IT'S BEEN FOUR YEARS AND TIME FOR A CHANGE

It's been four years of blogging and I think it's time for a change of pace

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?

I started this blog in November 2014 - four years ago! It seems like only yesterday I had the whim to write my thoughts down somewhere. I had no idea where to start, didn't bother doing all the research and soul searching that others did before they began blogging. I just picked the cheapest, simplest blogging format out there and jumped right in.

I don't think any of us who blithely fall into blogging realize how much is involved if you want more than just your own eyes to see what you've written. I didn't know that there were millions of other bloggers, and that blogs could be an expression of who you are. I've mentioned before that I started with no profile name and a picture I found somewhere of a cat and a coffee cup. I used the basic Blogger template, I didn't know anyone else who blogged and I was a complete novice.

LEARNING THE ROPES

There has been a lot of trial and error along the way, but I've managed to keep up with the changes that have come along. My blog has never (touch wood) crashed, I've managed to figure out how to own my url, how to have a secure site, how to be compliant with all the regulations, how to use images that are copyright free, how to adjust the look of things on my blog, and a little bit of how to use HTML without losing the plot!

I've also learned that I'm not a lover of Social Media - it took me a year to set up a Facebook page for my blog, I don't have an email newsletter, or opt-ins, I don't use Twitter, I don't take more than half a dozen photos a month, so I'm not on Instagram. I'm not selling my soul for sponsorship and I've managed to stay true to my voice and blogging about what I feel is on my heart - without compromising to please any third parties.

FINDING MY FRIENDS

I've been unbelievably fortunate to have never come across a troll in four years. I've never needed to delete a mean comment, although I've managed to tread on some toes a couple of times unintentionally. On the other side of the coin, I've met so many wonderful fellow bloggers who have encouraged me and shared this Midlife journey with me. They are the reason I've kept going for these four years and not thrown the towel in along the way.

This year I've been joined by a lot of them as they've contributed to my Social Saturday series and it's been nice to introduce them to the lovely people who read my blog. In some ways I feel like I'm closer to these women than I am to many of my IRL friends. They have been instrumental in helping me find joy in Midlife - we're all focused on the good stuff that being 50+ has going for it, rather than sitting around moaning about getting old and the downside that so many get caught up in.

WHAT'S CHANGING

Firstly, I've changed my header to a lovely swirl that my designer husband made for me. I thought it was time to simplify things a little and have a bit of a fresh start to the page.

Then there's another change, for the first few years I blogged three times a week, at the beginning of the year I reduced down to twice a week (Monday and Thursday) with my Social Saturday guests making up the third post. But I'm feeling like I want to wind down a little more. Social Saturday will finish at the end of this month and I'm also ready to cut back further on my weekly posts to just once a week - on Mondays, so today is my last Thursday post. 

you don't need to be wise to have an impact on the world

I'm feeling like I want to pare back and do one post a week that I invest my energy into, share on #MSLTL and a couple of other parties, and then get off my laptop and out into the world more. Blogging can become all consuming and I know I spend hours each week with the social side of it - replying to comments, reading other blogs, sharing on Facebook, commenting on posts I enjoy, and don't get me started on the AtoZ Challenge and the time it takes in April!

MOVING FORWARD

So, to those lovely people who I've met over the last four years, especially those who take the time to read my posts, and those who also leave a comment, thank you so much. I'm not planning on burning out or going into hibernation, but I am going to find some more balance in my life again and tick a few more things off my to-do list. I'm hoping that you'll stick around and even sign up (over in my sidebar on the right) to get an email reminder when my posts come out on Mondays. I really want to continue to share this journey of discovering what Midlife has to offer and I'd love it if you come along for the ride! xx


It's been four years of blogging and I think it's time for a change of pace

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This post was shared at some of these great link parties

Midlife Musings on Cresting the Hill - a blog for Midlife Women

80 comments

  1. Loving the swirl - and how you're updating, adjusting, pulling back etc. I'm in teh process of rethinking a lot of mine at present. My day job keeps me seriously busy and my blog isn't doing what I wanted it to do so I'm not sure yet which direction I'll be looking to take it. Time will tell.

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    1. You fit a LOT more into your life than I do Jo - I often wonder how you can work fulltime, write novels, do your astrology, travel, and blog all at once! I just feel that blogging takes on a life of its own - which can be great if I had no other interests, but I want to keep diversifying and I'm reaching a point of not wanting to spend so much time invested in one area - onward and upward!

