Why I Blew Off My Blog

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Brass Tack Thinking - Why I Blew Off My BlogLife isn’t always about the internet.

Sure, my job is based there. I’m writing a book that will depend, in large part, upon my digital footprint in order to be successful. We’ve been fortunate to build a loyal, interested, and insightful readership here at Brass Tack Thinking that deserve our contributions, because that’s a promise we’ve made. I also understand that “they” say that posting regularly nets longer term traffic gains, that consistency of content is good, that posting regularly is important for your blog’s long term growth.

I get all that.

But I went on vacation last week. Tamsen is a busy new mom for the second time, with a job of her own. And while some bloggers are fantastically awesome at lining up guest posts while they’re off around the world writing a book, slowing down their summer schedule, or taking a vacation of their own, I just didn’t coordinate that.

And you know what? That’s okay.

The blog is still here this week. So are most of you (and if you ditched us because we had a light post week, you probably weren’t much of a fan anyway). My keyboard still works, so now that I’m back, I’ll write some more. And there’s a whole heck of a lot still to talk about.

So I blew off my blog. Because unplugging sometimes is needed so that the plugging-in still makes sense. Because I take my work seriously, but not always myself. Because making things happen can mean taking a break. Because you don’t get to ride on a boat every day. Because your three-year-old learning to swim is something that shouldn’t be traded in favor of work.

Hope you found great things out there while we skipped a few beats. I bet we’ll all survive. See you back here soon?

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  • Michael

    Thanks. I'm sitting here on the Outer Banks checking email and Facebook and wondering…why?

  • Marc

    Good for you. We all gotta get off the grid now and then.

  • http://twitter.com/megfowler Meg Fowler

    Well, aside from wanting some sort of recompense for the hours I spent refreshing the page and weeping, I'd say you absolutely did the right thing. ;)

    Anyone who has read more than a couple posts here and dipped into the comments knows that you're a thoughtful and engaged blog owner who wants to provide value, and cares about the response she receives.

    But you're also a human, with a daughter and a family and a life, and your ability to prioritize and decide not to panic about this stuff is part of the wisdom we get from you so often here.

  • http://twitter.com/YourButler George Butler

    Good god that's almost a European outlook on life, how enlightening. Collect £200 and pass go – I'll see you on the other side.

  • Fashionherald

    Well said! I just got back from a vacation where my husband took away my iphone every time it beeped, and it was amazing. I ignored Twitter and didn't worry about skipping a blog post. And I got to see my 9.5 mo. old crawl for the first time – digital breaks are lifesavers.

  • http://twitter.com/stevebellnow Steve Bell

    Could not agree more. I have had this arguement with many of my employee's that they need to unplug every so often. Needed – yes. Does stuff break while away – not that I can tell.

  • http://twitter.com/writegud Dave Perks

    Knowing the difference between life and work is one thing, putting it into practice is another. Congrats on the well earned break. And, for the record, it's that kind of thinking that has me excited to hear from you in Charlotte next week. Perspective FTW!

  • http://chrisdumler.com/ Chris Dumler

    I wish more people would blow off their blogs. One of the greatest things people can share is insight. But I wonder if so much insight is dampened when so many people feel they need to force-feed their blogs? Wouldn't it be better to have experiences – real experiences – that can bring about meaningful musings, conversation, and insight than to spend that time manufacturing just another something to read?

  • http://twitter.com/maggielmcg maggielmcg

    I hear you–did the same thing on my blog last week. I thought about organizing guest posts then realized–why? I already have a full-time job, 2 kids, a husband, 2 blogs, etc, etc. Sure, it might have been nice to feature some guest posts–but the internet sure didn't shut down because my blog went quiet for a week. I think it's nice to show a human side to blogs–e.g. there's a person behind it, creating the content, and that person's life is about more than blogging–and, like you said, that's ok.

