HAS COVID-19 KILLED MY BLOGGING MOJO?

Does being isolated from life have an impact on our thoughts, our creativity and our blogging? It seems to have affected me lately.

I'M JUST NOT FEELING IT

I'm not sure what's been happening lately, but I'm just not feeling the blogging love at the moment. I think it's a combination of things that are stealing my blogging joy, but sitting at home looking at my four walls is definitely the instigator of the problem. How do I find inspiration when I'm home all day? How do I think of anything original or interesting when I'm living Ground Hog Day over and over again? I feel like my mind is going a bit soggy from lack of stimulation and that translates into not having much to write about recently.

TALKING TO MY CATS

Lately I seem to spend a lot of time faffing around - reading a bit of stuff online, reading novels, chatting to my husband, talking to our cats, and generally watching the day slide slowly by through the front window. I feel like I've been in waiting mode.....waiting for the zones to open so I could see my kids and grandgirls, waiting for my exercise class and tai chi to start again, waiting to sit in a cafe and chat over a flat white, waiting for my library to open, waiting to go for a leisurely drive for no "essential" reason, waiting for life to look a bit more "normal", basically I've just been waiting and wondering.

our cats in lockdown isolation mode

I know there's a myriad of things I could be doing - I could be baking, blogging, learning a language, viewing online museum exhibits, taking a course, doing an online excercise program, or online yoga, or online pilates, or zooming, or skyping, or writing the Great Australian Novel....but I'm just not feeling it right now. I don't seem to have the motivation to make my brain work or think too hard. I'm missing the natural boost that comes from leading a balanced and engaged life, and that's translated into having not much worth blogging about.

BLOGGING ABOUT NOTHING

So right now I'm blogging about nothing (with apologies) other than to say that there doesn't seem to be much that anyone else is blogging about either - do you know how many blog posts I've read in the last couple of months about life in the times of Coronavirus? Too many to count! It's interesting to see how others are coping, but most of us seem to have run out of anything new to say. Lately all I seem to read (and write) are re-hashed old blog posts, 'how to cope with isolation' blog posts, 'these are the latest statistics' blog posts, 'I'm missing my friends and family' blog posts, etc etc. 

So, I'm just going to come out and say it - Video Killed the Radio Star and COVID-19 has killed my Blogging Muse. I'm not sure if she's just resting like she's done previously, or whether this is the end of the line for her? Three months of lockdown is enough to stifle any Muse I'm sure.


WHAT'S NEXT?

To blog or not to blog - that is the question. I'm definitely going to play it by ear for a little while. If inspiration arises and the angels sing, I'll write something, otherwise things may be a little quiet around here until life starts revving back up again. Then the blogosphere will be full of "how I'm recovering from isolation" posts - something to look forward to! I'm expecting to see lots of hugging and happy faces as we get to reunite with loved ones and get our lives back on track. Hopefully I'll keep having something new to share, but if not, I'm going to give myself some grace (the same grace I'd extend to anyone else who felt like they needed a break) and just allow things to be what they are.

I love the idea of blogging being about sharing little pieces of ourselves and hopefully I've shared enough over the last 5½ years that those of you who stop by will feel like you know me well and I'll leave you with this little quote that's my greatest wish as far as blogging goes.

“I hope that someday when I am gone, someone, somewhere, picks my soul up off of these pages and thinks, "I would have loved her.” ― Nicole Lyons

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Are you starting to feel like it's Ground Hog Day and everything you do, read, see, live, and breathe is the same? Are you ready to take a little break from it all - or are you one of those people who are thriving in lockdown and using your time to grow and expand and become More?

RELATED POSTS


Does being isolated from life have an impact on our thoughts, our creativity and our blogging? It seems to have affected me lately.
Does being isolated from life have an impact on our thoughts, our creativity and our blogging? It seems to have affected me lately.