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  2. I had to scroll back to find the swirls around the title of your blog that you mentioned. Just goes to show how keen I am to read your latest missive that I hadn’t noticed the change. So sorry Ross.
    Please feel free to keep sending a reminder each Monday, as some of us get a bit forgetful when we reach midlife and beyond. xx

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    1. What you didn't notice my lady on the hill was gone?! I'm glad that what I write distracted you enough to not notice - it's only been a week or two since I changed it so it's not biggie :) You should still get an email each Monday from me - and one for the MLSTL party too - the Thursday and Saturday ones will stop though xx

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  3. I cherish the day we met Leanne and you have been such a wonderful BBB to me. We started roughly the same time and have always appeared to be thinking similar thoughts at any given time. Well done you for not trying to compete but blogging on your terms. You won't lose any readers because we all love your writing but I'm sure you will have more inspiration writing less and exploring life more. Good luck my friend and congratulations on 4 years of inspiring and motivating blog posts. xx

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    1. Hi Sue - yes, we could have been sisters separated at birth couldn't we? I think we both started this blogging journey with similar aspirations, and now the dust has settled, we're both wondering what to do next. For me, it's paring back and not being so attached to my blog - less will be more. For you it could be more writing, or public speaking, or promoting - who knows? But we'll still be cheering each other on! xx

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  4. I can totally understand your thinking Leanne. I must admit I was dreading reading your post thinking you were going away forever! So I'm selfishly pleased to read you are rethinking things, paring back but most importantly you're not leaving us! As you know, I always enjoy your posts and I honestly understand the need to get more balance in life. I'm back to enjoying my blogging more and I credit that to finding you and other midlife bloggers, who I never knew existed. Thanks for being honest and sharing your thoughts with us all. You have a very important voice and advice for our age groups, so I really look forward to reading more - but only on Mondays now :) . Take care and well done on making this call.

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    1. Hi Deb - I'm so glad you would have missed me if I'd called it quits. I've watched several bloggers implode and pull the pin - I think they started with much bigger expectations than I did and that made the reality harder to handle. For me, it's just such a time suck - I spend hours and hours on the social side of it because I don't want to let anyone down - now I'm being kinder to myself - still writing and connecting, but on a more manageable level - I feel calmer already :) And I'd miss everyone if I disappeared!

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  5. Bravo, Leanne! Love the new banner (good job to your hubby!) and good for you seeking balance in your life. I am right with you. I want to make the most of every moment that I can. I do enjoy writing. I LOVE the idea that what we write might have a positive impact on others. However, I think the more we truly live our lives the more we might have to share. I think I will strive for quality over quantity with my writing.
    If you ever decide to come to the USA, I will be happy to give you a place to stay and show you around Kansas. Kansas isn't all that exciting, but we midwesterners are nice folks!:)
    Keep up the good work being true to yourself.

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    1. Tomi - the same goes if you're ever in the Southwest of Western Australia - not very exciting but a pretty place to visit x And yes, I think it comes to quality over trying to fill the days I'd allocated. I'm trying to imagine what it would be like to not be on my laptop so much - the idea is very appealing atm and I'm quite keen on the idea of just cruising around the internet less intentionally - rest and relaxation without an agenda - bliss!

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  6. Well-done you on recognising the need to change and doing it. I will continue my Monday posts as I will my link up #LifeThisWeek. I will post another time during the week to enable me to link up to others I where I want to share and connect. I was, in 2015 and into 2016 blogging every.single.day but it contributed to me having a purpose each day in a torrid time of transition. From mid 2016 I went down to 4 posts a week and then over 2017-2018 down to 2 then around July this year, I added a Thursday post because I wanted to say more. I like the flexibiliy of my blog and that is how blogging should be...never a have to! Denyse x

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    1. I think you're right Denyse - it's about doing what we want because we love it and it fills a need in our lives - not doing it because we've locked ourselves into some imaginary schedule that we think we have to hold to. I've done the every day thing for April for the last few years - that's going to stop too - no AtoZ for me in 2019 - just a nice relaxing Monday - and I'll still be linking up to you too xx

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    2. Yay. Yes, let's do it better in 2019. I hope you and Sue continue MidLifeShareTheLove too.
      Thank you for joining in #lifethisweek. Next week's optional prompt is "Best Cake I Have Eaten". P.S. I think mine will have several entries!! Denyse

