Genre: Opinion/Argumentation

Pages Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Blog overload - I think I lost the plot there for a moment I think I might've lost the plot there just recently. You see, Digital Parents , an online blogging community here in Australia, are hosting their second blogging conference in March 2012. There's been talk of sponsorship to pay for you to get there, blogging about it, guest speakers, a trade show etc etc. I actually thought hey, I could do this . I found myself writing project plans and check lists on how I was going to achieve all of this. I actually got excited about the idea of going to an interstate conference, something that I did from time to time with my work, before kids. I've seen a few blog posts today about the overuse of social media, spending less time doing but more time spent on the computer and the amount of time you spend blogging compared to commenting. I enjoy reading and commenting on blogs and would prefer to do that. The light bulb went flashing madly today and I said "NO"! No more. This is just craziness. If I wanted to do all of this, I'd be doing it as a full time job and getting paid for it. I'm a Mother first and foremost, not a blogger. I'm a cook, a wife, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a carer of two dogs and a person who loves life and wants to get healthy. I don't have time to be doing this. I've got two children and a husband who need my time and attention, more than a digital world of maybes and what ifs. I don't have time for media kits and sponsorship. I love cooking, craft, reading, photography, spending time with and looking after my children, husband and two dogs and keeping house. This is what I'll do. We're a one income family and if I do happen to get enough money saved up for a ticket (nearly $200), airfares (approx $500), accommodation (nearly $500) and spending money, then I'll go. If not, then I'm sure I'll find out what happened through Twitter, about 100 different Australian bloggers and guest speakers, video links and photos. Its a lot of money to outlay isn't it? After the last conference,I read a lot of posts saying that you had to do this, this and this and be that, that, that to be blogging correctly and to your full potential. ersonally I like my blogs the way I make them because really it is my own form of self publishing and I want it to be me, not the same as what everyone else is doing IYKWIM? A lot of my favourite blogs either sold out or just lost that appeal for me and it was disappointing. If you do find a way to get there, I am sure you will have fun though... Well done you - sometimes we think being SAHM's mean our days of career and ambition are over. But blogging can be another thinly veiled version of the rat race. We blog because we love it, and I hope it stays that way. I tell myself that as soon as I get sponsors etc etc etc, the pressure increases so much. I need to post all the time, and have great content all the time. I like to take a break when I want. I own the blog, it doesn't own me, and it's such a joy :) Good on you Anne! Love your blog - and your perspective Anne! You have inspired me to do some more cooking. I try to avoid the oven when I cook so I made a lemon slice on the weekend (from my mum's old Nursing Mothers Association cookbook)... it was great! And I replaced the Marie biscuits with Weetbix for a bit less sugar and I think they are just as good :-D I often wonder how people find the money to attend these conferences. I know for myself, there is absolutely no room in my budget for any expense of this size! Glad you're comfortable with your decision not to get caught up with online "stuff" and concentrate on "real life" :) Well said Anne! I personally won't be going because of the expense....I have a family of six to feed! Also because I'm happy posting my little stories about random and obscure things. Maybe if my blog was bigger? Who knows? It takes such a lot of time posting and then commenting on a few blogs a day...I really don't have time to do any more and I commend you for the amount of commenting you do! I have to remind myself of that all the time. I am not trying to make money right now. Maybe we feel guilt to just do it all, even though doing it all is not possible. It would be fun, but I bet there are more fun ways to spend that money. So well said Anne. I am really trying to balance blogging with my other life loves and keep it in its rightful place...a hobby. Would love to see you in Melbourne some time, be it at a blog conference or some other excuse to come down this way. x Lee What an absolutely brilliant post! Here is the UK it is much the same, and over the last couple of years I've seen the 'mummy blogging world' change completely from how it was when I first started blogging back in 2008. People are obsessed by visitor numbers, SEO, blogging conferences, getting hold of free stuff to 'review', and their position on various blog popularity charts. I can't bear it. The best blogs (and the ones that I prefer to visit regularly and comment on) are ALWAYS the ones who concentrate on actually writing interesting content, rather than all the above, IMHO. Yes! Thank you! I think your post has just pulled me back in to line as well! I'm noticing that the cyber world is taking up more and more of my time lately, when I have a spare moment, I go online. Not that I'm posting much, but I'm certainly writing stuff to post, and reading a lot of other blogs. I'd love to see my blog grow and I do love blogging, but sometimes when it's getting too big for its boots, it's a good idea to take a step back and ask yourself, "why am I doing this?" For some it may be a career step, and that's cool. For me, it's a hobby and it needs to be more for ME than anyone.else, otherwise why am I doing it?! As others have said above, it's all about balance! Hope you find yours Anne!