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A Toughie - Your social life priority!

Posted by gosmelltheflowers • 6/16/07 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blog, flowers, health, legacy, links, network, obsession, pride, social, society

Regular bloggers have all been there, haven't we?

'You're always on that blog' THEY say.
'Just 10 more minutes' WE reply, head down, fingers tap-tapping away.

What is more important to YOU - more blog traffic or a 'real' social life? Honest answers per-lease, all welcome.

User Comments

6/16/07

marco71

I kind of get addicted to watching the traffic on my blogs not good for social life or couple life

[reply]
1. 8/04/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Have you put things into perspective yet?
6/16/07

MadameX

Well. Um. I'd conduct ALL of my relationships in writing if I could. I keep pushing my MOTHER to use email instead of calling me!

[reply]
1. 8/04/07
  
  FemmedeBat
  
  Haha! I know exactly what you mean!
6/16/07

Anniepooh

I'm with Madame lol I'm far too busy for in-person relationships!

[reply]
6/16/07

gosmelltheflowers

Interesting n honest comments so far. Hmmm.

[reply]
6/16/07

aussiecynic

Please explain S O C I A L L I F E ...are there other humans out there...if so where can I find them......hehehehehe

[reply]
1. 6/17/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Cue evil laugh!
6/16/07

Jaya

I don't have this dilemma, as I do not
have a 'real social life'. I just hang
out with my cats. They are OK with me
blogging a lot, as long as they're still
getting fed.

I do, however, find that my time at
work is really interfering with my
blogging time.

[reply]
1. 6/17/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Cool with the cats - how content is that!! Great.
6/16/07

VampireFaust

hmmm...it depends...
Some days I forget unless one of my friends comes and drags me out of my cave. Other days I can't sit still...

[reply]
1. 6/17/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Must drive you batty...
6/17/07

JayNeely

I have to say, some of you guys are kind of creeping me out.

Some of the best ideas I've had for blog posts have come from talking with a friend over a cup of coffee. And for me at lease, I'm writing a blog because my main focus is on sharing knowledge and helping people. I want my blog to do that by itself, but I also want it to entice people into contacting me personally. The author of a blog is much more interesting and much more useful than any single blog post, or even the sum of their blog posts.

Without people, I wouldn't have much worth writing about.

[reply]
1. 6/17/07
  
  MadameX
  
  Well, Jay...that's very different from my experience, but I don't find YOU creepy. I think it's a good thing that we have all different kinds of people in the world. Personally, I've been writing continuously in my head since I was about six years old, and I experience too much social interaction as an almost painful interruption to that process. It isn't something I do intentionally, writings are just virtually always flowing through my head unbidden (not ideas, but fully formed paragraphs, sometimes entire stories, almost exactly as they'll be worded in final form).
  
  I might have overstated the situation a bit--I do have a group of very close friends and my family lives within half a mile of me, but going out socially once or twice a month is plenty for me and I make the effort to spend time with my family more often than that because I think it's important for my daughter. It's not that I don't enjoy it, but it's not my natural state. My natural state is thinking in prose, in long pieces that come in the language of writing, not the language of conversation.
  
  Interestingly, this would come as a shock to most of the people who interact with me--I have a reputation for being very socially bold, friendly and outgoing. And I can be. But given my choice about what to do with a rainy afternoon, I'd rather be writing (even mentally) than socializing--just like some people would rather be reading a book than watching television.
2. 6/17/07
  
  JayNeely
  
  Madame, take the first sentence a bit tongue in cheek. ;-)
  
  If we'd been talking in person I think you would have realized I wasn't being that serious.
6/17/07

sexyinred

Talking is overrated...my blogs are places in which I converse whatever happening in my life/brain/feelings etc....

I just feel it's easier to write than to talk frankly...especially to strangers and thus is why I'm more contented sitting in front of my pc day in and day out networking online. I'm still having conversations but not verbally tho.

And as long I didn't hurt anybody around me by doing so...that's what I will be doing.

