I have been having a very difficult time over the last while coming up with posts that aren’t about song lyrics. Not that music isn’t important. Sometimes it is your best friend, counselor, and harshest critic. I was beginning to think that maybe it was time to say goodbye to “Being Lydia”.
However, every time I begin to think this way I get a message or comment from someone lifting me up and telling me that my blog helps/ed them and I push on. This is once again one of those times.
I love each and every one of you, and I appreciate your opinions. So, I thought I would share with you some of the things that are hindering my writing at the moment.
- Time – To quote The Steve Miller Band (have to get those lyrics in somewhere), “Time, keeps on ticking, ticking, into the future”. I look and it is Sunday and I get out my SLS post. Then I blink and it is Saturday again and the next theme is out without me having posted anything else!
- Content – I quite often can’t find a topic to write on that I think will be interesting and/or useful for my readers. You wouldn’t believe the number of draft posts I have started but have run out of steam on. Either I start doubting the topic or I just run out of ideas on it.
- Pain – I have been dealing with higher pain levels for longer periods of time and so far have not found anything in my management “toolbox” that works. I have even gone the route of CBD oil with little to no improvement. Aside from going to opioids (which in my eyes isn’t even a last resort – it is not an option) there really isn’t much left for me to try. Though I heard from my niece that alkaline water is good for fibromyalgia and started on it a couple of days ago.
- New Symptoms – I have had Restless Leg Symptom (RLS) for several years now. However, in the last few months, it started affecting my hands, arms, neck/head and body. It is like I am having a seizure without really having one. It happens when I am sitting, laying, and has started even when I am standing. In fact, it is happening as I type this. I am afraid to carry things or to be alone in case I fall or drop something. My doctor has ordered an MRI but that is not until October 18th.
- New Priorities – I shared that I am starting as a Self-Management Health coach and I start with my first participant on September 17th. I am trying to brush up on all my information so I can give them the best chance they have to meet their goals. It doesn’t help that I can’t find my manual with my hand-written notes in it (part of my fibro-fog I am sure).
I am also wanting to finally get my advocacy site, Chronically Speaking off the ground. I am hoping it will be a place where people with chronic illness and those who don’t can come together and help to eliminate the stigma surrounding many illnesses. - Socializing – During the last year since we moved to our new community, I have made a few new friends both in and out of the dog park. I also still have friends from where we used to live and want to stay in touch with them. I have never been good with time management and so trying to balance “work” with “play” often comes with a cost to one side or the other.
On one side, a rest from blogging might be what I need. On the other, it might just make things worse because I would be losing a big part of my support system.
So, dear readers, I am going to ask you –
- Would you miss “Being Lydia”?
- What would you like to see change, stay the same?
- Are there any topics you would like to see?
As always,
Lydia!
Being Lydia! 
I sure would miss “Being Lydia” and most of all I’d miss you. But I totally understand all of your reasons for considering to stop blogging. I would encourage you to keep your blog open, but just post when you can/want to. It will always be nice to get in touch, whenever you are around 🙂 *Big hugs* xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Cyranny. I wouldn’t be quitting altogether. As I mentioned, I have another project I have been trying to get off the ground and that would leave me still visiting the sites of my faves – you being way up at the top of the list! In fact, maybe I would have more time to do that. 🙂
thanks for the hugs I am sending some back!
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂 As long as you keep the door ajar, we’ll come and peek in! And you are always welcome in The Cove! I’ll keep a VIP place just for you in a comfy corner where we can have a nice chat xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds lovely! I will be there soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would definitely miss you Lydia.
One of the things I do is go back over old blogs. I make the old post private and then I can use the content as a new updated blog. It has really helped me this year trigger ideas as I’ve worked on older blogs. They’ve turned out so much better from my perspective than when I first wrote them and my readership response has increased.
The other option is just write once a month. It will take some pressure off and help you reignite the joy of blogging.
Love your blog. Sam xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Sam, your encouragement and ideas mean more than you know!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lydia it is your choice whether you blog or not. There are no set rules about the amount of blogs you do. Others cannot suggest whether you should change or not and what you blog as that is totally up to you …your decision. Go with the gut feeling and do what what makes you happy . Bless you Lydia and have a great day. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ally, I appreciate this. I actually know everything you are saying and agree. I was more reaching out to my readers to let them know that I do appreciate them and that if I am wanted/needed I will be around in some form or another. Unfortunately emotion and tone don’t come out in a blog post. Maybe I should give another try at Vlogs! Thanks and bless you as well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think you write with such honesty. It does not surprise me that others who can identify with what you are going through leave supportive comments. I do understand about the lack of time however! Perhaps just try to post as and when you can. I like to have a tiny notebook in my purse and if I get an idea for a post I jot it down. It helps to have some ideas on the back burner as it were. I hope you will find a way to continue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Anne. Your input is always helpful and appreciated. I have thought of the notebook idea but since my writing is so bad these days I don’t bother. But I could always text or voicemail it to myself! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes a voice mail would work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lydia, may handwriting is atrocious! 💡 What I do rather than attempting to write notes to myself is I use my iPhone with the voice response, you know, the microphone? I can speak and it writes for me ⭐ Things pop into my head throughout the day and if I don’t write stuff down … there gone! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately I don’t have an iPhone, but I can leave myself messages in a similar manner. Yes, things just flow through my brain like a sieve if I don’t get them down somehow! Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My feeling is that a blog is something that we do for ourselves and not for others (although it’s amazing when others like what we do), so I would say just do what feels right for you. If blogging fulfills something in you then carry on but if not stop completely or just write when you feel like it :O) x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you – I hadn’t really thought of it that way. That might just help me write more LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I would miss you, Lydia. It strikes me that any of your list would make good blog subjects – even the tough ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Derrick. I ended up thinking that too – except that I have done a couple already! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Lydia! I wish you all the best no matter what you decide! I’m having some trouble coming up with topics as well. Your readers have at least responded when you posted this. My subscribers never do respond to my email questions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I would be one of those, Kathy, but know it is because I just haven’t had the energy to read many other blogs. I love yours though. I will be sticking around. It seems like I need to write a post like that every once in awhile to get the creative juices flowing. Maybe next time I should write it but not post it 😉 LOL!!!
LikeLike
Will definitely miss you if you go, Lydia. But there are many other ways to keep in touch as well 🙂
But it doesn’t have to be a black or white solution either! I believe your new chapter in life will be rather exciting, and that’s worth sharing about, too. But a blog can be kept and written in whenever you like without timeline, too 🙂
Sending much love xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sheryl. As I commented to Kathy earlier, I think just writing this helped me and all the replies certainly gave me a boost. Besides, I still have your prompts to work on and 2 reviews to get out so there will definitely be some activity here.
LikeLike
Yes, I would miss you. I think any of your thoughts, even if you are having a bad day, would make a great post. You help me feel that I am not the only one struggling with pain and sickness. Write when you can, if you want. No time pressure. I appreciate all you do!!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Cindy, I appreciate your words, more than you know. I just needed to let that out and all of a sudden I am ready to get back to it. With my new responsibilities and health concerns, it won’t be regular posting but I will still be around!
LikeLike