In February, I wrote about The Guilt of Blogging, what would happen if we blogged less and participated in the world more.
In order to clear my mind, I need to unload all of winter's crap.
It’s happened:
Spring has arrived. Here in the NorthWest, we scooch out of our gray-cloudy days, blinking at the sun like shuttered-moles. It’s time to get out in the world again.
I’m going on a blog diet, publishing once a week. (Some of you are scratching your heads, saying…”She published more than every other month? Who knew?”:)
I’ll still be circulating, visiting your sites, but I’ll try to keep Before Morning Breaks to just one time a week in your mailbox.
I usually look taller than this.
“20 years from now you will be disappointed by the things you didn’t do more than by the one’s you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” -Mark Twain
Thanks for the tenderness and support you’ve given me twice weekly. I’m still learning how to “catch the trade winds.”
See you on Mondays.
Before Morning Breaks 
That photo is beautiful (the one of the rocks, not the one of you digging) but you couldn’t pay me enough to stand up there like that.
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Pingback: Getting back to my life… « Undercover Surfer
Good luck Barb!
I have been on a blog diet too but I am planning on writing more! I will be looking forward to your posts on Mondays 🙂
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I’m in it for the long haul, Barb – whether it’s one post a week or three! Carry on, then! 🙂
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I like it when I hear a good blogger is ‘cutting back.’ It is purely a selfish reaction – I follow quite a few great bloggers like you, and I don’t like to miss a single word that they write. But, I just don’t have time to keep up with bloggers who write every day!
I’m down to writing three times a week (one of them the Weekly Photo Challenge) but I’ll drop down to once or twice a week once cabin season starts. If I don’t have a life, then I have nothing to write about!
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I knew when I first read you that you were a very wise woman. Enjoy the real world. And I will enjoy your weekly posts.
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Goodness…that’s really you out there? You are fearless and looks like you have worlds to conquer. Go for it. And unlike so many who are sending well wishes saying you’ll be missed…you did say you were cutting back didn’t you, not going away? Still looking forward to the next post at Two Pan. Hasta luego = See you later, not bye.
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Thanks Georgette,
Yeah, I like to climb up on top of things. I try to stay off the roof, it makes the neighbors talk.. Thanks for your encouragement.
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Barb, you could do like I did and post twice, then wait almost two years (and counting…) My poor blog is still there and Rose occasionally pops in with remonstrance about my neglect but I. Don’t. Have. Time. I guess I need to ditch a few committees and hmmm, cooking, painting, writing, etc. I need balance the opposite way.
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A year ago I was involved in so many committees, that I realized I wasn’t enjoying it. You’re right. It’s all about balance..
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I could use a diet. Been on one at my place. Down to two posts a day. I have to have time for all the other things I do 😉 Love the cliff picture. I love big rocks, climbing them and then rappelling down the face. Shame it takes so long to get up, but just a zip to get back down.
I am looking forward to the next trip to Two Pan 😉
Red.
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How funny you mention that. I think the same thing. It takes so long to get up and such a short time to get down, that I like to take a lunch and spend time on top pretending I’m an eagle.
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Is that really you on top of that rock???!!!! If so, I would like the next blog to be on that experience. And more photos! If you do find yourself feeling inspired more than once in a week, we will not fault you for going “off” your diet. We all do it. LOL
Gee, I am jealous as I do not have the followers or comments like you get. *pouting*
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It’s such a cleansing experience to walk the winter out of my system. Beats scribing floors which is also a cleansing experience.
I feel pretty blessed to have such a great group of readers, including you.
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Such a great post. We can definitely get too caught up in the blogosphere and web overall and become passive participants in our lives. I look forward to reading more of your work, whenever it appears! 😉
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It’s always good for the soul to get away from the computer more. I have done that and I find I have more time for me and my family. It really is a blessing.
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Once a week is very doable, that had been my goal all along; but now I am participating in the Weekly Photo Challenge in the hopes of improving my photography skills and am enjoying it too much to stop. Oh well…
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I look forward to your weekly post. I am going on another blogging diet too and I have to say I’m looking forward to it. I’ll keep reading, just no writing or much commenting. It’ll be a nice break to free my day up more. Enjoy your time, Barb!