[reply]
6/17/07

Enlight

Well I have a lot of things going on in life. Helping the fellow man is the most important which will not happen if person is sitting at home in front of the computer.

I have never been into groups of people. Many groups carry attitudes, and energy that goes beyond what love it. This whole world is under the power of the wicked ones. So the energies of groups can be taxing on me.

I do enjoy my solitude, which is a big difference then isolation.

Nowadays, solitude for me is deeply enjoyable.

[reply]
1. 6/17/07
  
  MadameX
  
  That seems a pretty narrow view, Enlight. I'd say, for instance, that Tony, Lisa & Jon were definitely "helping their fellow man" when they were "sitting home in front of the computer" working on the Donors Choose fundraiser.
2. 6/18/07
  
  Enlight
  
  I am referring to helping someone in person, like a homeless person. Someone who is truly hungry on the street. With Charities you really don't know where the money goes. I know one thing the money does not get to the poor people that really need it. Plus I was not referring to any one personally.
6/17/07

iluvmonkeys2

excuse me...social life? what's a social life?

[reply]
1. 6/19/07
  
  aussiecynic
  
  My question too....hehehehehehe
6/17/07

Theresa111

World peace.

[reply]
6/17/07

gosmelltheflowers

So, what is more important - more blog traffic or a 'real' social life?

[reply]
1. 6/17/07
  
  MadameX
  
  Do you think it's really a matter of weighing one against the other? From the looks of this thread, it seems to me that the people who choose to spend that time blogging WOULDN'T be out socializing if they didn't have blogs to worry about. Those of use who are introverts would still be introverts without our blogs.
6/17/07

gosmelltheflowers

It's all good M X - We were aiming the revised question at Theresa who rightly wants world peace. World peace wins for sure, with our without our blogs but judging who we meet in the blogosphere it could be one way of helping humanity unite. Group hug? The debate continues....

[reply]
6/17/07

Melissathemedium

Blog Traffic shows that people are interested in knowing me because they keep coming back. Friends keep coming back because they already know me. Isn't it all some form of Social Life? I do try and keep an even balance with both.....blog wins most of the time:-)

[reply]
1. 6/17/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  But as you're a medium, Melissa you 'just know'. We'd say both blogging and face 2 face ARE forms of social life, of contact. Just other dimensions, right?
6/18/07

gosmelltheflowers

Just been 'told off' for blogging and not making my beloved a cuppa, kettle was on but I forgot, thanks to blogcatalog. Just an example to make the point....of course, I wear the trousers,sometimes.

[reply]
1. 1/04/08
  
  angesbiz
  
  LOL Jim, I hope Emma got her cuppa!
6/18/07

ThriftShopRomantic

I do try to make sure I take care of my blog obligations, as well as see the outside world a bit. I have had, however, some really nice conversations with people online-- and the benefit is online it's easier to discover similar interests more quickly with others...

I guess it's about finding balance. But it's true, I am viewing things I do in the outside world as potential blog fodder.

[reply]
1. 6/18/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Great point well made ThriftShopRomantic. We do the same. 'Wish I'd have taken a picture / mini movie of that - would have been great on the blog'!
  
  'Can you just take in the scenary, Jim, you're meant to be smelling the flowers' Emma reminds me!
  
  There is a balance but have we taken it too far?
6/18/07

sixuntilme

Hmmm ... I have a definite blogging addiction and have often found myself saying, "I need to grab a picture of that ... for the blog." The phrase "for the blog" ends up bantered about more than I'd like. But it's part of what I do right now.

But my "real life" social life doesn't suffer as a result of blogging.

I'm going to take a screenshot of this discussion ... for the blog.

[reply]
1. 6/18/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Great sixuntilme, gald you like!
6/18/07

lizzie2uk

I have a real website building and blogging addiction. I keep forgetting to work...tsk! tsk!

