It’s been soul-searching time around Chez Nap, and I’ve pared down the emotion and the catastrophizing to simple math:
There are seven specific tasks that I want to work on almost every single day of 2012.
I have, at most, four hours to myself each evening. Zero hours during the day belong to me for the tasks that need attention.
There are twelve things in my life that are in desperate need of attention.
There are at least eight specific projects I want to finish in 2012.
So if I need to somehow cram seven activities and eight goals into the four hours I have each night, a lot of stuff is going to get dropped.
And this blog might have to be one.
We’ll see. But right now the odds are stacked against my continued involvement in social media and the blogosphere.
What are you dropping in 2012?
NaptimeWriting 
Oh! Don’t drop the blog! Just come by when you can.
Ok, let go of some social media. But NOT THE BLOG.
Fine, take a break. But don’t leave completely.
Just don’t.
*clutches onto edge shrieking nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo*
To sum up: stay.
Aw, Inky, I know you had the same dilemma last…year? summer?
My list involves three things you’re going to have to read…I wish I could say “soon.” Before I can tackle them there are three things I *have* to finish.
Somebody stop the Wheel. I want to get off.
I feel exactly the same way. My blog has been almost dead since I had my baby. I try to keep it going, but I’m failing. I’d be sad to see you go, though. Do what is best for yourself and your family, but don’t close up shop here. That would be sad.
Yeah, the new math is pretty hard to argue with, but I will miss you so! ‘Twould be great if you could still squeeze in the occasional rant, but in any case, wishing you super productivity and a wonderful new year!
@mw Boy do I hear you. After the second was born I went from daily to maybe weekly. It just seems silly to spend my writing energy on something fewer than 200 people read. I have three writing projects that will be AWESOME when they take the world by storm. I have 46 books I *really* need to read. Right now. Plus dozens I want to buy then read. And, and, and. Thanks for the support, though. I won’t shut this down, but I’ll be here less often.
@macondo ah, the rants. I miss those. I find I don’t have the time or energy to write them. I get ranty in the moment, but who can wait nine hours and put aside 12 other projects just to scream at the Interwebs? I don’t know how I have so much less time, but I do. Hope your year went well and hope your 2012 is outstanding. You still have my email, so let me know what’s up in your world.
Yes, I did get to that point. Which is why I suggest keeping it open…for later, when you feel like your head will explode if you don’t have a place to rant or to record kiddo things. Because I realized that I can’t say the things to the people around me that I could easily say on the interwebz, and there seemed to be a need for that sometimes.
But I do understand reprioritizing and I hope that you will have a wonderful time with your projects, be incredibly successful in getting what you want done, and then come BACK.
And those three things? Are they to be read at the same time and discussed with you? Because I would be down with that.
In any case, wishing you much joy and chee in all the projects. You know I’m cheering for you, in everything you do. Bon voyage. *clinks champagne against hull*
xo
ps: Will you still be tweeting?
Wait – you have 4 hours each night? I only have one kid and I’m good for maybe 2 before I collapse! I’ll miss your posts : (
@meow kitty I have four hours from the time they go to bed until I collapse, because four hours of evening time means I get five hours of sleep. I could sleep eight hours, but then I’d have one hour to myself and, as you know, between tidying up and eating something, is gone in the blink of an eye.
Ink, the three things are articles I’m writing, so you could take your time and discuss when we can. I think Twitter is more likely to go than the blog. I’m not closing accounts…I’m just turning off the WiFi.
That would be sad. Understandable, without doubt, but sad. For us, that is. Probably quite liberating for you.
@kristin I’m staying, I’ve decided, but I might be infrequent. On the other hand, with all that I’ve dropped and all I’m pursuing, I might need the blog more than ever.
And project 12 of the 20 I’ve outlined for 2012 is to take all the Peanut posts, print and bind them; then all the Butter posts, print and bind them; then all the Infinite Jest posts, print and bind them. Because I’ve gotten way too deep in this thing and have nothing concrete to show for it.
Yay for break over! You just made my year!
Also, I used Blog2Print to make a copy of the blog as a sort of baby book thingie (when I thought I was done), and it was affordable + they did a nice job.
Yes, please, on the articles, when you’re ready.
Well, that was certainly short-lived–nice for me. As a person who finds it impossible to say, “No,” I’m all for learning to let go and do what makes life fun and/or easier, though. Happy new year, no matter your choice. : )
@Stephane Yeah, I toyed with a lot of “maybe I should ditch this for 2012” but the blog and the hot cocoa won. ;-)