Umm, can I just say something? You all are AMAZING. Thank you so much for all of your comments. Ironic, I know. I should have put a disclaimer on my post or something.
However, I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who suffers from Blogger’s Guilt from time to time. I didn’t mean to write that post to garner sympathy. I just needed to get it off my chest and in doing so, and with your incredibly supportive words, I think that it’s helping me let go of the guilt.
I’ve realized that it’s not just blogging and responding to blog comments that has me feeling guilty. It’s really an overall case of social media exhaustion. I love social media more than I ever expected but I can’t be connected 24/7. It’s impossible yet I feel guilty about that. MizFitOnline spoke to this really well and share tips on how she manages. Along with the blog comments, I’m learning to let go of this guilt too.
Much of my guilt arises from the expectations that I place on myself, not necessarily what I think others expect of me although I’m sure that’s part of it. The one place where my expectations manifest themselves is my to do list. I admit that I like to be “busy” but is all that busy-ness good? Ilene wrote a great post that has made me think more about what’s an essential to-do and what’s not essential.
My to do lists are my way of trying to gain some semblance of control over my life. It’s one way I try to achieve perfection. But, I can get so caught up in my pursuit of perfection that I forget to pay attention to what I really need, what my soul really needs. I adored this post from Lindsay about how she doesn’t do perfection.
So, I’m committing to taking at least 10 minutes a day for myself – not for something like exercise or cooking but truly for myself. To read, mediate (I really wish that I could mediate sometimes), knit, connecting with friends, relax – things that I don’t do enough of right now, things that will make my soul feel better.
I’m starting today.
Will you take 10 minutes for yourself?
I reckon everyone needs to take a moment for themselves….this is a good reminder!
You blogging guilt really hit me this week. It’s one of the many things that has had me in a “guilt” since I started blogging. It is nice to know that I’m not alone!
It’s so sad that we ALL need a reminder to take 10 minutes for ourselves. I preach it to my patients and clients. But do I do it for myself? Not that much. I’m going to try my hardest to start today. Until then I’ll be pluggin’ along at my to-to lists. Happy Friday!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..TGIF!!!!
UH OH.
Im gonna tell you to take more
I take at least least least an hour.
30 is working out….then meditating…then reading at night….OH MAYBE MORE THAN AN HOUR?
I do put me first as only then can I serve others.
xo
Miz recently posted..ZUMBA is my safe place (guest post).
That’s great to take at least 10 minutes for YOU! I also enjoyed MizFit’s media exhaustion post and think it’s valuable to think about. Usually my mornings are “me time,” when I can take my time waking up, watch a little news, sip my tea, catch up on online reading if I so choose. Pre-bedtime is also tea-time and often reading to unwind. Helps me fall asleep!
Meredith @ Dare You To recently posted..Friday Photos: October 12-25
I say take an hour! Great post. It’s so easy to forget to take that bit of time every day for yourself. I kind of take my time all in one big chunk–Fri. afternoon is generally my downtime. I unplug, stop doing and just read. I love this time every week!
misszippy recently posted..Feeling a bit like Lance Armstrong
we all do it! and we all support each other to stop and let go of it. Love you! you are so wise for doing so. hugs!
lindsay recently posted..WIAW: Food for Thought
I feel the same way at times. It’s so hard to keep up with every social media platform and maintain my sanity and sometimes I feel like no matter how hard I try it’s not enough! But I do love it and its getting easier every day. Kudos to you for taking time to yourself!
Ps.
I love the new blog design, very beautify!
I feel the same way at times. It’s so hard to keep up with every social media platform and maintain my sanity and sometimes I feel like no matter how hard I try it’s not enough! But I do love it and its getting easier every day. Kudos to you for taking time to yourself!
Ps.
I love the new blog design, very beautiful!
Happy to hear you are taking time to be with YOUrself! It’s so, so important to take care of you too
Kierston recently posted..I #SweatPink!
amen!! i think it’s really easy to get caught up in the must do’s of the online world
I stopped commenting on blogs for awhile just to give my brain a break, but i want to return that love now so I’m trying to balance the time
Amanda @RunToTheFinish recently posted..Hidden Food Allergies: Eggs and Milk
Time for you is so important. It does keep you sane so that you can focus on what is important. Kind of ironic with my blogger tip post and talking about commenting on other blogs – there’s only so much you can do and perfection is not necessary.
Carrie@familyfitnessfood.com recently posted..5 Tips for New Bloggers
10 minutes seems like a realistic goal, I would wish for an hour, but let’s be real. I’m with you!
Emily @ The Busy Mom’s Diet recently posted..Sweating out Sickness: Is that a real thing?
