Blogging has come to a point where it isn’t about me anymore. I’ve grown and received a healthy dose of digital therapy after this first year of blogging. And now, liberated from fear and mental blocks, I want to live my life. I want to freely explore the nature of reality, my life in sustainability, without consideration of how I will transform every moment into a teaching opportunity.
It also seems time that my blog become a haven for my readers, rather than a personal outlet. In thinking about how to create this new space, I reached a standstill.
The idea of an obligatory publishing schedule, based on nothing but the wisdom of established bloggers, seems a little false, an artifact of culture.
My inquiry is on how to live the most real, connected, and satisfying life possible. And this is all founded upon how I feel. Lifestyle design should be structured entirely around human feeling – a deep, visceral, sensory experience.
I am not a writer.
I am not a scientist.
I am not an activist.
I am nothing, but a living entity.
And so I question the wisdom of closing myself in a dark room every day to write, write, write, until my soul is bleeding empty.
Is this work good for my readers, the world? Is it good for me?
That is not how I would choose to live my life, were money not a concern.
Nor would I live my life day in and day out researching the world with utmost precision. All energy spent on 100% accuracy, when the world is constantly in flux and in motion.
No.
If I had a choice, if money did not hold me in place, I would explore the full spectrum of my physical and sensory experience, my spiritual experience, the heart of my soul, expand my consciousness to infinite heights. I would learn everything about the world – how to survive in the wilderness, how to befriend my natural environment, how to create real change in our modern world. Limitless pursuits, boundless human growth.
Where does writing fit in? Nowhere obligatory. Only along the currents of my inspirational flows.
I will keep writing.
But publishing is a different world. My audience is small, only recently did I pass the 200 subscriber mark. And yet I’m very aware of these people, every person that clicks my way. Each of you is a whole person, a whole consciousness, with a history and current situation. I feel responsible to only publish when I have something meaningful to say. Blogging is like a long, evolving conversation. And I follow that saying, “If you don’t have anything to say, don’t.” Publishing is a little bit like speaking. So if I don’t have anything to publish, I won’t.
It’s not going to be easy or straightforward, trying to determine when to write and what to publish. Boundaries were never carved overnight. It’s the same with learning when to join a conversation and when to hold my silence.
With that, I embrace experimentation with open arms. I will live my life following my true consciousness, as much as I can. I will write when inspired, and publish when I have something important to tell you. A new insight, a tip that I know will help you, an update on me – my worldview and my life.
I’m not sure how this will all unfold. I only know that it can work and I will try to figure it out. If I fail, so be it. I will do whatever works.
Joshua Becker at Becoming Minimalist recently wrote a post addressing his experience with posting schedules, and a great list of reasons why less posts can be beneficial.
Raam Dev stopped posting on any schedule altogether, only according to his own muse.
It’s a practice in conscious deliberation, and conscious responsibility of the impact of your thoughts, actions, and words.
What do you think about a regular posting schedule? Do you keep up, or does it overwhelm you?
I have no posting schedule . . . and prefer it that way.
I agree completely ~ write when you have something to say, not just because you want to say something.
Thank you, Nancy! I am happy to hear it works out for you too
Oh!! Sweet Lynn, I can’t even BEGIN to tell you how much this post means to me. We are SO on the same wave length. I just revele in this, in you. I am working on a post along the same lines. I have no idea when I will post it, but I decided that I need to make a LOT of changes and return to who I REALLY am. I can’t keep doing things the way I’ve been doing them. It is NOT working for me.
This post of yours is total FREEDOM. I agree with it 1000% and more. It could have been me who expressed this, it is so how I feel these days, for some time now. It is what my husband and I have been talking about for weeks now. I almost never print posts out, but I was just telling him about this one on the phone, and he said he would LOVE me to read it to him. So I will.
I want you to know that you, yes YOU, are making such a difference in the world and affecting my life. You speak to who I really am. I also want you to know that I send a whole bushel full of support and encouragement to you. As much as you give me, just in being who you already ARE.
I read this and wanted to stand up and applaud you. So consider that you have been given a standing ovation. You go girl!! Rock the world. I am right there with you.
If you ever do shut your blog down totally or change emails let me know, as you are someone I do NOT want to lose touch with. Put simply: you have my deepest respect and love. Robin
PS: Just the little I told my husband about this post, he said, “Wow! That is REALLY powerful!! She is amazing.” So there you go!!
PS AGAIN:
I LOVE your honesty here. It is so sooooo liberating. Once again you are like a great WHOOSH of fresh clean air.
Huge hugs!
Robin
Thanks so much, Robin! I was feeling burnt out simply by the idea of a regular posting schedule. My body rejected it, and I had to listen. If this digital space is meant to explore the core of human freedom, then I want to be as authentic as possible about my experience. I’m so happy to hear you see like me! I think of you often, and I know your experiences in Naked in Eden will continue to influence my life hereafter. Thank you so much for all of your support, I’m so sincerely grateful for our connection! Sending you lots of love ~
Hi Lynn — Wow! Good for you for tackling this issue and for figuring out how you have to handle it. You’ve tapped into something awfully important for us bloggers, especially those of us still feeling around for the, truest, most effective way to make a difference.
