July 28, 2014

Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!

By Crabby McSlacker

So, a couple things to run past you guys this morning.

First up...

Can I coax you into sharing your thoughts with lovely appreciative Cranky Fitness readers in a guest post?

And yes by "you" I mean YOU! ... You there, who are reading this right now, whether you are blogger or a regular commenter or a quiet lurker.

Not if you are too busy, of course.  Or if you have a commercial site and have been harassing bloggers relentlessly with "did you get my email" follow-ups in order to find a home for your generic prose and spammy links. Or especially not if you were the person who arrived here googling "nude girl fuking in gym mashion."  (I do love checking my google search keywords). Can you imagine? This is a high-class site! We can NOT tolerate blatant spelling errors.

But I do indeed mean YOU if you are someone who actually reads the blog sometimes, and have some thoughts or experiences of pictures that others might enjoy or benefit from--even if you don't feel entirely confident about putting yourself out there. Actually, especially if you don't feel entirely confident about it.

It's a relatively safe way to "stretch" a little, right? Cranky Fitness readers are very sweet and forgiving--after all, they put up with Crabby week after week.

And if you do have a blog or website or whatever, it could be a way to introduce yourself to a few new folks who then may want to come visit you at your place!  Just email me at crabby mcslacker at gmail dot com and if looks like something that's a reasonable fit for the blog, we'll get it all figured out.

So... naturally this brings up the question:

...Does This Mean I'm Flying Off Somewhere Yet Again?!?!




Indeed it does!

I've got some travel to New York coming up and then a big-ass 3 week European trip thing, plus all the preparation, procrastination, fretting, under-planning, panic, last-minute shopping, overpacking, forgetting important stuff, jet lag, and chaotic re-entry that always results when I attempt to go anywhere.  Excessive "blog guilt" ain't gonna help.


But it's more than that. I'm steppin' back a bit from blogging again for a few months.

After a big "I'm all charged up about blogging" phase at the beginning of the year, I'm hitting one of those slumpy periods where I'm not so charged up anymore. Looking back, I think my energy both peaked and started to crash at Fitbloggin'. There is SO much more I could be doing with the blog, some of it fun and exciting stuff! And yet maintaining even half-assed status quo is time consuming.

It's not that I don't have things to write about--my overthinky brain still tosses out ideas at an alarming pace, especially when caffeine is present. But I'm having trouble finding time to actually write the posts, and when I do sit down to do it.. Poof!  All the sparkly enthusiasm is gone, and it seems like too much effort to round up links and pictures and try to make a few jokes along the way.

When every other sentence contains an expletive or an apology, regular readers probably recognize the signs.

But it's not a bad thing, it's just a balance thing! It helps that other bloggers I look up to like the awe-inspiring Charlotte at The Great Fitness Experiment go through similar ambivalence.

There's an ebb and flow to my blogging energy, and be forewarned: it always returns! But right now, other adventures, chores, projects, and endeavors are calling. One thing I've learned throughout the years is that you have to own your choices and actively prioritize the shit you want to do, or you end up trudging and slogging when you should be dreaming and scheming and dancing and frolicking.

But Please Don't Leave. I'll Still be Posting!

It's just that for the next few months, it's going to lighter and lamer, and not so health-and-fitnessy, so I'm thinking guest posts will be very handy. Also, my networking and blog visiting will dwindle and people will forget I exist, but whatever.  At least the googlers searching out gym porn will still be here.


And Here's Where I Invite You All to do A Wild and Crazy Thing:

photo: Norbet1

Just take a moment to consider:

Is there anything in your life that you voluntarily signed on for--yet you've come to feel obligated to "feed it" at the expense of other things?

(And sorry, for practical reasons you may have to exclude "children" and "pets" from this list).

----What would it be like if you could do just as much of it as you wanted to do and free up extra time and energy for other things? 

----To make this happen, would you need to confront some 
impediments to change? Say, issues like anxiety, perfectionism, assertiveness, guilt, narcissism, co-dependence, laziness, or lack of confidence?

----Might there not be some good things that could come from that process?

Whaddya guys say--


Would you ever consider writing a guest post? Got anything in your life that sometimes you need to pull back from?  Ever struggle to find balance?

30 comments:

  1. Crabby, do what is best for you and feeds your soul. We'll be here. I regret I cannot muster a guest post for you anytime soon. I assume the offer is open until further notice?

