Reflections on 40 days of blogging

Technically, yesterday was the last day of my self imposed 40 day blogging challenge. Except that I didn't post yesterday, nor did I post the day before. Oh well, sometimes you go out with a bang, sometimes with a whisper, sometimes... nothing.

A few weeks ago, when I missed posting for one day, I was wracked with anxiety and disappointment. Now, not a big deal. So I missed 3-4 days of the 40. I also posted twice a day on several occasions. It's a reflection of my life goal: BALANCE.

I learned a lot in the last 40 days.

1. I am more private with information than I am with feelings.
2. Blogs are more interesting when they include photos. But my sense of privacy doesn't allow me to include photos of myself or any of the people in my life on my blog. Therefore, my blog will never be as interesting as it could be.
3. 40 days really does cement a habit. I definitely had the need to blog, even when time did not allow me to sit in front of a computer.
4. I never once ran out of material to write about, only time.

I also discovered that the blogs I truly love have one of these qualities in common:

a) Challenge: I love when there is a specific challenge or goal, such as the "Julie & Julia" blogger's goal of cooking every dish from Julia Child's cookbook. I love The Uniform Project ( www.theuniformproject.com ). Sheena wore the same dress every day as a statement about sustainable living, creativity, and as a fundraiser. She just finished her year of daily blogging today. Before I started this challenge, I was desperate to come up with a challenge of my own, but finally conceded that the simple challenge of writing something every day while also raising children, etc, was more than enough on my plate. Still, I dream of someday finding that specific goal that lights a fire under me.

b) Emotion: Authentic emotion. I find it all the time in my friends' blogs, and particularly on the blog: ourownrooney.blogspot.com

c) Quantity: Yes, I do prefer my bloggers to post often. It's a drag checking back again and again, only to see the same old post up for days or weeks on end. However, will I continue to post daily? I don't know.

d) Inspiration: It's always fulfilling to read a post that makes me want to do better. I don't know if this qualifies as a blog, but check out www.TheHappinessProject.com .

e) A combination of a & d: Philanthropic posts get me every time. I am committed to my friend Norm's Facebook group "Kenya Spare a Camera?" which chronicled his month volunteering at an orphanage in Kenya and really brought to light the fact that people can get together and make a difference! I adore http://www.MotherBearProject.com and the phenomenal woman who created it, Amy. Ditto http://crafthope.com .

I'd love to hear about the sites that YOU love, too!

So, there you have it: I have no bold declarations, no new challenge, no promises to blog every day... nothing new. I do plan on keeping this little thing going for the time being, and will always welcome your thoughts.

Quality vs. Quantity

M wrote in her blog about daily blog posting diluting the quality of the writing. I've been thinking a lot about that. I sort of agree. But I also think that the pressure to write every day can spur creativity in a way that just doesn't happen without the pressure.

It also got me thinking about quality vs. quantity. I read again and again in parenting books that what kids really want is quality time with their parents. I think that is B.S. There's no free lunch. Yes, they want quality time, but they also want quantity time. And I think we want the same thing of all of our relationships. In a pinch, we'll take quality over quantity. But both is really optimal.

As a blog reader, I value good writing. But I also tire of bloggers who post intermittently. I end up abandonning blogs when I check back again and again and again and find nothing new. I want quality AND quantity.

Fatigued Slacker

Oh, and I know I'm the one who suggested this particular blog challenge, and I accept that I have twice now missed posting. I wish I could say it was writer's block, but I have had more to write about than ever. My mind has been swimming with material, so much so that I have trouble falling back asleep in the middle of the night after the little one is up.


Right now I am propping my eyelids up just to get this thought down. My life wears me out. It is filled with happiness and turmoil and overscheduling and hard work and joy. The biggest challenge-among MANY- facing me most days is staying awake later than my kids.

There isn't enough caffeine in the world...