I think the discipline of regular posting is something I need. Whether that works for my readers or not is yet to be decided. For me—somewhat of an introvert—it’s the writing that feels like the most important element, followed closely by the relationships.
Congratulations for challenging yourself as you have, and thank you for challenging the rest of us too!
Thanks, Jeffrey! I’m very introverted too. I was questioning my motives for posting regularly. I wasn’t doing it for the writing, I felt obligated to do so because it was conventional wisdom. With this model, I’m free to post every day if I feel inspired to, but I don’t have to. I can post as little as every couple of months, if that’s where my life is. Perhaps one day I will feel good about a regular posting schedule, or I will find it necessary to do so because the writing asks for it. Regardless of what it is I actually do, I think the most important thing is understanding my motives and being really mindful and conscious about what it is and why I publish. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Peace be with you.
I’ve never worried about a schedule, my blog is a way for clients to learn about me, as well as a schedule of events. This article could be applied to so many aspects of life. If money wasn’t a concern I’d travel the world and educate and inspire them about human potential. My work is an example of this. Bless you for writing this. Love and peace, Simon
Thank you, Simon! Hearing your story makes me feel much better about not having a schedule
Love and peace to you too.
Hi Lynn,
You really do have a wonderful way with words, and as Robin said, I feel as though I could have written every word myself (only it wouldn’t have come out nearly so eloquent).
I’ve never been on a regular posting schedule, and although I’ve toyed with the idea, I don’t think I ever could be. There is so much to learn and experience in the world, so many wonders to explore and revel in. How could we possibly hope to share any of that with the rest of the world, with our wonderful readers, if we’re not out there doing it and being true to ourselves?
On one hand, yes, I want to bring in enough income to live off of, fund my adventures, and do some good with, but not at the expense of creating life on my own terms. The experts say you can’t “make it” if you don’t treat your blog like a business, but I guess I’ll just test that theory for myself, and hope I don’t end up selling out along the way.
I truly hope you’ll stay around to help keep me grounded, on the right blogging path, and surrounded by fresh air.
Thanks so much, Adrienne!! I thought about all the bloggers who didn’t keep a regular schedule, and it just felt like the best option. I suppose it felt like I was going off another less-traveled path in the “pro” blogosphere, and I had to voice my perspective somehow, before going down that road.
I’m totally 100% on board with you! I don’t feel I have something valuable to share unless I’m out there experiencing it full force. And I do still want to make an income from this platform, but I believe I don’t have to sacrifice my personal freedom in order to do so. I’m sure we’ll find a way to marry all our conscious desires into one beautiful package!
I’ll still be around, just less frequent posting.
Thanks again for your awesome comment! Wishing you lots of love and peace.
Hey Lynn,
It’s good to get a good perspective about the issue of a posting schedule. I tend to follow a loose schedule. I usually post twice a week. If there was ever a time when my writing couldn’t keep up with what was happening with me then I wouldn’t post so much.
Life happens, change happens. When tough times were going on in my life in March and April, I only posted twice each month!
So posting schedules shouldn’t be set into stone. It should be more of an encouragement to write rather than forced.
Hi Matt, Thanks for your perspective. That’s good you allow your posting schedule to flow freely according to whatever’s going on in your life. Lately I’ve felt there’s constantly something going on to tear me away from blogging. I’ve grown a lot in the time I haven’t posted, so that’s where all these ideas came from. You’re write that posting schedules shouldn’t be set in stone, they should be more of an encouragement to write.
Lynn,
I enjoyed this article and for a moment remembered what my life was like B.B. – before blogging. I’m definitely chained to the thing now. The beast is walking me instead of my walking it…..but, I did start it to create an audience for my books so, I only have myself to blame. I want the audience yet I tire of the 2 posts a week schedule I’ve set for myself. It’s a dilemma for sure.
I may take short “digital breaks” as a way to compensate for the overwhelm I feel. I wish you the best in your new posting schedule – it sounds wonderful to me – like a dip in a cool refreshing pond.
Hi Angela, Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so glad my post could offer you a different and refreshing perspective. I believe your audience will still stay if you switched to a different posting schedule. Perhaps some would leave, but others might still stay and enjoy less posts, and newcomers may like it too. It would be a change, certainly, and that would be reflected in your audience. But I don’t think it would stop your blog from growing. Joshua Becker points out the benefits of less frequent posting, including more e-mail subscribers and more powerful posts.
I personally dislike having to keep up with so many blogs all the time. I figure there are others out there like me, who don’t want to be constantly active in the blogosphere, and would understand and appreciate my desire to post less frequently. Digital breaks sound good, lots of bloggers are taking those. I called it a “digital break” at first too, but then I felt like I needed them constantly, so why even announce it? I should just let myself be free.
