Lately I've been clicking over to my blog and thinking I should post but then I can't think of anything to say. Ever have that problem? It's happened to me a lot lately, and I'm wondering if perhaps I've outgrown the blog. Or maybe the blog has outgrown me? I feel the same when I go to Twitter. Just kind of bored with it. How long can a social media site stay viable anyway?
That's a lot of questions in the opening paragraph, so feel free to weigh in on any of them. As for Instagram, I've been hearing a lot about it but never set up an account until I replaced my smart phone in December. My old BlackBerry got stolen, a loss since nothing works as well as a BlackBerry for organizing-- but as a smart phone it left a lot to be desired.
How do you feel about Instagram? I enjoy it more than about any other social media site right now. Definitely more than Twitter. Pinterest is fun as a light magazine-type read. I can follow links on all kinds of things to keep me busy for hours. I don't see Pinterest dying out anytime soon.
And as for blogging, well, we shall see. It seems there's always something to say even when there's nothing. Meanwhile, here's a picture to look at. My kids who came to visit us for Christmas, leaving for the bus stop. Kind of a bittersweet shot, isn't it?
I'm afraid I don't know much about Instagram. That's the one the teenagers currently favor, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt's normal to have streaks when it seems you have nothing to say. I think that's true for all branches of social media.
That said, I hope you don't stop blogging. Facebook doesn't show me a lot of my friends, and Twitter is too time consuming for me.
I've found what might seem dull to you is fascinating to those of us on the outside. Just tell us about your day, how you did something, or share something you learned.
I learn something everyday from people just like you. :)
Maria, This is such a great comment. Like you, I think I enjoy the everyday posts the most, those that tell what people are doing, with maybe a photo to go with it.
DeleteI think you have two questions to answer. Do you like your blog? Do you have a type of message or story you want to share.
ReplyDeleteIf the answer is a yes, you may find yourself thinking of new directions to blog. The other one is you will need to sit down and write with the assumption you are going to write garbage for say ten minutes. You will be surprised what comes out.
Take care.
Ann, Sometimes I like my blog and sometimes I don't lol. I've had this one for nearly six years now and it's gone through so many changes and had different purposes. I'm having to reinvent it as my focus changes. For now, I like the idea of just posting about everyday things in my life when things come to me. Thank you for visiting and commenting!
DeleteI've been feeling the same way for about a year now. I want to quit blogging, but afraid to lose the friendships I've made over the years. I don't do FB, and all my other social media sites are stagnant. I guess just post when you can and hopefully, they'll be read by people like me.
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't stop blogging, Anne. I know you've said you would several times and I'm always glad when you come back and post, regardless of what it is. Yours is one I always have found of interest. (Checking now to make sure you're on my sidebar so I can quickly see when you post....Even if it's once a year lol)
DeleteKaren, We are in Mexico now, just got settled in. I think posting when you feel like it is the best way, at least for me. Hopefully people still think so and pop over to read!
ReplyDeleteI had heard Twitter was on its way out, anyhow. I mean, I hope not because I've just started getting used to using it! I've gone back and forth about my blog. A part of me wants to get rid of it and have just my twitter/facebook since it's a lot easier to keep the two of those up.. but neither get as many views or comments/likes as my blog does, which I guess means it's still viable? Eh.
ReplyDeleteMadilyn, I heard Twitter was dying too, and I believe it. I've heard about the death of blogging but don't believe it. It's something that can't really be replaced by anything else out there. Although those of us who've been doing it for years have these up and down moments.
DeleteHi Karen - I've always got too much to say?! But I can quite see how people move on and try other things ... I'm happy with blogging and do little else. The Instagram, Twitter and FB things are too ephemeral ...
ReplyDeleteSad to see your kids go - but you're in Mexico now I think .. cheers Hilary
Hilary, When the kids left, we did too, shortly after :)
DeleteOne day I'm going to reread all of your posts, they're that informative.
I do know what you mean. That's why I institute a 3 month on 1 month off policy. It helps me recharge--and I get more done. I don't care for pinterest or facebook or any site where one has to join in order to see content.
