Recently, I read an article in the New York Times that in such diverse cities as Paris (50% of households) and Stockholm (over 60%) of the population live ALONE. Solo. By choice. They rambled off numerous other countries one of which surprisingly was China as among the fastest growing population of single people.
WHY?
Because of all the lovely technology we have today, we are able to stay connected and never feel alone or lonely. A person can live alone but still engage with others whenever or however it suits them. The opportunity to pursue various interests is limitless. Personal space, privacy and freedom are closely guarded advantages.
Mostly, I can figure things out for myself but in this new blogging environment, I’ve become more curious. As I mature, I tend to ask questions. When I was young, not so much, because we all know that the young know everything. Some of my most recent questions are: Can you help me find my car? Where did I leave my keys? Who moved my coffee cup? Where the hell are my glasses?
HOW?
Here’s the rub. Seriously, how do bloggers who have spouses, children and jobs find the time to keep up with their blogging community? How do you manage to read, comment, write, take photos and generally beautify your posts?
I’m asking outright because I’m supposed to be retired. I’m supposed to have all this time on my hands to do whatever I want to do. I love reading everyone’s posts and enjoy picking up marvelous new ideas, thoughts, and frankly reading some darn good writing. However, it’s nearly impossible unless I’m at it every single day, at least a couple of times a day. How do you do that and still find time to do anything else? Read a book for instance? Find the time to go shopping other than a one-stop shopping centre? Find time to sleep? Go for a walk?
Either this can be up for open comments OR I’d be happy to hear from you at:
How the Cookie Crumbles 
February 22, 2012 at 1:09 am
You have to be very well organised with your leisure time! I find that even now – maybe that’s easier to do when you are younger, have a job and that time is limited and there’s lots of things you want to cram in.
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February 22, 2012 at 4:10 pm
Bingo! That’s the problem. So many things to do and so little time. That’s my biggest complaint. I have no idea how I managed ANYTHING when I was a single mom and working, getting the day-to-day stuff done plus cutting the grass, gardening, weeding, watering the lawn, even finding a moment for myself. Where does the time go. I don’t want to give up ANYhing I now enjoy because if not now, when will I have time for those things? Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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February 22, 2012 at 1:10 am
I’m eighteen living with my parents during the week and with my friends over the weekend. I find time to blog because I make time…blogging is my outlet and without it, I’d most likely be insane. I think sometimes how much time you have to do a certain thing is determined by how committed to that thing you actually are. And because I’m eighteen, I am clearly 100% correct in this assertion. 😉 Just kidding! Interesting post!
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February 22, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Thank you for your input. I enjoy hearing all comments from all walks of lie.
My problem is that there are so MANY things I like to do that I can’t devote the same amount of time to them all. I wish there were more hours in a day. When will that ever happen? Never!
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February 22, 2012 at 7:44 pm
I can appreciate that you’re 100% correct in your assertion. Good for you. T
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February 22, 2012 at 8:54 pm
I don’t know about 100% or whatever. All I know is that I need to stretch a 24 hour day to maybe 28 hours? Just kidding.
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February 22, 2012 at 2:48 am
Interesting thoughts. I must confess to being a bit obsessed by it , sometimes I will sneak down in the middle of the night to see what activity there has been especially when I am trying to keep up with bloggers from all over the World – The Internet Never Sleeps!
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February 22, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Thanks for sneaking down int eh middle of the night to peek…The trouble with ME is: I need my ZZZZZs or I’m a grumpy girl. If only we could squeeze more hours out of our day. Thanks for commenting Andrew. Keep up the lovely travel blogging. Really enjoy reading.
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February 22, 2012 at 3:09 am
Love this! And I have to admit, although I LOVE sleep, I mean really adore it… I don’t get nearly enough of it – and I still don’t get everything done I need to! 🙂 Which is why I am commenting on your *wonderful* blog when I should be in bed, and I had planned on being in bed early tonight, but you know, when I get caught up reading *wonderful* blogs 🙂 I just can’t help myself!
