The sun is setting on my Bloganuary efforts and I have three reasons why. Let me tell you. If you would like to listen.
For one, this virus is playing a great game with me. Sometimes using my head as a futbol and at other times burning me like I’ve taken a trip to the surface of the sun. Finding the energy to tap out my thoughts is no laughing matter. Though there are great moments of blue skies and I actually got some much needed work done today, from my headquarters in bed.
The second reason is the whole posting daily thing. Though I admire people who can and do take the time to write on a daily basis, I’m a strong believer in quality over quantity. I can’t push out quality on a daily basis even though you most probably can. Pushing out posts just for the sake of it only adds to the detriment and degradation of the internet. The internet is bad enough with its overgrowth of inaccurate facts or opinion based information and I don’t want to add to the melee.
And the third reason is, I am not finding the prompts as inspiring as I’d hoped they be. Perhaps I haven’t given it enough time, but every prompt thus far has been self-centric. I’d rather not talk solely about myself, I’d love to dialogue in a deep and effective way. I’d like to share joy and meaningful moments that bring clarity to our journey together. And share some of the experiences where I’ve learned something you may find valuable.
Do you really want to know what makes me laugh, or what my favourite childhood toy was, or who in the world inspires me. I’m one person on a planet of 8 billion souls, I doubt very much what I say about myself in any of those instances, is going to make an enormous difference to the trajectory of anybody’s life. Actions may, but seldom do self-centric words, unless it is a particularly motivating personal story.
My little survey yesterday revealed that there is a split in how people are feeling about this. I only had a few responses, but it was a nice guage. Many read, few responded. Thank you to those brave souls who took the time to respond. (If you haven’t done the survey and would like to I’ll link it below.)
And I do see the benefits of Bloganuary, after all I met some new people and I’m very much enjoying our connection, but I suspect our connection will be just as valid if I don’t post everyday.
So I’m certain this post won’t be very popular. It goes against the grain, I understand that. Though it is how I honestly feel. Blame it on the fever. It’s no laughing matter. Or maybe she’s just born this way.
Here’s the link to yesterday’s survey post. https://lifewithalegria.com/2022/01/06/inspired-or-not/
And about the feature image, that’s an unedited picture of Sunset Beach in St. Catharines, Niagara, Ontario. It’s a beautiful beach and you can see why it’s called Sunset Beach. The lens flare couldn’t be helped (apologies) . I still thought it was a beautiful serene image.
Life with Alegria 
Couldn’t agree more about quality over quantity. Back when I started blogging I was obsessed with putting out as many posts as I could in a short space of time. The result was dozens of throwaway posts that just kinda blended into the mix. It’s much better to sit back, take your time, be fully inspired and try to craft work that people can truly connect to. Easier said than done of course.
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I absolutely agree. Thank you for that. Churning out drivel seems pointless to me. I’d rather share more inspiring and joyful experiences than inane facts about myself. Thank you for weighing in. You made an excellent point.
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Sorry to hear the virus is affecting you in this way, hon. I don’t have any deep purpose in writing but I don’t need somebody to prod me with a stick every day to voice my thoughts. This is how it feels to me.
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That’s a great perspective Jo. No prodding necessary. Sometimes it’s more liberating and authentic to write when the spirit hits.
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🤗💕
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It seems above and beyond for you to continue writing daily from a sick bed. I have enjoyed reading your posts and getting to know you a bit however, I admit I don’t read them every day. I do read them, but sometimes I will read a couple of days at a time to catch up with what I missed. In some ways it feels like an obligation because you are participating and I want to be supportive. The truth is, if I didn’t enjoy your writing I wouldn’t bother. You are the only Bloganuary participant I am reading. I did take your survey but it was a couple of days behind so maybe it wasn’t useful. You probably noticed, I don’t post that often. Things have changed on WP so much since I started 12 years ago. At times it really feels pointless. It is still my only outlet to write what I want to when I want to so I will continue however sporadically I feel inspired. I will continue to read your work. Whether it is every day, week or month. In my opinion you should do what you are comfortable with and perhaps get better first. I’m rambling. Take care.
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Oh no please chat on, it’s great to hear from an experienced blogger. I know what you mean about feeling it’s pointless. I’ve heard that from others before. And I would love to hear how things have changed.
I guess we all like sharing something. I’ve discontinued participating daily, it really seems pointless. I just can’t bring myself to talk about me this much. Especially in small talk fashion.
I do very much appreciate you reading and love hearing your thoughts. Thank you so much for being so honest Michelle. It means a lot. 🙏
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Thank you for linking to my post Marsha. I hope I haven’t spoiled the consistency for you. For me, it just didn’t feel full enough to be sharing only about myself with the prompts. But that’s just me. The remaining 99.99% of people could feel very differently than I, and that is absolutely okay.
