How to Cure your Blogging Addiction in 7 Easy Steps
September 19, 2006 9:58 pm UncategorizedUpdate: Hey Hey … I’ve just noticed that someone dugg my “How To” and so have 6 others. Cool! Click on the image and digg it. I’m a relatively digg newbie … so let’s um “game” this beast and see if this social stuff works. : )
Blogging has made a huge impact in many peoples lives over the past few years - just look at the Technorati numbers to see blogs in the tens of millions, from all corners of the globe and by people of all walks of life.
But there surely must come a time for every blogger at some point, where they start to question themselves and their blogging habits: Am I doing too much blogging? Does my life revolve too much around blogging? Am I, OMG, truly addicted to blogging?
Well fret no more fellow travellers, because here’s my cure for your blogging addiction if you think you’re heading down that path - or maybe … you’re already there!
So here are my 7 steps to curing your blogging addiction…
Step #1 - 11pm Means 11pm … Not 2am
When you say you’ll stop blogging and doing blogging-related things and hit the sack at 11pm then make it 11pm. Don’t catch yourself blogging away at 2am in the morning. Be firm on this. Place a curfew on yourself. And no, don’t just move the curfew to 2am.
Step #2 - No More … Good Morning, Computer
Do not turn the computer on first thing in the morning, a habit that every blogger would surely understand. But there might be something I’m missing you tell yourself - an important email, that post in my rss reader that might spark an idea that could get me digged or stumbled upon. Blah, blah … whatever. The world will still spin. Go and wake up properly, have a coffee and some breakfast - and then head into your “blogging” office at a nice and leisurely pace.
Step #3 - Dear Statistics… We’re Seeing Too Much of Each Other
Blogging and stat checking go hand-in-hand. So … limit the number of times you check your blog stats. Once a week is good enough. And if you miss a week, then so bloody what. Life goes on! And don’t use every stat package known to man that is out there or is released. Pick one and stick to it.
Step #4 - Post Only Once a Day
Yep, you read that right. Try it. Sometimes less is more … unless that is, of course, if you’re really after the quantity that AdSense demands. Okay, so lets say you post 5 posts a day. Try only 3. It doesn’t really matter how much you currently post - just try posting a little less. And gosh damn it, if you miss a day of posting or have nothing to say then so what … the world won’t stop.
Step # 5 - Destroy your RSS Feeds
Yup. Set in alight. Delete everything. And start from scratch. Only subscribe to feeds you actually read. Don’t worry about possibly missing something - it’ll bounce around the echo chamber and reach you soon enough. And keep trimming and pruning your feed list - be ruthless.
Step #6 - Get Out of the House
Yes, there is a world out there. Go for a walk. Smell the roses. Talk to a real person face to face. Go to your local pub/cafe/eatery - whatever you fancy. Leave your laptop/pda/crackberry behind. Make it a ritual: once a week, once a day … whatever, just knowing that you are stepping away from your blogging world will give you some peace of mind.
Step #7 - Dump your Broadband
Finally, if all else fails switch back to dial-up. Dump your broadband connection and you’ll soon get so annoyed with how slow it used to be that you’ll just want to get away from that damn, slow, annoying computer.
And there you go - my 7 step program for curing blog addiction.
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On a final note, getting addicted to blogging quite often leads to blogapathy…
Blogapathy—a condition caused by excessive blogging leaves little time for keeping up with current events and pop culture. “It’s like—I don’t even care anymore what goes on in the world—unless it affects my blog” - (swiped from Bloggers Anonymous)
Blogging is great and fun and all that, but one must have balance in their lives.
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Note: aside from being a great post this is also a shameless way to get in on Darren’s Group Writing Project and be in the running for some snazzy prizes. Check out the 63 How-To’s from Day 1 …
September 19th, 2006 at 11:13 pm
“11pm Means 11pm … Not 2am”….
ummm - when did you talk to my wife???
September 20th, 2006 at 12:43 am
Ahh, so you get that too.
You know you’re blogging too much when your better-half starts on that.
If she brings it up twice in a week then it’s just nagging - can I say that :) - 3 times and I know I better slow down. 4 times and it’s the steely gaze look. 5 times in a week and it’s the couch for me.
