By now you’ve probably noticed some of the changes taking place here at Free and Flawed. Some are small and some are a bit more obvious.\
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They don’t stop there I’m afraid. In the coming weeks you’ll probably spot a few more as I give my blog a nip here and a tuck there. Unfortunately, they will not all be cosmetic.\
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I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about why I write lately. I knew if I was asking, then I wasn’t doing it for the right reasons. I started this blog because I wanted to write. I believed (and sort of still do) that any thought that crosses my mind is important and must be heard/read by someone else. I’m completely narcissistic. More importantly, I wanted to inspire and be inspired. In a way I feel that I have accomplished this, but lost sight of myself somewhere in the process.\
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I feel that lately my writing has been suffering because I’ve been forcing myself to write a post every day for Blog365. I wanted to challenge myself and see if I could do it. I am starting my eighth month and sadly I will not get any further. And it’s not just the task of writing every day. It’s the fact that I’ve begun writing for you guys, my readers, instead of myself. I find myself desperately searching for the most interesting and entertaining topics because I want you to be happy with this blog.\
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I invest so much time into maintaining my blogger relationships that the lines between Free and Flawed’s life and my life are becoming blurred. I am not an anonymous blogger by any means, but I do have a separate life outside of my blog. My Reader hits 700 daily. I cannot keep up. I spend hours at my desk going through blogs, trying my best to comment. By the time I am finished that last thing I want to do is spend more time in front of the computer writing my own blog post.\
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I won’t disappear from the blogosphere. As a matter of fact, I will probably be writing almost every day anyway. I just don’t want the pressure. Some days I might post more than once. I’ll post when the mood strikes! And just because I’m not commenting doesn’t mean I’m not reading. I do read every blog that’s on my Reader. I only comment when I have something to add.\
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So please don’t worry if I disappear for a day or two. It will be weird to take a step back, but it will be refreshing. I’m hoping it will encourage me to spend more time writing what I want to write and less time editing, tweaking and censoring.\
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As for the title of this post, I ain’t lying! I appreciate each and every person who stops by FnF. I bought something extra from the wine tasting I had on Sunday and will be giving it away on the blogaroo. It should be here within a week, so watch out for a giveaway. (No. It’s not wine, but it is wine-related.)
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
Good for you. Blogging everyday is to time consuming if you don’t really have anything to say.
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Darling girl you are doing exactly the right thing. I think i’d go mad if i tried to blog every day. i keep thinking about doing a nablopomo challenge but have realised that i would be doing just what you described above.\
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As an ardent reader, i’d much rather hear about you than what you think i might want to hear.\
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love you x
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Even though I am definitely not participating in Blog365 I often feel compelled to write everyday, as if I HAVE to do it. And days, such as yesterday, I don’t post I feel like I’ve failed somehow, so I can easily see how Blog365 puts crazy pressure on you, and isn’t the point of writing in this medium to let it just flow?
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i also struggle with the idea of who i am writing for?!? me or the internet?!\
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it’s a struggle at times but jenn you are a smart girl and you nipped the pressure in the butt before you go so frustrated you gave up blogging forever! \
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wait, don’t ever give up blogging though – ever!\
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enjoy some time off my friend.
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Girl, I’ve been saying this about you for ages. I just don’t know how you blog as much as you do. So, I champion your decision to take a little more time for yourself and devote a little less time to your blog! I, for one, will stick around to read when the mood strikes you!
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I think everyone needs to step away everyone once and a while. \
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p.s. I’m pumped for the wine stuff giveaway!
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I hear ya! Very thought provoking post on my way to work this morning. Yes… I am reading and commenting while in traffic.
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I totally understand. I often feel bad about the state of my blog but I try to remind myself that it’s for me first and then everyone else. I will still look forward to your entries, whenever you do post.
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I can definitely relate. I’m struggling to try to put a positive spin on my blog, and then I remember that I’m writing for me. And if I’m not feeling positive, then I don’t need to try to put on a face for the rest of the world.\
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So. I’m with you on that.
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Right decision. When our blogs start running us, it’s never good. Can’t wait to continue reading what you’re writing, whenever it is that you right. .Until then, relax a bit
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I tried blogging everyday for a month-ish….nope, didn’t like it. Better to do what works for you.
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A much deserved break indeed.
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I think it is a good idea. Lately, I haven’t been commenting as much and I’ve been trying to slow down.\
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I love my blog and love my blog friends but sometimes we all need a break. I commend you though for getting this far on Blog 365! I last like a month?
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Good for you!! You shouldn’t feel forced into it, it should be fun for you!
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Change could be good! I tried blogging daily. It takes a lot out of you, so that’s why I write when I feel like it. That’s what my blog is there for.\
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Good luck to you
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Its my opinion that you are making the right choice here.
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Hoorah to you. You made me feel inadequate with your posting everyday thing. \
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Write for you – that’s why you started wasn’t it?\
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PS Got your letter yesterday – thank you! Reply will be in the post tomorrow… probably.
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I love your pictures.\
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My fav was the googler.\
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I think the cape is what did it for me.