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49 comments

  1. Hi, Leanne - I just finished my (online) bookclub where one of our most avid readers shared "I just can't read right now." I think that's pretty normal and is true for so mamy of us (whether it be reading, blogging, following an exercise routine, etc etc). You have shared wonderfully over your years of blogging and have built up many friends (like me). We're here when you post, and understand when you don't. Just as long as you don't leave us for too long! :D

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    1. I think I'm like your reader friend - my inspiration has just hit a bit of a lull and I'm less motivated to sit down and write anything. The Blogger dashboard has also undergone a big change (a bit like WP did with Guttenberg) and that rattled me a bit too - I'm on top of it all now, but just a bit underwhelmed atm. I'm sure I'll leap back into full swing when life revs up again xx

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  2. Hey Leanne, I guess I understand how others might feel but maybe it is because I've been working from home for so long and other than concerts and baseball games we didn't really do much so I'm not as disconcerted by the shelter-in-place as others seem to be. I am not blogging as much this month either, but that's because I have had some work to do, thank goodness, and I've been trying to get a few things done around here. Nothing of that is worth blogging about either though. It is really hot here this week so I've been taking longer walks with Benny out in the fresh air. I would hope that you wouldn't give up blogging for good. A little from you is better than none.

    Janet’s Smiles

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    1. Hi Janet - I think you have the best of both world with a job to stimulate your mind and not having to leave the house more than you need to at the same time. I don't intend to give up blogging, but I'm wondering if there's changes afoot for me in how and when I write and whether it needs to be on a schedule or just when I randomly think about it - and whether it all really matters at all????

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  3. I can totally related - yes it's like living Groundhog day over and over and my blogging mojo is up and down. Yesterday I met a friend at the waterfront for a walk and talk and a coffee. We hadn't seen each other in probably 10 years (long story)! There's was non stop talking going on. It felt decadent and naughty and I worried were we too close etc etc (God I hate Covid) but it revived me like I never knew I could be revived. To get out of my house, to be outside, to be active, to engage in conversation, etc etc. It was wonderful! Anyway - good move to give yourself some grace and only blog when you feel inspired to. I am trying to do the same. Also this post is not about nothing - it's very much how many of us are feeling!

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    1. Thanks for the boost Min - I totally get how a great conversation can inspire and rev you up. I think that's what I'm missing too - bouncing ideas around, taking a snippet of something and fleshing it out etc. It's hard to do that when I'm home by myself for the majority of the time. I like thinking interesting thoughts and writing about stuff that interests me - that's trickier without external stimulus (and I'm starting to hate covid a bit more every day too!)

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  4. I hear you Leanne and have been up and down during this time, plus my husband's trip to emergency, subsequent operation and the next few weeks recovering at home, threw us for a bit of a loop. I've been avidly reading but have given up on so many books, even one you sent me, I just can't seem to want to keep reading if I have to think too hard so I've given up on quite a few books, something I've not done much over the years. I'm not sure if it's lack of motivation, feelings of ground hog day, or just plain old boredom but it's impacted on lots of people and your words resonated with me on some level. I was just talking to a friend yesterday and I said I was feeling a bit blah, despite my most ever visited post going off like firecrackers, the rail trail related one, which should have me jumping for joy and I am on some levels but on another level I'm a bit meh! I like your idea of giving yourself some time and grace and do hope you bounce back to us with your words of wisdom. That last quote is just beautiful! Take care xx

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    1. Hi Deb - it's a strange feeling for me not to have lots of thoughts and ideas buzzing around inside my head. I love the calmness and serenity but I also feel like it's all been said and done and blogged and "meh!" as you would say! I've found similar things with books too - I've started two trilogies that I read the first book of (or part of the first book) and didn't feel motivated to finish the series. I feel like I need a little boost of enthusiasm and I guess that will come as the world opens up again, but in the meantime it all just feels a bit "same old/same old" to me...sigh....

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  5. Hi Leanne! You are not alone. I've processed a lot these last couple of months and wrote about the things that seemed important to me... and now? Like you I swing back and forth between feeling passionate and interested in things to just feeling bleh...why bother? There is so much emotionally happening now in our country far beyond even the virus that the ground is continually shifting under our feet. With that happening it is REALLY hard to feel convinced that our words will mean much to others. (at least that's how I feel sometimes.) Am I ready for a break from it? I've toyed with the idea. Not there yet but who knows? But I have to believe that your followers, and mine, will be there if and when we decide to return. ~Kathy

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    1. Hi Kathy - I think I'll have enough to write to keep going, but maybe not as many posts, and not as many words? Our govt has been very stable through the crisis, but now that things are easing up a bit there's a lot of conflict over how slowly/quickly to re-open business, life, and the country. I think we're all suffering from cabin fever and it's time for some sunshine - and I want my mojo back! It helps to know that other bloggers (like yourself) who I respect, are dealing with similar thoughts. x

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  6. I'm with you. My blogging muse has been self quarantining for months. I have found myself sitting and staring at my blog page trying to decide what I want to write about and everything that comes up is connected to COVID19. Yes, it is current affairs but I want my blog to be a haven of peace and relaxation with a little humor thrown in. I can't seem to find that right now. Hopefully, my blogging muse will reappear and once again find blogging inspiration.

