I'm learning to go with the flow. I mean, I have so many things in my head I want to do but realization is dubious as I don't have enough time to do everything and get a good night's sleep (even not going through with everything I want to, I don't get enough sleep).
I don't really feel I accomplish much, I usually just feel lazy and therefore add more pressure on my already tired self. That is why I said I'm learning to go with the flow (but I still can't help but want to change it). :)
This of course applies to perfume reviews. I keep writing notes but I constantly feel I need to work more on them so I don't post anything. And then the longer I don't write, the more I feel like it's no good what I'll write so I just postpone it again. Ok, this week even if I wanted to write, it would have been difficult.
That's why I get so jealous of Birgit of Olfactoria's Travels, she has 2 little children and manages to write each day (sometimes more than once!). :) I'm happy if I get 3 posts a week.
Anyway, I can see I'm rambling without any clear goal (I tend to do that sometimes).
My conclusion is this, I won't force myself to write but I will try my best at writing as often as I can because then it really flows easier. Because if I make a break, it's always hard to get back into writing.
And I'll leave you with a useful advice you don't need because you all probably already know this but I got a free sample so I tried it.
Lacoste's Joy of Pink (and it's NEON pink) is that terrible fruity-floral (more fruity than floral) synthetic musk concoction springing everywhere these days that just seems to get more force the longer you wear it.
So, I guess it will probably sell well.
I sympathize. I don't have any words of wisdom to offer, but I wanted to say that I really enjoy your reviews. That is not meant as pressure to write more though! :)
ReplyDeleteInes, I love how honest and open and accessible you are ~ I often feel what you just wrote and am Glad you shared that! Thankee for bein Ye awesome Self!
ReplyDeleteZ :)
Ines, I have exactly the same issues with writing for my blog. The only viable strategy is to go with the flow and write when I have time and not sweat it when I don't. If you post three times a week, that's a lot, so you should be happy. It's better to have a few good posts than a lot of mediocre ones.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about whether your reviews are "good enough". As long as you say what you think, they will be useful to all of us who read your blog.
Ines, speaking from personal experience, try not to measure yourself by the feats of others. Each of us has our own style and pace and I enjoy reading what you have to say, whether it's daily, thrice weekly or even more seldom than that!
ReplyDeleteYou didn't ask for any advices but I have one (or more ;) ):
ReplyDeleteSet Realistic Goals
If you were to decide for yourself that you will post, let's say, at least two posts a week, you'll feel good when you accomplish that and even better when you manage to write more.
Those who like reading your posts will be happy to see you regularly - even with less work and details that go into each of your posts. Those who like talking to you will be happy to exchange thoughts in comments to their posts or on twitter not less than in here. And the rest of the traffic will be served well by all of us producing enough conversations/information/noise.
Health is so much more important than almost anything that whenever you have a chance to get enough sleep vs accomplish anything on what your well-being doesn't depend, take "get enough sleep".
Undina
I feel a little strange now, because somehow I feel guilty. This is quite absurd and I realize that, but I am so sorry that you feel jealous, I don't want you to hate me for posting daily! :)
ReplyDeleteYou have a daytime job, I just have my kids right now and if I don't write daily I fear to degenerate to the level of a toddler. My blog is my job now, luckily one I love doing, I never had such a rewarding job, that is why I feel compelled to do it as regularly as I can.
But this is not about me after all, but about you. Nobody (but yourself) expects you to do more than you do and what you do is great and I am glad to read your posts no matter how regularly or not they appear. xoxo
anotherperfumeblog, your words made me laugh out loud. I certainly won't take it as endorsement to write more often. ;) But I'll try anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteZanne, thank you so much for those kind words. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Doc Elly.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wish you'd post more often because I learn a lot from your posts.
One of the best things I find in this virtual online world is that it's easy to find many different voices telling you interesting stuff you never knew existed but which somehow make your world view expand.
Thank you Michael.
ReplyDeleteIt seems most bloggers go through similar phases. I just can't help but give voice to mine, it makes it less problematic in my head then. :)
Dear Undina, thank you for the advice. :)
ReplyDeleteMy problem is basically that I know what I should be doing and how to make a balance (and get enough sleep), but I can't seem to stop wanting to do everything my mind tries to.
I probably shouldn't tell you that I lose sleep because I can't stop reading in the evening. :) Reading helps me release stress and so I have a problem stopping. And then not getting enough sleep produces stress of its own.
Yep, a vicious circle I made for myself. :) Which I'm trying to fix.
Dear B, there is really no need to feel guilty (ok, maybe just a little). ;)
ReplyDeleteI know writing is what you do to stay "sane" and you're doing a very good job.
I don't actually feel jealous but I do wish I could write more often but I don't want it to be at the expense of something else. So I'll go with the flow.
I just wanted to add, my life feels rich at the moment in all the important things (and I don't feel I lack money although more could always come handy). So, I guess I achieved some kind of balance in my head, I just want to carve out 15 more concentrated minutes a day for writing.
Hmm, no one can ever accuse me of setting low goals for myself. :)
P.S. I don't have children yet but I'm guessing I will one day and I'm already contemplating ways in which to make my mind stay sane (I have enough young mothers around me to understand that is a necessity).
Ines...first of all, ditch the guilt! That has never done anyone any good! You write when you can, as you can, and whatever you do write and however frequently will always, but always have an audience! :)
ReplyDeleteSecond - this may sound supremely stupid, but bear with me! I've fallen prey to the 'where-do-I-start' issues myself. So many things to do, so little time, and I'm the world's worst procrastinator!
Looking for a cure for that fatal disease, I came across this advice.
Buy an egg timer. No, really. Buy an egg timer. Sit at your desk expecting your usual attack of the blahs (if you're m,e that is!). Set the timer for 33 minutes. Any more, and the procrastination bird will pay a visit, any less, and you won't take it seriously and be prone to distractions, an avian relation to Procrastination...;)
During those 33 minutes, you can...stare into space, you can write, you can drink coffee (or whatever you prefer). What you can't do is get up, go away or do anything else. Thirty three minutes. That's all. Sooner or later, you may feel inclined to write a sentence or two. That's OK. You may even surprise yourself and write seven sentences. When the timer goes off, you're free to go. Or keep going. But those first thirty-three minutes have done wonders for my own focus, so much, I now write 18+ hours a week.
You do what you can and as you can, but the egg timer works for me. Can be used for any project, a blog, a book, a paper...whatever! And...it gets rid of the guilt, too!
Just to let you know - we'll read you no matter what!
Because you're worth it! ;)
I'm glad I stopped by - lots of good advice here!
ReplyDeleteInes, I understand what you are feeling. I have loads of notes, but putting them together in review form is just not happening. I'm even struggling with writing blog comments!
Whatever you write, I and many others will always stop by to read..and if you don't write, we'll wait until you do!
Dear Tarleisio, I really like the egg-timer suggestion! :)
ReplyDeleteI could actually apply to more than just writing and organize my time in those little slots (since I obviously can't do it in my brain).
I will definitely try it. I'm already looking forward to implementing it in some other aspects, not just writing...
Thank you JoanElaine. :) Yes, some good advice popped out in the comments.
ReplyDeleteNow, on to implementing them. :)