Much as I love 52 Weeks of Blog Community – and what it has done for me and this blog over the last year – I must admit, recent events in my online life has somehow made me lose a bit of momentum for this project.
You see, here in my personal blog, I tend to blog about things that occupy my mind a lot in a particular phase of my life – without getting too private. When I started 52WoC, I was brainstorming a lot about different ways to enhance community matters in my “day job” as Community Strategist at b5media. But, now that that’s not in my life anymore, it’s a bit tougher to come up with ideas, as my mind is now pre-occupied with other matters. That’s why I haven’t updated this in a while. And, I’m now really wondering what to do next.
Do I retire 52WoC completely, even if we’re still 13 projects short of our target of 52? Or, do I just put this on an indefinite hiatus until I regain some of my initial fire for this project? Do I keep going no matter what?
If you would like to help to keep this project going, please let me know one (or more of the following):
- Respond to the question: Retire, Go on Hiatus or Keep Going? AND/OR
- Please share one or more future community-related ideas that we can use for 52WoC in the comments section. Similar to what we did during Suggest a Theme week. AND/OR
- Tell us how 52WoC affected you, your blog, and/or your blogging in general.
If you respond to this, you’ll be listed in the 52WoC#39 list of participants. Yes, you don’t need to respond to all of the above, although you’re most certainly welcome to. But, even if you just respond to one, that’s totally fine too.
Now, on to last task’s 52WoC#38: Join or Start a Challenge participants -
Thanks again for taking part! You’re the ones who help me to keep going with this project, even when I feel like throwing in the towel.
I look forward to all of your feedback!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Toni 02.09.09 at 3:31 pm
1. KEEP GOING!
2. Some ideas: Post a video blog. Share your top 10 favorite blog reads. Your blogging history (how you got started, what kept you going, etc.). How you deal with blogger’s block (like writer’s block!).
3. I really enjoy 52W0C! It’s made me discover great blogs, and has encouraged me to explore different ways of posting: ex. that audio post challenge. I also consider each challenge as a writing prompt so it helps me exercise that creative muscle a bit more. And the community love is wonderful too.
Let’s keep going, Shai! While the succeeding ideas may not be for b5media anymore, they will still be (and have ultimately been) for the participants who have directly engaged with each project and have helped influence others to join in too. Only 13 weeks to go. Let’s finish it up!
Of course the last call is yours, just know that we’re here to support whatever decision you make. Cheers!
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Heather 02.09.09 at 4:13 pm
Hi Shai,
I am also all for keeping it going, though perhaps every week is a bit much for you right now. Maybe the putting it on hiatus is a better option, just for now.
I have one idea; what about big time local news – we could each blog about something that is big news in our local areas. We’d be able to write up something about where we live that has relevance to the rest of the world. Or something like that.
I always enjoyed any of the challenges I took part in. I really enjoyed getting to read other blogs. This was how I discovered several I have gone on to read all the time. I love getting visits from unexpected people through joining in this kind of thing.
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Em Dy 02.09.09 at 4:45 pm
You can do it! Twelve more weeks is no big deal. We’ve survived the first 40 anyway! Why not let others take the lead and ask them to guest post?
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Kay 02.09.09 at 5:14 pm
I can understand why you might want to give up this aspect of blogging. However, how would you FEEL if it wasn’t there any more- relieved or disappointed? I find it hard to join in something every week from a personal “inside my head” POV- so I haven’t done much towards this “project”, but your regulars must get some sort of boost out of it. I like Heather’s idea of choosing a local news issue and telling others about it with our own thoughts added, as I’m more inclined to work with words than craft projects that I haven’t chosen myself. Exchanging the names of blogs/bloggers on set topics might be good- people who are not interested in the topic can say why it doesn’t appeal to them instead. I still like more on how the person accomplished a project and why they chose their materials- I’m a detail and content junky! Now- what’s your decision?? It’s yours, girl!
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Melissa W 02.09.09 at 9:31 pm
I say keep it going, but with the help of everyone who participates. I love the idea of doing another audio or video log. Setting a craft challenge could be fun, or perhaps a photography challenge? Some kind of swap between the participants could be a good way of creating/affirming our community bonds.
I’ve enjoyed participating in this. I came in a bit late and have had a few months where life has conspired to distract me from everything but the neccessities, but I have enjoyed what I have been able to contribute. I also like the random visits and extra comments on my blog – it makes me feel like I am not totally shouting out into a disinterested wilderness.
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Kari 02.09.09 at 11:17 pm
While I’m a big fan of 52WoC, I think if your heart isn’t in it right now then it’d be best to put on hiatis. I certinly wouldn’t retire it because you just never know when the mood may strike you.
For now you’ve got your plate full, and I think all of us understand that having been there at one point or another. You need to do what’s best for you and I think you’ll find you’ve got quite a crowd supporting you whatever you decide to do with the project.
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Nenette 02.10.09 at 11:33 pm
1. I agree with Kari that, if your heart isn’t in it, you shouldn’t force it — just go on hiatus, and put up a task when it strikes you. However, if you manage to compile a list of 12-13 ideas from us, the thinking has been done for you.
If you do decide to continue, we don’t have to do this every week. Every 2 weeks would be fine. I do find that, depending on the task, I’m hard-pressed to finish within 7 days.
2. I don’t have any ideas right now, but I like what everyone else has said. I’ll probably email you my ideas as they come.
3. I’ve LOVED the 52WOC. I’ve met some wonderful people and read some awesome blogs. I’ve also become a better blogger in the process. It’s been worth it all to have joined. Thanks for doing this, Shai.
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Rachel Cotterill 02.11.09 at 7:43 am
Well, this is the first I’ve noticed your 52WoC project, and so from a personal perspective it would be a shame if I only found it on its death bed! It sounds like a great idea.
As a point of general principle, I’ve found that keeping to goals I have set myself is worthwhile. Sometimes it’s hard, but if I let myself slip once I’d learn bad habits. So if it were me, I’d say go on with it, because not doing is to say “it’s ok to give up”. And maybe it is ok to give up… but I would prefer not to give my lazy self that kind of validation!
Ultimately you have to make your own decision, but I’m sure the project is much appreciated by those who’ve joined in up till now, and there’s still a whole blogging world out there who’d like the chance.
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blue rose 02.11.09 at 1:57 pm
hi shai. please keep it going. you can do it and we are still here to support you on this. but if you feel like your heart is not on it right now, just put it in hiatus but please don’t retire.
through 52WoC, i discovered great blogs and met wonderful people.
thanks to you dear!
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Fran (Ivan Girl) 02.12.09 at 5:24 pm
I’ve just started joining 52WoC and i would say I definitely enjoyed it. I agree with Toni’s suggestions as well.
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Lynn Stevens 02.19.09 at 4:22 pm
Keep going.
One idea: tales of on-line meetings, networks, six degrees of separation sort of thing.
As a new blogger, I’ve enjoyed it. It helps me think differently, freshly, even though some challenges just won’t fit my blog.
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Nicola 03.12.09 at 3:48 am
Thanks for the reminder in your current post! Despite my delayed commenting, I definitely think we should keep going, only if you’re up to it though, you’re a busy bee with work and studies now of course. I like all the ideas above, especially the photography one, I don’t think we’ve had a photography-related task yet? I also just thought of a mini-blogging challenge, I’ve been slack all round with blogging since NaBloPoMo, even with my fancy new site. Maybe a post a day for a week challenge? You could set topics and, this may be a little complicated, you could even have a competition for the task beforehand, everyone can submit ideas for post topics and the best 7 could be used for the blogging task the next week.
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