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  2. I am a big non-committer! I rarely sign up for anything even with written guarantees. It took me years to say yes to a cat. On the other hand I can be impulsive so if it sparkles and is colorful then yeah I end up with an albatross around my neck.
    What is the deal with the sitting under a wall picture. Surely that isn't somebodies idea of a bomb shelter is it?

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  3. Funny you should ask, but YES, I committed to something a while back that I've not been enjoying and am currently trying to get out of. I realized when I was grouching about it every single time it happened that I needed to let it go. I can't help with a guest post, but A) I totally understand the need to step back; and B) I'll be here, reading away, whenever you post. So fly free, enjoy life, and don't worry about this!

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  4. "When every other sentence contains an expletive or an apology, regular readers probably recognize the signs." Hahahaha. Yes, that is funny. Let me think a bit, I actually like writing guest posts, but lets face it, I am not much of a healthy lifestyles blogger. :)

    Is there anything in your life that you voluntarily signed on for--yet you've come to feel obligated to "feed it" at the expense of other things?

    Yes. Continuing education comes to mind immediately.

    ----What would it be like if you could do just as much of it as you wanted to do and free up extra time and energy for other things?

    I would be less grouchy and a lot more healthy.

    ----To make this happen, would you need to confront some impediments to change? Say, issues like anxiety, perfectionism, assertiveness, guilt, narcissism, co-dependence, laziness, or lack of confidence?

    For me I am dealing with a non-career personality that has to make a living. I feel like in order to some day moderately succeed (and I really don't need much) I am going to have to bump up my "credentials."

    ----Might there not be some good things that could come from that process?

    In theory yes. Although with this job market I just don't know. I have also realized that I am just too nice and like any relationship, there is such a thing as "settling" in the working world and being walked on.

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    1. QD, I bet Nim has a lot to say about exercise! (And I know you bake healthy treats too). Also know you are busy but would LOVE anything were to write, whether healthy-lifestyle related or not, because as you know I often blog about any damn thing I feel like. :)

      And will be curious to hear where your realization about "settling" takes you!

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  5. I've been going back and forth with my bloggin mojo over here too. Part of me wants to relax WAY more this summer (not to mention the other outlets I write for!!!) and keeping up a 3 day a week posting schedule is starting to kill me. This is supposed to be fun, right???

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  6. Oh pishtosh. I don't have thoughts. What's a thought? Oh look, a butterfly.

    Yeah but seriously, I'd be too nervous writing somewhere else. I do think I'm quite cranky enough to qualify, but I'd probably just rant about bad drivers in MA and RI and your fans would be like WTF did I just read? :D

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    Replies
    1. Ah Courtney, you have a great blog and would have no need to be nervous! And hey, "WTF did I just read" is the NORMAL response to a Cranky Fitness post!

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  7. Crabby, come and go as you need to, i will (i hope and pray) still be meandering along.

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  8. Hey, switching things up is good for the soul, so don't worry about us. I'll still pop in every day or so to see what's new and cheer you on in your adventures. And I'd be happy to do a guest post, but have no idea about what!

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  9. Oh I know just what you mean. No guest post from me... I have a hard enough time gathering my thoughts enough to post on my own blog lately! But I hope you enjoy the summer :)

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  10. I can't offer to guest blog, since I'm having trouble finding time to write anything for my own, but I could certainly get cranky about health in the future. Just go off to Europe and have fun without us and don't worry about it. As long as you bring back pictures of weird stuff!

    As far as commitment goes, does my job count? Now that I've cut the seven day work week down to Only Five, I keep having thoughts like "I don't really want to go to work today," and "How many more days until Wednesday?" And last week I made ten hours of overtime, and was reflecting on how nice it would be to make time and a half all the time, and how I could actually save money and possible retire before I get too old to get out of bed without help. But first I have to stop spending all my new days off on the couch with a book and actually do some of the things that need doing.

    Also I wish my gym had a "mashion."

    Mary Anne in Kentucky

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  11. Totally get it - this summer I've had to condense all of my blogging into just a couple short hours max!!!
    I used to commit to way more things but over the years I've gotten better at really avoiding things that don't make me happy!!
    I would love to share a guest post but I'm not sure when I would get it done so.....

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  12. Ha. Evidently, you really ARE talking to me. I just finished an email back and forth exchange with a good friend who was coaching me to step back and let a protege sink or swim. After years of working for my inlaws and being able to blog from work, run a non-profit from work, I have a "real" job and balance is as elusive in life as it is in yoga for me.

    Oh -- and guilt?! My mother's ashes are still on the front porch. I thought the crematorium lost them, and now I've let them languish even longer than they did...