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    1. It's a tough one isn't it? Everyone is so focused on life in a pandemic and there doesn't seem to be a lot of room in their heads for anything else. At first it felt like I was trivializing it to write about other things, then wrote about covid a bit, then got sick of the whole thing, then just sat there wondering what was left to write about. I'm soooo looking forward to a bit more socializing and exchanging of ideas and stimulation when the world goes back to normal - maybe then I'll have things to write about again.

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  7. Oh it definitely feels like Groundhog Day. We were just talking about that a few days ago... But a good Groundhog day fortunately! I must say I thought I would achieve more during this downtime.. especially given how much we usually travel and frankly I find it hard to focus on anything for too long a time. But I have used the time to make creative healthy meals and to start studying Spanish again, albeit at a slower pace than I would like. ON the other hand I think that given the circumstances I am happy with just being content and having a good day, whether I achieve much or not.

    Peta

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    1. I've been feeling the same way, but after 3 months of chilling out and not really doing a great deal, or interacting in person with other people, I'm feeling a bit over it all and my mind seems to be getting more sluggish. Motivating myself to do anything seems to get harder and that includes the blog.
      I think it's time to give myself a bit of a kick in the pants and start moving forward - especially now that restrictions have lifted a little. Maybe then my muse will feel more motivated too?

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  8. I've been doubting my blogging & I've also been using it as a procrastination tool...neither of which is at all helpful.

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    1. It's a tricky one isn't it Jo - when everything slows down you start thinking about it too much and wondering why? and whether there's something else that would be a better use of your time? I'm sure we'll all be back with a vengeance (hopefully) when life picks up its pace a little down the track - in the meantime I really don't want to read many more covid posts!

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  9. Great post and one which obviously others can identify with. I know with my blogging I love that I have the Women of Courage stories to continue on Wednesdays for a few more months. My Monday blog posts I am keeping for the optional prompts and keeping myself honest as I continue my Telling My Story series. I think there is a sameness in every day in this time, however, little by little I am grateful for any thing I have missed coming back for me. Hope the visit with your family has given you all the spark you need for now. Denyse

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    1. Hi Denyse - I'm sure as life picks up its pace again I'll have more to inspire me. I have just been feeling the "sameness" of it all for the last few weeks. I love having interesting ideas and concepts to thrash through and there hasn't been as much of that lately - but it'll slowly return and things will speed up again and my muse will kick back into gear!

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  10. Hi Leanne, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you right now. I have a few ideas for things to write about, and even some unfinished sentences in a couple of word documents. But just feel so uninspired lately. I feel like life is really static and I can't seem to make any headway in anything. Hopefully it will wear off soon and we'll all get back to writing about much more interesting things (I'm so over this situation!). Have a lovely weekend! :-)

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    1. Hi Cheryl - I've been the same - a few ideas, a few notes, a few draft posts..... but nothing really inspiring me atm. I feel like my creative juices are a bit dried up and I'm wilting a little. I too have high hopes for a resurgance once we're allowed out into the world again - some sunshine, conversation, and interesting news and I'll be off and running again!

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  11. Oh, I am completely where you are now. I have been keeping up with a weekly link party, but that's about it. I have almost no blogging motivation. Also, part of what I blog about are creative pursuits--photography, creative journaling, lettering, etc, and I've had no motivation for any of that either. Hopefully, when life becomes more normal, I'll become more normal too! I came by from Blogger's Pit Stop, and I look forward to reading more at your blog. I'm a 63 year old lifestyle blogger. I started my blog in 2011, when my kids were teenagers.

