Hi, remember me? I’m still here, albeit sporting a newly-formed layer of cobwebs that has grown over my head and my blog, as I leave it here to fester unattended. It’s not that I have nothing to blog about—take your pick: watching fast, fast cars go zooming by at the Grand Prix in Macau; chipping a tooth on a goose bone in Hong Kong; trekking through the Holy Land (on camel even); eating my way through Yountville with Ellen this past weekend; or heck, even having high tea with Nicole Antoinette last weekend or seeing New Moon with Moose and chuckling our way through the ridiculousness of it all (Jacob’s painted-on abs, Edward’s ever-present $.99 Bonne Belle body glitter)—it’s just, I don’t want to.
And I don’t like this feeling, nor am I accustomed to it. I’m used to wanting to share everything with you, from my monthly bikini wax to that time a wolf spider held me hostage in my own house (yesterday) and I feared for my life, to run to the computer the second something happens and share it with the World Wide Web. But I haven’t so much as typed up a draft in nearly a month now; I’ve just lost all desire to assume my throne as the Queen of Oversharers Anonymous (or in this case, Identities Realized). (That’s not entirely true, as I’ve still been Tweeting and Tumbling up a storm.) Perhaps—and I fear this the most—my words have just left me. I’m a product of the 140 society, the type who can summarize their existence in one mere breath, and my loquaciousness has been hung out to dry.*
After my vague hiatus post, many of you commented and e-mailed me out of concern. So I’m just here to say I’m fine! I really am. It’s not like I’m sad—or even a victim of S.A.D. (considering we’ve had all of one day below 60 in the Bay Area all fall, that would be hard to justify—I’m just…boring. And that’s the biggest fear of all: that one day I won’t be able to translate all my exciting follies into words that properly convey the emotion. As I just flew back from Asia a week ago—a 16-hour time change, and you know they say it takes a day for every hour to readjust to the right zone—I’m going to blame all this on jetlag, at least for a few more days, as I return to my Gossip Girl marathon and gift-wrapping session.
Or maybe, like a school assignment you’ve been putting off for weeks—or, erm, in my case, five travel round-ups that actually pay my bills that I’ve been neglecting for a month—you just have to sit down and make yourself do it. But that’s the thing: I’ve never wanted this blog to feel like work. Yet that’s what it’s become, homework. I’ve had to write blogging into my daily planner—yes, I’m old school and actually write everything down; and by hand! no fancy gadgets or technology, just me, a pen and a piece of lined notebook paper—and when it begins to feel like a dreaded task, that’s when you know you need to step away from the Interwebs.
So perhaps I’ll be back tomorrow with something light and easy, like a travel gift guide, then ease my way back in via a proper Photo Friday, then return fully rejuvenated after the weekend. Or maybe not. With the way December’s shaping up already—a minimum of three work and holiday events every day from now until SVV and I fly back to Tennessee on the 16th, plus two books to write—I’m not exactly sure from where these excess hours to blog will originate. Or maybe I just like to create an air of mystique…yes, that’s the lie I’ll continue to tell myself (and all of you).
In other news, how have y’all been? I must say my Google Reader is so far buried I’ve missed out on all the new pregnancies, engagements, bouts of swine flu, so give me the CliffsNotes version of who, what, when, where, why. I miss you, I really do.
(And who will be at the Thursday night San Francisco BlogHer party? If you’re going and we’ve never met in person, please say hi! I’ll be the frazzled one with a garden of stress- and holiday-related breakouts on her face, likely teetering on one stiletto while knocking back the egg nog in mass quantity.)
*I say that, then manage to bang out a 700-word post on absolutely nothing at all, so maybe, just maybe, I’m in the clear.
Take your time. We’ll still be waiting (and following you on Twitter for the latest).
Sometimes you need a break, and sometimes during your break you realize you need a longer break. Life is too short to force yourself to blog when you don’t feel like, so don’t feel bad about taking whatever kind of break you need. We’ll be here!
(But I have missed you. For the record.)
Don’t you worry. A break is healthy! I have no doubt that someday a day, week, or month from now you’ll wake up just itching to blog and be back better than ever! And even though I’m excited, I really can wait to see pictures of the Holy Land.
It’s that most wonderful(?) time of the year. Burnout is running rampant, at least in these parts. We’ll be here when you get back. And if you need anything, you know how to get in touch with me. xoxoxoxo
Ooh! A holiday gift guide for travel sounds good! DO THAT!
And don’t worry, absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that. You’re just in a blog funk. It passes.
I think the number of words in this post gives hope that you’ll be all right! And sometimes it’s just more important to save the words for people in person in your life.
I think you’ll be fine; don’t force them, the words will come back, when they’re good and ready. Maybe it would be best to focus on the words that pay the bills, though.
And it nothing else works, you can always try going for a run
No worries. You’ve just got too much on your plate. You are, after all, traveling, planning a wedding, and doing so much other stuff, too. The words will come once you have some more time.
Enjoy your break and I for one will still be here to read when you get back
Esp. if you come back w/ a travel gift guide, cause how cool does that sound?!
News up in here . . . Bean’s a boy!
You (and sometimes SVV) bring is joy, no matter if it is wordy or not. No worries. I wish I could travel the world, or even the US, I do it vicariously through you. Breathe in. Breathe out. Keep smiling. hugs from HW
My blog has been deathly quiet for the very same reason. We will see you when you get back! AA
that’s the beauty of blogging. there are no rules. you post when you want to, and don’t post when you don’t want to. I’ll always be here
love you!
Sometimes a break is just what ya need to realize why you did something to begin with. I hope you remember why you blog, I really do. no big news on my home front so that is that. See you on the other side of your break my dear…
Have a great December,and your blog and its reader’s won’t be going anywhere. So see ya when the high of ” I’m lovin’ blogging” returns.
LOL! This is great! You let us know what’s happening. Better than just disapearing into Tweetdom. Do what works right for you.
I’ve moved everything out of my RV, scrubbed (yuck), painted and moved back in. Time for a road trip.
Take care. Have a wonderful holiday with your family.
Meeting you was the best ever. Meeting you + high tea was REALLY the best ever.
In the interest of expressing everything you want to say quickly so you can focus on other responsibilities, I’ll just go with ditto above commenters!
We’ll see you back.
I hope I get to see you next Friday still!
Loved your post. Happened to us these past couple of months. I think that we just have to have faith in the ebb and flow of life. And I agree with you — when blogging begins to feel like work, I’m out. No inspiration? Well. I’ll just wait to get inspired!
totally just caught up on my RSS and yes, if you couldn’t tell, i am in the exact same funk. :/
Your life is boring? I’ll trade. You get to sit in an office all day and read blogs on your lunch break– imagine that.
hei,hei