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  7. I totally understand your decision to cut back a bit Leanne. I've done the same many times. At one stage I was blogging every day! Obviously, that was in the early days when I thought I needed to, and of course I couldn't sustain it. I've dropped back to 1 post per week, 2 posts per week, 3, 4 etc. I adapt my blogging schedule to how things are for me at that time. Lately, I've been doing 3 posts per week (2 mid week, 1 Skin Care Saturday post). Some weeks I may only do 1 mid week & 1 Skin Care Saturday. I don't intend to always do 3 per week. You're right - it is SO time consuming! The writing, the back end work, the editing of images, the reading and commenting on other blogs, the responding to comments on your own, and the sharing across social media and responding to comments on them. VERY time consuming. We need to make sure we keep a good healthy balance in our lives and I know that blogging has often stopped me from getting out and living, as much as I love it. I also think regular breaks are essential. xo #TeamLovinLife

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    1. You've put it all beautifully Min - when I was blogging three days a week I loved it, then it felt like time to drop back a bit, and now I feel like I want to ease up even more - it just sucks the time right out of my days off. I think I'd like it to be something I puddle around with in the evenings, rather than something that takes up several hours during the day on my days off.
      I love the connections and the friendships and would never want to sign off completely, but I like the idea of playing around with the look and the content a bit more and not just writing to meet the schedule I set myself at some random point in life. It's nice to think that I may want to write more at times - something that I don't have to schedule - just randomly here and there - definitely worth considering xx

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  8. Leanne - great new logo - and good for you that you're finding a new balance. While I'll miss your multi-week posts, I totally get it!

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    1. Thanks Janet - I think a few people will breathe a sigh of relief not to have my multi-posts a week (and I'll be one of them for now!)

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  9. Hi Leanne,
    Glad to see the progress you have during the four years. I stumbled on your blog during the A2Z Blogging Challenge. I could relate to many of your posts, and I have been regularly reading your posts.
    You introduced me to the MLSTL Party, and that gave me the opportunity to get to know more people. However, owing to paucity of time, I haven't been able to be a part of the MLSTL Party, as much as I would have loved to.
    We need to change the priorities of our activities with time, and it is a good idea for you to devote a little more attention to other activities.
    Wish you the best.
    Pradeep | bpradeepnair.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Pradeep - I've loved getting to know you through the AtoZ and MLSTL (and I hope you'll be back when you have time). You're right about the paucity of time - something that I've noticed more lately and why I need to work out how to spend my days wisely. I love blogging but it has taken over my world and it's time to chill a little I think :)

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  10. I absolutely condone your decision. Although I love all your posts, I don't always get time to comment, and just run, as I'm sure many others do as well. But as you say it is so time consuming. Engagement is as engagement does so to speak and to be truly engaged with readers online we need to spend hours and hours reading and commenting. I believe there is a real life out there, and you have inspired me also to go and seek out more of it! Let's meet up sometime!

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    1. Yes, we will definitely need another coffee catch-up soon Jo. And you're right, it's the hours and hours of peripheral stuff that is killing me - to do things well and to be engaged just sucks hours out of my days and I don't think it's right for me atm. Maybe as the sun's come out, so has my need to get off the computer and into the fresh air!

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  11. I love your new design Leanne. Blogging can be wonderful from the aspect that you meet so many lovely people online, but it can also overwhelm you. I've been going for 6 years and I'm starting to wind down a little as I have other priorities in my life at present. I think blogging twice a week is commendable. #LovinLifeTeam

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    1. Thanks for your kind words - I think "overwhelm" is probably a good term for where I'm at atm - I feel swamped by all the interaction that's needed to keep things moving along. As my blogging has slowed, the rest seems to have escalated, so I'm cutting back further and giving myself permission to ease up in the whole merry-go-round of commenting etc - taking a breather.

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  12. Enjoy your newfound freedom from the online tether! I'll watch for you in my reading feed.

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    1. Thanks Red - I'll still be popping over for a visit - but less tethered as you so beauthifully put it :)

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  13. good for you leanne - placing your Self first and having more time away from the screen. I have the sense that you are following through on wisdom you have gleaned and shared with us. I started in 2012 with 1 blog a week and that was big for me ,since then it has varied , some years hardly anything got posted and since I have resumed writing I am aiming for 1 a week again but it seems that 2 or 3 times a month is about what I can handle. all the best leanne

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    1. Thanks Sandra - yes, I think there's been a bit of ruminating going on in my head over the last couple of months. The AtoZ was a bit of a killer for me this year and it opened my eyes to how much time blogging can absorb and how we need to always reach for balance. The more I give to blogging, the more it takes and that's not the way I want it to work, so a step back is definitely in order.

