Comments on: The Hazards of Blogging

By: LisaSD

LisaSD — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 08:18:55 +0000

One thing I have tried to do is not feel pressured to post to my blog just to post. I only want to post when I feel I have something meaningful and well thought-out to share with some wonderful new friends. I am so impressed with not only the content but some of the wonderful photography on other people's blogs. LisaSDs last blog post..How Can You Help Families of Injured Soldiers?

By: mushroom love « fiona lynne

mushroom love « fiona lynne — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:52:16 +0000

[...] Chicken, Mushroom and Cheese Quesadillas from Dine and Dish [...]

By: Asha

Asha — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:40:19 +0000

Just checked your mail.
It’s so true! We do lose ourselves in blogging before we even realize it indeed. Only when your kids say “mom!! you and your blogging!!” and husband gets jealous of my blogs, that I realized how far I have gone!
Glad you wrote this, comments and blog friends are like icing on the cake of course which we do enjoy. Everything tastes great in moderation!!

Take care, see you next year! )

By: Carolyn Jung

Carolyn Jung — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:59:57 +0000

You said it, Sister. I’m new to blogging (only been doing it about six months), but I easily see how consuming it can become. My husband came up with a rule that I cannot be on the computer when he comes home from work. Needless to say, I broke that rule many times already. While on vacation recently, he tried to keep me off his laptop, as I constantly wanted to monitor my blog or get on Twitter. It’s good to have a wise husband who knows that there is a real need for down time. I hope we all remember that. It’s good to be passionate and diligent about something. But it’s also good to step away from it for awhile to spend time on the real _ and real important _ things in life, too.

By: SortinItAllOut

SortinItAllOut — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:21:15 +0000

Hi, Great post…I just started blogging and I am going a little overboard–not with posting, but with exploring other peoples blogs and enjoying their thoughts and lives.

I want to keep blogging, but I will have to find a time limit. Thanks for the reality check!

By: Sandy O

Sandy O — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:07:07 +0000

HI, I found your blog through a link in another blog. I so agree with what you are saying. I often wish I could type faster with less mistakes, since that would decrease the amount of time it takes to create a post. A good reminder that things like this happen slowly, and sometimes we don’t even realize it until it reaches the point you described.

The movie Fireproof is such a good movie. I rarely purchase movies because there are so few quality movies. This movie, though, will be purchased as soon as it is released. I have not seen such a good movie since “A Walk to Remember”.
Sandy O

By: Nate

Nate — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:37:30 +0000

Preach it, sister!

I’ve been burning the midnight oil far too long, missing sleep and bedtime cuddling. It really saps your energy and will.

But I realize that as a new blogger, it’s a stage you have to go through. Especially the stats addiction. I like to think I’m getting over that but not completely.

Nates last blog post..Thien Long Restaurant (San Jose)

By: Jennifer Fields

Jennifer Fields — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:52:51 +0000

What a great post Kristen. I just started a blog so this is great to read to keep in mind!!!

By: Alexa

Alexa — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:55:21 +0000

Thank you for this great post. I think that any of your readers can relate to this. I have also noticed that there’s a high burnout rate among food bloggers and this explains it–a fair warning.
It’s so important to get some perspective. Have a great weekend, Kristen!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:47:12 +0000

Thank you for posting this! I went to comment yesterday and I kept getting distracted at work.

When I started blogging (granted only four months ago) I was determined to post every day, seven days a week. I would get stressed if I thought I wouldn’t be able to post every day. It totally took the joy out of it for me. Thanks for reminding me why I’m blogging and what’s important. You’re the best!

Jessicas last blog post..Salmon Nicoise

By: Donna

Donna — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:12:41 +0000

Thanks for the gentle reminder Kristin!

I do remember reading Susan’s post at Sticky,Gooey,Creamy,Chewy a while ago.
I even asked her if I could quote her words, because that’s exactly how I’ve felt lately.

I was baking for TWD among other things, taking photos, and blogging about it. But it didn’t stop there. I still had to answer every comment and in the beginning when there were only 75 members, I could comment on everyone’s blog. Now it’s over 300 members and there’s NO way I can do all that. As it was, I was spending 2 days or more, just baking, photographing, answering comments and blogging. Blogrolls are great for perpetuating this obsessive phenomenon and I love to hate it. I feel like a crack addict, out of control and looking for my next fix. My life was going down the crapper!

The more you comment on others blogs, the more comments you get and the higher your stats.

It was bothering me so much, that I wrote a piece on it for an audition of sorts. I needed to back away too. I was competing against myself! Like Susan said, my comments and stats started to suffer.

