This is something I have felt guilty about for awhile. Where is the balance between just enough and too much. I often feel a lot of guilt over not responding to comments, emails or doing big sponsor posts anymore. I feel like I am cheating my readers out of something...it feels weird even typing that up because I know that I don't have that same standard for other bloggers. It makes me smile to see when someone has responded to my comments but in all honesty, I forget places I left comments and half the time just putting my thoughts out into the universe was the only satisfaction I was after. This is what I remind myself of because I really can't do all those things. I try and respond to the important emails, sometimes I fail. I try to respond when someone has a question in the comments, and sometimes I fail. I keep up with my facebook page...but again, I fail. I feel a pang of guilt when I see my sponsors and feel as though I should do more for them but then I remind myself that I didn't promise more or less and that they sponsor for the same reasons I do. They like a blog enough to feel good about supporting it and/or they want more traffic on their blog/shop. Simple. I get so frustrated. Its so hard to balance the things blogging seemingly demands with the more pressing, nurturing my children, my husband, my home. How does one do it without snapping at children so they can respond to emails? I need more scheduling in my life to get this accomplished but I think I am coming to terms with the fact that a schedule won't work for my life right now.
This is my frustration, sometimes I feel like giving up blogging altogether because I cannot do it all. Its such a perfectionist tendency of mine, but its there.
I do feel as though I fail my readers and sponsors.
I want to be sure that you all know that literally, every single comment, every single sponsor, email or any other gesture does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
If you have bought even a $5 spot from me it is noticed and appreciated. There are many times it has helped loosen the tight belt on our finances, and it has meant a lot.
So I guess this post is a plea, for you to please, have mercy on me. I hope you don't feel this way, I hope in some way you feel as though this blog has been a safe haven for your thoughts, inspiring on some level and a source of encouragement for you. Please, share your thoughts. I really do care. xoxo
when i comment, it's because something resonates with me - or i feel like offering words of encouragement, understanding or support. or to just express my love for a post/words/pictures/thoughts :) i definitely never expect replies in emails or comments i ever send out, but sometimes get the urge to send emails to show appreciation & support :) i know if i was blogging, i would love to hear positivity coming my way - so that's why i try to give it where due :)
ReplyDeletedon't feel overwhelmed hun :) your blog is perfect. definitely not failing in any way :) x
My dear Bekah,
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog for sometime now, but, recently, actually, discovered you in my Google Reader. (I know, shame on me!). This is my first time leaving a comment. I would like to apologize in advance because this might be a super long comment.
First, I love your blog! I feel like we're friends in real life Lol as I can relate to you so much! We have so many similarities! I gave birth to my second baby girl 1 month ago, and its been soo hard to get use to having two children! Your recent motherhood posts really helped with my sanity.
Anyways, I really just want to say that you should not stress about blogging. For the longest time I wanted to start a blog, for the same reason we all do: to express ourselves, our thoughts to the internet world, and so I started one. Well I've came to realize that blogging is so competitive. I love reading blogs. I love reading about people and learning about their lives. Sadly, sometimes, blogging seems so artificial. When I started typing my posts, I felt so much pressure to be perfect. I felt I needed to make sure I was impressing anyone out there who might be reading my blog. To make this short, I guess what Im trying to say is that you don't need to stress, people like me who enjoy your blog will keep reading your blog regardless of how many posts you do a week, or how many comments you respond to. ;-)
Naomi, you said this perfectly!
DeleteSometimes, it feels really hard for me to find balance in life, and my first baby isn't even here yet! I can't imagine how much harder it would be with two children. But I think that you're doing great! I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteMarissa / treetopnest.blogspot.com
I only just found your blog :) But, I totally feel your frustration (and share your guilt). I am a constantly failing perfectionist, and it is the lives that are imperfect but still beautiful that inspire me the most.
ReplyDeleteI like that you don't do a ton of sponsor posts and advertising. I read a blog "In this wonderful life" and every time I go to her page I feel like it's one big ad, and really makes her content seem artificial. Your honesty and natural blogging is what's appealing :)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and love that you don't do a ton of sponsor posts! I also understand you have a busy life with a husband and two girls so I totally understand why it would be difficult to respond to every comment and email. Blogging should be fun, not something that's an added stress to your life!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Naomi, blogging is very competitive. I'm a pretty new reader but one thing I love about your writing is how authentic you are. You share so much beauty but with some honesty thrown in and that's refreshing. I feel like you're someone I could sit down and have a fun chat with, not like you're some ideal I could never reach. I've quit following so many blogs because no matter how inspiring their photos or writing, if I felt like I was glimpsing into some fairy tale life, I'd just feel like crap after.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, I totally get where you're coming from trying to find a balance between blogging and family. I've also got two young children and I admit to getting overly frustrated when I'm lacking balance. It's something worth working on. What I'm getting at is do what's best for you and your family. I'll keep reading. Don't feel obligated to respond to everything-you've done so much by sharing your writing with us in the first place!
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Your blog is insanely inspiring to me. Right now, I'm dealing with a lot of stuff in my marriage, and the tweets and posts you've written from the book "If the Buddha Married" have been a source of encouragement for my soul. Please, don't stop writing those things! I'm struggling to find peace in this situation, and searching for some way to forgive my spouse and love him in the way I want to be loved. Things are tough, but please know your blog, your twitter, your instagram pictures of your beautiful family, and the constant honest statements you make are not only encouraging, but inspiring. Keep doing what you're doing, lady. It's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteyour blog is great! i love your honesty, it's a breath of fresh air :D
ReplyDeleteBekah,
ReplyDeleteI think you are a wonderful blogger and please don't stress out about not responding to comments and such. I truly don't feel failed as a reader of your blog. Your honesty really speaks to me and inspires me in so many ways. I think it would be beyond a full-time job to 1. have a blog as great as yours, 2.be able to give correspondence back to every comment. You would be so busy blogging that the only thing you could blog about would be blogging, there would be no time to live life. :) Like Sarah said, do whats best for you and your family. I wont stop reading!
xoxo
i think that overall, blogging should be a fun creative outlet. i understand why you worry, but mostly people just want to keep reading what you have to say ;)
ReplyDelete