Never agree to 30 posts in 30 days.
I mean, if you can do it, more power to you. But if you find you're typing while your children's giggles are slipping by, it's probably not worth it.
A couple of things I learned from being out here each day is:
There sure is a lack of tolerance for one another's creativity.
For instance, the music divide. Wow. Who would've guessed people could get so upset about music being on a blog? Here's my theory (and you'll notice my music was turned off a month ago), a person's blog is an expression of who they are. Music and the careful timing of songs with posts MAY be the one joyful, self-indulgent thing they did all day. Is it so hard for the anti-music folks to just turn the volume down? And yes, sometimes the music conflicts with a video or with your own itunes player... yaddah yaddah, but if it's so much bother, don't go there. If their blog is SO intriguing that you can't stand to miss a post, well, I think you know what you need to do.
The second thing was the Nablopomo. I really, seriously considered NOT doing it because for some reason people feel that they must read every post to be a loyal follower. That's a huge demand for someone reading 30+ blogs daily. Then I realized, I didn't start blogging to gain readers, I started it as an outlet for some repressed emotions. I decided I wasn't going to freak out if people didn't make it over for every post (to be truthful I didn't make it over for every post-- some were scheduled). I watched followers drop like flies and my feelings weren't hurt. I understood.
So, in summary. It was good. and bad. and I'm not doing it next year.
More power to you for giving it a go! I knew I didn't have the time to tackle it, but thanks for the heads up, I won't feel bad for not participating next year!
ReplyDeleteI love what you wrote about the music! I have a music player at the top of my page (it loads first) so if a reader doesn't want to hear it they can shut it off. But it IS fun for Me. I coordinate songs to posts and it's a good creative Out for me. I'm musical; it's who I am.
And thanks for the it's ok, because I did fee like a lousy reader for not reading or commenting on every one of your posts this month.
Of course, it appears I'm making up for lost time with this comment soooo, maybe just Thanks, I Heart You.
Blessings, Whitney
j..your points are all valid. I do have 'playlist' on my blog (set on random play)..honestly, I keep my volume off and only turn it on when I wish to hear something. Life is simple :)
ReplyDeleteAs for Nablopomo, I thought about it, opted not to participate and wound up with 31 posts anyway.
My blog began as therapy for me, still is. Hopefully, readers enjoy my thoughts, sharing poetry I enjoy or looking at photos which touch my heart. I would hope Blog Readers realize they are entering a safe zone of another person, and treat is with proper respect.
~AirmanMom returning to her blog...
Well put your feet up and have a great day! This ol' mama knows better than to sign up for this....such a rebel she is;)
ReplyDeleteWell considering I read none of your posts for the last 30 days, if you'll please forgive me? I'm weeding out my 80 million reads in reader and I'm hoping to be able to visit more often.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how the hell you did it. I could never commit to it and congratulations!
Even though I liked my music player, I just got rid of it. It was one more thing I had to adjust when posting, so I gave it up. Those who want music can hum LOL. Those who don't, will be happy.
We all want YOU to be happy!
Amen sista! I'm glad I took the challenge, but now I can say I did it and don't plan to fall into that trap ever again.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your own accomplishment!
I'm sooooo with you on the music on blog part....if they 'can't stand' the music then just switch off the speaker! isn't that simple instead of giving all sorts of "you should have done this or you should NOT have done that".... *eyes rolled*
ReplyDeletesometimes people just don't see that 'if you don't like something, make a decision on your own, to continue or not, INSTEAD of asking people to change in order to go with your fancy...' now isn't that more sensible?
I love to blog, and I love my blog....but if I HAD TO blog then it wouldn't be mine anymore. It would be a job. I'm an Army wife and a Mom - that's enough "job" for me!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment today! Bella was very proud of herself!! Are you all pampered up now??
Well put!
ReplyDeleteI actually took the music off my blog because I'd seen an anti-music graphic somewhere so figured folks didn't like blogs with music. I should have been like you and made the decision base on what I like, not what random people in bloggie land like. It didn't (and doesn't) really bother me to have no music, but you've certainly given me "food for thought" with this post!
Have a wonderful week!
Let's celebrate spontenaiety! Pooh-Pooh to one-size-fits-all blogger ideas. Music!! Color!! Freeeeedom!! Words at will and not through compulsion! Walk through the wardrobe with me and let's dance to our own tune (and let's make it LOUD!!!) ; )
ReplyDeletep.s.
Just back from a holiday from blogging -- wonderfully refreshed!!
Congratulations on posting 30 posts in 30 days. I have read most of them and your usual high standard has been maintained throughout the whole 30 days. I think that you deserve a few days off now.
ReplyDeleteWell done for doing 30 days. Agree with comment about it becoming a job... I love disappearing to my blog and having such a giggle reading other people's and then writing... yes, writing stuff that other people can read and comment about, or not read and not comment about. its such a joy to just Write. I love it.
ReplyDeleteGlad your time is now up and you can have fun again!
I find as soon as I commit myself to blogging on certain days or a certain amount of days, I lose interest because it feels like an obligation rather than something I just enjoy doing. Plus, I spend FAR too much time here at the computer without participating in something like nablopomo!
ReplyDeleteYou did it! And I don't think you ended up any wackier than I did -- incidentally, I read every post.