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February 22, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Sorry, I interrupted your sleep but am appreciative of your commenting. I LOVE sleeping too but last night I stayed up after coming home from night school to be sure to write my post. I’m still trying to get two posts out a week—a challenge to me. I enjoy reading your posts too. You are very kind.
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February 22, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Oh no need to be sorry – it’s my choice to sleep or not! 🙂 It’s hard to get more than 1 post out a week, but keep on chugging along! Looking forward to your next one… 🙂
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February 22, 2012 at 10:50 am
I don’t have a clue. When you figure it out please let me know!! 🙂 Seriously, sometimes I let everything go to read and post, other times I’m more in control of my mania and realize that I can’t read everything everyone has written and I can’t be what other people are in the blogworld.
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February 22, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Why does the old mantra: To many xxx and not enough time kept coming back to bite us on the you-know-what? WHEN will it end? When will there be enough time? Thanks for your input.
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February 22, 2012 at 4:54 pm
I write either early in the morning or late at night and comment in between students and other duties. I have a cell phone with a camera and that makes any pictures added to my blog much easier. That’s the deal and now I have to go back to work!
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February 22, 2012 at 6:57 pm
Thanks busy lady. Sounds like YOU have a handle on it. Mighty organized, that is. Nice to hear your comments. Don’t work to hard. Thanks .
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February 22, 2012 at 6:14 pm
My house is a mess; nothing much gets done. I write and read all day long. Freelance writing takes up most of my day, but I stop at around 5:00 and begin reading blogs. You all in blogosphere is my new family.
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February 22, 2012 at 6:52 pm
I do LOVE it in blogosphere but I’ve been losing it trying to keep up. I wondered if it was just me. You’re right about the housework. It’ll still be there tomorrow. There are a number of interests I’m trying to juggle all at once because they’re important to me. Funny as I get older, there seems to be less of it and I was so sure there would be more. Thanks, Susan. Always refreshing to hear from you. You sound pretty grounded. Nice to feel in good company.
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February 22, 2012 at 6:19 pm
Thank you for this post. I always wonder how people do it. I think (and maybe it’s my generation) that I need to get other things out of the way and then I get the bonus prize of sitting down to read blogs and write. I also believe I take twice as long as anyone else to publish. I keep thinking this will change as I become more accustom to blogging. My fingers are crossed. Nice post.
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February 22, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Humph. I’m so glad I asked the question. You know when nobody asks and it seems so obvious to ME, I’m no longer a wallflower. I ASK! So nice to know that I’m not alone. Nice to know I’m as normal of other people who aren’t afraid to admit it. Know what I mean? Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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February 22, 2012 at 7:47 pm
I try to limit myself. Sometimes I do better than other’s, but yes it is addicting. Should I give it up for Lent? Nan… just kidding. T
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February 22, 2012 at 8:53 pm
I’m not giving up ANYthing for Lent. I guess I’ll just have to manage my time better, which might mean cancelling the morning paper. Um. Maybe not. Thanks for joining the talk on NOT ENOUGH time.
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February 23, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Thanks for picking up the ball and going with it. I think it’s a good subject to bounce around.
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February 23, 2012 at 1:17 am
I try to take pictures all the time so that when I get around to writing something, I have (most likely) a picture of my kid doing something I think is funny. I’m always thinking about potential posts, but I think that has subsided somewhat since starting to blog. I had a lot of time for it at first, and now I’m just sleepy. And working more. And dealing with a sick kid (who’s now better!) with a future kid making me want to sit around. Basically I have time some days and other days not so much. I like to be consistent, but I find that life gets in the way. Or at least it should. Now that I’m re-reading this I realize it’s my bedtime. I’m sure that made enough sense.