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  14. Congratulations upon 4 years of blogging!
    I so totally admire you!
    :)

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    1. Thanks Amy -it's hard to believe that 4 years have passed since I first thought about blogging - and it's been an absolute godsend for finding my way through my 50's - so glad you could be part of it :)

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  15. You do you. What I've learned over these last 5 years is that things change in blogging just like they do in life. I've gone from 1 a week to 1 a day to 3 a week to 2 a week to nothing to 2 a week to 3 a week and back to 2 a week. Maybe one day I'll be back at the beginning of 1 a week. Who knows. It's what works for us at the time. Because we all know that blogging is not just writing a post and publishing it. It's all the other stuff that comes after we hit publish!

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    1. That change in post frequency of yours is really reassuring Jennifer - we tend to think that decisions are written in stone, but our blogs are completely flexible and we can chop and change to our hearts' content. I might arc back up again down the track, but that post-publish stuff is just too much for me atm and it's nice to be able to say "enough" for now.

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  16. Leanne, I like your 'less is more' approach and look forward to receiving your Monday posts. You have done the heavy lifting, and now it is time to simply enjoy what you have created. I value your voice and appreciate your insights.

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    1. Thanks for your kind words Suzanne - I'm so glad we've connected and that you want to keep getting my posts. I'm definitely feeling a lot more relaxed now I'm posting less - and I noticed your frequency has reduced too - maybe we're all working on life balance?

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  17. I am striving for that work-life balance as well, so I post once week and that works perfect for me. There is so much life out there to live OFF of the computer. My focus is to continue investing in time with friends and people I enjoy...those that care about me and those that make me laugh. They make life that much brighter!

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    1. Friends who make us laugh are just the best aren't they Darlene? I really want to be more present in the real world and less present on the internet. I feel like the last four years have been such a great time of growth for me and blogging had a lot to do with that - but now it's time to take a breather and to focus on other areas. It's quite pleasant now I've made the decision - and it seems to mesh with what a lot of others are saying too.

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  18. Hi, Leanne - What I love most about blogging is that we can each find a style and a pace that works for us, and then refine this over time. I commend you for finding a new rhythm that works for you, and for continuing to seek more balance in your life. I'm a CTH fan and will be here whatever pattern, pace or style you chose to showcase your writing and ideas!

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    1. Donna, I love that we have such a great friendship and connection and that you faithfully read and comment on my blog each week. I've noticed how you've been paring back this year and I think that's been part of my inspiration to let go of the need to always be online. I think we need to find the balance that works for us and when we're getting it right then things fall into place and don't feel like a burden - and I don't want my blog to be a millstone!

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  19. It's always good to change and evolve. And it's amazing how much time the blog can take up of our lives!!
    I've been thinking about cutting back also...there's so much life to live in other areas!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. I find it's the stuff outside the actual blog post that takes so much of my time Jodie (I don't have the creating and photographing that you do for each post) but I still spend so much time on the social side of blogging - much more than I do on my social life in the real world - and that's not a healthy balance. Time to re-jig things a bit and see how that works for me I think - I'll see what you decide as I pop in to your blog each week x

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  20. Good for you Leanne! I'm glad you're scaling back before you get burned out and stop blogging completely (it's happened to others!). I aim to blog once a week and even that is tough at times - probably because I am still working full-time...I get it!
    Love the new header/banner, BTW. Kudos to your hubby!

    Deb

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    1. Hi Deb - I really didn't want to give it up completely - I've watched a few do that and I miss seeing and reading their stuff. It feels like a neighbour who moved away! I think once a week might be my sweet spot for a while and it will let me give myself permission to step back a bit and not feel the need to be everywhere all the time.

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  21. Good for you! I get how much time blogging takes and understand you wanting to do more fun things. I'll keep reading whatever you send, whenever you send it.

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    1. Oh what a lovely thing to say Janet - that's what I love about blogging - the friendships and the connections. But, it's definitely time to come up for air again and to smell the roses - but not to throw in the towel completely (how sad would that be?)