September 20th, 2006 at 7:44 am
That is awesome Martin! I just went to the doctor and the doc says “You know there is such a thing as internet addiction”. It made me feel kind of sad simply because I just passsed my one year sobriety mark without using an unamed substance. She also suggested to take a look at how much is productive and how much is fun time while I am on my computer.
So I did. About 90% is productivity, writing, illustrating, making contacts and working. 10% is definately fun.
I mentioned to her that if i was working for a communications company I would be on the computer for the same if not more amount of time than I already am.
Favorite step :)
Which is exactly what I am doing momentarily. I need drawing pens… down to chinatown I go ;)
cheers!
September 20th, 2006 at 10:36 am
Hey Jessica … cool you liked it.
For me: it’s 60% productive; 30% just for fun and 10% an addiction - or I hope it’s in that order! :)
When you get back in the house with your new drawing pens draw me up something nice (or not so nice). I sooo love your art. Gotta highlight it more here. With your permission of course.
September 20th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Awah shucks. Thanks dude. I do have a CC license on my art/blog… that is only visable at the end of each of my posts. I should make that more visable eh?
Will draw something tonight ;)
September 20th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
Jessica - cool you have the cc licence. I’m heading over there tonight and checking out all your art.
I can see in my crystal ball an upcoming “(virtual) art gallery show by Jessica …” type post here - a bunch of your art with my comments for readers to look over.
September 20th, 2006 at 10:21 pm
Great list! I get the “11pm Means 11pm … Not 2am†also. I also like your picture in the post! Thanks for contributing to the Group Writing Project at ProBlogger.
My How To is up also.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:38 am
Not stay up past my bedtime? Not turn on the computer first thing in the morning? Dump my broadband?? I’m getting withdrawal symptoms just thinking about it!
Here via ProBlogger. Really like your blog, so I bookmarked it.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:52 am
dump your broadband? are you kidding?
I’ll dump my TV first…
no… I like my satellite TV too
but I just don’t turn it on
and dump my newspapers…
the clutter is enough to make me do that…
dump my… chores…
there, that’s better!
hey, I really liked steps 1-6
but don’t dump your statistics!
in my case, if I read my statistics..
I may just dump my blog …
September 21st, 2006 at 1:12 am
Oh so very apt! As a newbie blogger who hasn’t even attempted the stats thing, or the ad thing, never mind the RSS feeds… you have hit the nail on the head. It is 1 am and I have just finished my ‘How to’ blog, and submitted it, and it is 1 am! My name is Tracey, and I’m a blogaholic. (And I will just have to take your advice and go to bed, and do the community thing with the comments on others’ blog submissions tomorrow.)
September 21st, 2006 at 1:28 am
Fun list! Guilty…computer first thing…Diet Coke and Email, what’s better than that in the morning? LOL
It takes me going on vacation to realize the world keeps moving if I’m not attached to my computer!
September 21st, 2006 at 4:03 am
Good post. It’s actually along a similar line as my entry to Darren’s writing project. I actually realized last week when I had a cold, that life would go on without the Internet.
I am not however ready to take your 7 step program at this point time (especially step 7). It’s still a good post.
September 21st, 2006 at 4:05 am
Also, I just dugg it. You’re up to 13 diggs now. All the best!
September 21st, 2006 at 7:45 am
Your title really grabbed me so I had to come to read. What is it about blogging that is so addictive? I don’t even have ads, for god’s sake, and I can’t stay away from the computer! I’m going to try to adapt some of your tips. Thanks.
September 21st, 2006 at 2:23 pm
Very funny…and scary…but mostly funny. Great list!
September 21st, 2006 at 3:14 pm
What I love about blogging is how it uncovers the hidden crazed writer in us all. What other point in time would we all be desperately seeking topics to write about? And unable to drag ourselves away fromt he joys of the writings of others…
Superb!
September 21st, 2006 at 8:22 pm
Ah, too true…
You could always just throw your computer out of the second story window. They don’t bounce very well, but it does cure all types of computer addictions.
But then, there are those terminals in the shopping centre…
September 21st, 2006 at 8:31 pm
I’m not addicted to blogging; I can quit any time I want. I just have to make one more post…
September 22nd, 2006 at 12:41 am
Uh-oh, I’m always starting my day with my coffee and the e-mail/bloggy stuff ;). Our how-to is up as well if you’d like to check it out!!
