Dear Abby, I need HELP! I have a confession. I like blogging, a lot. I have thought on occasion, " Oh blogging, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways." I've counted the ways before. Believe me, there are lots. Blogging is my drug of choice. It makes my mind whirl with delight to actually be thinking, growing, expanding, gleaning, sharing, communicating, relating and creating. It's wonderful. But there's a problem I have. I feel like Ariel when she stated so poignantly, "how could a world that makes such wonderful things be bad?" Relating to my circumstance I say, "how could a blogworld that shares such wonderful things be bad for me at times?" Blogging never fails to cure what ails me, but I'm sick of it's pesky side effects. And I've felt more than a few. For example, I have Blogsession. You know, a blogging obsession. Sometimes, I just don't stop. It starts with just one little click, then before you know it, and hour (or 2) have gone by and I'm reading some stranger's blog that lives in Arkansas about making homemade laundry detergent. Then there are side effects of the side effects. It's not pretty. (See figure a, b, c and d.) Why is it that wonderful things are just so addicting!?!? The worst side effect of all is bloguilt. As it is with other things, when I overindulge, I feel guilty. I should feel guilt for Pete's sake, seeing how it's a natural indicator that something is amiss. So my question is, "how can I blog away freely without these unpleasant side effects!?!" I would appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks a lot. Sincerely, Julie the blogger.
anna KNOWS she can get away with anything when i'm overdosing on blogging.
did i do that???
Alright, so I didn't really send this to Abby.
I just needed to write to somebody….anybody.
Except Dr. Laura.
She'd just yell at me and tell me to get over it.
Really, this is just so trivial that I would never bother anybody with this.
As a result I was left to figure it out myself.
So I pondered and decided it was up to me so find a solution to my dilemma.
Then, one especially guilt ridden day, I was thinking while driving and had the feeling that I need to limit my computer time.
I just hate it when I realize that I have yet another thing I need improve on in my life.
But then again, I do love overcoming issues and being in control of my life.
I had to come up with a remedy that would NOT resemble hitting the delete button on my blog or banging my computer with a hammer.
Instead, I've come up with a more reasonable solution so that I can still enjoy something I love without all of the negative side effects.
You know, a pro without the con.
My plan is a bit over the top.
Many of you may not need such a drastic intervention.
Well, I do.
Believe me, I've tried other means.
They just take more self control than I have developed.
Luckily I've finally found the solution for not overdosing on a wonderful thing.
It's name: K9 Web Protection Alert. Here's what I did.
- I downloaded K-9
- I restricted all internet access.
- I set up a daily time limit of a half hour of free time. (honor system w/myself…in my head.)
- When my time is up, the internet simply stops working and i give up....or log back in IF i can justify it! {this actually works wonders because it actully makes me stop, evaluate weather what involved in on the internet is really worth my time!}
- I also allow myself to use a 5 minutes worth of access if I need quick info like a recipe phone number or a map.
- Now, whenever I decide to use my free time, I just login, allow access for the half hour and that's it.
I've done this for a week now and my side effects….bloguilt, blogsession, and blogoverdose are gone!!
I can now blog away to my heart's content.
Oh the joy I feel.
I can do something I love, WITHOUT FEELINING GUILT.
That is, until this dreaded alert pops up. Over and over and over and over and over again. Until I just give up trying to click back and decide to actually decide to give in and click that little red x.
http://www1.k9webprotection.com/
p.s. this may not work for me forever.I wan't to know how you avoid bloggermania side effects. i can use ANY help I can get. :0)
p.s.s.....karen Kondos and other privatizers. pleeeese let me into your blog!!! i miss you! my email is morjulie@gmail.com
16 comments:
I cannot really relate here? Seeing as I am up at 12:30 commenting on your blog--I obviously have NO addiction and I'm not in denial!
Honestly, I just may have to try your idea. My house is often disheveled as I happily blog away. I suppose I would hate for my children to grow up and say, "ya we lived in a dump, but my mom had an awesome blog."I need some serious help. Maybe we should start a BA (bloggers anonymous) group or something.
