My sabbatical from blogging has been a good one. It has allowed me distance and given me time to consider some questions about the blog and its place in my writing life. I have not made new discoveries, just affirmed earlier thoughts, such as:
- There are more blogs I want to read than there is time to do so;
- I have not been using my experiences as a musician much; and
- I really appreciate the my blogging community.
Not only did these activities take massive amounts of time, they exerted a pressure on my psyche as well. I am not a person who can process all the information and share in all the emotional highs and lows and then be able to put all that aside to focus on writing. I am now choosing to limit how much my mind has to process and my emotions be affected so that I can participate fully in each experience and still have what I need to be a writer.
On a more upbeat note, I realize that I have not focused much on my other love, music. After ignoring my piano for a long while, I am practicing regularly again. There are so many parallels between the writing life and the musical life that I can't believe how little of that has been highlighted in this blog.
The practical outcome of these thoughts?
I will post twice a week, one to focus on music and how it relates to writing, and the other will be on whatever is on my mind. I will still, as I have been during my blogging pause, visit and comment on the blogs in my community, only less frequently as before. I still love you guys!
Oh, and btw, like my new look?
7 comments:
Welcome back! I like your focus and approach to returning. Posts relating to music will be wonderful, and I'm sure playing the piano is going to release a lot of words, as well.
The new look is crisp, clean, calming. Nicely done.
Kelly is just back blogging this week, too - and the blogosphere is richer for both of you being present.
I just joined the Glasgow City Chorus last night -- well, my audition is next Tuesday, but I'm sure I'm in, if I want to be in... I haven't been nurturing my musical talent, either, and so this autumn it's time to turn over a new leaf! I look forward to your posts.
I've been thinking along the same lines, Yat-Yee. Tried to prioritize and let go off things that weren't really important. It's good to know that you'll be blogging again. And love the new look!!
Welcome back. :)
I really appreciate your honesty in this post. I've been blogging way too much lately because of my networking for my book, but after today I'm afraid it's all going to have to go away. I have many other things that are calling for my attention right now. I'm glad I got to read this post. :)
Welcome back! I hope you are enjoying your piano immensely. I got back into art by doing a project with my kids this summer and it was wonderful!
Welcome back, Yat Yee. It's lovely to see you here...and I hope you don't feel too much pressure. I used to paint, but when I started to write I put the painting away. I realized, years later, that I could come back to painting in a way that had it help my writing. I hope your return to music is equally satisfying.
Thanks, everyone, for your welcome back wishes. I know that most writers have other passions and talents and it's wonderful to hear what some of you are doing with those. I don't know if playing the piano will help me write better, I only know that playing the piano is part of who I am, the same way writing is part of who I am.
Here's to a balanced and rich life to all of you!
Post a Comment