I just finished reading about Angel's decision to stop blogging because of the negative impact it is having on her life. Jenn at Along the Narrow Path posted similar thoughts on Sunday. Interestingly enough, I received an e-mail from a friend just today stating the same thing. Blogging has taken up so much of her time that other areas of her life were suffering. As a result, she too has stopped blogging. Apparently, this is an issue dear to the hearts of many moms. I have to say I admire these women for making such a difficult decision. Quitting anything cold turkey is tough. I pray the Lord will bless them for following His leading in this area of their lives.
It brings up some good questions. Why do we blog? What makes us pour out our hearts on the world wide web to people we've never met? Connection? Creativity? Control? Is blogging a good thing? Can it have a negative side? I'm just wondering out loud here. Seeing these ladies struggle with the same issue raises questions. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Sep. 10, 2007 - Beauty ~ unless it get out of control
Posted by Karen
I can see where blogging could become the Beast!
Personally, I have had to scale back a bit. Particularly, I only visit blogs of people who have commented on mine. That keeps me from spending WAAAY too much time blog surfing, which was turning beastly this summer.
I agree that it can be both good and bad. Bad like anything else that causes you to neglect your duties (i.e. a good book, talking on the phone). The other negative is that it if it keeps you from communicating in person with people, that is not good. Like everything in life you need to be wise with how you spend your time and who you hang out with. Balance in everything.
It is good in the sense that I am far far away from family and friends. We have family on the mission field, and in the military over in Iraq. It is a great way to keep in touch especially when phone calls are few and far between. It also allows me to communicate in mass like a Christmas letter only much more often. And the advantage is that I can do it on my own free time. My family and friends loves hearing about life. It has reconnected me to friends who I only see ever couple of years and really renewed those friendships.
Also for me, I would say that it is an outlet that I enjoy expressing myself on. And it is not costing us anything, and I can do it at home!
The other cool thing is that it connects me with other moms who are homeschooling. I can encourage and be encouraged by in this great, sometimes overwhelming task of educating our kids.
How I started was actually because my husband was blogging and I loved reading his blog.
So there you have my of the top of my head, unedited thoughts to your questions.
I struggled with balance when I started blogging, the result has been, at least lately-that I am posting less, more days in between posts. I wrote a post a while ago about why I blog, i will try to cut and paste it here...not very computer savvy, let's see if it works.
http://homeiswhereyoustartfrom.blogspot.com/2006/12/blogito-ergo-sum.html
I think as moms and wives, we will always have to make choices about our time and pursuits, and sometimes we will make unwise choices and have to self-correct at some point.
blessings to you this week,
Jenny in Ca
www.homeiswhereyoustartfrom.blogspot.com
I use my blog like a journal or a way to keep my mom up to date with what we are doing. I usually only visit my friends blogs once or twice a week, when i have a little extra free time. I don't comment ver often on other blogs, but i enjoy reading them and seeing that other peoples lives are crazy too.
I usually spend less than 1/2 an hour on blogging during the day.
My blogging posts are few and far between these days. But one of the highlights of blogging for me has been meeting new friends like you. I wanted to stop by and wish you a very happy birthday. I am so thankful for you and wished we lived closer so that I could take you out to lunch and coffee of course.
Hugs,
Julie D.
I would go crazy if I didn't have my blog. With all this moving I have really been able to feel connected. It's been from HIM, I think.
But, I see how it could be addicting. I'm more addicted to checking my email than blogging.
I'm going to miss Angel....a lot. She really doesn't know how much she encouraged people to get closer to Him. If that's not purposeful, than I don't know what is. For instance, she's posted verses that made me dig out my Bible.....that can never be wrong. :)
I had to take a little blogging break myself ~ I debated whether to stop blogging altogether, but the fact that we live so far from any family, and we have friends all over the world, has kept me going. For now at least.
Good thought provoking questions here. Jenn and I have been praying for each other and have set the same blogging guidelines or limitations. Moderation is definitely important and not letting blogging be a time muncher.
Melissa
I read all the comments you have received and I tend to agree with what everyone is saying. Blogging or email or any time spent on the computer can become a "beast" if we allow it, but isn't that the way it is with anything in our life? Getting out of balance is the beast, not necessarily the "thing", if that makes sense?
I think it all comes down to our priorities and what we need to do to make sure they always line up with what God's priorities are for us. I think blogging is an amazing tool God uses to minister to His people. I know that there have been days when I have been especially touched, motivated, encouraged, inspired by a blog entry and I had no doubts it was God-directed.
Also, those that have chosen to stop blogging are probably doing so at the nudge of the Father as well. I didn't go read their reasons, but I suspect that maybe they had gotten out of balance and God is calling them back to balance and maybe at some later point, blogging will be something they can come back to.
I actually wish I had more time to blog, but I do the best I can. And even though I am not a severely active blogger, I still struggle with managing my time effectively, so I can totally relate to the time issues felt by those who are choosing to no longer blog. Again, it all comes down to balance and I suspect most of us struggle with that in one form or another.
I agree with some of the others that it is important to keep a balance (just like with anything in our lives), but boy, I've been so BLESSED by blogging. I have met the most amazing women that God has used to speak to my heart time and time again. God also has allowed me to pray for people going through difficult times--I look at it as a ministry.
I blog mostly for my family and close friends! I am always surprised by strangers who read it. One of the biggest reasons I do it also is to chronicle my days with my boys. it is easy to forget it when they are grown and i copy my blog posts to save for the future so they can read about it. Also, my grandmother who I do not write enough loves it as she feels like she visited with us, but it is stuff you would not say in a letter.
I could see where it could get out of control, but i have always been someone who journaled, wrote letters etc. so this is a good way when I do not have much time to combine all of those into a good thing!
Oct. 3, 2007 - It can be if it comes in between you and the Lord.
Posted by Anonymous
I have seen some blogs of rambling thoughts, and some with inspiration. I have to say that Most are of rambling thoughts. Finding an inspirational blog isn't easy. I enjoy blogging, because I share how God is working in my life and I post all my devotions that I write for my family. I also share homescholling tips that work for me. I feel great accomplishment when someone comments that I helped them draw closer to the Lord or helped them in their homeschool adventures. The enemy fights against us by finding ways to monopolize our time and push the Lord out. We need to maintain a balance. If balance isn't possible, blogging should end until control can be given to God.
The daily, sometimes hourly, musings of a homeschooling mom of four surviving on prayer, friendship and lots of Starbucks. Some days my cup runs over and some days it all spills out the cracks...and I wouldn't have it any other way.