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  22. Hi Leanne! Congratulations on your four year blog-o-versary! And good for you for making a change that allows you to have more of a life beyond blogging. As bloggers who have been doing it a while I think you'll find that making changes can be very beneficial to both our selves AND our blog. And we can ALWAYS go back to doing it again if we really feel we must. Enjoy all the extra time you will find in your life and I look forward to your future posts about how this change unfolds. ~Kathy

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    1. Hi Kathy - I often read your blog (it's one of the few I subscribe to) and I love that it's once a week and not a new one popping up every five minutes! I feel like that's what mine had become - especially when I do the April AtoZ and I don't want to be posting just for the sake of maintaining some self-inflicted schedule. I want to blog for the love of it and to read and comment where the whim takes me - not on an obligation base that I sometimes feel I have atm. I feel like I'm spreading my wings a little and it's a good place to be.

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  23. Through blogging I've met so many wonderful people, many of whom became friends. Enjoy the extra time you're making for yourself!

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    1. Thanks Lisa - I love the friendships too and the positivity of blogging and the upward learning curve. But sometimes we have to pare back when it feels like it's too much - and that's definitely what I've been feeling for the last couple of months - it's kind of a relief to put my head up and look around again.

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  24. I love this blogging universe. I've met so many kind and wonderful people! Change is good. It makes us stretch and grow. And just so long as it doesn't take you away entirely, I'm all right with it! :)

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    1. Thanks Diane x I love the connections too - I feel like I have friends all over the world (not something I would have expected at the beginning!) But it's soooo time consuming and I just want to be doing other things and not be hammering away at a keyboard for hours on end. I think once a week will free me up more to not feel guilty that I'm not everywhere in the blogosphere trying to read and comment!

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  25. Change can be exciting! Love your new swirly logo!
    :) gwingal

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    1. Thanks Nikki - and yes, when your heart is saying it's time to change, then the best thing to do is accept that and find a new balance and a new focus - that's my plan.

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  26. Congratulations, Leanne! You should be proud of your wonderful blog. Like you, I had no idea what I was getting into six (!) years ago. Time flies when you're having fun.

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    1. It has certainly zoomed past for me Laurie - and I've loved it all, but I can feel that love waning a bit as the pressure to keep pace starts to overwhelm the actually blogging itself. I think I spend 10X the time on extraneous stuff and that's not what I want it to be - more writing and less other "stuff" for me - and more fresh air and sunshine :)

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  27. It's always fun to evolve. I like your new logo. And, it's true that blogging can be isolating if you let it but when you get out, you have more interesting things to write about.

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    1. I think I was allowing all the reading and commenting etc to be a justification for not getting out and not finding other things to do Rebecca. I want to be more well-rounded than someone who sits on a laptop all day!

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  28. Leanne, Like others, I sighed with relief that you were merely pulling back and not signing off! As one who tries (not always successfully) to post weekly, I've always been amazed at those who do 2-3 a week. I've been happy with my targeted once a week, and if I find something else to say, I just post one more. I hope your new rhythm gives you the balance you're looking for!

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    1. I'm glad you would have missed me Pat - I love your posts and your last one in particular really resonated with me. I think it was part of what drove me to keep my posting frequency up - the hope that the next post might be the "perfect" one - whereas they're all perfect in their own way and I can rest and just enjoy writing for the love of having an outlet, rather than the circus it was starting to become.

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  29. Love the swirl Leanne, (although I did like the lady on the hill too). I feel I’m only just getting to know you, so I’m pleased you’re not hanging up your laptop totally 😊 I don’t blame you though Leanne for making these changes. I had so many ideas & expectations for my blog, but had no idea how much time it takes out of your life. It’s the keeping up with the social media & reading other great blog posts which I find hard, I get frustrated that I miss such a lot as I’m busy outside of blogging. I do enjoy reading your posts so I’ll try not to miss your Monday ones 😊

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    1. Hi Sam - you summed it up perfectly and it's exactly where I'm at - the time it takes and the SM and reading and commenting, putting together the background stuff for the post etc. I love it, but it takes up way too much of my life and I've started to realize that I need to pull back before it drowns me. I'm so glad you'll still keep visiting and I'll be following your canal adventures as well x

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  30. Exciting changes Leanne and I SOOO understand. I used to follow hundreds of blogs and used to spend hours each day trying to read and comment on blogs. Now I only commit to the Thursday posts - which I read and comment on - and then read someone's post at other times if it leaps out at me. It was one of the reasons I closed comments on most of my blog posts too... so I didn't have to feel bad about that reciprocity thing. Don't get me wrong, I think it's an important part of blogging and the internet community (which I also love) but I couldn't devote enough time to it which is why I cut back so much.