    There's a guest post in there somewhere, I suppose... maybe...

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    Replies
    1. Sissy Sees, there is SO a guest post in there and I'd be honored if you'd write one! Over at Kim's (above) blog, she had a recent post on guilt and it was amazing to read the comments and discover how many women who seem so kick-ass are battling it all the time! I think it's a major "health" issue!

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  13. Can't wait to hear of your adventures no matter when you post them. I'm always gonna be here!

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  14. I do need my regular dosage of Yer Crabbiness, but I totally understand you gotta do what ya gotta do. As an alternative to you posting blawgs, would you consider in-person soliloquies at our front doors. You do like to travel, riiight?

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  15. I could have sworn I posted a comment on this entry. Where did it disappear to?

    I haven't posted to my blog in over a year. So yeah, I feel you on doing something that feels like a thing that needs to be done. It's not that I don't have thoughts, though! Just not on a very regimented scheduled basis.

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  16. I thought the last one I had here turned out great! I highly recommend this site for anyone with interesting thoughts to share!

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  17. Enjoy your travel time…it should be a real breeze now that you can fly! Wheeeeeeee!

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  18. OMG, you know I am all over this post! I want to say I will guest post BUT as you wrote: One thing I've learned throughout the years is that you have to own your choices and actively prioritize the shit you want to do, or you end up trudging and slogging when you should be dreaming and scheming and dancing and frolicking.

    And then you wrote those last questions!!!

    PLUS I just found about about a long time gym friend dieing at 56 today - posted on my FB wall so....

    I say go for life!!!! I applaud you!!!!! I wish I could do it & travel like you but I will live vicariously thru you! :)

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  19. Definitely can relate to the obligation vs the love. It seems that blogger burnout is something that happens but for someone like me that is an "all or nothing" kind of girl, it happens in all areas of my life. Passion is good but exhaustion is bad.

    Enjoy your travels and blogging break, we'll be here for you when you return!

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  20. "...networking and blog visiting will dwindle and people will forget I exist, but whatever..."

    Hey that's where I LIVE! Welcome! Get yourself something out of the fridge and sit down! #8-)

    Speaking of which, are you visiting us in the UK again this time round?

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    1. Hey Lucky Duck, nice to see ya, the blogger comment-eating gremlins must have been asleep on the job! :)

      Alas, no UK this time, it's an Amsterdam to Budapest river cruise, but definitely want to visit there again!

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    2. First time I've tried for a while, maybe the term of my comment-curse has expired or something...

      An Amsterdam to Budapest river cruise is much more deserving of a "woohoo!" than an "alas"! I'd love to be doing something like that but we're staying local this year - Edinburgh a few weeks ago and London imminently, it's not so bad.

      Have a good time, we expect lots of photos!

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  21. Such is the nature of the blogging beast. Enthusiasm waxes and wanes depending on what's happening in "real life." We're all pretty much the same, methinks. It sounds like you have some great adventures ahead. Enjoy that and blog if and when you can. You won't lose a soul. Cranky posts are perfect whenever they happen.

    I know someone whom I think would be perfect for guest blogging. I just have no idea if she'd be on board. I'll get back to you. :)

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  22. Okay, you got me. I just got an email from Hilary at The Smitten Image and she told me she thought I'd be a good fit (smile). How do I go about this? Do you just get ahold of me and ask for a post? Or do I submit one somewhere? Where are you going, BTW? :-)

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    Replies
    1. Yay DJan, you'd be awesome! Will hunt ya down--but no worries if you're too busy being all hardcore and outdoorsy and hiking monstrous trails in horrible weather conditions. But if you're up for it, that's be great!

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  23. Can I confess that I am relieved to read this, and to know that more established bloggers like yourself (and Charlotte) go through this as well? My blogging energy also ebbs and flows - and not for a lack of good ideas either - and I often feel like this makes me a shitty blogger. But a big part of it is that I've got so much going on in my non-internet life that it's hard for me to conserve the energy necessary to sit down and document it for the public. As far as I'm concerned this is a quality problem to have, even though I know it means I basically will never be able to grow my blog in the ways I'd like.

    I hope you enjoy your break and that you feel rejuvenated for whatever you feel like doing when you come back!

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  24. I would write an interesting guest post for your website with great pleasure.
    "Got anything in your life that sometimes you need to pull back from?" Who doesn't have got?

    "Ever struggle to find balance?" - I'm still trying to find balance between my internet lifestyle and my family life.

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