[reply]
1. 8/09/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Oops!
6/18/07

robinj

One word "Balance" ....a little bit of the real world a little bit of the cyber world a little bit of the spirit world....but cyber hugs I admit just aint the same as the real thing

[reply]
1. 6/18/07
  
  Enlight
  
  Big time agreement with balance.
6/18/07

gosmelltheflowers

Balance is the key for sure. But how do us bloggers share the urge with non bloggers?

[reply]
6/18/07

2WriteHands

For me it goes in cycles. For a week it's my blog, then it's my social life. But the reality is that the blog is only a hobby at this point. There are real obligations that must come first, even if I'd rather be blogging.

[reply]
1. 6/18/07
  
  incinq
  
  I agree.
  
  My blog is important to me.
  
  But, it's just one layer of my life.
2. 6/19/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Week on week off? Interesting. For some its 3 hours on and a begrudged 10 minutes getting washed! Depends on the blog activity.
6/19/07

m38967

Madame X brings really good insight into blogging as a "happy place" for introverts. I do feel more comfortable socializing online than in the real world. But i do also think that the more time i spend online and not with folks in real life, that the net can then become a kind of enabler. so i do try to get out and meet and mingle "in reality".

And as far as socializing on ones blog, which i think is what the OP meant, it is important, as blogs are supposed to be conversations one has with readers. I try to respond in a timely fashion, but sometimes i don't get around to a reply for some hours later. Maybe because i'm out mingling.

[reply]
1. 6/19/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Makes sense! We love your phrase 'out mingling'!
2. 6/19/07
  
  m38967
  
  thanxs, gosmell. that is what i call it. although im prolly not very good at it.
6/19/07

mrsnesbitt

We live in an issolated, rural village in the middle of the North Yorkshire Moors....looking out the window as I sit here I see fog and cows in the fields opposite. I work from home, and support my hubby's business...also I am project managing some building work here...that keeps me busy. I blog to document what is going on around me.......I have built up a network of friends through my blog...this network increases each week, usually by 2 or 3. I prefer things just like this......our own social life....we get out on the motorbike when we can...which ofcourse I post on my blog! I always have my camera with me...and think "For the Blog!" LOL yet in a way it is documenting and finding dialogue for the simple yet content life I lead.

[reply]
1. 6/20/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Excellent stuff and thanks for the real life example.The last line of your post REALLY hit home and alot of people will relate to that. I well remember the fog between Leeds n Sheffield! A blog would brighten things up for sure! Blog in the fog, perhaps! :0)
6/19/07

Enlight

From my experience, socializing online can be easy. It is really easy to have our own perception of who we want the person to be. Thus, it creates the people you know online, according to your imagination, of who they are. Back in 1996-97 I lived in Ohio and I met a lot of female friends through AOL and every time we met in person, it was a surprise. Sometimes it was a shock, from what my online perception really was of the person through chatting and e-mail and pictures. I learned the best thing to do was to meet very quickly to avoid any type of imaginary perception.

Although I am not saying that getting to know people online is a negative thing. I am happy to know the friends here on blog catalog.

[reply]
1. 6/21/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Enlight by name and enlight by nature. Thanks for the comments.
6/19/07

Sally

Well I had my first booking through blogging (I do self catering rental in South of France) so that has kept the family quiet !! Hurrah, tap tap tap tap

[reply]
1. 6/20/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  We love the irony that blogging has kept the family quiet! BTW We plan to be in the South of France within the next 12 months and will be in touch on your shout board!
6/20/07

lizzie2uk

I thing I have become a Blogophile...is there any hope for me?

[reply]
1. 6/20/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Ha! Blogophile. Watch what your typing on your keyboard Lizzie2uk!
6/21/07

sindoo20

I am sort of getting addicted to blogging with all my four blogs. I teach and I have a group of entertaining students and as always this entertaining discussion forum help me relax from this addiction and help me think fresh .."six in one" doesn't that sound cool...?

[reply]
6/21/07

bidarlah

for me this is like the chicken and egg situation.

cos my blog (www.bidarlah.com) is simply a place where i update friends -home & away about my life and stuffs. So if i don't go out and meet other friends or do other things, i kinda got nothing to blah di blah really.

