot lately from many sources. It makes me feel a little better since I thought I was the only one; good to know I’m not alone. Sad that it is happening to so many. After several years of hard battles and finally moving into a better place, I’ve been stunned to find myself unable to get into the flow of writing the way I used to. So much badness going on, two deaths, and I just can’t seem to break out of the funk that dragged me down when things were awful.
Like you and Belinda I try to keep up but there’s just so much negativity I can’t seem to make my way out of the dumps. Then I feel like a slacker or a fake. And around it goes. I hope it gets better for all of us. Keep up the good work, both of you. You can get through this. Maybe it’ll pass with the holidays? (she asked, eyes shining with hope)
I try so hard to always stay positive. Some days it’s easier than others. I agree the news is so depressing sometimes. But then there are those little things you see on there that warm your heart. Our local news channel is very good about doing some stories that make you believe there’s hope for us all. 🙂 It’s the political bashing that really sends out negativity for me. Bleh. You know that saying “Why can’t we just all get along?”. That’s how I always feel.
One of the things I do is try to surround myself with positive people. We only have a couple of people here at work that are negative. My mom is SO positive, even when she feels bad. Hubby is…so-so. Positive people always make me feel better.
I’m relieved to see that I’m not the only one who has been in a grump slump. Of course, 2013 has not been a very good year for me, either. I was so stressed that I had to delete my personal facebook account because I was such a grump.
I don’t know if this will work for you, but whenever I think or feel negative, I don’t ignore it, I simply replace it with at least two positive thoughts or do something positive like dance with the Wii or watch Disney movies. It sounds childish, I know, but sometimes we have to find our inner child and let it out to play once in a while. I hope things get better for you! 🙂
I am a BIG fan of Disney movies. When Tangled came out, my husband and I were the only ones there without kids in tow. Anyway, I certainly don’t meant to give the impression that things are bad. They aren’t. I’ve just had grumpy thoughts that didn’t seem productive to share. I’ve been working on focusing on gratitude instead. 🙂