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    1. Hi Pam - lovely to meet you! And yes I imagine that your creativity would be even more impacted than mine while you're shut inside. It's so hard to be inspired when every day seems the same and there are no little adventures happening in our life. Even a drive through the countryside or a visit to some interesting little shops - all that's on hold. BTW if you write posts about lifestyle as well as DIY then you're more than welcome to link up with us on Wednesday for our Midlife Sharing blog xx

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  12. I can totally relate but on the blog, just as in real life, I'm rarely lost for words. As at least 50% of my blog fodder is food related, Covid has definitely given me lots of material! I've got so many recipes and not enough time to blog them! I must admit, I am looking forward to sit down coffees from real cups (the little things!) and have really appreciated being able to catch up with friends and families. As for blogging, I think you have to do what feels right for you and makes you happy. I hope you enjoy the easing of restrictions and get to see your loved ones soon!

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    1. Hi Sam - yes, if I was a baker I'd be in lockdown heaven working my way through a variety of untried recipes - and blogging about them.... unfortunately (or fortunately for my waistline!) that's not me, so I feel like I need a little outside inspiration and interaction to get my thoughts flowing less sluggishly - coffee dates are on the horizon and I'm hoping those will be the beginning of new conversations and thoughts! Or maybe I need to get a cute dog and an IG account?

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  13. Hi Leanne - This is something that everyone faces at one time or the other. I too have. The enforced stay at home is only making it worse.

    One way out that is often suggested is to share something that you have read (a book or an article) or seen (on TV or in real life) or listed to (on the radio or even what some passerby said).

    Of course, everyone needs a break from the routine, that becomes so very predictable. Just do nothing. That is sometimes refreshing and energizing.

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    1. Hi Pradeep - I think I'm watching less news and talking about less stuff because it's all been about covid and people locking down or resisting. I'm so tired of it all and I don't want to blog about a virus anymore either! So....with restrictions lifting here in Australia I have high hopes that life might become more interesting again and I'll find fodder to write about - but if not, I'll not put any pressure on myself either.

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  14. I totally hear you - it's where I was for most of March and April with blogging but in May, things have definitely improved. Go easy on yourself. Groundhog day is definitely a thing. I think in May what changed for me was doing a few more things to not seem to groundhoggy and it also helped that restrictions slowly started to ease mid-month. I hope you find your mojo soon!

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    1. Hi Sanch - I'm SO relieved that they're easing up a little and letting us back out into the "wild"! I feel like I need interaction and conversation to get my thoughts flowing faster and to start being able to think of new ideas and to extrapolate things out - doing the same stuff every day clogs up my works!

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  15. Hi Leanne, I hope you get your blogging mojo back before too long! I can certainly understand what you mean about being in waiting mode, though. A group of our friends used to do a zoom chat every Saturday night but we stopped. There was so little to talk about! Restrictions are being lifted here beginning on Friday. I hope good things will follow! :)

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    1. Hi Laurie - our restrictions are lifting and more freedom is about to come next week - I'll be able to go back to a few things that have been on hold for the last 3 months. I know what you mean about running out of new things to talk about - which is why I haven't really gotten into the whole Zoom thing much. I'm looking forward to chatting about more than the virus or the government or lockdown!

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  16. Hi Leanne :) Yes, I understand completely what you mean. Please don't stop with blogging, I'm looking forward to your mails ( no mater if you write about talking to your cats) :) :) :)
    Big hug from Norway, Marinela

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    1. Hi Marinela - I'm so glad you enjoy my posts - I read your comment out to my husband to show him how international we Midlifers are - I love the connections from all over the world that blogging brings - the commonalities we all share warms my heart x

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  17. I am sure you have some sunshine over there in WA. Sunshine exposure can lift your spirits, just leave the sunblock off for half an hour in the late morning and you will get your dose of vitamin D as well :) But I hear you, I thought there would be an explosion of blog posts as people have more time. Reading your post I can see why that did not happen. I am going to feature your post as it will help others who are feeling the 'blah'. Keep up the good work.
    Kathleen

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    1. Hi Kathleen - thanks so much for the feature - I always feel so honoured when you choose one of my posts for the Pitstop. I think a lot of us are feeling a bit "blah" atm - now that restrictions are beginning to lift I'm hoping that getting out and about will inspire me and get rid of some of the cabin fever I've been experiencing!

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  18. Hi Leanne, I have always liked the word “Mojo.” I don’t really know why, although it seems to fit.

    You describe the waiting and wondering well. Someone today mentioned the phrase “life in limbo.” I also love the word “grace.”

