It’s hard to remember what I did before I started blogging. What the heck did I do with myself all day? Could I have cleaned? Worked out? Gone to lunch?
And then, enter Twitter. Holy crap, no wonder I’ve gained weight. Aside from quitting smoking, the only exercise I seem to get is the tap, tap, tap of the fingernails. Let me tell you, I have nice fingernails. Typing is great exercise if you want your nails to be long and strong.
I have a problem though. I have an addictive personality. And so really, when people speak of an internet addiction…I’m right there. *raises hand* My name is Melissa and I’m a Twitter/Blogging addict.
I woke up this morning, went on my computer, checked my stats, checked my DM’s and emails. And almost started to cry. Not just because of the fact that I haven’t been getting a ton of comments lately. What’s up with THAT, by the way 😉 And not because I’m disillusioned with where blogging is starting to go and with the generalized reputation that us Mommy bloggers are starting to get. Which, by the way, I am NOT a product whore. A comment whore, yes. NOT a product review/sponsor whore. I resent that some of the bad seeds are giving the rest of us bloggers a bad rep. So, to those of you out there who think all bloggers are like that, we aren’t. Some are. Definitely. But the ones I know are as real, as transparent, as you can get.
ANYWAY… because I’ve neglected so many other things that I love. So many things that I want to start. Or finish. Simply because I can’t get my secretary spread off the fucking blogs and Twitter.
So, I have a little list. A New School Years Resolution, of sorts. The new school year is QUICKLY approaching, and for some of us, it already has arrived. I decided, since this is sort of a pivotal year, with all my big kids in middle school *GASP* and my little one starting Kindergarten, I need to restructure a little. I need to get back to doing other things. That I enjoyed and haven’t done since this addiction overtook me.
1. I need to exercise. I do. I’m mushier and more out of shape than I have EVER been in my entire life. And I can’t stand how it feels. I have videos. AND a never before used…gym membership. I am paying for it and I’ve NEVER. Not ONCE. Ever set foot inside that gym. Except for, when I went to check it out before I joined!
2. I need. I must. Start crocheting again. Purses, hats, scarves. I loved doing that. I love the feel of yarn. I love seeing the ideas I have come to fruition. And I haven’t done any projects in ages, aside from a beautiful chemo hat I made for someone at my Dads office. Which, I haven’t given her yet!
3. Read. The last time I read anything, aside from blogs and Tweets, was Twilight. Which I read about 30 pages and threw it across the room. I hated how it was written. And haven’t read anything since. I need to get myself lost in a book again. Any suggestions?
4. Start and complete some projects. Even though they are internet related. But they would keep me away from my stats and worrying about why people aren’t commenting on my posts! And I have some really interesting and cool projects up my sleeve, I just need to find a way to pull them out.
5. Cook. I love cooking. I hate cooking for my family. They love to complain, no matter what. So they might as well have a dinner bitchfest over something yummy that I’d eat. Instead of complaining over what shaped noodles I served.
Those are just the beginning. My short list. Things I need to do to get away from the drama, politics and crap that is becoming part of the Mommy Blogosphere. And driving me nuts.
How has blogging changed your day to day existence? What are you doing to try to keep your life…normal?
Since I work full time, blogging is still something I have to fit in when I can. I’d love to spend more time blogging!
Before blogging’ I was all about AOL message boards. Those were interesting!
I’m right there with you about all the social media being addicting…I struggle not to let it overtake me during my workday (so hard). I love your list (it closely resembles my own with the exception of crocheting). I’ve found that taking time to exercise (by myself) has been very therapeutic for me. And the last book I read was The Shack (loved) and anything by Nicholas Sparks is awesome.
I’m lucky that I’ve got a quiet enough job that I can spend all day blogging and on twitter. I also know that if I end up in a particularly busy seat, there are quite a few pages in my roll that I can leave – I only read them cos they’re there. (Don’t worry, you’re not one of them!)
I’ve got a recommendation for #3. I saw the book and thought I’d have to read it when I got a chance, then heard very good things from a number of very different friends. I started the Gargoyle the Andrew Davidson earlier this week and I’m absolutely hooked. It’s beautiful!
I used to be all-consumed too way back when – it’s normal. These days blogging takes a backseat to everything. I write because I like to write, period. If blogging isn’t fun or enjoyable for some reason, or I feel pressured to come up with something, I step away.