Then again, if i dun blog or read other ppl interesting life or blog, i got no new conversation topics when i meet with my social friends. hmm...

i dun expect million or thousand readers a day but would be nice to increase my current visitors and hopefully they will return again and not a one-off visit like some kind of date gone bad. I expect the phone calls, if not a long lasting relationship haha!

[reply]
1. 6/21/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Chicken and egg it is - but which came first?
6/21/07

lizzie2uk

The most important thing in the world is more blog traffic!!! (and chocolate!)

[reply]
1. 6/21/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Blog traffic MORE IMPORTANT THAN CHOCOLATE?
6/21/07

gosmelltheflowers

Just been told to put the laptop AWAY and GET TO Bed.

35 years old and the blogging goes on.

Its 11.30pm here in Dubai in case of time zone confusion!

[reply]
6/22/07

gosmelltheflowers

I've been released - back on after mixing with those 'real' people. Far more sense on blogcatalog and way more interesting, dont ya think?

[reply]
6/24/07

gosmelltheflowers

Too bizzie blogging to keep this thread going - we're back!

[reply]
6/24/07

dontbeshy

It's my sleep that suffers. I really only get a chance to get online late at night, so I have to tear myself away to get some sleep. There are so many good blogs, and i keep finding more.

[reply]
6/24/07

gosmelltheflowers

Exactly! Not enuff hours in the day - quite overwhelming! One trick is to pick a topic and stick to that, an area of interest. Easier said than done!

[reply]
7/31/07

purpleladycentre

Got to say this my friends are more important.....although the traffics nice

[reply]
1. 7/31/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  There in lies the balance!
7/31/07

cooper

Friends and socializing, although work right now, some of which I do in the evenings at home. But computers are mobile so the blog can go anywhere.

[reply]
7/31/07

Norski

I'm married, and all four surviving kids are in the house at this point. My minimum daily adult requirement for socializing is usually filled by noon.

'A beer with the boys' socializing was never a significant part of my life. I've probably missed out on something, but I'm content. Blogging hasn't increased, or decreased, this non-existent part of my life.

My oldest daughter shares many of my interests and preferences, so blogging has actually enhanced my socializing with her. The same will probably be true of my son, in a few years.

[reply]
1. 8/01/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Content is the key and thats the trick to the old work life balance!
7/31/07

josephlayden

Real life. It's paying better at the moment.

[reply]
7/31/07

tetsujin

Real life for me, my blog and other website are my hobby. Kind of like my own child, but definitely a hobby.

Cameron

[reply]
8/01/07

intellimind

haahhaa its way to addictive look at the time i post located a the bottom of each article.

intellimind.net/blog

im doing this like 24/7

[reply]
1. 8/01/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Good idea and you're the first to admit your addiction!! Congratulations intellimind!
8/01/07

MsRebecca

I'm an addict..I can't help it.. My kids haven't eaten in weeks..

I'm kidding.. kind of..

[reply]
8/01/07

Bricore

I am addicted to it BUT I am making myself start to do more. Which is hard because we also keep a few animal and they also take time as well..

I do enjoy blogging a little too much that is for sure.

Dora Renee' Wilkerson
bricoreandfamily.blogspot.com/

[reply]
1. 8/01/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Ha!
8/01/07

rippinkitten

For me it's cyclical. I work on a computer all day and sometimes the LAST thing I want to do at night is get sucked into the blog world. Also, I live in New England and when the weather is nice I'd like to be out enjoying the fresh air and taking advantage of the motorcycle riding season.

I definitely spend more time on the computer when the weather is cold. Since my blog went live in April, I have not had the opportunity to see how much time I will spend blogging in the winter.

Overall, I'm finding it a tough balance.

[reply]
1. 8/01/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  A tough balance but one that your bike helps but in perspective, right?!
8/01/07

awannabe

hmm... My husband doesn't like me to socialize very much out in the real world and he doesn't like me online much either. Its a tough world eh?