I do have a post coming up tomorrow that is more joy based. I hope you’ll like it.
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It’s not that I mind the prompts but I would like if it’s not so much about me
Take the 9th prompt for example- I mean 🙆♀️
By the way that’s a beautiful sunset picture even with the flare!!
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Thank you Dream Girl. Appreciate you reading and taking the time to comment. The sunner sunsets there are often gorgeous. 🙏
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I like that you’ve shared your thought processes about possibly leaving bloganuary (Bloganuary?). I’ve also enjoyed finding new blogs and meeting new writers (like you), (I’ve enjoyed the posts on the pages I’ve encountered vis ȧ vis the bloganuary introduction).
Everything has been a little biographical, but I don’t mind that especially: it’s mostly how I roll – start with the personal and try to make it at a tiny bit global. Especially my recovery pieces.
I don’t think I’m going to withdraw, but I’m trying to give myself permission to not be perfect and to skip a prompt or two if I’m not feeling it or feeling forced/stressed/overwhelmed. I’m also planning on mixing things up with a song, image, or poem the prompt inspires (I think the pace might really start to overwhelm 😬).
I loved the above question from Marsha about the “why” of participation: I did it to get back into the game. I’d fallen into a nonproductive routine of drift – this is helping.
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You certainly have a very balanced view of it all Em. That’s definitely inspiring me to stay in the game, however I too will go at my own pace, play when I want to and allow myself to take my own twists and turns on the prompt. Or perhaps not follow the prompts at all sometimes. Who knows. I have very much enjoyed meeting new people. This is the best part of the whole bloganuary process. Thanks very much for your perspective. Much appreciated!
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You’re so welcome: thank you 😊
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I hear ya. I’m happy I started this challenge because I got to meet you. Other than that? *shrug*
Good job on making this post fit the prompt in a different way.
Funnily enough, I haven’t been feeling my best, either. Lotsa health to you!
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Thanks Sam! Good to meet you too. Sorry to hear you’re not feeling the best. Hang in there and let’s hope it passes quickly. Lots of Vitamins C and D and tonnes of fluid. That’s been working for me, sort of.
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Yup. I have all that almost on a conveyor belt.
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I am having to agree with you on the prompts. I wasn’t expecting them to be so much about “me” and I hope that as the month goes on they will develop into something more. I started off not thinking that I’d follow the prompts because sometimes I want to post other things but then I just got into the idea of using the prompts. I do a lot of my own blog writing on the weekends, usually scheduling posts for the week ahead, so having to write every day as the prompts come has been a challenge. Sometimes I just have the energy to type out a few sentences on my phone at the end of the day and let it be my offering for that day.
I think you have to do what makes you happy. And if this event isn’t doing it for you, no one will think any differently. Post when and what you can and let it be there just in the background. Maybe somewhere along the road, there will be a post that sparks some joy in you that you really want to participate in!
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Thanks for your thoughts GF! It’s a good and relaxed perspective towards it. Much appreciated.
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Made a comment before but I don’t see it so I’ll say it again🙂. I love this response, it is very honest and spot on. Please do not quit, it is still early and I would miss your take on the daily challenges. Remember there are no right or wrong ways to answer the questions. These challenges force us to be “creative” to avoid being shallow 🙂. This post alone proves that. Hang in there!
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Thanks very much Janice! I just saw your earlier comment, but it came through as “Someone”. I very much appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you!
You’re quite right, it does breed creativity and we can do what we want with it. Perhaps I’ll do just that. Thank you! 💕
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I love this and admire your honesty! Don’t drop out though, it’s still early, maybe they’re just starting out slow. I would also miss your take on the questions. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to answer the questions. This response alone proves that!
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Thank you! I’m not sure who you are, but I very much appreciate your insights on this.
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The prompts are very self-centric, Alegria. They remind me somewhat of the early days of blogging where people send out long lists of questions to answer, then we passed them along. That was super taxing because I didn’t know enough people to pass to. However, since some of my readers are new, I don’t mind sharing so far. I get what you mean by the everyday commitment. I find that taxing but since several of my friends were doing it, I decided to join in. I think several of them have dropped out, too. I wonder what purpose WordPress had. So far it hasn’t improved my writing any. I’m just making lists. However, it has sparked a lot of conversation back and forth between some of my readers. Again, the question I need to ask myself is what is MY purpose for playing along? Am I trying to just post, get acquainted with people, share my life in a way I can refer back to something meaningful, or just to pass the time of day? I appreciate your qualitative thoughts on it.
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What a beautiful and deep comment Marsha. You’re absolutely right, it is about each of us finding our purpose in playing along. You posit some extremely thoughtful questions. And like you I very much enjoy the conversations. Much like ours now. Thank you Marsha!
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