When I started blogging a little over three years ago, my goal was to post twice monthly. My audience was myself and my close friends and family. Subject matter varied somewhat but was essentially commentary on my life. Not a diary of the minutea of daily life, but insights in to how I experience what goes on around me. I've always been overly introspective and this blog served as a stage for indulgence in that activity.
Then last summer we moved to Idaho. Several other very personal stresses developed about the same time, and I felt alone. I didn't really have much of anyone to talk with here, and I've never been great at keeping long distance friendships going. Also around this time my cousin Lisa began dipping more deeply into the blogging pool, and I started to watch the interactions going on in her comment section. I eventually started making blogging friends myself, and realized that in order to keep interest going in my blog, I needed to up my posting efforts.
So began my journey through the blogosphere. I must admit that I enjoyed having a slightly broader audience. That was my biggest motivator. Of course, this is largely a mutual admiration soceity--I'll read yours if you read mine. I found some great blogs out there, funny, honest, articulate, and I even made a few friends. Most of those friends I have yet to meet, but one, at least, is in my ward, and it's been a great way to get to know her. I also became much closer to my cousin than I think I've ever been. So good things have come of this.
But as all of you wonderful bloggists know, reading blogs and making meaningful comments can become rather consuming. And I am done. Spending hours a week on Blogspot is not really how I want to spend all my time. I'm not great at balance. I tend to obsess. Usually, however, I can obsess in an ADD kind of way, bouncing from one project to the next. I actually have come to appreciate Facebook that way. I can be on there for five minutes or nearly an entire day if I want, and then ignore it for weeks. My friends are still there on my return, and no one has really even missed me. Blogging is a bigger commitment. I already have as many big commitments as I can handle.
I'm not removing my blog. I reserve the right to post now and then, as the spirit moves. I plan on visiting my fellow bloggers now and then. I might even leave a comment. Then again, I might not. I realize that this means I may loose some of the friendships that I have started. And I think I have decided that that will be okay. I will miss you. I hope at least some of you will miss me. But life sort of goes that way, doesn't it?
So friends, email me, leave a message on my Facebook wall, and I promise I will keep in touch. Otherwise, if you're interested, check in now and then. I may very well have something to share.