So, here I am I’m still sitting at my computer, reading YOUR blog at 1:00am! My hubby has long since gone to bed without me!

Thanks for addressing this Kristen and Susan! It needed to be said!

Donnas last blog post..CONGRATULATIONS To The Cookbook Giveaway Winner!

By: Hot Garlic

Hot Garlic — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:19:55 +0000

This has SO, SO been on my mind too. All of it. The time, the emotions involved, the sacrifices. But mostly the inner struggle it creates -it’s like a bad drug sometimes. It has so many positive things for me, it’s an outlet, it’s social, I get to be creative, and my ego is stroked because to some people I’m an expert…

But sometimes the cost is really, really high. I feel sometimes like it does control me, and I’m a slave to it. I sometimes wish it was all bad, so I could just give it up, but it is mostly good, I just need to be better at letting it not control me. It is such a hard balance for me personally.

I loved it so much when my blog was just my family and friends and for ME! But you only get about 50 hits a day and 3 comments off of that, which is hard, because the more you get, the more it validates you and all of the hard work you put into it. I, like you, thrive on it being personal, which is so hard to do once you hit that wave of sudden viewership beyond family, friends, and friends of friends.

I don’t know what the answer is, I really, really struggle with it all though too. I wish it were easier to blog in moderation, but you’re right, to be successful you either have to go for it for real or be content with your blog being small-time.

Oh the trials, I hope I can figure it out… I really do.

This was a great post Kristin, really, really good. It is so good to know it’s not just me.

Hot Garlics last blog post..Caramel Apples {cute as a button}

By: Pink Heels

Pink Heels — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:40:30 +0000

The only pressure as it relates to blogging is what we place on ourselves. The minute that the Pink Heels blog becomes a ‘job’ or detracts me from the things that are important to me, I will cut the strings.

It is worth pointing out that my absolute favorite blogger only posts once a month! When the new post is up, I savor every morsel and wait in anticipation for the next one. Quality is far more important then quantity…in my opinion.

Don’t be afraid to take a break from blogging and technology.

By: Mrs. L

Mrs. L — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:04:28 +0000

We try to have one day a week where we go home and don’t turn on the TV or computer. The past three weeks have been so busy at home that I haven’t had much of a chance to post or read blog stuff which has been nice but that feeling that “I’m behind” sticks with me

By: Patricia Scarpin

Patricia Scarpin — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:15:09 +0000

That’s why I don’t post daily neither on weekends. I have set that as a limit, so I can enjoy my house, my husband.
Of course that not having kids yet helps a lot, I don’t know if I would be able to blog if I had kids.
I do work far from home, from 8:30am to 5:30pm, but since I work as an executive assistant and my boss is not around all the time I’m able to read the blogs I love at the office.

Patricia Scarpins last blog post..Brioche filled with chocolate ganache

By: Shari

Shari — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:12:05 +0000

This is a great post with lots of food for thought. Balance is so hard. Sharis last blog post..Whisk Wednesdays—Navarin d'Agneau Printanier (Lamb Stew with Spring Vegetables)

By: Erin

Erin — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:58:15 +0000

What an excellent post. It's tricky deciding what the balance will be for a blogger, isn't it? I love the feel of visiting a blog and leaving a comment and then knowing the comment is read and responded to. I always knew I wanted to have a blog that felt "small" in that my readers would be like friends. But keeping up with comments is getting tougher and taking far longer than actually blogging and cooking. I love it but I don't want it to take away from what matters most. Thanks for the reminder to keep it in balance! Erins last blog post..Caramelized Onions Pear and Brie Crostini

By: Patsyk

Patsyk — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:31:05 +0000

Kristen – what a great post! I’ve been trying to balance blogging and life and am starting to get a handle on it.

That recipe sounds wonderful, so I am going to have to give it a try soon.

Patsyks last blog post..L’Shanah Tovah!

By: Esi

Esi — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:14:52 +0000

Well written post! I have definitely seen and heard of people going through similar things while food blogging. It can definitely be tough to do with a family too. I find it easier as a single person to make the rounds and spend the time coming up with stuff for the blog, but the minute I start to ignore my friends I snap out of it. I have to have a life too. I hope you find your balance

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:51:04 +0000

Oh, I am right there with you! I feel obligated to the blog yet it is just for fun and to work on writing. And I do ignore some other things sometimes. I have just had to cut down on commenting and how often I post. Balance is always hard! Nicoles last blog post..Carpe Diem