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February 23, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Thanks for “making” the time to comment, especially in your condition and having chased after a little one all day. Because I’m retired now, I have lots of things I like to do, one of them being blogging. However, just reading all the posts and commenting and interacting and just keeping up is harder than just writing. Last weekend I spent all day Sunday trying to read and comment. I try to read every day and comment but everyday doesn’t always pan out. Lots of luck with your new upcoming wee one. I have two grandchildren 8 and 4. I love having little ones around. Life looks so much sweeter when we see through it their eyes. I like reading your blog and shall continue to do so. Have a nice day.
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February 23, 2012 at 9:52 pm
I have to admit that some other things take a back seat, because blogging is so much fun. I don’t read as much as I used to. And I should be working on the revision of my novel. But the gratification of blogging is so immediate, I just can’t resist (as compared to the uncertainty and solitude of my novel). But I do all my planning when I’m driving, so when I sit down to write my blog, it goes pretty fast. I can write a post in an hour, and if I’m adding a drawing, that’s another hour. I post 3 times a week, so that’s six hours a week. Not too bad, considering how much tv I used to watch.
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February 23, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Thanks for writing, Nancy. But what about all the bloggers you follow? That’s what I find so time consuming. Wanting to read them all and then someone new follows you and you check them out; start to follow them. And the vicious circle just keeps getting bigger. Last weekend I spent ALL day Sunday trying to get down to zero because I knew I’d be buried again in the morning. I like the community too. I don’t watch TV and I hardly ever read anymore (falling sleep in bed sometimes—doesn’t count). Anyway, just wanted to know how others handle the mind-boggling mountain of comments and responses plus reading of posts. There are other things that are just as important to me. I guess I can give up some sleep. No? Yes? Maybe. . . Have a nice night.
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February 24, 2012 at 8:24 am
You’re right… it’s hard to keep up. I like so many blogs. I read one or two during the day, and try to read a bunch every evening. But I’ve added so many new ones, I’m gettting behind.
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February 24, 2012 at 8:35 am
It is wonderful the options are changing. Cultures are shifting even. Early in this decade I lived in Singapore and it was only then when I became really enamored of e-mail as a communication vehicle for other than business, even forcing my parents to set up an account.
To answer your other question, I think it is a matter of establishing priorities. Timing is everything. What comes first everyday and how to do things in order of importance without allowing anything take over your life.
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February 24, 2012 at 6:03 pm
There’s always priorities. When will they ever stop? Just kidding. Nice to hear from your again. Thanks.
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February 26, 2012 at 9:51 pm
you are NOT alone… I follow way too many blogs and can’t stop myself when signing up for another… when will it ever end? Never, I hope!!!
great post!!!
🙂
janet
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February 29, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Oh TELL me about it. It’s hard not to keep ‘following” then keeping up. Well, I do try because I want to know everything about everything.
Thanks for commenting and “liking”.
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February 28, 2012 at 8:30 am
You know to fit it all in, and I really want to, I really have stopped watching television. I watch tv to keep me company when I cook or fold laundry – never just sit and look. That’s not a bad thing. But I also don’t read as much as I used to (books) and that’s not good. I’m just juggling MY needs and priorities.
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February 29, 2012 at 4:30 pm
That’s one of the first things to go—the reading. When I don’t get to read I get cranky. I was getting a bit more than usual when I wrote this post. I’m not a night hawk (well sometimes when I can’t put my book down if I even get to it). I like my ZZZZzzzzzs, I mean beauty sleep. There are so many things to do. I too have stopped watching TV since that post, even though it was limited to late evening before to slow me down enough to go to bed. Also, I am now checking out comments and blogs whenever I have even one or two minutes to spare. It helps but the blogs keep multiplying. I used to have the TV on as background, especially when I’m cooking but lately I’ve just forgotten to do so. Hmmm. What the heck is happening to me? I’m changing. Thanks so much for your input. I love hearing different opininons. Thanks for sharing.
