One of my goals this year is to use computer time more efficiently and effectively. Saving time in one area will help me spend more time in bible study, and general reading. One of the things I've decided, is to reduce the number of blogs I follow, and also the number of blogs I comment on. I've been subscribed to literally hundreds of blogs at any given time. In addition, I participate in many weekly memes.
I've made it a practice to read most of the new posts on these blogs and memes. If I take time to read a post, I also take time to leave a comment. I've been doing this for years. As you can imagine, it takes a good chunk of time from my week but I do love to read and learn from others, and share a bit of myself.
I have no problem in doing this and for the most part have enjoyed it. However, I've decided it is time to make changes.
So along that vein, and with very few exceptions, I will no longer be commenting on blogs that I used to follow quite closely and blogs on which I used to be a frequenter commenter. I will also experiment with reading posts and not commenting quite as frequently. This practice seems to be quite common. On my own blog, I no longer reply to every comment left for me. I used to reply as a matter of courtesy. However I'm not sure how many people come back and read the response and I've also heard it said that it annoys some people to no end. I will leave replies from time to time but more as an exception rather than the rule. That will save me time and hopefully annoy fewer people!
I have a blogging philosophy in which I try to "connect" with other bloggers and develop a bit of a relationship with them. Relationship building requires something from both sides.
After years of visiting some blogs and hearing nothing, I've begun to feel like a voyeur and an intruder in the lives of people I do not know. People who write freely about intimate aspects of their lives or share freely of their knowledge but they never take time to say "hello, welcome to my world" or never come by to see what I'm up to. So I'm moving on.
With a few exceptions, I will be concentrating on following bloggers who take time to connect in some way. I don't mean we have to become "pals". I know everyone is busy. I am just saying let's show common courtesy and take time to encourage one another's blogging efforts through showing appreciation of each other's efforts from time to time.
I will continue to participate in weekly memes which I also love. However, I will again be limiting my comments to those bloggers that show reciprocity now and then then.
I do love blogging and reading your blogs. I get inspired, I learn something, I cry with you, pray with you, relate to you through your stories, want to "root for you", laugh with you, etc. I look forward to reading more of your posts and leaving comments or encouragement. If I haven't visited you in the last few days please know I am a little behind due to family obligations but I will be by very soon.
I'm very thankful for those of you who do take time to come by and read my posts or view my photos. You encourage me on my blogging journey.
Have a great week!
14 comments:
Blessings sweet friend, I totally understand.
I have been following a similar path for a while. Blessings!
Hi Joyful~ I sure understand what you mean about wanting to have a connection with a few good bloggers, and having to pick and chose. It is hard, and I do follow a lot of blogs, but I have also been looking on it as a mission to share the goodness of glory of God. I definitely follow the blogs of those that have joined as a follower, and then I try to check in with others. I am like you, I love just seeing what others are up too, laughing, crying and praying for other bloggers. I have been VERY GRATEFUL for all your comments to me, and I am thankful for you! God bless you as you 'cut corners' where you feel to. Have a wonderful day! ♥♥♥
I pop onto Facebook every once and a while, and wonder how some people have so much time. Minimizing at the computer is definitely a time-management tool!
This makes sense to me. I've noticed that quite a few of us in the blogging world seem to be pulling back a little and writing fewer posts. I'm always happy to pop in here and see what's new in your wonderful and inspiring life. Love your header photo--those flowers are gorgeous!
I know what you mean, I've also gradually reduced comments to the blogs that interest me, and the blogs of those who leave me comments and there's a good connection. I enjoy these virtual friendships, and sometimes (as with you and Jo in Kenya - was it?) it's lovely when you meet up. I loved meeting Tina. I'm surprised by the idea that people don't want you to comment on their comment - because in that case I obviously annoy absolutely everybody. Oh well! Have a good week Penny.
Caroline
KT, I am not yet on FB. I guess that's why I have time to comment on blogs, lol. If I ever get on FB I may spend too much time there.
Thanks Clair. I will continue to pop in and visit you too whenever you have a new blog post.
Hi Caroline, I understand. I think my new approach will allow me to spend more time reading the blogs I do enjoy most since I do enjoy these virtual friendships also. It was actually on a UK blog where I read that the blogger felt people comment on comments just to "plump" up the number of their comments. That was never the reason for me commenting back and I will still comment on comments when I think it is appropriate and have time. However that was also the same blog on which I was surprised to learn that there are those who find comments on comments annoying.
Dear friend,
Times are getting tougher, I think God is doing some pruning, so we can bare more fruit. God Bless you my friend, May God enable you to be able to do all the things that you set off to do. love me
Hello Joyful.
Wonderful post, and I understand you.
Being online / write blog post / comment takes much time, time which many times can be better in real life.
Wishing you every success and happiness with the way you want to take your blogging matters.
Will continue to read / write voltage blog.
Hugs Hanne Bente
Oh, I agree. It's the connecting with other people that makes blogging so enriching.
I too find that I'm spending way too much time on blogging to the detriment of my Bible study and devotional time. I've not been able to delete blogs from Google Reader, either. I tend to only leave comments on blogs whose writers leave comments on mine. Blogging can be so addictive and a time-waster (in my case!). On top of being addicted to blogging, I am also a VERY slow reader so it takes up even more of my time than it would if I were a faster reader. I periodically go for days without blogging and then I get right back into spending hours and hours doing it...and then I feel guilty. Oi veigh!
Great post, I understand you. I visit many blogs too, and I comment from time to time on them, or when I read something interesting, so I don´t expect their owners to comment back on mine, although I always appreciate a new comment or having a new contact.
I only comment on regular basis the blogs of my closer contacts and try to leave comments on blogs whose writers leave comments on mine, but is not easy. I have the feeling that I waste too much time, so I am also trying to use it more efficiently, so along the week I only publish my posts (something I need and want to do) and return some visits quickly and I try to catch up on saturday morning
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