ReplyDeleteYou do have a whole new location to share with us though. :)
H.R., I admire anyone who has held out and not gotten on Facebook. I'm not sure how that is even possible! I really think blogging is special. So many people got on board with it when it was the new big thing, and so many have dropped off the map.
DeleteI'm not on Facebook or Instagram either. Heard too many horror stories about the former.
ReplyDeleteI think breaks are good. I'm taking one next week. I'm fortunate that my subject matter is never-ending, so I don't lack for things to say. Now, if I had to talk about me, that would be difficult...
Alex, I've noticed you don't even talk about you when it's the Insecure Writer Wednesday. You should! You should share with your readers your deepest fears and secrets-- haha!
DeleteI've cut back to three times a month. I'm still on Facebook and Twitter, but I tend to forget about those sites. The one that really has me hooked is Pinterest. So many fascinating images and articles, plus I've made boards for my books and my current projects.
ReplyDeleteDiane, Now that I've learned how to use it I'm getting hooked on Pinterest too. It's like having a whole pile of magazines right there to thumb through.
DeleteHello Karen. I've got the vibe from you for some time that you're ambivalent about blogging. I love it but know I'd be much better off writing wise if I gave it up, but I love it. I love the friends I've made, I love the writing craft posts where I've learned so much, and I love the sense of camaraderie amongst those who share my love of blogging. Nothing could replace it.
ReplyDeleteAs to what to blog about...I'm a news junkie, I read widely, I read a lot of blogs...there's never-ending stimulation which gets my brain fired up. And most bloggers only blog once a week, some once a month. Crazy three-times-a-week is left for the newbies or people who want to sell you something!
I see you just landed on Instagram. I love it. It demands nothing of me just interesting photos, not professional, to admire and often to learn something from. Love Pinterest too. For the food recipes, the French learning and the gorgeous travel photos. Hate FB, but I'm there, but mainly for my family and to keep in touch when I'm travelling...and that is most of the time!
How is Mexico? So sad to see your children heading off home, but that's life. Never static. Which is how we are...never static.
I hope you come to terms with what you want with social media. I'd miss you if you disappeared. But there's always Instagram and Pinterest (not sure if I follow you on Pinterest).
Denise :-)
Denise, Sorry I've been putting off that vibe. I don't think I'm ambivalent about blogging per se but maybe where my blog has been going, yes. The purpose has changed so much for me during the past many years I've been on it that sometimes I'm not sure anymore what I should be doing here. I think that's the real ambivalence with it. I think I'll just stick to my once or twice a month posting about whatever suits my fancy and stick to that. I'll never disappear entirely as I've been here too long for that!
DeleteIf it's not fun - then don't do it! I don't do Pinterest or Instagram, and barely touch Twitter when I'm away as so much as past since I could last connect there seems very little point. I do Facebook - and I have family and friends there, so they can see that I'm still around and enjoying myself.
ReplyDeleteAnd the blog - it's a great way of keeping in touch with those back home, so in your position I'd have thought it serves that function if no other. And sometimes I use mine to play with ideas - sort of throw them around and see what happens if any of them get caught. But if I feel it's a drudge, then I'll stop. Life too short and all that.
Jo, that's just it, blogging is very fun for me, but I need to be clear about what my focus or purpose is. I'm funny that way! Right now, Twitter is no fun and I'm not doing much there. Facebook is how I connect with friends and family who don't read my blog. Instagram and Pinterest are new and fun but how long before they get old? Such is life!
DeleteHard to imagine that with all the life changes you are making you have NOTHING to say, Karen. It almost seems like a burn-out, when you need something to energize the cells. A strong theme worthy of personal exploration? Or the same, worthy of public service?
ReplyDeleteMirka, You're right, I do have plenty to say LOL. Just look at all the relies to comments I'm putting here. Anyway, thank you and everyone else for weighing in. It's really helped me gain some focus on how to utilize this blog as things change for me.