Isn't that one of the secrets of getting older and learning what life is really about? Everything can become a vice! Even church service can turn negative when not done in balance. Who knew?? :-)
As for "reading some stranger's blog that lives in Arkansas about making homemade laundry detergent" ... can I have the link? I've wondered how the Duggars do it, too, and just might try it myself? hehe
Oh my! I'm right there with you. I too, have the bloguilt! The first thing I do in the morning is read my google reader and the last thing I do at night is the same, as well as checking several times during the day (can't even say how many.) I love Tara's comment "Ya we live in a dump but mom has an awesome blog" That's the story of my life! Thanks for sharing. I really need to limit my blogging time! As far as help, I don't have much advise but I can check in on you and you the same with me to see if we are sticking with the plan to limit our time. What do you think?
i soo heart you julie! sometimes i wish there was a blog-o-meter, ya know, the kind that when you're blog-binging, starts to hightlight the blog or two that are worth your time before the unexpected unevitably happens? my screen would ask me..."how much binge time do you have today?" "20 minutes, ok, try morris momments, a minute of the homemade laundry detergent, and then come back tomorrow...i'll have more things waiting for you" oh, the guilt-free days/nights i would have!
so how about that homemade laundry detergent? did it look difficult?
xoxo katrina
oh, thought of one more thing...when i was listening to maria covey cole talk about her new book on mothers and contentment, she talked about how mothers of the past did not talk about the difficulties and challenges they were facing. she explains how we need eachother as sisters to help and support one another. blogging really can be a tool in this department (like you have noted)...it has helped me so much. the hard part is knowing what is a help and what distracts us. :) hugs, katrina
What in the world? I think I am not having enough sleep for I still can't figure out what k9 is. Does it shut you off after a certain time? That is hilarious. I too struggle with when...how much...etc to blog. My husband and kids get miffed without fail. I maybe need to set up one night a week where I can do it til my hearts content and everyone knows not to bug me. I couldn't see the picutures on your post...my computer or yours?
I couldn't see the pictures on this post either... but I did still greatly enjoy it. I think everyone can relate!
By the way, I love the new header on your blog. Very cute!
Great idea! I took the little quiz linked at the bottom of your blog and discovered that I am only 54% addicted to blogging. Which is a perfectly acceptable number for me. Roger and the rest of the long-suffering family may disagree though...
Yes, yes yes. I totally understand. I'm still hoping I can handle myself. I'll keep that k-9 in mind though! :)
Julie, you are truly entertaining to read--great writer, so I'm glad you're not giving it up entirely! I need some help too. Some weeks I completely cut myself off from reading or blogging, because it is so easy to get carried away!
My life ran away with me, but I think I've found my way back home now! Next week would be a good week to get together! Let me know what works for you!
Oh, I'm right there with you Julie. I spend too much time blog surfing. In doing so I found that we know the same Kaylene (Daniel's sister). It's such a samll world. I'll have to get on her blog and tell her hi.
Ahh...the life and guilt of a mother...I love your creative confession...I have to confess myself...only my comes in the form of an explosive laundry room, extra steaming or ironing...I blog while my family is away. Justification...mom does not scrapbook, so this is my substitute! I journal and get to put pics with my writing! PLUS...I am more positive in my blogging than my personal journal. At least my kids will not think I am a chronic whiner, complainer or anything else when reading through the pages of the printed blog!
Julie I think you are great. You ae one of my heroes. :)
Wow, I don't need K9, I have Charlie. When I'm in here too long he comes to check on me so I feel guilty and stop, 'til next time. I love to read your blogs. You're special Julie!! Iloveyou! Love, MOM
I am on the verge of getting rid of my Google reader. That way I can just read from the commenters and not worry about the numbers staring me in the face every time I get online. I think that's half my problem... I open up Google for something entirely different and there is my Google reader with 40 posts in it. And my brain thinks... "Just read a few or you'll get WAAAAAYYY behind!" Yeah. A few turns into a lot and half my day is spent. Good luck with your computer software!!
Julie, you're crazy...I'm glad some things never change :)
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