I hope that I've not offended these two previous readers. I've always been the kind of person that wanted to be friends with everyone and tried to do things to please, well, everyone. So to lose two readers in two days is a hard pill to swallow.
So sorry to the two readers who dropped me! I'm sorry that I missed out on over a week of blogging due to my situation at work and then going on vacation. Perhaps that was a turn off.
For those who do not know, I work full-time, well over 40 hours a week, as a human resources professional in a manufacturing facility. Hubs and I have been married for 8 1/2 years, and we have a kindergartener and a preschooler. Hubs encouraged me to start this blog earlier this year. I knew that my time would be stretched thin, but I've tried my best to devote as much time to my blog as I reasonably can, without it disrupting my time with my family (and my own sanity for being constantly busy!).
I'm not always able to post something, although I do try. My goal is at least two posts per day. But that's easier said than done. Life happens, and I have to find balance and prioritize what gets done during my day.
And that's the whole purpose of this blog--finding balance. Be it once a month cooking, finding the occasional bargain or hot deal, spending time with family, finding time for self, or just trying out something new.
I don't earn a single dime for this blog, and anything that costs money (like sending out coupons to giveaway winners) has come out of my own pocket. I have one Google Adsense ad, which I don't think has received even one click. I had intended trying to set up the blog for $$, but unfortunately I just don't have the time to devote to it. So it's become a hobby instead, and that I like.
I've been banned from blogging during my lunch hour at work, which means any blog work that gets done ends up being late at night after the kids go to bed, and before my own head hits the pillow. So, if I'm lucky, an hour each evening, two hours at best, to do whatever needs to get done on my computer, blogging, facebooking, printing coupons, hunting down deals, reading other blogs, emailing friends & family...you get the idea.
It's not that I don't want to blog--far from it. Again, it's a matter of playing the balancing act game, and trying to find a little time for "this" and a little time for "that" and everything else that has to get done here on the home front.
So please understand and please forgive me if I miss a day here and there, or if a post or two is a little lacking. I care about my readers, and I do strive to provide good recipes and ideas for you to help you, too, find balance in your own lives.
Thank you to each of you who read this blog regularly, as well as those who check in periodically to say "Hi". You're what keeps me going!!
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What I've learned about this blogging thing is that you can't take it personally. You don't really know why those two people left, and I'm actually a new subscriber.
ReplyDeleteI recently changed my blog from a kind of deal finding focus to more of a frugal family blog. And I know I have lost readers--in fact two have unsubscribed to my email newsletter. And it's all OK.
Now that I've changed focus, I feel so much freedom to write what ever I want--because it's all for me! I haven't blogged much this week--don't have my act together, but that's OK.
It ebbs and flows. If you write from the heart, you will have readers! Good luck! And make sure you don't stay up too late (this is my problem):)
Thank you, Jen, for your words of encouragement!! And welcome as a new subscriber. I have the "staying up too late" problem, myself! haha
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel. I hate it when I "lose" a reader, too, and always wonder why, but like Jen said, you can't take it personally. You and I are in a similar boat in terms of our jobs and our kids ages and I have been trying to put my family first, too, so I only blog in the very early morning or in the evening after they're in bed and so sometimes I miss out on some of the really hot deals that others post, and I've had to let myself know that it's OK to do that.
ReplyDeleteHang in there....Your blog is great and that's all that matters :)
DeAna: I feel the same way as you do. I do my blog as a hobby and don't want to give up family time for blogging (sometimes I need to work on this).I lost a reader this week and you do wonder why. I can't believe you do all this and work full-time. Good for you with having time for family and a hobby that you enjoy. I did miss your posts, but completely understand when you can't post. I actually have not been as consistant as I was when I first started blogging. Keep going. You have a great blog, great ideas and it seems like a great, supportive family!
ReplyDeleteSorry they dumped you...they really don't know what they are missing. I love the recipes you put up and so does my family!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate everyone's uplifting comments. It's hard not to take it personally--I can't help but wondr, "did I do something wrong?". I don't have a large readership, so it's very noticeable when I get dropped. I guess my natural instinct is to want to know why so I can at least have some closure! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou also have readers who aren't getting "counted"... I stop by almost every day, and enjoy your posts a lot. Thanks a bunch for writing!
ReplyDeleteKerry D.
Awww, you're too kind, Kerry!
ReplyDelete