Anyway, I’m not trying to convince you any way, but am just offering my perspective on your thoughts. Thanks again for your comment, I really appreciate it. I wish you the best in your journey too. Love and peace~
Thanks for sharing your thoughts in such a beautiful way. I totally agree with you – what’s the point in writing if you don’t have anything to say? I’m not following a posting schedule anymore, and it feels great
Thanks, Cristina! I’m so glad you found liberation in no posting schedule too
Oh sooooo fabulous post Lynn. Congratulations on being free! I have never had a schedule for my blog and never will. I loath schedules!!! As a creative, I find it impossible to live with them in my life. So many people seem to run their lives by schedules. For me, life isn’t a schedule but a flow, a series of wonderful, magical experiences, and moments (mixed with a sprinkling of difficult and hard ones along the way). My creativity flows when it wants to flow, the love and joy I feel melt into liquid and become the ink in which I write and draw with…this cannot be forced, it just happens when it happens.
Wishing you love, peace and oodles of creativity. Loving your work and spirituality, Marghanita x
Thanks, Marghanita! Freedom feels so sweet… And free
I also find it impossible to live with a schedule. Just thinking about it makes me feel constricted. I love the way you described how you live your life, I feel drawn to that approach very much. Your writing and art are truly beautiful and radiant.
It feels like spirituality, but more than anything, it feels like truth. Denying my sensory experience is a lie I don’t wish to perpetuate. It concerns me that an interest in the nature of reality can seem so far out, woo woo, unrealistic. Since when did the inquiry of reality become unrealistic? Anyway, I will keep flowing with it as best as I can.
Wishing you lots of love and peace ~
Dear Lynn,
I am so excited by how you are breaking free and setting off on adventure. These are important questions you are asking. On this particular topic ~ a blogging schedule ~ I think we each need to listen to our own heart and find our own way. I fully support your wish to break free of an obligatory writing schedule and write when your heart and mind are brimming full.
We’re all different so the “write way” is your way!
I could easily write every day, there seems to be a spontaneous and continual flow from my brain. My problem is keeping myself from thinking and writing too much! When it comes to a blogging schedule, my issue centers around creating any sense of stress for myself. I don’t mind regularity. But I only promise to post once a week so that I don’t create undue stress for myself. I usually post more, but I leave that as an optional possibility. This works for me at this point and seems to gel well with my readers.
Write when you wish and I will follow you to the ends of the earth!
Dear Sandra, You are amazing. I am so grateful for our connection! Thank you for your wholehearted support. That’s wonderful to hear you are finding a healthy writing groove for yourself. I think I need the freedom of spontaneity in order to find my groove. I’m trying to get in touch with my inner flow more and more, and live my life accordingly.
When we breathe, we don’t breathe on schedule. If our body needs more oxygen, we breathe more frequently. If we’re meditating, we breathe less frequently. I treat the publishing of my writing the same way: There will be times when I’m deeply reflective and I publish less and other times when I have much to share and publish more.
We shouldn’t feel the pressure to share on a schedule, but rather we should share when we have something worth sharing. We should reflect the ebb and flow of life, not a preconceived pattern that inhibits our creativity and disrupts our own inner reflection.
Thanks so much for writing this, Lynn!
I really enjoyed your analogy, Raam. Writing is a byproduct of an organic physiological process, much like breathing. I agree we should reflect the ebb and flow of life. Thank you so much for your inspiration!
Raam, beautifully put….we should reflect the ebb and flow of life. Love marghanita xx
Wow, get out of my head! I know where you’re coming from, and I find myself going back and forth between “but if I don’t post regularly, I’ll lose readers” and “but if I continue to post regularly, I’ll burn out”!!!
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about avoiding the extremes and being mindful of pushing myself neither too much nor too little. So while I’d like to transition to writing only when I have something I want to say, I can’t completely give up a schedule, either. There are a minimum number of posts I want to write each month, and I don’t want to get into the habit of not writing for a while, which makes it harder to start writing again!
Haha! Didn’t mean to be there
I can understand why you’d want to stick to a schedule, it makes a lot of sense. For me the very thought of a schedule feels constricting. Best of luck to you in finding a good writing rhythm.
I just saw this post now, also a day after Andrew Odom shared thoughts on the web about taking a break from his own writing corner. Ironically, I’ve been thinking about this pretty much all summer. Personally, I don’t notice when people post on a schedule because I don’t schedule reading time — I just read when I can. Like now, two weeks after you posted this. And honestly? Any reader who sticks to a reading schedule probably needs to re-evaluate what they are doing with their time. I say just write when you want, and live when you want.
I’m right there with you – I don’t schedule reading time, I read whenever I can. I don’t read according to a schedule, and I don’t want my readers to do so either. I want my readers to have an honest view of me, so I’d rather just follow my own rules. Thanks for your support!
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