[reply]
1. 8/01/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Good for you for sharing awannabe - so you're a stealth blogger then?
2. 8/01/07
  
  awannabe
  
  Oh my gosh... must be why I am a "wannabe" writer. What does stealth blogger mean? Thanks, now I must go look in a dictionary.
3. 8/01/07
  
  awannabe
  
  Okay, I looked up "stealth" on this page. dictionary.reference.com/browse/stealth
  
  I think you mean I am a secret blogger... yes hubby doesn't know about them.
4. 12/12/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Hubby n wifey balance!
8/01/07

thewishfulwriter

I enjoy a great balance...writing and social life. But I do have to make myself get off the computer around 6 when my family comes home. If I didn't have one, I could see myself hermiting. It is addictive!

[reply]
1. 8/02/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Addicative yes but glad you still manage that balance!
8/01/07

franku

As much as I may value some of the on-line friendships I've made on a board or two I'm on, nothing trumps family IRL - in my case, I'll include my girlfriend along with my folks in that; plus several choice IRL friends after that. Now, if I know I'm going to have spare time to myself, and I don't need to catch up sleep, I can pull an all-nighter and bank a number of future posts- at least until I hit 25 or 30 and maybe I can't do that as much . But if my gf and I can get some time off together, she's going to get the time, not the blog.

[reply]
1. 8/03/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Fair point - family wins for yer!
8/02/07

shaydelgado

nothing beats face-to-face friendships i suppose....

[reply]
1. 8/02/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  So thats why facebook works? :0)
2. 8/02/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Or does it replace reality?
8/03/07

v1ctorya

I think the question has evolved from the one sentence on top.

Priority is human interaction life, but a blog is a responsibility, especially one as personal as mine I guess. I do it for me, but others are there often. If I was to stop it's reasonable to beleive that other 'real' people would be confused and possibly upset, right?

But I don't stop my life interactions with friends and such and would love to build a stronger offline life - not that that's gonna happen easily when I'm working 6 days a week and going to classes at nights, ya'know? Blogging just changed my socializing to make it fit into MY schedule instead of fitting into other peoples for this time in my life.

Both are important as they involve other people. But real life friends trump, as they've been there forever (and lend money w/out interest, lol)

[reply]
1. 8/03/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  So you lend money out WITHOUT interest - is paypal OK?
2. 8/03/07
  
  v1ctorya
  
  among friends, yes, only not lend, give. I heard (probably biblical) never to lend to a friend because if they don't repay it's always bad feelings. So I give, and they give, and if we repay (which we always do) it's a bonus. But if they don't, it's not expected.
  
  I've used paypal - to repay real world friends
8/03/07

ghostytwofish

I don't have a social life, so the question is moot.

But, I do have many other projects besides the blog.

[reply]
1. 8/04/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Doesnt your social life = the blog therefore. The social life that you choose?
2. 11/06/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Gotta keep active!
8/03/07

Fartmachine

Real social life of course. Don't really care about the blog traffic, but I enjoy being an ass on the internet.

[reply]
1. 8/04/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Fair point FM - your the first to admit it and your outlook
  is so refereshing!
8/03/07

hbgolightly

Either way, we all want to feel accepted, loved and/or popular. Some get it from "real" friends and some out of cyberspace.

[reply]
1. 8/04/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Fair point, well summed up. Maybe thats the hidden desire to blog? To be accepted...
8/03/07

DeathSweep

I may have found a happy medium - yeah work sometimes interferes with both blogging and a social life so my blog is about the social interactions I have at work. Who'da figured?

[reply]
1. 8/08/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  A haapy medium - isnt that someoe who is content AND can see into the future :0)
8/04/07

FemmedeBat

I think people think that I'm on my blog a lot more than I really am.

Also, sometimes people make comments to me like, "get out and do something more than blogging"

That annoys the heck outta me, and I find it insulting, because I do a ton of stuff, including dealing with people. People assume that because you are not with THEM and/or choose to do something else that your blog is your life.