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You’re not the only one I’ve seen giving a boot to Blog365 this past week, but I think that’s a good thing. While its intentions are good, I think it has the exact consequence you’ve found — makes you write for the wrong reasons.\
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For what it’s worth, I can tell when you’re writing for yourself, and those are always your most inspiring posts. So always try to keep the real purpose for your writing in your sites!
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P.S. I’ve loved all your design changes too!
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I think that’s an awesome idea and good for you!
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it’s always interesting to here about other bloggers and their blogging lives. It’s good that you tried the everyday posting gig, and now you’re switching it up…do whatever works best
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Good for you. I think it’s important to pay attention to WHY we are writing and make sure that the reasons behind it are still TRUE to ourselves.
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Hello I found your blog through twenty something bloggers, and love the quirky voiceyour blog has, this is too true and I think many many bloggers can atest to doing this; getting caught up in the fame of the blog and trying to be entertaining ( at least at some point) instead of just finding your nitch group of readers and keeping up with remaining true to your voice.
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I think it’s a good idea, it’s easy to get burned out on this stuff.
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I totally feel you, girl. Good for you!
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That’s a smart move. I realized I was writing more for my readers then me and so I took a step back too. And when I cared more about my stats than what I was saying I knew it was time to reign it in. \
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We have to stay true to ourselves. Good for you for doing that!
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totally feel ya. i kicked blog365 in the butt on monday. it’s kind of nice not feeling pressured to blog even when i have nothing to say.
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Good luck, whatever you decide. You gotta do what you gotta do, and clearly, this is the right decision for you.
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I think I can speak for a lot of us when we say we fell for your blog BECAUSE it was about you, so if you need to take time for yourself and away from the blog, then by all means go for it.
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i love wine related gifts, mmmmmm.
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and write what you wanna, i’ll still be reading. woo.
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I realized that I was commenting on blogs I don’t like just so they would comment on mine. And that just takes too much of my time. Also, blogging every day seems like a terrible idea, at least after I suffered through the last NaBloPoMo. From then on, it’s been blogging when I have something to say.
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Good for you for taking a step back and reclaiming your time for yourself!\
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Don’t feel guilty about it either – you’re not everyone’s personal monkey.
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Wine related items are almost as good as wine. ALMOST.
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You should only be writing for yourself and not for us at all. And you should NEVER feel obligated to comment or read someone else’s blog just because they comment or read yours. Heavens!\
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We love you just the way you are.
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The nice part about YOUR blog is that it’s just that – yours.\
Sometimes, it can totally feel like you’re gearing all your posts toward your audience, but don’t lose sight of yourself in all that.
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You know, I always found it amazing that every time I linked to FnF in a post, you left me a comment. I loved it! \
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But I’m also very proud of you… that you’re willing to sacrifice some of the momentum that is the incredibly interconnected blogosphere to focus on making FnF a better blog in the end. \
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I’ll miss your comments though, so maybe it’s time to up my game and leave something that you’ll find is worth your time to leave a comment on!
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I’ve noticed the changes, like what’s the smiley face on the darker yellow stripe? I understand the need for inner contemplation about why we write and be sure it’s for the right reasons. Good for you for staying true to yourself and taking the time you need.
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You gotta write for yourself. It’s the healthiest way, don’t you think?? But sheesh! I can’t believe you have 700 feeds daily in your reader. I wouldn’t be able to get through it all, let alone comment on it all!
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I understand this completely. I have nowhere near that many feeds, and I can never keep up. It becomes a drag when blogging becomes an obligation, rather than a hobby. Plus, I do the same thing of worrying about posts that get less comments, because I worry that people may be bored… which is not the reason I started writing.
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Woot! This is going to be so liberating for you. I sometimes find myself forcing myself to write every day, but sometimes what I do is write something and then don’t post it. That’s always a good thing too. Looking forward, as always, to more of what you have to offer here!
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Good for you. I cannot wait to see the cosmetic changes, and I’m happy you’re following your heart by giving up Blog365 and just being you.
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Girl, you KNOW how much I understand what you’re going through–I just went through this myself a few weeks ago, and am back to thoroughly enjoying blogging. I’m thrilled that you’re getting back to basics and am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for you
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Blog 365 has scared me since I tried NaBloPoMo and didn’t make it through a month. Still gives me shivers.\
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Since I am a fairly recent reader I can’t honestly say I think you’ve been writing for me as your audience (although you SHOULD, everyone should) but I’ve read some of your backposts and love that you tell your life and your thoughts the way you want to tell them. And some days maybe that means just being quiet. So good for you
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heh… obviously, i feel NO COMPULSION at all to post every day. i considered nablopomo to “force” me into posting regularly, but decided, like you, that that’s really not why i have a blog.
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Good girl!\
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Screw Blog 365. Do your own thing. Do what you gotta do.\
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Love from your favorite semi-weekly long-form blogger.
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don’t make it a chore – that’s not what it should be about. write when you want to write (coming from someone who disappears for weeks on end).
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