Thoughts From The Wilderness – The Cost of Blogging

Every so often, you come across a post which poses questions that on the surface seem a tad inconsequential, but after pondering them for a day or two the questions have a two-fold purpose.

At least in my mind, they do.

Dr.Tanya@SaltedCaramel recently posted a series of questions in response to a post from another blogger.

After reading her responses and then mulling over the questions for a bit, I see the questions and how one answers them in this way.

First, it should cause us to step back from the blogosphere for a second and figure out if blogging and all it entails impacts life, family and relationships in ways that may not be readily apparent?

And secondly, if someone was just starting out with their own blog, would reading this help them in at all in considering the “cost” involved in blogging.

Cost of Blogging — Questions

Does it infringe upon your leisure time?

Not really.

I am a very early riser, often getting up between 4:00 and 4:30 am.

I write and blog in that time before Lynn gets out of bed. Once she gets up, which is usually between 8:00 and 8:30 am, I kind of wrap things up in terms of writing. I rarely do any blogging during the day.

I may check my blog for comments and such but usually, reply back the next day.

Blogging needs to fit in your life, along with the many other elements competing for time and attention. Balance is perhaps the most appropriate term here.

Worse still, does it distract you from your work/studies?

In a word no.

I may think of an idea or concept to blog about while at work, but that’s about it.

Is it taking a toll on your personal relationships?

No. Refer back to Question 1.

Has your health suffered?

I don’t think so.

I’m not sitting all day at a computer screen and not getting an exercise or moving around.

I would say, however, that many of the posts I’ve done have focussed on mental wellness and mental health issues, so these topics always have taken me back to places that have dealt with challenging moments from the past.

Have you gained weight?

I have a very low or slow metabolism, so I do need to watch what I eat as to not balloon into a huge blimp. Having said that could stand to lose 10 pounds or so.

Do you ever get writer’s block?

Yes.

For me, I seem to write in what could best be described as “cycles.” 

I’ll get into a writing and blogging frenzy. When that happens, posts fly off the keyboard somewhat fast and furious. Then for some inexplicable reason, the frenzy slows down or may come to a bit of a standstill for a while.

I do overthink things both in life and when it comes to blogging. The overthinking things in terms of writing and blogging sort of is like getting stuck in the mud; spinning your tires, but not being able to get out of the predicament.

My wife Lynn says I write best when I don’t think at all. Go figure!!

She means, my best stuff occurs when I just let the writing happen. Simply start typing and then see what transpires.

More often than not she’s right on the mark about that.

Have you ever suffered from blog-related stress or blogger burn out?

Suffered from blog-related stress? I don’t think so. I think if I started to feel stressed or stress-related symptoms, I might move on to something else.

Blogging and writing have evolved over time for me. From what started as a blog summarizing our outdoor adventures, it has moved into other areas in a big way. A very large part of what I write about deals with looking at how nature and life’s issues intersect from primarily a mental-wellness perspective.

I see writing as an outlet, while at the same time, a vehicle that challenges me to stretch and grow both as a person and as a writer.

Blogger burn-out?

Not at this point. Burnout occurs when it isn’t fun anymore. And at this stage of the journey,  blogging is still a hoot.

A big thanks to Dr. Tanya for posting the questions and challenging other bloggers and writers to respond.

A great exercise to step back and take a look at where we all are along the “blogosphere path.”

 

Remember…

—  get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself  —