Popping Off
Blogger Guilt
Am I the only person who sometimes feels guilty for taking the time to blog?
I sit here clickety clacking away on my keyboard instead of:
1) Tickling my babies
2) Doing the laundry
3) Working out
4) Knitting, crocheting, sewing, etc.
5) Getting it on
6) Cleaning out my fridge
7) Going to the park
8) Doing my nails
9) Reading a book
10) Riding a burro across the country
Hmmm…
11) Staring at myself and berating myself in front of a mirror
12) Eating junk food
13) Feeling lonely and confined
14) Sticking tape on my cat’s nose
15) Casting my words into the sea of soon-to-be-lost message board and/or chat posts
Indeed.
Would I be doing all of those things if I wasn’t sitting here blogging right now?
I’m not making a dime off of this blog. And I really need to be spending my free (Ha! I make the time to blog!) time finding a way to earn bread*. I’ve been approaching blogging and online social networking like a job. I get up in the morning and set my kids up, then check and respond to email, make the blogging group rounds, make the blogging rounds, check Facebook and Twitter. Post here. Write there. I really enjoy it.
But is it a waste of my time?
Why are we drawn to things if they aren’t supposed to serve some purpose in our lives? Then again, I was drawn to drinking and clubbing in my twenties and that didn’t serve a purpose other than to age me prematurely. It was fun at the time, though.
Is blogging just another addiction? Or does it serve a higher purpose?
*To those born after 1969, bread=money
Tags: Discussion
25 comments for “Blogger Guilt”
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Good questions. Questions this blog addict cannot answer at this time. I’m running from the truth…
Mrs. B.´s last blog post..Junkie.
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Better than running from a giant tooth.
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What a wonderful blog! Keep it up!!
leon´s last blog post..New Wearable Feedbags Let Americans Eat More, Move Less
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Retro Heather Reply:
January 13th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Thank you! Got you on the flip side on Twitter.
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Oh yes, the guilt. I feel it. I am determined to get my social networking down to a schedule. You’re not surprised, right? This is one of the reasons I stay away from Twitter (and the fact that I am sill clueless about it). But, then again, social networking is all about meeting people and creating relationships. There are times I feel like being social and times I don’t so how do you put that to a schedule?
I should be go now, I have a meeting and my son needs my attention…….
Paula, Stuff 2b Organized´s last blog post..Paper Organization: Tips to End the Paper Clutter
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Retro Heather Reply:
January 14th, 2009 at 9:36 am
I totally know what you mean! I should work up a daily schedule for networking, knitting, chores, etc. It would make things run so much more smoothly & make sure that everything gets done that needs to get done. I just hate a schedule! But poop on me, I should get one anyway. Just for the weekdays at least.
I hope your meeting went well! I’m sure your son got a big hug and kiss, good for you.
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Hmmmmmmmmm - did I write this post when I wasn’t looking?
I do feel guilty, because I do treat my blog like its my work - a lot of time and energy is being devoted to it.
It would be nice if, one day, an income came floating back to me.
I can dream, right?
Creative Junkie´s last blog post..At least I’m not allergic to speed limits …
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Retro Heather Reply:
January 14th, 2009 at 9:40 am
It can happen! Hey, I had a thought yesterday. I was suggesting to Cheryl of The Daily Blonde (http://www.dailyblonde.blogspot.com/) that she get some “The Daily Blonde” t-shirts and mugs going at CafePress or something similar.
I think you would do well to either:
1) Do that yourself - The Creative Junkie is a really cool name & would look good on shirts and stuff, plus tons of people follow you and your popularity will only increase exponentially as time goes by…
and/or
2) Think of maybe working up a side business where you use your graphic arts supa-skilz and partner with bloggers to design stuff for their blogs. Maybe you could have a CafePress (or similar) store where you design all their stuff and sell it and give them a % of the profit or something like that. I’d attempt it myself, but I don’t have your graphic art talents.
YES>>>>>>>DREAM!!!!
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Guilty as charged! They need to come up with a new term for it .. Bluit! I feel so bluity today Heather:)
Marie Isabelle´s last blog post..Roman Mustard Makers
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Retro Heather Reply:
January 14th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Bluity and the Beast? Bluity is a Beast? sooooooooo sorry!
Following you on Twitter now - lol @ “waztootie”. I sense a story there.
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I admit it….I am a raging blog addict.
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How funny that you posted about this today!! I’m in the process of writing a post on Mommy Guilt!!! I’m still putting the finishing touches on it. I had to keep taking breaks from it because I felt guilty about writing a blog post instead of playing Candyland with my kids!
Helene´s last blog post..Out of the mouths of babes….
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Retro Heather Reply:
January 15th, 2009 at 7:24 am
I think we have a similar thought process. Good for me, scary for you! lol
I can’t wait to read your Mommy Guilt post. You’re right - it goes beyond blog guilt, doesn’t it?
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Yeah for Twitter! But.. bear with me I often Tweet in French or jibber jabber franglais:)
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Retro Heather Reply:
January 15th, 2009 at 7:50 am
I’ll keep an eye out for your Frweets! I’m going to start doing that too and I won’t let my complete lack of knowledge about France of the French language get in my way. I’ll be down to 5 followers by February.
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I know the feeling! Between blogging and commenting, I always feel like maybe I’m depriving someone or something!
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Retro Heather Reply:
January 17th, 2009 at 7:21 am
You’re not hinting around, are you? lol
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Dude, would you feel guilty about calling a friend and talking on the phone or meeting her for coffee for a good old chin wag?? That’s basically what you’re doing here. Connecting with other live human beings, and that is GOOD.
I guess it comes down probably to how much time it is taking up and how can you achieve a balance in life overall? That’s what I’ve had to struggle a bit with in blogging. BUt I may be getting there.
And money - money can come, they say in time.
xo
Jannie´s last blog post..Ukulele Me!
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Retro Heather Reply:
January 17th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Yes! Yes I would! I feel guilty about breathing lest I should be stealing my childrens’ precious air!
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Do you suppose our female ancestors felt guilt for the time they spent, away from their children, at say, a quilting bee? Or were they just thankful to be able to participate in the social networks that helped sustain them?
I wonder.
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Retro Heather Reply:
January 17th, 2009 at 7:22 am
I’m thinking they did.
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I feel too guilty to comment.
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Retro Heather Reply:
January 17th, 2009 at 7:23 am
You should feel guilty FOR that comment!
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You are such a good mom. I can tell.
Where do you live again, to refresh my faulty memory.
Jannie Funster´s last blog post..Ukulele Me!
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Retro Heather Reply:
January 17th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
1) Thank you! *mwoah*
2) Why - are you going to come and hit me over the head with your ukulele? It can only help. So cal Hi Desert just above Palm Springs.
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