ReplyDeleteWant to hear something really wacky -- I'm considering doing it again for December.
Because I have nothing else to do that month.
I think you should bring your music player back.
It's your blog.
I am a person who turns off the music on blogs but that is only because I normally have my own music playing on my computer. I do appreciate your pairing of songs with blog topics and/or seasons. I thought it was neat. I have no issue with people with music on their blogs as long as I can turn it off if I need/want to!
ReplyDeleteMore power to you, for doing the Nablomo challenge. There's no way I'd be able to do that! And I stuck with you!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm also one of those who turns off the music as soon as I enter a blog that has it playing, but that's because I'm listening to other music. It doesn't keep me from visiting the blogs I want to visit though. And your attitude about your readership is awesome. It should always be about an outlet for you, and not how many readers you get.
AMEN!!
ReplyDeleteI did like listening to your music. I also enjoy reading everyday (or when I can) because you are fun and inspiring to read!
Hope you have a great day..Hugs...
Your music is off? And there was a stink? See how much stuff I miss! I just as an energy saver, never have my speakers on. I never knew you had music 'til you referred to it one day.
ReplyDeleteAnd as to posting every day, I could do it hands down, but the words I put out there I do want to be read. I do want them to be felt. Funny thing, this blogging is. I didn't find it hard to come by here at all. I always find you a fresh breath of real. Someone I would love to say hello to in my town and catch up with from time to time. Um, yer nice. Why would anyone want to complain? Music or not?
he he
ReplyDeleteyeah... so never doing it. but I do admire you crazy folks who do... and thanks for forgiving those of us who couldn't make it over every day.
I like you.
ReplyDeleteYou have take aways! Yay!
ReplyDeleteKudos to you though!
ReplyDeleteI just posted I will do it again next year - but I think I lied....
For some reason, your posts aren't updating in my blogroll... (scratching head). One more thing to procrastinate on trying to figure out. Huh.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your new background... so wintery, it gives me chill bumps just looking at it.
Good job on the NaBloPoMo... I hear you, it is very labor intensive and does demand a lot for readers. Not sure if I'll do it again either, just because a few days it felt like something I HAD to do, instead of WANTED to do... and I'm not into that. Once something starts to feel like work - ugh.
You, however, I read every post. I'm sorry I don't always leave a comment... I usually mean to, but I know I don't always. Even though you're not doing this to gain readers, I know it's nice to have a comment and at least be acknowledged for what you put into it.
I squishy heart you.
I'll admit, I'm on the other side of the music divide... primarily because I chekck up on a lot of blogs,and can never remember which ones have automatic music... and my husband HATES it when I play music on my computer when he's sitting next to me watching television. Can't really blame him.
ReplyDeleteAs for 30 posts in 30 days, sounds too much like work. ;-p
I read every one of them, even if I didn't get to comment on them all. I tried to commit to the 30 days, missed a few up front, gave up, and still ended up mostly a gazillion times (4 in one day - ooops).
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you didn't win those bows. I was really hoping you would. Maybe I'll stuff the box next time. :)
This is my second year. I don't know if I'll do it again next year or not. It was a lot of fun for me. A bit hard to keep up with everyone, but fun. :) Congratulations for keeping with it.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed you did it! I would have failed miserably this year! And even if I didn't read every post I'll still come by and see you! And I LOVE your new banner up top! So cute!
ReplyDeleteyeah I like to set ideals not rules makes life much easy for me and then takes the right of others to freak out when I fall short
ReplyDeleteHave only just worked out what a NaPoblomo is, but I have been here a lot I think. Congratulations for doing it. I know I wouldn't be able to think of enough things to write.
ReplyDeleteMusic? Well, I always get a shock when it starts to play, it is almost alway nice...but mostly I have my own music on.
wow... that is quite the purge! Good for you!
ReplyDeleteand you LOST followers BECAUSE you posted every day? Odd. you didn't lose me.
I post every day. Maybe I should stop doing that.
But then I might go insane.
I was exhausted just watching you all post every day, but then again, I barely keep up during regular months. Way to follow through though, I don't think I would make it out of the first week.
ReplyDeleteI love you take on things. And I wish that I read 30+ instead of 80+ blogs. That would give me way less guilt.
ReplyDeleteYou were quite brave to give it a try! Ideally, I would love to blog every day, but life generally takes over to prevent that. HA! :D
ReplyDeleteCongrats on completing NaBLo... I did it last year, again this year, but to be honest, I think I enjoyed it a lot more last year. And I had a lot more on my plate then too. So weird. I think the novelty wore off awfully fast, and I'm a slow study :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with Debbie in CA! Its your blog and you can do what you want to!!! I had no idea music was so controversial. You know I love your music, I have confessed to loving it on a few occasions.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on making through November. You are a stronger woman than most. Even more so since you found it hard and you did it anyway.
Hrrumph! I've always loved your choice of music (even though I can't even get some of it).
ReplyDeleteI posted a list of my favorite Christmas (non-traditional) music with the auto start turned off. Still, I play it every day and it makes me happy. Beyond that, I don't care if anyone ever listens to it.
I'm finally beginning to learn that *This Blog Is For Me*. If people don't like it, they can go elsewhere.