  • http://wheniwas8.wordpress.com/ Lesley Miller

    Good post! I am glad to see that you can maintain a healthy work-life balance, it is very important especially for family time:-)

    I work full-time and entered the world of blogging this year outside of my IT work-life. My blog focuses on getting people out in the world to tell me about their donations to children's charities and then write to me about it and what they wanted to be at the age of 8.

    My children are all grown and this is my hobby but I am still very conscious that 2 of my children still live at home and do need my attention even though they are 18 and 21! It is a hard balance but I think you have to be cogniscent of everything in your world, work, home, family, relationships and importantly me-time!

    So, I am glad your juggling act has been successful so far, please do keep all the balls in the air. I will be back to check on your site again:-))

    Lesley

  • WriterChanelle

    Applause to you. Everyone needs to take time for themselves and that should be okay.

  • WriterChanelle

    *gasp* It's almost a GenY outlook on life.

  • http://www.scribnia.com/author/show/473/david-spinks/ David Spinks

    Just don't let it happen again.

  • http://ariwriter.com Ari Herzog

    “Because unplugging sometimes is needed so that the plugging-in still makes sense”

    And unplugging is sometimes also needed because the plugging-in makes no sense.

  • http://twitter.com/wendykeneipp Wendy Keneipp

    I often think that you write about the things people really think, and you just put it out there, so thanks for sharing.

    I'm not sure why we feel the need to apologize for or justify taking time off of work and enjoying the other part of our lives. I've been working hard at finding that balance and allowing myself to do just one thing at a time. I'm finding that I'm much more engaged in my personal life as well as my work as a result.

    Do you have your next down time scheduled yet??

  • Craig

    I really wish I had been able to turn off like you did when I took my vacation in July. Bottom line, I didn't set the refresh button, and as a result don't feel like I had a vacation.

    You did absolutely the right thing.

  • Lulu

    To be honest, I find it slightly disturbing that you felt the need to explain why you took time from writing blog posts to spend time with your family.

    While I truly believe that your work should be something you love and find rewarding, I also firmly believe that your 'real' life is the one that takes place away from work.

    Family and friends, in my opinion, should always be more important than work. All (okay, most) of my great memories come from times that were not spent at work. Now sometimes I was with people from my work as a lot of them have become friends and for some people they even become family…

    The point is that the fun time spent with people you love is the important bit of life

  • RebeccaOsberg

    I love the message of this post. Thanks for the reminder.

  • http://twitter.com/drbret Bret L Simmons

    Strongly concur, Amber. I took a huge break from my blog when I was in Europe for 7 weeks this summer. I was tired, and I needed the break. Now I am back, productive, and feel good (again) about what I am doing. Bret

  • Pusser

    Great post. I closed down my blog a year ago. It seemed kinda self-centered to think that the world wanted to know whatever I thought about a given topic, and because I had a blog, I felt obligated to have an opinion. Self publishing usually identifies its own audience.

  • http://budurl.com/qgnv Francesca Trinidad

    You are definitely right about “because making things happen can mean taking a break”. Sometimes we all get hyped and riled up by what is happening around us and what we are doing. We become so engrossed to our jobs that we tend to forget the reason why we are actually working. That most of the time, what counts is the time we sit back and relax and see things from a different perspective. Life is so short for us to take for granted each and every detail, no matter how small it maybe. We will realize, it is what counts. And as I always say “chillax”! PS. I read another “great read” about how to maintain a balanced lifestyle and I want to share it <a href=” http://sn.im/103mim“>BalancedLifestyle</a>

  • Lexie

    Good for you! Truly no one who has a life outside of work minds!

  • clintstonebraker

    Good for you! I am definitely glad you're back (refreshed and re-vitalized, I'm sure!).

  • Nvictoria

    Great reminder, Tamsen. I'm somewhat new to the social media world, and stumbled upon your blog. I just got myself my first smartphone (Droid X), and I find myself checking emails/blogs late at night and early into the morning. This entry is a great reminder that I need to check myself every now and then. Hope the vacation was a refreshing experience for you!

