It saddens me to say that I can no longer blog the old way that I used to – I just don’t spend as much time online as I used to, partly due to my working hours now I just don’t have as much free time as I used to with shift work, and partly because I’m getting out and about a lot more than I used to. I can never seem to get on top of my blog reading anymore, and my favourite blogs are suffering because of it in that I just don’t have time to comment much anymore while I’m rushing trying to read everything. In February I had just over 250 blogs in my blogroll that I liked to browse through, but I have to say sorry to some bloggers that I just can’t keep those numbers up anymore, and I’m starting to cull a few blogs out of the list.
This is one of the hardest decisions I think I’ve had to make, but I want to make my online time ‘quality time’. The blogs that will remain are mainly those that are full of inspiring stitching piccies and finishes, and those pals that I have already met and build up a close relationship with. A few blogs have moved away from the stitching realm somewhat, into areas that I don’t have as much of an interest, so I’m not as inspired to read daily.
One thing that I notice I’m doing more and more is that because I use a newsreader, rather than going into the actual blogs themselves (unless commenting on a post), I’m finding that I’m spending less time reading those blogs that don’t show the full feed but only a summary, as it takes so much longer for the blog page to load up to read that page … so I’m tending to leave those blogs until last to read. A couple of these blogs are in my “love to read” section too, so please don’t be offended if you get an email from you asking you if you’d be willing to change your settings ‘cos I’m selfish and want to continue reading your posts 🙂
Anyway, I do apologise in advance if your blog is removed from my blogroll, I just have to make my online time more manageable – having 1000+ unread feeds on a regular basis is quite deflating …
Rightio, that being said, I’m off to read a few blogs this morning to catch up on a tiny bit of backlog before heading out for a walk …
Feather Stitching 
Good luck with your changes. I hope your online time will be a pleasure!
Anne, you can only do what you can do and in the end, it’s YOUR time and you don’t have to justify to anyone how you use it! 🙂
You need to do what it right for you. I glad that you have settled in well to Sydney, and a stitching GTG, sounds great.
Here the same Anne, I also can’t keep up with the blogs at the moment.
I get to be feeling the same as you somewhat with my little ones to look after, being on the blogs takes up my (very) precious stitching/free time. I do my head in trying to fit it all in, then just when I seem to, the house has then got in a right state and I can’t do with that either !! Anything I do with my time ONLY comes after I have anything left for me after looking after everybody else who is little in my home (2 children & 2 pets & 1 husband who is not little) :-))) I also like to be very genuine with my comments and not feel I just have to leave one as I have received one, I think alot of people (might?) feel in that trap as it is impossible to like everything on every blog all the time, in most cases!
I have my blog settings set on summary view for readers as all the blinkies/graphics and phototgraphs can be right clicked from the ‘readers’ which defeats the object of right -click protection on the blog pages. Not that I am assuming my blog is one you want to keep on your list, I am just explaining why I have the short view setting.
You just have to do what is right for yourself 🙂 time is so precious and just disappears so fast !!!
I totally understand, since I have been feeling that way too lately. Unless there is something compelling and interesting in the first line of a summary post, I rarely click out of the blog reader to see what the rest of it is. I keep saying that I need to pare down my list, but it is tough to do 🙂
I recently did the same thing and whittled down my blog feeds on Google Reader. Um, you’re obviously still on the list LOL
I know, I know!!!
It is dreadful to pop in to a blog that is not updated, – I have no feed. So I have been cutting back like mad too!
Time is money – that is wrong, isn’t it? Time is stitching!!
xxxx
I have the same problem. I’m much busier at work than I have been, so I don’t have the time to read blogs like I used to. So, I’m having to pare down, too. Good luck with your weeding and I hope that my blog will stay on your list!
As you have seen, we all understand about having less time for blogging these days. I’ve fallen behind in both reading and writing lately, just feeling uninspired and blah. Nothing that a little more sunshine and warmer temperatures won’t cure, I’m sure. 🙂
Do what you must my friend. It’s wonderful that you’re able to lead a more well-rounded life these days! 😀
Hi, Anne. I totally understand why you’ve made the decision! I’ve just moved out of my old place into a new house (and separated from my husband in the process), and I don’t have internet access at the new place. It’s been less than a week, but already my google reader is piling up. I manage to find time to post a little (thank goodness WordPress allows you to postdate), but I feel guilty because I can’t read all the blogs I like to read, and when I’m using google reader, I can’t comment at all.
I’m using the wireless internet at a local coffee shop chain to catch up a little on my blog reading and commenting, but I don’t know how long I can keep this up!
I’m glad that you are getting out and about more, and enjoying Sydney!
I know what you mean. It has been so difficult lately for me to read blogs, I am so far behind. I do what I can to post regularly, but the blog reading is suffering. Do what you have to do. I always appreciate when you can stop by my blog.