September 22nd, 2006 at 7:23 am
#6 makes for a better blog - if you get out and live a little, you’ll have a life to write about! (Found you through ProBlogger)
September 22nd, 2006 at 4:07 pm
Very good advice. I just realized I am getting addicted and need to follow your tips…
September 22nd, 2006 at 5:18 pm
I’ll have to take your advise !!
September 22nd, 2006 at 8:25 pm
Erm… Do not turn on your computer first thing in the morning…?
Why on Earth would I have switched it off in the first place?
September 23rd, 2006 at 7:11 am
I don’t blog/do anything blog related until I get home from work. But heck it’s been slowly eating up alot of my time, I’ve slowly started to cut down now and take it easy.
September 23rd, 2006 at 4:27 pm
So so true. I now get up at 5am just to blog or research as my wife thinks my arse is glued to the computer chair.
Great post.
March 29th, 2007 at 7:42 am
I’m a professing blog addict and I just wrote this week about the obsession of a blogging addiction! I’m very surprised the drug companies have not yet offered a cure for our ailment. Why think of the billions of dollars they would rake in, and us bloggers could all have affiliate links to sell the anti-blogging drugs! LOL. I enjoyed your post, and the picture. Have a great day! :)
May 16th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
What a brilliant blog.
I have become obsessed with finding out about Computer Addiction. What started off as finding answers for my sons addiction to his PC has led to me becoming addicted to it myself, especially blogging. I will just HAVE to write about blogging addiction too. It’s a funny old world, eh?
After trying numerous ways to get my son off the computer, I suggested he go out and get some excercise. I bought him a bicycle, thinking he would tear around on that and get exercise.
Whilst shopping, I noticed his bike chained up against a railing, upon investigation I found him in the internet cafe, doing the same thing he does at home - internet chat and playing. Ho hum, back to the drawing board.
Leave him alone, he’ll grow out of it, was one piece of advice I was given. Upon reflection, I am 30 years older than he and I have noticed that my 11pm is really 3am. What hope is there for my lad?
He’ll snap out of it when he gets a girlfriend, was another piece of advice. Guess what? He has a girlfriend and guess what else? she also chats and blogs incessantly. No hope there.
So, to cut a long story short - “If you can’t beat them, join them”. And here I am, on my tea break, would you believe………
October 11th, 2007 at 4:46 am
[...] - Life goes on - Is blogging addictive? - Bloggers Blog - Blog addiction - The Blog Columnist - Cure blog addiction in 7 easy steps [...]
November 3rd, 2007 at 6:41 pm
All right, I’m seriously still laughing out loud after reading your post since it’s now 2 am and I just finished checking my stats counter for the bazillionth time, I’m in withdrawal since I haven’t checked my blog in like 20 minutes, and the only thing stopping me from adding yet another add-on to my site is the undeniable pixel burn I am experiencing from my apparent blog compulsion! The funny thing is that I was one of those people who swore they would never become a blogger until only three days ago when I sold my soul to the blog gods (or is it devil?)..he he he!
December 26th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Hey here is a list of the top ten non-drug addictions out there based on searches on the internet. Sorry blogging addiction didn’t even make the honrablemention list.
http://www.clearhavencenter.com/addictions-research/special-features/top-10-non-drug-based-addictions.html
January 15th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
You make good sense. The allure of creating polished exact pages with content relevant to ‘me’ is is a great draw. My blog of nine months (http://kllrchrd.livejournal.com) I now regard as old enough to exist in the world without me, perhaps with only an occassioinal new page. I think of it more as a scrapbook or folder of stuff I value these days. I think the nine month thing is significant in helping me to cease spending so much time on it. Luckily garden, workshop and out with the beagle Smuddy limit time spent on the web. Thankfully I enjoy pen and paper and everything abt books.
I also need to study which I can achieve more by old fashioned means.
Good blog,kllrchrd.livejournal.com
February 29th, 2008 at 10:35 am
I like the post, well done, the image is very true.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Thanks, this is great advice. I am a recovering alcoholic/addict and can see how blogging (and anything else for that matter) can become an addictive substance for some of us. Progress not perfection.
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:14 pm
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July 27th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Oh Dear,
Aftre reading your column, I think I’ve BAD (Blogging Addiction Syndrome)…
Anyway, great post. I think you’re right on so many points… :)
MyBlog:
http://wonderwealthwisdom.blogspot.com/