So, where do old blogs go to die? That’s one of the things I was thinking about the other night when I came to conclusion, at about 3am, that I wasn’t going to sleep anytime soon. Really, what do you do with a blog when it’s time to say goodbye?
Do you treat it like the boxes of junk accumulating in your spare room? Sort through each post - keep, toss, donate? Maybe print it all out and file it somewhere? Do you need a separate folder for each category or do you file it by months?
In some weird way my blog feels like a little part of myself. Maybe not the best parts, but still a part. Parts of us change all the time. I’m sure the day will come when I don’t post anything for a week. Then the week will turn into a month. Then I’ll forget my password. I’ll start to occupy myself with other things that satisfy me just as much. Maybe it will be sad. Maybe it won’t. Maybe the truth is, old blogs never die. Maybe they just fade away.
But I don’t want to fade away anytime soon. I’m just in a slump right now. I’m sure I’ll have plenty to say soon enough. I’ve never been one to keep quiet for very long. But, you already knew that, didn’t you?
December 4th, 2007 at 2:05 am
Slumps happen all the time, and they are gotten over eventually. Look at my blog; it’s been in a slump from day one and I keep plugging along. You have nothing to worry about. ;)
December 4th, 2007 at 4:33 am
You just delete ‘em or set ‘em to private. :)
There’s nothing to be gained from highly repetitive activity - once you’ve got something out of it, as with anything in life, move on. But only when you want to, and that doesn’t sound like you at the moment! :)
Having followed along with quite a number of blogs now I would definitely dispute the commonly held notion that all bloggers are socially inept wallflowers (some clearly are not). But I *do* think bloggers as a breed have an incredibly high tolerance of repetitive activity, and they are not aware of that in themselves. I knew it was time to stop when the phrase ‘GroundBlog Day’ kept passing through my mind.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
you’re not allowed to have a slump. when i’m in a slump which is like - all the time - i come to blogs like yours for inspiration… ergo - no slumping for you…
so, get back to the blogging salt mines if you know what’s good for you.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Old blogs are recycled into Styrofoam peanuts. Kind of depressing really.
I get in slumps all the time. I assume this is obvious.
December 4th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Okay…being the baseball guy that I am, here’s my two cents. Life is like the grand old game. Yeah, even the greats have slumps. They might try all sorts of different stances, holding the bat at various and odd angles, listening to inspirational messages, and maybe meditation…hell I don’t know. But, in the end, they just head back to the batting cage, relax, watch the ball and swing naturally. Sometimes it takes a while and they still strike out and have to go back to the dugout. Hey, the great ones still go out there and take their swings. It comes back.
There’s nothing like hitting the “sweet spot” when the bat connects with the ball. I think it’s just like when you sit down at the computer and “it just flows.” You remember that feeling and it’s glorious.
Okay…enough of my crap about baseball. Hope it made some sense.
December 4th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Eek! You scared me there for a minute. I thought you were giving up your blog. I am definitely in a slump myself. I’d much rather read what everyone else is writing than type anything coherent myself. So get to writing ’cause I need something to read! :)
December 4th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Bill - I very much enjoy your matter-of-fact writing and the way you show little glimpses into what makes you Bill. I don’t think you’re in a slump.
Amelia - You are the authority on taking care of old blogs. I should have come to you first.
OCD comes to mind when I think of bloggers and repetitive is good too. People laugh about the number of bloggers who knit. Knitting is the extreme in repetition. I wonder if my slump has something to do with the scarves I’m knitting for Christmas. I’m cheating on you guys with skeins of yarn and size 8 needles. I feel so dirty and a little bit fuzzy, but warm.
Mamazilla - Yes Ma’am!
Whit - Styrofoam peanuts?! That is depressing, in a giggly type of way. You have an advantage when it comes to slumps. You’re a great writer so you have slump padding to carry you over.
SamokDaddy - I get what you are saying. Thank you for the encouragement. Unless you’re telling me my blog is a big strike out then… :) Seriously, thanks.
Beloved - Yes Ma’am again! Yikes, is this that tough love stuff they talk about. ‘Cause I might be liking it.
December 7th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
I seem to have a slump about once a month, then I go the complete opposite and go posting crazy… Gotta try to keep an even keel..
December 8th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
I probably need to write a few posts and keep them as backups. That way if I have nothing to write for a few weeks I can post those. Kinda like AFLAC for bloggers. :)