    Goosebumps on “....soul up off of these pages....”. I get it, Leanne. I will be here whenever and however you show up. xx

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    1. Hi Erica - it's the connections and friendships that will keep me blogging. I can't imagine what my life would be like without my online friends - those who (like you) encourage me and cheer me on make such a huge difference in my life. I'm hoping that things will start to rev up again now that we're being given more freedom - the brain fog will hopefully start to clear once I'm out and about again xx

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  19. The phrase ‘I’m in a reading slump’ seems to be common amongst my reading friends. Even though we are trapped at home with all the free time in the world we just can’t seem to connect with our reading. I find I do more when I’m busy, strapped for time. Now I have lots of time I’m good at procrastinating.

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    1. Hi Veronica - I feel a bit the same - the days slide by and I don't seem to have much motivation to do anything. I haven't taken up new hobbies, or started baking bread, or done an online fitness course.....I'm just quietly treading water and waiting for inspiration and a bit of engagement outside the front door to start again - hopefully that'll trigger my blogging juices!

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  20. Hello Leanne!

    Oh that quote!!! Yes, we do leave our heart and soul out there when we write just like you have done in this post - it certainly wasn't about nothing - it was about everything - and by the comments so many have picked up what you were putting down. Always nice to know that you're not alone.

    Take care, Sandra. Xx

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    1. Hi Sandra! Thanks for your lovely words and yes, it's been good to see that others have struggled with the lack of mental stimulation that has started to set in after months of being away from the real world. I'm eternally grateful for my blogging community and the like-mindedness that they bring to the table - it's why I love blogging so much - and why I'll keep writing and hoping that I'll keep having something to share xx

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  21. Hmmm I have the same dilemma Leanne. I have allowed myself the privilege of slowing down and try to read some more, and guess what I started a book 2 weeks ago and I am not even half way. I hope this energy does pass too. xo

    Julie Syl Pit Stop Crew

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    1. Hi Julie - yes, I think it's about being a little bit kinder to ourselves and just letting things find their own pace. Sometimes I think we get caught up in blogging schedules and trying to be consistent, when all that really matters is that we're engaging and sharing from our hearts and not from a calendar update!

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  22. Leanne, I think perhaps the reason I seem to be "handling" all this better than some is that I made up my mind at the beginning that this was something that might go on for a very long time and that I would just live each day. That has helped me avoid that "holding pattern" feeling. I don't spend much time thinking all those "When this is over, I'll do ..." thoughts, but just concentrate on what I can do now. I've been surprised at how the days and weeks fly by! I hope that might be helpful to someone. As to what you might blog about, if you are on top of the new Blogger interface, please write about that--many of us are struggling with it!

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    1. Hi Jean - it's a killer when we get something new dropped on us without warning isn't it? When I opened up my dashboard and saw all the changes I nearly had a seizure! But I reminded myself that blogging is good for my brain - and once I looked around a bit and hovered over the new icons etc I realized that it's not all that different afer all. I actually prefer it because I used to have so many issues with it messing up my paragraph spacing etc and that's stopped now. There are a few little things that I don't love about it, but it's like anything, once you get used to it then it just keeps flowing along.

      Also, good point about not being in "when this is all over" mode - I think the idea of just enjoying it for what it is definitely helps the days pass more smoothly. My only worry is that I'm not all that keen on re-starting life in the outside world - I like my home life too much to want to go out all the time!

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  23. I'm a big believer in pressing pause when you need to. You don't have to press delete or cancel. That's what a pause button is for. Having said that, i'm the queen of rambling on about absolutely nothing when there's nothing to ramble on about. Not sure anyone wants to read it, but I still write it! LOL. Like this comment. Not really getting anywhere with it ... but I'm still typing away ...

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    1. I'm a bit the same Leanne - I just love to write - I do very little self-editing - just hammer it out onto the page, add a few pics and off we go. I know some bloggers who agonize over each sentence and re-write lots of their posts several times - not me, I just fly by the seat of my pants :)

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  24. I have noticed a decline in blogging too, not initially with the pandemic, but definitely of late. I think you enunciated what a lot of people are feeling. We have to become a little more creative in our down time and it sure is a challenge, but one I feel confident we can manage. Stay well.

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  25. This was just in time. It's a challenges to write but most of all to write in a positive manner on some days. I have been re thinking everything- as I just restarted my blog I feel I need to push on! Good luck to us all. :)

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  26. This was just in time. It's a challenges to write but most of all to write in a positive manner on some days. I have been re thinking everything- as I just restarted my blog I feel I need to push on! Good luck to us all. :)

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