Hi World,
I checked in with an old internet friend's blog recently and she wrote to me, "Chicken, where the hell have you been for the last 15 months?"
She has never been one to mince words. It was a fair question.
I wrote back and filled her in on all the real life stuff happening here at the Chicken coop. We commiserated on how hard it can be to maintain a blog while balancing work, family, and the unexpected challenges life throws in our path. She said something that sounded like advice and felt like forgiveness: It helps to remind yourself that you aren't blogging for anyone but you. Sometimes life intervenes and that's ok.
We all get into blogging for different reasons. In my case, it was a creative outlet where I could -hopefully-improve my writing skills, as well as a space where I could be silly in a way my children would never understand. Making friends and becoming part of an online community were unexpected blessings.
When blogging is your hobby but it starts to feel like a job, you might feel like quitting. You might take a break until blogging feels like playing again. That's what I did. That's what I do.
If I offended anyone by disappearing without warning, I apologize. If you thought maybe I died, I apologize. I didn't. I'm right here. I still suck at good-byes, mostly because it never really occurs to me that I might not be back. I know I will be back when the spirit moves me. It took a really long time, this time around, for the words to start flowing again.
Consider me the hobo of the internet. You never know when I might catch a ride on a train passing through your blog. Please know that when I spot your blog, I'll hop off that train and check out what you're doing. I'll leave you ridiculous and flattering comments because, despite my prolonged absence, I do care.
Do not feed me, though. That's how you end up with hobo chickens living in your back yard.
Mrs. P, thanks for the words of encouragement.
Chicken out
I've been one poor correspondent and I've been too, too hard to find, but it doesn't mean you ain't been on my mind.
-Sister Golden Hair Surprise/America
I checked in with an old internet friend's blog recently and she wrote to me, "Chicken, where the hell have you been for the last 15 months?"
She has never been one to mince words. It was a fair question.
I wrote back and filled her in on all the real life stuff happening here at the Chicken coop. We commiserated on how hard it can be to maintain a blog while balancing work, family, and the unexpected challenges life throws in our path. She said something that sounded like advice and felt like forgiveness: It helps to remind yourself that you aren't blogging for anyone but you. Sometimes life intervenes and that's ok.
We all get into blogging for different reasons. In my case, it was a creative outlet where I could -hopefully-improve my writing skills, as well as a space where I could be silly in a way my children would never understand. Making friends and becoming part of an online community were unexpected blessings.
When blogging is your hobby but it starts to feel like a job, you might feel like quitting. You might take a break until blogging feels like playing again. That's what I did. That's what I do.
If I offended anyone by disappearing without warning, I apologize. If you thought maybe I died, I apologize. I didn't. I'm right here. I still suck at good-byes, mostly because it never really occurs to me that I might not be back. I know I will be back when the spirit moves me. It took a really long time, this time around, for the words to start flowing again.
Consider me the hobo of the internet. You never know when I might catch a ride on a train passing through your blog. Please know that when I spot your blog, I'll hop off that train and check out what you're doing. I'll leave you ridiculous and flattering comments because, despite my prolonged absence, I do care.
Do not feed me, though. That's how you end up with hobo chickens living in your back yard.
Mrs. P, thanks for the words of encouragement.
 |
| Blog like there's no one reading |
Chicken out
I've been one poor correspondent and I've been too, too hard to find, but it doesn't mean you ain't been on my mind.
-Sister Golden Hair Surprise/America
