And yes, yes, I love the idea of working on 31DBBB starting August. It would be good to have a cohort through it all! The poor link has been sitting in my inbox for well over a month. Get in touch :)

I really like your suggestion to keep the to do list to a max of 3/ notebook hidden with someday ideas but-not-this-very-second. The rule is applicable to life too. I am a notorious list maker so more things I can cross off a list, the better I feel about myself….and the less to do on the list the less overwhelming it is – so I am more likely to do it all! It is so simple and smart – thanks!

@Amy – Sorry about the breakdown. I feel ya, though. And I totally agree that it’s mostly just important to write about what you’re passionate about, otherwise your readers will see right through you.

@Julie – Personal blogs (and blogs that don’t monetize) are definitely a totally different ball game. I haven’t monetized this blog yet, but I am not opposed to it. However, if I did I’m sure I would, like you mentioned, feel even more pressure than I do already. Oy. I think most of my problem is the fact that I’M A WRITER–so I want only my best out there for potential employers to see. :)

@Fajr – “Stay true to yourself” — so perfect. It’s so easy to be someone else online, but it feels so much better to just be you!

@Corrine – Your BF sounds MUCH like mine. I think blogging/my Macbook has basically become a third-wheel in our relationship. Hehe.

@Brittany – Definitely get TweetDeck! But be warned about its addictive properties. Also, I think “forcing” yourself to blog is an AWFUL idea, like you mentioned. If your blog is just for fun, it should actually be FUN to write, right?
P.S. Maybe we could hold each other accountable for doing 31DBB at the start of August, if you’d like? Let me know!

The three that hit home the most were the continuous checking of stats rule, the 3 item max on the to-do list, and finally doing 31DBBB! I attempted it once, but I had no way of dealing with burn out so my blog was on hiatus for a while.

Lately, I’ve been trying not to make blogging an obligation. I don’t want to say, “Okay, I need to post something on Tuesday, Thursday, etc.” If I do this, it because a daunting task, and my mind comes to a blank when trying to create things on the spot. I just try to let the ideas flow. Maybe write a paragraph or two for each idea on my to-do list just so I have a head start when I need it.

I don’t have any blogging rules imposed but my boyfriend has been known to hide my laptop if I’ve come home after an extremely long day to ensure that I don’t stay up until the wee hours of the morning (which is what I always do!) typing! I’m also trying to be disciplined and leave my laptop downstairs in our (separate from the apartment) office, for the very same reason. I’m not very good at it, though!

Great post Erica!

I write about things that happen to me, things that catch my eye and I post the sporadic outfit picture XDD. If blogging starts to feel like a burden, I leave it, then I come back.

I do not monetize from my blog or anything, so I really don’t feel the “pressure” that other professional bloggers might feel of posting constantly with their best writing and whatnot.

I think that if my readers can tell I enjoy something, they’ll enjoy reading about it, too, rather than watching me suffer! :)