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March 1, 2012 at 11:30 am
Tess, you are so sweet:)
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March 1, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Thanks, but I’m sure I’m no sweeter than YOU! Loving this blogging community. I’ve been meeting the nicest people here. Thanks so much for writing.
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March 1, 2012 at 5:36 pm
🙂
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March 1, 2012 at 4:18 pm
I am a new blogger, and asked myself exactly your same questions. How do you keep up? Don’t know yet, maybe like The Dandy Lion said you just make time for it. For me sure it is fun, and inspiring, and…….
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March 1, 2012 at 5:00 pm
I’ve made a few changes since that post. Now I have my PC on almost all the time and take a minute here and there throughout the day to read and comment. It helps a little. I don’t stay up late at night unless I’m READING a book in bed because that’s the only time I’ve found lately to read. Not reading makes me cranky.
I’ve been here since the summer and I’m loving it. Nice to hear from you. I’ll be checking out your blog.
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March 2, 2012 at 2:36 pm
1. Television rots your brain. It is OK to leave it off.
2. Reading edifies, even when what you are reading is smut.
3. It is OK to miss a post (or at my place a dozen).
4. When there are too many to read, delete them and start fresh.
5. Which blogs can you drop?
For me, reciprocity is where it really comes to roost. I follow along with my new followers until I get a feel for their blog. Some, I love, but will never spend a lot of time…like I would never make a comment as long as their blog post. Those, I cruise once per week, pick out the posts of interest, move on.
My daily friends know I will be around every few days for a thorough read through, retro to the last post I read. My weekly-ish friends see me when I wonder where they went or they drop by for a comment or a conniption at my place.
Write? I write in my sleep. Literally. Some days it is really difficult to read, but not always as difficult as some of the blogs I visit.
Tess, what do you really want to do? Is the reward sweeter with your friends who surround you (on all the shelves) or the blogosphere? When you decide, remember, the two are not mutually exclusive, but they cannot share a time slot.
After that, schedule. When you are not supposed to be in the blogosphere…go outside, turn off the computer, get on the telephone…do something else.
If I can pull it off, I know you can!
{HUGZ}
Red.
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March 2, 2012 at 6:29 pm
You are such a breath of fresh air. Since that post I’ve made some changes because I want to do it all; have my cake and eat it too. I’m greedy and hate missing anything; so many shiny baubles to focus on. Seriously, after reading some great comments, I felt that having asked the question, lots of others began to think about how / why they juggle. It took the whole dilema of ‘how to’ out of the closet. I’m not a night hawk but I decided I could manage a little time before crashing for the night to catch up as well as here and there throughout the day. You’re right, some blogs I’ve just deleted because I’ve a feel for the blogger and depending on the title etc., might give it a peek. Or not, especially when pressed for time. Mostly, it’s people like you and Kana that drive me around the bend. How can someone produce 10,000 words at the drop of a hat? I need to THINK and I guess I’m a s-l-o-w thinker. As well as being part of the blogging community, I have other projects that need attention and I was having a difficult time multi-tasking. Anyway, since writing the post, I’m doing lots better. Not perfectly, but better. I think. BecauseI need my ZZZZzzzs, I’m not utilizing as much of the clock as I could be. I’m trying to keep my youthful looks (aha) and it’s hard to fake when my eyes droop through lack of sleep. Darn it ALL. Thanks much for giving me this much of your time. I love reading your posts and messing with you in general. You’re a riot. I can only shake my head in wonder. See ya. Tess
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March 16, 2012 at 3:16 am
Having the same struggle! I’ve decided to be a bit more selective in my follows. I’d like to do it all, but I’m only human (really!) 😉
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March 16, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Exactly! I know I’m still trying too hard but have come a LONG way baby! (I think). Sometimes I feel my butt grow because I’m spending so much time reading my monitor. Sigh. Selective is GOOD. Thanks for sharing. Nice hearing from you again.
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