I read and comment on maybe 3-5 posts a day – because I have something of significance to offer, not because I need to comment on every blog in my reader so they comment or mine or something. I post youtube videos of my fav songs that get no comments – because my blog is my personal space, a reflection of me, my posts are for me, not my readers. Real life – my family, my hobbies, my friends, my home, my pleasures – those come first. Online – writing, Facebooking, reading blogs – dead last. A thing I do when my man is taken care of, my kids are taken care of, my body is taken care of my my house is taken care of.
Be your own Melissa. If people don’t like it, fuck ’em.
I could write a book on how blogging changes you & life as you know it.. The balance is hard.. it really is.. I struggle with it, not as much as I used too. On the weekends I am barely on twitter because it is too hard to keep up with the replies..and I hate not being able to reply right away..
I have not read an adult book or a book not related to photography in about three months.. I miss that too..
I missing reading books. Adult books, not board books. I read board books all the time. I think I spend too much online. I read tons of blogs but it isn’t the same as sitting down in a quiet place and reading a book. I miss that.
Read the Eragon series it is fantastic!
uh, yeah. I’m new to all this, having just launched my blog in April, but my husband has already threatened to divorce me because I pay more attention to my laptop than to him. Poor soul. And books? What are those again?
Do your kids balk over noodle shapes too? Annoying.
Best of luck with your plans!
Oh, I am so hearing you Melissa. I am a newish blogger/twitterer myself but I honestly think I am getting way too addicted to it.
I am trying to wean myself off blogging. I am only posting every couple of days now, unless inspiration strikes me. Twitter is a bit harder…it’s just so bloddy addictive. But I know it’s doable. It would probably just take heaps more conscious effort on my part. But it can and shall be done.
So I wish you and me the best of luck!
*bloody* sorry I’m missing half my brain…again.
Blogging has obviously changed my life completely. It’s definitely a job substitute for me just now, something to exercise my thinking muscles, and a way to connect with people. I seem to be reading different blogs from you, though, because that whole sponsoring thing is kind of passing me by. Probably because I tend to delete the blogs that do a lot of reviews from my reader after a while. It’s a bit tiresome.
You should get to the gym – that’s my other addiction. I used to have a gym membership and never go, too, but now I love it.
I love your list. I am going to borrow from it extensively.
Last one out of the house is tough, but you’ll be okay. He will love school!
I’m going through the same thing. I’ve found that in order to get critical things in my life done right now, I have to limit my online time, period.
I’m reading “The Senator’s Wife” by Sue Miller. She is one of my favorite authors. Most people know her for “The Good Mother” which was made into a movie with Diane Keaton many years ago.
I’ve also gotten hooked on “Six Feet Under” which you may have watched when it ran on HBO or maybe not. It’s good, though, if you haven’t seen it.
Anyhow, good luck with seeking balance. I enjoy your blog immensely and look forward to your posts.
I decided a long time ago to just blog to blog and not to sell anything or advertise anything. That may change sometime in the future, but for now, I just blog for me and to write and take photography for some great friends and feedback. It has been a surprisingly wonderful positive thing in my life!
Great list, Mel, and I hear you about the addiction. I think this is a lot of the reason that I am just horrible at keeping the house in any sort of order – well, not really, but it is one reason. And also guilty of leaving the kids to their own devices a bit too much.
So I’m with you on this… and you SHOULD get into the gym. It’s amazing how great you feel after a great workout! I’ve just started and I’ve already started to feel the effects again.
Oh, and I agree with Vic, The Gargoyle is something so very different. And another book I just read that I couldn’t put down, The House on Fortune Street. Just off the top of my head…
Great list. I need to make one, but first I need to catch up on your 40 kajillion blog posts! lol
These are good! I’ll join you. Except the crochet, because I am useless at anything remotely crafty.
Comment whore??? Love the honesty.
I find it’s good to unplug for a while. Helps keep the sanity.
Good luck with the exercise. I’ve recently been on a “kick” and it’s really helped.
I apparently have been able to stay pretty oblivious to the blogger drama, or at least not let it get to me. Whew! That’s kind of weird, because I’m letting everything else get to me these days. Sigh.
If you ever want a workout buddy (but I can’t afford a gym membership, so not there) let me know, cuz I need to work out too.
What kind of books do you like? I’d love to recommend some…
I don’t get much reading done myself lately, but being on vacation, I just finished reading “Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rockstar” by Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue. Not a long book but a very telling & scary look into his life for a year. I have always loved Motley Crue & I really wanted the book so my daughter bought it for mr for my b’day. Obviously, not a book for kids. Also, some graphic pics & drawings, but I really enjoyed it.
*This is my own personal opinion of a book I got as a gift!*