I’m making a change in my blogging schedule, at least for a little while.
Instead of five times a week, beginning next week, I’m going to be blogging three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, for a few weeks at least.
I need to read more and write more and think more and bring that back to the blog.
I need rejuvenation.
As I wrote yesterday, I’ve been feeling the push of responsibilities and obligations, and I need some time to get my creative juices flowing again.
I love blogging, and that brings me to my next point.
I would love, dear readers, to hear from you about some things you would like me to write about. Are there any subjects that you’d like me to explore further? Anything I haven’t been clear about? Anything that you think would help you?
Because that’s why I blog—to reach out to you and connect and, hopefully, help you know that you are not alone in your trials with OCD, depression and anxiety.
If you don’t feel comfortable giving me your ideas in the comments, feel free to email me at tbarbour36(at)gmail(dot com). You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter.
I hope to hear from you!
Do what you need to do, Tina. Maybe even having a schedule at all might be too much pressure? I blog when I feel the need or the call to. Sometimes that's every day for several days and sometimes it's a few times a week.
ReplyDeleteHmm... I'd like to hear more about ....well you and anything you want to say :-)
Thank you, Elizabeth. I like having a schedule in that I can plan ahead, but I will probably post some times when I'm not "scheduled" to.
DeleteTina, I hope you don't feel responsible for our well being too much. I absolutely love your blog, but you need to take care of yourself first! Especially when you are feeling you are being pushed. That kills being creative anyway.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't know of any specific subject you can blog about, I'm already amazed at how you can come up with something new every time. Sorry about that.
I hope you will get through this weekend well and will enjoy the visit of your friend.
Klaaske, It's not the blog that's pushing me, so please don't apologize! It's everythinig else that I have to do that gets in the way. I'll take care of myself. And I love blogging, so that's part of taking care of myself. Thank you for your kindness!
DeleteWhile I'm sad for the rest of us that you are cutting down, I think it is a wonderful decision!!! I will look forward to whenever you post. Also will brainstorm on topics. I know the adjusted schedule will be refreshing. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. It will make it easier for me for a while.
DeleteA blogging schedule is a good way to go. I've fallen a bit behind lately due to my new job. I look forward to reading your posts as always Tina!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Keith. I've missed your posts, but I totally understand that busyness can get in the way.
DeleteTina, I've been amazed that you've been able to blog daily......sometimes I find posting once a week difficult! I think you need to care for yourself first, and not have the pressure of having to blog on certain days hanging over you. Your blog is wonderful, but it will be just as wonderful no matter how often you post. Be kind to yourself and put your needs first; you deserve it. That's my two cents worth! I will be thinking of you this weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your two cents, Janet! :-) I appreciate it!
DeleteThank you, Susan, for your suggestion and for your kind words. I appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteActually, I like everything you write about!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're giving yourself permission to take a break from the schedule. That is awesome - because you are recognizing how to take care of yourself. I am sorry that you're feeling so crummy lately. Are there other ways you can give yourself a break and find some refreshment?
Sunny, Thank you for your encouragement, as always! I do need to take some breaks in other ways--working on it! :-)
DeleteTina-- you have such a lovely way of writing-- I'll stay tuned whether it's everyday or once a week. :) Good for you for recognizing the need to step back and give yourself what you need right now. As for topics, I always relate to some aspect of what you write about-- even when the issues might be something different from what I deal with.
ReplyDelete~Ellie
Thank you, Ellie, those are very kind words!
DeleteFor the first year and a half I blogged, I blogged every single day. It was such a relief when I gave myself permission to start taking weekends off. And if things get busy, I'll take an extra day off, because I know I won't have time to return all comments. It's a great way to take the pressure off. I hope it helps you feel better!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa. It does take some of the self-imposed pressure off.
DeleteHi Tina :)
ReplyDeleteI am new here at your blog. I've enjoyed everything you've written that I've read so far. It's comforting to know that we're not alone. I hope that this time of break for you will only add to your strength.
I do wonder, or if I may ask, and I pray I won't offend to ask ...
Do you ever feel like depression/anxiety (mental illness) causes a limitation in your life? Like, maybe you'd really love to do 'this' or 'that' but you know you can't make the commitment because of the restraints this illness presents?
I've come up against this 'issue' just recently. I knew it was right for me not to step forward into a postion that I was desiring to. It was a good and nice position, but because of the amount of dependency others would need to draw from me if I were to take that position then perhaps I'd buckle under that kind of 'burden.'
This situation was hard for me, espcially because a certain person I respect, one who I know loves me and is only for my good, mentioned that it wouldn't be a good thing for to pursue that position at this time in my life. (It's only been 6 months that I've come out of a bad depressive episode) This person said, in the gentlest and most loving of ways that I hadn't the kind of stamina yet to hold up under a 'burden' of such.
I knew it was true. And I am okay with it now, and even do agree with all that was said. But, I wasn't okay with "myself" at first. I was a bit angered (and depressed) over the limitations that this illness has over me.
I wonder if you ever feel like this? Or if a situation like this is familar to you?
Blessings to you!
Deanna - I know you weren't specifically writing to me, but I just wanted to say that I feel like my illness does limit me sometimes and I find it very frustrating. I also find it frustrating trying to figure out when to give myself more slack (accept more limits) and when to push myself. Good topic suggestion!
DeleteDeanna, Thank you for sharing your story and for making the suggestion. Yes, I do feel like I am limited by depression and OCD, and that grieves me some time. I will work on writing about that for a post!
DeleteAbigail, That sounds like me--it's hard to know what limits are "OK" and when to push myself, too.
I have to comment here too. Yep, I sure have felt limited by my illness. Even now, when I add things, I try to add things slowly to make sure I can handle them. I don't think it's that we can handle less than others, I think it's because we are dealing with so much to begin with (we're already sort of starting with a heavy load on us) that we can't possibly compare ourselves with others who don't struggle in these ways.
DeleteI agree, Sunny--it's a heavy load that we're carrying already.
DeleteSunny - I really like how you explained that it wasn't that "we can handle less than others" but that we're already dealing with alot. It's encouraging to me to think that way and it makes sense.
DeleteI hope your space gives helps you delve deeper into your healing, your reading and your writing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jodi, I like how you included healing in there!
DeleteTina, I have to say I've been amazed at how often you blog. I know how much time goes into each post and I've wondered how you could keep up with this pace--AND DO IT SO WELL. I'm glad you are giving yourself permission to scale it back so you can enjoy other things as well. I have enjoyed everything you've written, and have learned a ton, so I look forward to whatever you feel inspired to share.
ReplyDeleteBecky, you are always so kind and encouraging. Thank you!
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