DeleteHi lovey! I sure know what you mean, only with me l have lots to say but l get ambivalent about why l should! I'm just going to go with how it feels and not worry about shoulds. I'm on facebook after being off for awhile -l feel l need to be as it is sometimes the only way to connect with my teen clients or see what they are struggling with. I have a twitter account but truthfully simply don't get it. You'd think I would go for instagram considering the number of photos l take but l take them on a camera and hardly use my cell. And again just not sure of the point of it. Both my grown sons use it so maybe l should. I will go on pinterest but get lost in it. Oh gah! I feel tired and old suddenly. Anywhoozie -happy New Year! I do appreciate you and your thoughts for what it's worth.
ReplyDeleteJan, When I'm in the middle of writing or editing a book is when I often get away from blogging for that very reason-- all my words and ideas need to go into the book at that time. But one thing about blogging, when you come back your readers are right there with you! I so appreciate that about blogging.
DeleteI don't do Twitter or Instagram, and only go into Facebook to see pictures of my grandchildren. I hear that the younger generation are bored with FB and are going to Snapchat. Everything has its day and people get bored very easily and want the next big thing. I like Blogger because of the people I have met and connected with. That is the reason I stay on, even though it is not often as I once did.
ReplyDeleteI like to try new social media to see how it is, but not every new thing. There's no way I could keep up with it. Blogging is something people either like or don't like, and if you love it you love it. I just don't think it can be a daily or even weekly thing because of the time involved, unlike FB where a person can go several times a day to check in.
DeleteI still enjoy blogging and reading other blogs. I think it is all in how we view it and if we actually become bored with it and want something new. I know this is my favourite. I'm not on Twitter and have no idea what Instagram is but I hope you don't leave. I may very well feel a bit like you when you took that photo.
ReplyDeleteBrigit, Just to let you know after reading your post yesterday my husband and I just had to watch Quigley Down Under! Alan Rickman was amazing in it, exactly as I remembered him.
DeleteYou just moved to Mexico. Speaking for myself, I'd really like to see some posts about the area you are now living in. The history and culture of the place, etc. So, hit the streets my friend.
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, I really do understand...
Pat, Oh great, an assignment!! But no A to Z this year, can't take the pressure. You'll have to wait until I'm in the right mood for it LOL.
DeleteI don't share as much on Facebook as I once did. Twitter is mostly for work--networking with other authors, etc. I'll post about my vacations and such, but it has lost its luster. I love blogging, but I primarily do it to promote my books. Without it, though, I'd miss out on meeting so many great people. The community here is what it's all about for me.
ReplyDeleteThere's so much on line stuff that I can't keep up with all of it. Mostly I stay limited to my blog and Twitter, and to a lesser extent I'll be on Facebook. I never seem to run out of something to say, just the motivation to take the time to say it.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Social media is still viable and necessary for promoting products, etc. I sent an email to Bruce and cc to you, if it goes through. I'm back to blogging for a reason, as you'll see from the email. I now blog through the site I set up (and will probably work with 2 other sites as well)I tried to comment with this one but can't (sigh) got to figure this out. This is the URL: anncarbinebest.com In the meantime, I'm amazed at your ability and creativity for posts. Keep posting! I visit you often, though I don't always comment. Cheers to you and your family from me and Jen.
ReplyDeleteBecause I don't have a cell phone of any kind, (and don't want one) I've never gotten very involved in much social media beyond Blogger. I have a Twitter account, but when it comes to tweeting, this bird has a serious case of laryngitis. I joined Facebook to keep up with our kids and grandchildren, but don't spend a lot of time there. That's it. There are times, I must admit, that I wonder if my blog has any real purpose, and then I answer myself: I still enjoy doing it, and it's been wonderful getting to know so many wonderful people all over the world. If and when it gets to the point that it's more of a chore than a joy? I'll stop!
ReplyDeleteWhat!!!
ReplyDeleteA woman with nothing to say!!
I don't believe it!! . . . lol
How are you doin' ? . . . :)
I've had that feeling at times. Then at other times, I have too much to say, but no time to write it down, because of a WIP that has a deadline. So my blogging in recent months has been a little spotty. I had more time to blog when I wasn't so committed. But I do like blogging for sure. I wouldn't want to drop either of my blogs.
ReplyDelete