  • Anne Rose

    Cheers! “Hiatus” can be a powerful word …

  • Amk

    Thanks for giving the rest of us permission to do the same.
    :-}

  • http://socialbutterflyguy.com/ DJ Waldow

    What a wonderful comment, Amber: “I take my work seriously, but not always myself.” That made me smile. The good news about you taking a week off is that – like social media & email marketing, nobody died as a result.

    We missed you though…

    DJ Waldow
    Director of Community, Blue Sky Factory
    @djwaldow

  • http://socialbutterflyguy.com/ DJ Waldow

    Love that point! “the internet sure didn't shut down because my blog went quiet for a week”

    Cheers,

    DJ Waldow
    Director of Community, Blue Sky Factory
    @djwaldow

  • http://socialbutterflyguy.com/ DJ Waldow

    Wendy:

    It's scary how often that is true – Amber writing about the things people think. I often have to remind myself that she's not talking TO ME!

    DJ Waldow
    Director of Community, Blue Sky Factory
    @djwaldow

  • http://twitter.com/courtenayrogers Courtenay Rogers

    Thank you for this. As a single mom and business owner, I need to be reminded that my daughter is the most important thing in my life, and my career is second. Nicely done. And I will still be here when you are ready to go again:)

  • http://justdotdotdot.com/ JustDotDotDot

    I often like to take a day or a weekend to totally disconnect and not worry about twitter or my blog or anything. I like to think of myself as 'not-hardcore' like some social media oriented people. Good on you!

  • http://www.ricardobueno.com Ricardo Bueno

    I'm right here with you :-)

    It's totally ok to disconnect and take some time to yourself. And you know what, often times you come back feeling refreshed anyway! (That's totally a good thing)

  • Jmkinslow

    I love that you are brave in your candid transparency. It is not only refreshing, but takes guts I am still searching for. Way to go.

    Best, Julia

  • http://www.erikjfisher.com/ Erik Fisher

    I plan to take part in the Digital Down Day this Friday, actually Saturday, because I need my computer to do work on Friday. :) I've down an almost complete Social Media Sabbatical in the past and it's great!

  • http://katjaibur.posterous.com/ Kat Jaibur

    How refreshing, literally and figuratively. You not only talk about taking care of yourself. You did it.

    “Life isn't always about the internet.” Or about work. And certainly not about taking ourselves oh so darned seriously. A year of caring for my mom has taught me that. Many plans interrupted, on hold. Zero regrets. And somehow, the money & the work flows in. And everybody lives. Really. Lives.

  • http://twitter.com/GemmaWent Red Cube Marketing

    Couldnt agree more Amber. I 'blew off my blog' and Twitter and, well everything else other than emergency calls, a couple of weeks ago to take a proper break. Nothing bad happened. Nobody left me (in fact both my Twitter following and my blog subs went up) and I've come back refreshed and ready to write some damn good stuff. It's good, it's healthy and it's great for the soul.

    The fact that I had to remove all apps and disconnect email from my iPhone is by the by (I have zero willpower, you do what you gotta do).

  • http://michelletripp.com michelletripp

    Amber, it's refreshing to hear you say this. I know a lot of us beat ourselves up on the weeks when we can't get posts out, so it's good to know we have permission to live life, take time off, or deal with issues that come up. I'm still struggling to get back to normal after losing my close friend Steve (who also lived with me) to a motorcycle accident. This post is more reassurance that it's okay to take time to recover. We're humans, not robots.

  • http://www.blog.outsidetheboxmkt.com Ageorge

    Exactly…I am on vacation but still have to work as a freelancer…and wondering why I'm at internet cafe in the middle of the beautiful Aegean.

  • http://twitter.com/swiertz Sebastien Wiertz

    I fully agree with you and blogging should always be after the family life(like work)
    Waiting for your net post ;)

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