I deal with people for work. I deal with their biggest problems and intense emotions and stresses. When I'm done work, I want to be by myself.

Does that sound snobby?

Anyway, I'm with the other posters here who say it's not necessarily a one-or-the-other proposition and those who say they'd choose something other than socializing even if they didn't have blogs.

[reply]
1. 8/04/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Snobby - no not at all!
8/04/07

crpitt

Without some outside 'social' interaction i feel my blog suffers. Plus i like to post photos from hiking and my nephews on my blog and i need to leave the computer to do that.

[reply]
1. 8/08/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Great idea to get the balance - ensuring the content is added to the blog that involves another off line activity - we like!
8/08/07

Solarion

Traffic please! double scoop!, I hang out with friends anyways! I got DUGG this week so got some traffic and now I will go socialize ;D! here is the DIGG post;
www.digg.com/linux_unix/Google_Phone_Linux_based_on_the_way

[reply]
1. 8/08/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Eh? Solarion - flower smelling needed - do slow down and share your thoughts on your social life priority and then we'll come and play.OK?
8/08/07

zawadi

I joined this network to actually to learn more about blogging and to blog more.
I spend more time away from blogging than a blogger should.

I think it's because the 2 new blogs I have don't even have a PR yet, so I don't feel the need to blog as much with maybe 3 visitors a week.

I gotta blog more!!!

[reply]
1. 8/10/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Fair point but you're better learning off others than blogging to nobody!
8/09/07

ourmonmouth

Life requires balance, easier said then done. (Note to self: "practice what you preach") The Internet/Web Marketing/Blogging is not only my business but passion as well. It is also extremely demanding of my time as all of you fully appreciate. At the end of the day it is a job and hobby, friends and family need to be a priority in my life and deserve more attention than I currently give. There are not enough hours in the day to get everything I want to accomplish anyway, and hey there is always tomorrow.

[reply]
1. 10/04/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Fair point and fair answer but its getting that balance, it often only comes in hindsight!
10/04/07

infonistacrat

Lets see...,I would rather have the traffic, but my wife has other plans. Right now, I am working my regular job, refinishing the kitchen (doing the work myself), and trying to maintain a sane life with her. I usually work on my blog an hour or so a day, and spend an hour or so a day visiting the amazing blogs of people I see here. It is a huge challenge to balance it all. Especially since I have so many ideas floating in my head for new sites, and it is frustrating because I don't really have the time to do it all! :-)

Example, I have a frame work sketched out that will allow me to download articles from article sites, strip out the content, insert them into a database, and run a cron job to post 3 times a day automatically. I have bits and pieces of the code done, but it will take me forever to finish it at the rate I am going. Once set up, I could set up blogs every few days and run them automatically. But finding the time to code...ah that is the challenge!

[reply]
1. 10/04/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Soo true! That family and blog balance, so much to do, so little time!
10/04/07

DeathSweep

Blogging is sort of a social life however nothing beats person to person interactions!

[reply]
1. 10/21/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Depends on who you meet!
10/04/07

antibarbie

a real social life for me, because I don't get to go out without these kids very often so I jump at the chance!

[reply]
1. 10/05/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Good one you, could they start their own blogs perhaps?
10/04/07

jpearce

A few weeks ago I communicated with my boyfriend through my del.icio.us page. Is that so wrong?

[reply]
1. 10/05/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  It is the way of the world but it depends on what you said to him on del.icio.us!
10/04/07

PMKU

I'm with DeathSweep!
I don't get a lot of time to make friends so the blogsphere is a pretty cool place to hang out. Especially when you find your people.

[reply]
1. 10/09/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Fair!
10/05/07

totalescape

I meet so few people that I really wanna socialize w/ so that is why I am not minding this lil computer career so much. Of course, when I do meet a special person, look out. We go out driving for thrills, hike in the moonlight, traveling the lands.

But I would hafta say my decade old web site, traffic & blogging comes before most all social interactions.