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You are one of the two bloggers who got me thinking about cutting back on “the blogs” wih your post about volunteering. The day after I made the decision to spend more time looking up from my computer, life filled the vacuum . . . it has been a crazy few weeks! I had a series of family emergencies. I’m exhausted.
Now, I’m so happy to just have this day in my PJs reading. It’s definitely about balance – sounds like you have an excellent plan. I plan to post only when I have something I really need to say that I think someone will appreciate reading, and I plan to comment a lot less; I WAS commenting hundreds of times A DAY, today I think I commented twice. So thank you!
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So glad you made it by my place, Julie ❤
Red.
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You’re welcome it seems a number of people are starting a different routines for the spring. I think the problem is we’re wordy little critters.
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I’ve been blog dieting a bit lately but just gearing up for the A to Z challenge for April. Fast then feast I suppose. Have fun.
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You will be missed, lots – and then appreciated so much more when you post again. Have a great life.
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Good for you, Barb. I, too, have been posting less and getting out more. (Read: Living Life More!) Dang…now I’m volunteering in THREE different avenues. How’d that happen so fast?
Balance is critical and we would be so foolish to shut out our loves, communities and friends because of B_L_O_G_G_I_N_G!
A news report this morning said that Canadians are on the internet more than anyone else in the world. Yah, well, it’s a long way to our neighbours in these parts! 😀 But the amount the average Canadian is on the Internet? 90 minutes per day!
90 minutes? I wish… I’m not telling anyone how many hours bloggers are on!
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Ain’t it the truth. When I counted up the hours, I was amazed. Perhaps the only reason Canadians are considered big time Internet users is because they were honest about the actual time they spent at it, while others mumbled a number into our fist, like we were sneezing.
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Hi,
Spring the best time of the year regardless of where in the world we live. It is the perfect time to enjoy the beautiful days that go with it, and of course get the gardens back into shape.
I will be looking forward to your posts on Mondays. 🙂
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Love that photo. Glad you’re catching the trade winds. It’s all I can do to make it once a week. I stay behind on my blog reading. Blogs stack up almost as high as mags and books. Then, there are the live people I need to tend. I look forward to every one of your blogs whenever they come.
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Barb, you’re really going to do it? Put us on a diet? No more daily indulgences in the pioneer west? 😦 Guess I’ll have to tighten my belt.
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Another short read I came across on “shortening.” Entitled, “Slowing down to save time,” it can be found at: andreaskluth.org/2012/01/27/slowing-down-to-save-time/.
Ironically, my dad used to be the Assistant Managing Editor for The Wall Street Journal, and would write short, concise, front-page articles in a column called “The Outlook” about global economic trends. He received praise from all over the world, mostly because he wrote uncomplicated articles that explained difficult concepts, but in ways that were easily understood. That was the magic of his style. There’s a lot to be said for “short and simple.” On an even grander scale, there’s a lot to be said for “simple” People rarely suffer from a simplified life. Now if I can personally just get back to that… 😀
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A long-distance friend of mine and I have been having a personal thread going about minimalizing things we don’t need in our lives. More quality, less quantity. For instance, to listen to and enjoy music, must we really keep a library of a gazillion CDs? Having recently discovered Spotify online, it is now simple to listen to every piece of music you ever heard, and more, for free. Not one more plastic box with a disc in it will ever enter my house again for music. In fact, I’m going to give away or sell for coins all that I have. Who needs the clutter?
Our discussion then shifted to the phenomena of the dreaded digital coma. We surf until we’re bleary eyed and our brains are in a fog. No real lasting fulfillment, just hands spinning around the clock. Remember the cartoon about the guy who “reached the end” of the internet? Sometimes I wish I could reach it and get it over with! Recently the Wall Street Journal informed me that they were about to auto-deduct around $209 by credit card to renew my subscription. I thought, wow, do I really get $209 worth of value reading it, day after day? I didn’t even read the “news” sections, such as politics, finance, global happenings, etc, I read the culture articles, about books, science, and so on. Interesting, but still, the hours spent, day after day… aren’t they worth more than the $209 that gets sucked off our income year after year? I decided the time was worth more. I dropped the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times as well. I’m just not that much better off after surfing those sites day after day. We’re hitting 80º now back here in Oklahoma, and nature is calling! But you know what the oddest thing about dropping the papers was? They say that changing habits is difficult, but I dropped both (online) newspapers over 3 weeks ago, and haven’t missed them yet. I think of the hours I stared-away, for what?