Love this!! I have been challenged by this same concept… when it comes to spending quality time with my children: http://www.runningrachel.com/2012/10/23/if-you-had-only-five-minutes/ It is so hard to just pause and live in the moment with the busyness of today!! Hugs!! Take care of YOU!!
Rachel @RunningRachel recently posted..Running Safety & A Ragnar Relay Product Giveaway!! #Swagnar
Girl you have more than earned some rest! Enjoy it!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie recently posted..Road Runner Sports Running Outfit Giveaway
I have taken several month’s off. I felt guilty at first, but for me personally, I had to put my family first and, I want quality stories on my site; I just don’t feel inspired these days. I am sure I will again, but not going to force it. I am so glad everyone is addressing this issue. It is not the end of the world if we give ourselves a break, the readers who love you will always be there for you.
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Classroom Halloween Treats for under $1.00 each
Thanks Lisa for this. I completely agree – I want quality on my site and not feel forced to write just because it’s Wednesday and I’m supposed to post today. I think that’s definitely been part of what I’ve been struggling with. I think that you’re right not to force it.
Yeah, I’ll definitely take some time to read. That’s my favorite downtime activity.
Now, if I could figure out a way to force myself to not work on weekends….
I’m with Miz…shoot for 30 but I tell you that and need to do it myself. I was meditating for a while there and really like it. There is something to having the discipline just to force yourself to spend the time.
You deserve it!
Katie @momslrb recently posted..ZipFizz Giveaway
And how many years have you dedicated yourself to being there for everyone else , but yourself? Yep too many to count. I agree with MizFit you deserve more time than 10 minutes. I would say at least a half hour. You can’t even give yourself a good manicure in 10 minutes
Noelle McKenzie recently posted..Coming up for air and announcing Silver Edge Gear giveaway winner
I’m with Carla. I need at least 60 minutes (beyond my exercise time; since I train in a busy gym, with clients all around me, work out time doesn’t always feel like ME time).
I knit, read, bake and go for walks. All things that energize and fuel me. (and keep me from killing people; I jest, mostly)
Tamara recently posted..#FatblasterFriday | Hi-Lo LEGS Workout!
I feel like I hide in the bathroom for silence….oops
Cat @ Breakfast to Bed recently posted..Mr Peanut Needs a Hug….and a Shower
I do that all the time. I think my husband has finally caught on to me.
your blog is darling first of all and I need to dedicate time to myself as well! Its tough to find that time and really focus on yourself!
jessie ann james recently posted..spoonful of imperfections
Social media is one of those professions/hobbies/whatever where the expectations can be blurry because it is always available. Thanks to smart phones, you don’t ever really “turn off” social media. I try to establish boundaries by ignoring my phone for certain hours of the day so I can spend quality time with my family. A little “me” time wouldn’t hurt either, although sometimes I tend to confuse that as being the same as “social media” time.
Sarah @ Run, Write, Conquer recently posted..Jackass Wednesday: Pistol Challenge Edition
I think that I tend to have the same confusion – social media/blogging time = me time when it’s not really. I really wanted to try to focus on doing something that I tend to push to the side that’s why I didn’t include working out because I will do that no matter what.
Yes! I’m taking those ten minutes! Why is it that we think we should be able to do something that is impossible? Enjoy your rest.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..How often do you REST?
I need to start taking time for myself. I am finding that I literally don’t sit down all day (unless I’m bf’ing or playing with AJ) and I am exhausted and cranky by the evening. It’s so hard – when they are both napping I feel SO obligated to clean, do laundry, catch up on blog stuff, etc. You are right – we all need to start taking a chunk of time out for ourselves.
Hope you and the boys have a wonderful weekend!
PS. Are you going to the NYCM expo at all?
Michele @ Nycrunningmama recently posted..Gone For A Run: Running Medal Hanger Review + Giveaway
My new schedule has pushed me to make some difficult choices with time. I love social media and my blog has become a very important part of my life, but there is much less twitter activity for me these days etc. at least for now. I love the idea of ten minutes for me. Even if its just 10 minutes of sleep! I can always use some. As always a great round up! And do not feel compelled to reply to this comment. Got that?
ilene recently posted..Getting to the Bottom of It
I had to take a week off for a family situation (funeral) and loved every minute of it. Social media tends to feel like noise to me–like I’m stuck at a busy party and everyone’s yelling and I can’t say hi to everyone or talk to them for more than five seconds.
Blond Duck recently posted..The Pumpkin’s Song
That’s a great way to describe social media – lots of people yelling and not enough time to really connect with people. I’m so sorry for your loss but glad that you had time to disconnect a bit.