I thought it would be fitting to talk about ‘the importance of getting away from the pc and enjoying life’ on the day before i leave to go travelling around beautiful new zealand for 3 weeks. (Note i wrote this post on Thursday 10th May – thank you Mr Timestamp!).
I love blogging because it allows me to write and express myself in a manner i couldn’t otherwise. Updating this blog is never a chore however i always do everything i can to enjoy myself away from the pc.
I believe that this is especially true for bloggers who are lucky enough to make a living through their blogs. Up until 2003 (ie my first 3 years involved in the inernet) i never made more than about $15,000 in any one year so i also worked full time. I worked in on a few IT contracts but most of the time i worked in the finance industry. The switch from full time employment to full time self employment was a very happy one however i did miss the social element. I went from working in a building with over 1000 people where i had loads of friends to sitting in my bedroom in my boxers shorts working away like a busy bee. I slowly realised that it’s vital to get away from the pc when you can and enjoy life – be it going round to see a friend or going to the gym or whatever. Hell, didn’t we all try and make money on the net so that we can do what we want when we want!!
I’ve actually found that im more productive when im not always on the pc. Some of my best ideas come when im not sitting at the laptop rather than when im sitting 12 hours one day trying to rush everything in.
Your post quality will improve when you are happy in all aspects of life!
So if your are ever stressed out with your blog remember :
- If your a part time blogger, try and fit your blogging schedule around your life
- If your a full time blogger, try and make sure you have a life!
- If your stressed out and tired your posts will suffer
- Theres more to life than blogging!
Tomorrow i will post a few pics to show you what ive been doing to enjoy myself whilst travelling in the last 6 months.
Very true words, I too missed the social interaction when I left my full time employment, although also realised that I wasted a lot of my employers time chatting away throughout the day, I now manage to put in just as much work for myself in much less time, but still make sure I enjoy a good social life after hours.
I wholeheartedly agree with your idea of taking time off to do other things….i did fall into that rut a couple of months ago…but seem to have taken control of that situation now !! Awesome post….keep bloggin!!
I use extended walks for clearing my mind and to do some brainstorming. It's way too nice outside now that is spring to stay at the computer all the time. Good write-up by the way.
Now your just rubbing it in!
We're all sitting at PCs reading your post and your off enjoying yourself travelling round New Zealand
I agree wholeheartedly. What I do is going swimming most weeknights – I find the combination of the water, the exercise, and other people really get my mind going in a different direction, which is great.
Nice post and very true. I'm having a hard time leaving my laptop these days! but I'm gonna have to eventually (exams are coming up!)
Have fun in New Zealand:)
Downtime is so important as it refreshes mind, spirit and body.
If blogging stems from your passion, new ideas should always be flowing. If not, perhaps the subject matter needs to change to reflect that which you are passionate about.
I keep a small recorder and a pad nearby at all times. You never know when inspiration will strike! It's so important to record your ideas; you can always develop and write the blog post material around them later.
You're definitely right, sometimes we work way too much and it probably takes away from our productivity.
I couldn't agree more, blogging shouldn't interfere with your life to much. I know that from experience as I've almost had a few relationships collapse because of it