[reply]
1. 10/11/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Great flower smelling stuff but sometimes easier said than done!
10/08/07

stellarself

I really love blogging, and can definitely get caught up in it. But there are many wonderful things to do around here and several people I really enjoy hanging out with. So, I try to balance my time with both. Sometimes the scales tip farther toward one than another, but then I bring them back to equilibrium. Sometimes I wish there were a few extra hours in the day, though....

[reply]
1. 10/20/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Never enough time to do it all - gotta be ruthless with the watch when the screen is up :0)
10/09/07

dotartdude

As I've learned in making art, the time spent away from it is just as important as the time spent doing it. I feel the same way about blogging.

As for a social life, I do get out of the house to do things with friends. In the New Orleans area there are always plenty of activities to choose from: anything from very formal to the very informal.

I do have online friends as well. And, I have met some of them in person.

[reply]
1. 10/21/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Sounds like you've got the balance!
10/20/07

Majik

I think a social life is an intrical part of blogging. You need to socialize to help you find out what is important to your fellow human being to keep things real. Lately my posts have been about a specific topic, but getting out is important to add variety. After all, variety is the spice of life, is it not?

[reply]
1. 12/10/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Yup, variety helps - blogging is just one form of communication but an addictive one at that!
12/10/07

LoveStory

I haven't reached that level of passion for blogging yet. But if I'll ever do I guess I just have to remind myself to maintain a balance between my online and offline life. Easier said than done I know but it's not impossible.

[reply]
1. 12/11/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Sooo true!
12/12/07

jacksparrow

Look.. i do not share this with many people... we have all heard of re-incarnations and past-life stories... but to be frank i come from a different world - a world reborn after three near-destructions - as if i came here to study the past... came here from a world 80,000 years away from now... i spend time on blogs to understand people - i analyse people reading blogs, interacting in life also... and see a vast difference - between what i see now and how it is down the line... people chasing big bold headlines, commercials... and living out of constant fear...

I know i can help analyse most of the problems - i dont know how - i cannot afford headlines - i can write a blog- but will it help - i dont want people to believe me - or follow me - i just want them to discuss - question - question everything - with a free mind - and come out of pre-conceived notions... come out of a self-centered existence - coz there is no self - we all are part of a system - which evolves around a simple code - which maybe you will find in nature only -

I need your advice and invite questions - do i put my words in a written format... ?

love.

jack.

[reply]
1. 12/13/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Interesting from the heart response, way from the norm and Bon courage for you for sharing!!
12/12/07

wenfri

You mean to say that blogging isn't a Social Life LOL

Seeing as how hubby comes home and parks his butt in front the boob tube (he watches boring programs too LOL) I would much rather catch up with my friends online

We do get out and mingle with the real world though at times. Sometimes too much in my book.

What I really need is a way to blog in my sleep Seems all my best ideas come to me when I am asleep When I wake up there it was gone.

Addicted to blogging or being online/ who is addicted Hahahaha

Wendy
Please call me by real name (hint) (wink)

[reply]
1. 1/03/08
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Ypu, we are with ya - hands up!
1/02/08

purpleladycentre

No I sometimes really don't have the time. Definirtely no time to get addicted. Nevertheless I HAVE MAKE SOME NICE FRIENDS BLOGGING AND ON FACEBOOK TOO

[reply]
1/04/08

shadowknight

Definately a real life, although its a fine balance between work, blogging, and being a real human. At times I go too far the wrong way, thats when I know I need leave to refocus.

[reply]
1. 1/04/08
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Ypu, we're with you SK!!!!
1/04/08

angesbiz

I am addicted to my blog and other blogs (wink, wink) and I also do find time to socialize with real people... family mainly as my parents and siblings all live close by. Occasionally I also go out for coffee with friends or mums from school. There is always something going on with the kids whether it be birthday parties of after school play. This year however, my goal is to spend more time with my partner and kids doing fun things together. It's all bout finding that balance and planning rather than taking it as it comes.

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