So to sum up the thoughts of my long rant… perhaps there are other things to simplify in life besides cutting back on blogging, that will help it all balance out for you as well. When we know that we should cut back on anything and do so, it’s a good thing, and bravo for you, Barb. However, your thoughts are inspiring and enjoyable, so we’re glad you enjoy sharing them because we draw enthusiasm for life from your enthusiasm, as well as enjoy your style and wit. Perhaps I’ll get back to blogging, maybe just once a week as well. After all, what a nice way we can touch each others lives from afar. A long-distance friend of mine and I have been having a conversation about minimalizing things we don’t need in our lives. More quality, less quantity. For instance, to listen to and enjoy music, must we really keep a library of a gazillion CDs? Having recently discovered Spotify online, it is now simple to listen to every piece of music you ever heard, and more, for free. Not one more plastic box with a disc in it will ever enter my house again for music. In fact, I’m going to give away or sell for coins all that I have. Who needs the clutter?
Our discussion then shifted to the phenomena of the dreaded digital coma. We surf until we’re in a stupor. No real lasting fulfillment, just hands spinning around the clock. Remember the cartoon about the guy who “reached the end” of the internet? Sometimes I wish I could reach it and get it over with! Recently the Wall Street Journal informed me that they were about to auto-deduct around $209 from my credit card to renew my subscription. I thought, wow, do I really get $209 worth of value reading it, day after day? (Not that I even read the “news” sections, such as politics, finance, global happenings, etc.) I read the culture articles, about books, science, etc. But still, the hours spent, day after day, aren’t the worth more than even the $209 that gets sucked off our income year after year? I decided the time was worth more. I dropped the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times as well. I’m just not that much better off after surfing those sites day after day. We’re hitting 80º now back here in Oklahoma, and nature is calling! But you know what the oddest thing about dropping the papers was? They say that changing habits is difficult, but I dropped both (online) newspapers over 3 weeks ago, and haven’t missed them yet. Thing of the hours I stared-away, for what?
So to sum up the thoughts of my long rant… perhaps there are other things to simplify in life besides cutting back on blogging, that will help it all balance out for you. When we know that we should cut back on anything and do so is a good thing, and bravo for you, Barb. However, your thoughts bring smiles and promote change. We’re glad you enjoy sharing them because we do too. Perhaps I’ll get back to blogging, maybe just once a week as well. What a nice way we can touch each others lives from afar. Thanks.
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Well crap! I love reading what you write and could wish you would write daily. I think your blog diet just sucks rocks. I’m going to go have a serious pout, here. You take away one of the pleasures of my life and expect me to applaud? Well forget that..I want you to devote your existence to entertaining me.
Seriously, enjoy your break, dear. Just don’t think you won’t be missed.
Anyone who climbs Smith Rocks can pretty much do whatever she likes. As usual,you impress the hell out of me!
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A ship is safe in the harbor, but that’s not why ships were built. Probably another month before it gets “springy” here.
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Looks like you may be starting a trend here! I dropped from five days per week to three, but am starting to consider cutting back again. Enjoy your offline time! (Not sure, but I think they call that … “real life.”)
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Have fun!
I’m waiting for a bit more warm before I cast off the for the spring.
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Dilemmas!
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I’ve been thinking about this since your previous post. Seeing as how I’m definitely not getting any younger and I have a growing bucket list to attend to, I’m going to join you, too, Barb.
🙂
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It’s a movement!!!
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I totally approve of this approach, and quite frankly, I think I will join you in this overall blog / online diet thing. Real life is delicious – have a taste each and every day. Watch your step – both when shoveling and climbing…
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