My Caridnal Rules For Blogging

About this time last year I had to give myself a month long break from blogging. I felt like blogging was starting to consume my life and my mind. I was constantly writing blog posts in my head, I had to check my email and blog at least 5 times a day, and couldn't wait for everything in my life to get out to the way so I could delve into "blogger land". I felt like I was neglecting my real life for a virtual life and I didn't like the person it was making me into. It was getting bad enough that when Elder Bednar gave his fantastic talk warning about letting virtual things get in the way of the most important things, Jon made me listen to it... and read it. I took the hint.

So I took a break. During that break I realized that blogging was deeply satisfying for me and that I loved to write, I loved the friendships I had made and strengthened through blogging, and I loved having a creative outlet in which to express my ideas and thoughts. But I also realized that if I was going to keep blogging, without letting it consume my life, I was going to have to give myself some boundaries.

Perhaps this sounds strange to some people, but I know I'm not the only woman who loves to write and has a hard time balancing blogging with her actual life. This year I've done much better at finding a balance between blogging and life. I feel like my blogs are just extensions of my heart and mind, which I use to enhance and enrich my life but not to consume it.

It has really helped for me to give myself some "Cardinal Rules For Blogging". Some of these I follow pretty well, others I still need to work on. Remember, these are just my personal rules you don't have to follow them, but feel free to incorporate any of them into your blogging if they help you.

1. Only blog when my babies are asleep and when my husband doesn't need my attention. They need me much more than anyone online ever will.

2. Only blog once during the day. If I choose to blog during nap time then I need to do something else with my free time at night and vise versa.

3. Don't compare my life or blog to anyone else's life or blog. Rejoice in what I've been given and remember that I have something beautiful and worthwhile to share with others. I'm sure that to someone else my life probably looks interesting and exciting too. The grass always looks greener on the other side.

4. Don't compare my children to other people's children. Everyone develops at different rates and has different talents and strengths. It isn't fair to them to compare them.

5. Try to leave comments on other people's blogs whenever a post sparks a thought or makes me smile. If I like to get them, then other people probably do to.

6. Real people take precedence over "virtual" people.

7. Don't write things that might hurt or embarrass anyone. Be especially careful about what I post about my children. It may be cute now but would it be hurtful for them to read it when they are older? What if their High School friends got a hold of it in 10 years, would they mind?

I've also made a sign by my computer that says "Is this the best possible use of your time?" I saw this at Jon's aunt and uncle's house and I thought that I would be a good reminder for me. I love blogging but I just need to do it with discipline. Posting these rules will help me remember and I hope help me follow them better.

What sort of rules do you have for yourself about blogging? How do you find balance?