Sunday, April 26, 2009

My Blogging Problem

Hello...is anyone out there? If not, I completely understand; generally a 2 month absence does not fall under the heading of "Brief Blogging Respite." I was worried this would happen when I started my blog last fall. I've never been good at journaling or friendly correspondence. In fact abysmal failure is an appropriate way to describe myself when it comes to returning e-mails, writing family and friends, keeping a journal, recording important dates and milestones for Peter, etc. I even have a hard time with Facebook (the simplest of all mediums).

Let me describe for you my typical thought process when receiving an email:
1) Wow, it's so nice to hear from _____. I love knowing what's happening in ____'s life.
2) I must write _____.
3) Oh, wait. My response needs to be as equally lovely as the original.
4) Crap, I don't have time for that right now—I'll do that later.
5) Hmm...it's 1 week later, I should write _____ back now. Wait, since I rudely have waited a week to respond, it needs to be even better and longer than I planned. Eh, I'll do it later.
6) Crap, crap, crap! Now it's been months and I still haven't responded. Now I have to write a long newsy epistle. It needs to be perfectly crafted with clever wit, insightful observations, amusing anecdotes, and satirical reports on my life. That's going to be difficult. I think I'll do it later.
7) Now, it's been 8 years. It would be embarrassing to respond now. I hate myself.

Yep, basically some variation of the above goes on in my pathetic little mind when faced with recording my life with words. As you can see I have a huge problem with procrastination and perfection. I'm so overwhelmed by my need for perfection that I procrastinate doing anything. But I foolishly thought that the public nature of blogging would apply enough pressure for me to overcome my neuroses (well, at least 2 of them).

Unfortunately, I failed to account for the obvious: numerous people reading my blog would compound the need for perfection, thus sending my procrastination into overdrive. And I also made the foolish mistake of thinking my son would let me within 10 feet of the computer while he's awake. And I didn't realize that my son would become an insomniac forcing me to grab the nearest pillow whenever he actually sleeps, leaving me very little computer time. And I didn't account for the fact that fatigue plus life would leave me in a bit of a melancholic state for several months. Oh well.

6 comments:

  1. First rule of blogging: "Life Happens." And when life happens, the digital life suffers. It's ok. Just let us know how you're doing every now and then.

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  2. Dude, just post when you have time. There's no pressure. People just like hearing about how you and Peter (and Ryan I guess) are doing.

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  3. Wow, I'm so excited you are back. I read your response on my blog and thought, "maybe, just maybe she's back!" and you were. Sure glad to hear you are in the "land of the living". Your blogs always crack me up and I have missed being "cracked" up. Welcome back.

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  4. What has Peter been doing, keeping you busy with life? Not my Grandson, He dosn't expect you to be there for his every whim, 24/7.
    Keep sain spend 10 minutes a day on you. Life dose get better with age.

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  5. Hey, I'm just happy whenever you do post. . . your posts are always witty and funny to read. . . I'm glad we can keep in touch this way more, however sporadic it may be. . . :)

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  6. Kristin, I had to smile when reading this post, because it made me think that we have "this" in common! I keep procrastinating (for years, even!!!) painting projects at our house because I can't figure out (a) what color do I want to paint, (b) what will I do for window treatments with different color walls, (c) I'll need new throw pillows, etc. to coordinate with the paint, (d) if I paint room "x" , I'll also need to paint the adjoining hallway . .. and then will need to paint the adjoining room, etc. (e) it goes on and on. My indecision results in a "blah" house!! So, I'll be like "Miss Scarlett" and think about it another day. Wonder why we are so hard on ourselves? I do love your posts and appreciate the time you take to include photos on occasion. Don't fret about it - just post when the mood strikes and know that we (your adoring audience) look forward to your musings!!

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