Lifeline

I managed to do a quite a lot of thinking this week during the two whole days I managed to spend offline, about blogging, friendships and life in general.

It occured to me after a day off line, when I suddenly found myself logging on and replying to comments, just how important this blog is to me. The perks are nice, the small amount of income it generates is appreciated too, but it's not that. It's the connection it gives me with other people.

My feeling is that people blog for a variety of reasons, and we may not even be sure exactly what those reasons are. That is, until we log off for a while and discover there's a gaping hole left behind, which is how it felt for me earlier this week.

It is easy to suggest that's it is better to log off and live your life out there in the real world, but in the evenings it is just me. And you can't have a conversation when there is no-one else there.

I have met some warm and wonderful people through the world of blogging, and I missed them all this week.

I logged back on and discovered you were all still there, and thank goodness for that.

And I'll be honest. I started writing this post on Monday night when I was supposed to be 'off line' having realised how much better I felt when I saw people were coming over and commenting, and I just had to reply to them, because I wanted to say hello.

So next time I announce that I am logging off, come back the following day and you'll probably find I've updated my blog. If you've found a lifeline, why sever it?

Photo credit: Panoramadi

Comments

[Michelle (@utterlyscrummy)]

Glad you're back xx
My twitter was offline for 2 days and I REALLY missed it. I miss the conversation and interraction with other Mums and Dads. We support, congratulate and commiserate with each other and it was really hard to be without that. Of course there are 'real life' friends, but they have things going on and although we are there for each other I sometimes just need a casual natter with someone else who isn't as close to things but still understands.
I hope this rather rambling comment makes sense LOL

[Erica]

I missed you too :)

[Rosie Scribble]

Awww. *wells up*. I have my 'logging off' moments. Never lasts long.

[Rosie Scribble]

Makes perfect sense to me Michelle. In fact, my twitter is still off line. It's like a party is going on but you can't get past the doorman!

[Sandy Calico]

My Twitter is off too, actually I'm quite liking that! I feel the same as you about blogging, but while the positives still outweigh the negatives I'll carry on. I'd miss my friends too, so welcome back x

[tawny]

I have blank times where I can't think what to write, I still read the others though. I agree with you it is a lifeline sometimes.

[Rosie Scribble]

Thanks Sandy. What's going on with Twitter I wonder? At least it's not just me who can't log on, and I probably have an extra hour or two in my day now that I'm not busy tweeting away! I agree the positives of blogging outweight the negatives. At least we can switch the computer off when it all gets a little too much.

[Rosie Scribble]

I think it's normal to draw a blank at times. At least we don't all have a writing block at the same time so there is always plenty to read.

[Domestic Goddess Wannabe]

I am quite new to the whole blogosphere thing but can relate to missing blogging when I don't do it. Despite not having a lot of followers yet, I feel like taking time to blog calms me and brings me back to the moment. I am enjoying reflecting which I have never done much of before.

I really enjoy your posts so keep them coming!

[Metropolitan Mum]

Good to read that you couldn't stay off any longer :)
Funny how all these little feuds and fights completely surpass me. *covers ears with her hands and sings lalalalalala*

[Rosie Scribble]

Thanks very much. It's definitely a good way of reflecting on things and a lot of the time I find it calming too. Good luck with it, I'm sure you'll have even more followers soon. It takes a little time. :)

[Rosie Scribble]

Feuds and fights? What feuds and fights? How quickly these things pass. Thank goodness! :)

[Marylin]

Like you, I'm on my own in the evenings, and that's when I adore the online friends I've made the most. I love having people to talk to about whatever's going on in our lives, even to watch tv shows with! For eg, XFactor just isn't the same without twitter running at the same time!

[Rosie Scribble]

It's great isn't it, knowing people are a click away if you fancy joining the party. It gets a bit mad during #xfactor. Hard to keep up!!

[naomi]

All true and right for you. For me logging on is about work and chatting to people who are also working to break the solitude of working from home up and some of these people have become my friends. I love it. Blogging - well I love to blog and help other parents improve their relationships with their children.

[Mwa]

I can't do without any more either. I think I would go insane without. There's only so much time you can spend talking to tiny children about Playmobil and dirty nappies.

[Surprisemum]

I've kind of logged off for a while and am just coming back from the wilderness now.

If you love it, do it, and we love you doing it.

[vered]

I love blogging too. I often tell people that these days it's "just business," that it's become my "online portfolio" and nothing more, but if I'm honest, I have to admit that I LOVE my bog. It's a great outlet for me.

Thank you for this post.

[A Modern Mother]

I knew you'd be back! The plusses are blogging are just too great. Love this post.

[single dad]

How on earth do you find the time to blog so much as a working single mum ?

I'd love to do more blogging, but struggle like made to find the time and then I think I a complete nitwit for wasting the time when I should be doing more meaningful and useful things.

I am a single dad with a twelve year old son to look after and I seem to be manically busy all the time, but not really getting much done at all !