    Like everyone else I'm glad you're not quitting but just cutting back. Interestingly when I've talked about doing that, I have a break and find myself wanting to do more writing and get back into it!

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    1. I would count the blogs I follow more in dozens than hundreds Deb (that number is unreal!) but it still takes up soooo much time! I have thought about closing the comments on my posts - and it's still an option I might consider, but for now I just want to be writing less, reading online less, and finding some sort of balance so I have time to be doing new things and not just repeating the same things each week. I'm glad you'll be hanging in there with me - I always enjoy your thoughtful comments.

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  31. Love your new header, Leanne! Enjoy your additional time away from blogging to enjoy life, you deserve it :)

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    1. Thanks Candi - I thought it was time to do a little change here and there - and the swirl represented a hill and felt light and breezy.

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  32. It’s always good to reassess things and make changes.

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    1. I completely agree Kerrie - I don't want to end up resenting something I love because I'm not prepared to re-consider and change it up a bit.

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  33. I'm so impressed Leanne that you started your blog from scratch on your own with no research and have managed to be so successful. Good on you! I don't blame you at all for cutting back to once a week. Balance in life is so important--and at times hard to achieve. I love your blog and am happy to hear you're not planning on leaving us anytime soon. See you next week!

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    1. Hi Christie - thanks for the lovely compliment. I always look at other blogs and think about how they got to where they are. When I read that someone had theirs designed I'm always flabbergasted because I didn't even know that was possible back when I started. Just changing to an actual theme was an amazing experience for me. I'll be checking out all my usual blog feed still when I drop my posting back, but just not feeling so pressured to keep up with everyone's posts :)

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  34. Leanne, I knew before I published my first blog post in February 2010 that anything more than once a week would not be sustainable, so I've always posted just once a week, on Thursday. As a food blogger, one post takes making one of my original recipes, writing the recipe as well as the post, photographing the food, editing the photos, etc. It's very time-consuming! I also knew from the outset that trying to be on all the social media would be too much for me, so I decided I would only ever do one or two. I started with Twitter and later added Pinterest. Facebook and Instagram are never going to happen! When I add a link to a link party, I like to fully participate and visit more links than required--no "hit and run" linking at a huge number of parties! So your scaling back makes perfect sense to me. As so many others have commented, I'm just relieved that you aren't stopping as yours is one of the blogs I make a point to visit regularly.

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    1. Jean I notice blogs that have a lot of photographs and preparation that go into them and wonder how people manage to keep producing that quality week after week. Yours is one of those beautifully presented blogs and I admire the fact that you're still going strong after nearly NINE years - that's amazing.
      I'd hate to quit blogging completely because I'd drift off onto something else and I think I'd really miss all the lovely bloggers I've met along the way - and once I stopped I don't think I'd have the momementum to pick up the ball again and restart!

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  35. Love your new "bloggy clothes". Great banner. Fresh.

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    1. Thanks Leanne - I thought it was light and breezy and still "hilly" at the same time :)

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  36. I did the same when I started my blog, I just dove right in. I've learned a lot over the years, too. I like the new banner, it's very simple but still looks great!

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    1. I think diving in is what saved me from quitting over the years Stephanie - I had no expectations really, so there was less to disappoint me. If I'd been wanting to become a millionaire or to save the world then I'd definitely have thrown in the towel long ago!

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  37. Happy anniversary to your blog. And well done on making this decision. Do what is right for you. #AnythingGoes

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    1. Thanks Jo - I might change my mind again next year, but for now it feels like the right decision.

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  38. My blog has always come after other things - so I've never had a big pattern of when I blog. Sometimes it's a lot, other times it isn't!

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    1. I'm such an orderly being Vanessa - I always have a schedule that I stick to and it only works if that schedule takes a back seat to the rest of my life, which is why it's time for another change.

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  39. Exciting times, Leanne and I love the swirl too! Thanks for the update on your blogging schedule.

    SSG xxx

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    1. Hi SSG - I thought I'd let people know what I was thinking, rather than just fading away without a murmur :)

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  40. I'm late to the commenting party - have been busy moving house! Love the new banner, and good on you for making sure you blog fits into your life, and not the other way around x

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.