I'm very pro confession. I think everyone needs to have a good cleanse every now and again. I mean i am a therapist after all so it makes sense that if something is bothering me enough i will want to "talk about it." Sometimes i'm a very bad therapist and i want to hear other people talk about "IT" so i can get free tips about how to handle my own problems before i focus on theirs....
Dr. Bird: "no really.. tell me more about that time." "you know, that time you say you stayed up 3 nights running blog hopping on your computer. You know, it was during that week your husband thought you were sleeping with your 2 year old giving comfort during nightmares."
Client: "i really don't like to talk about it....i mean it seems like i can't stop myself, it's kind of like a compulsion...." "Dr. Bird do you think i'm addicted? do i need....treatment for this?"
Dr. Bird: "hmmmmm..."
I confess. I think I have a problem. No. I know i do. I spend A LOT of time these days in activities related to blogging. I think about blogging when i wake up... when i get up.... when i'm making breakfast, eating lunch. While driving i get ideas for photographs. I have to stop and write them down. When on a call i end up sitting in front of the computer randomly jotting down my ideas for a "Blogstock" (think Woodstock in Avalon). I lose track of the conversation and have to jump up and move across the room, turning my back on the computer.
I have an endless list of places to visit. I keep adding more feeds to my reader. I am insatiable. I want to read. I want to write. I want to post my photos and comment on other's. I have a Typepad account, a Blogger page, a .Mac website. I am a member of Blipfoto, of Flickr, of JPG. I want to meet my friends in person. I'm an avid fan of so many bloggers.
Do you see where this is going? I have sleepless nights. I haven't mentioned laundry, paying bills nor feeding Zippy. No. I haven't even drunk my coffee and my blogging day has begun. And it builds from there.
Will Annie be posting another of her beautiful paintings? When will Liz share another chapter from her book? Am i going to laugh or cry when i go to visit Debi? And how about the antics of Jan's adorable pups.
Now that i've downed that first cup of coffee, checked the garden and gotten Zippy rousted i settle in to see what the photographic geniuses have been up to. Off i go to visit Darlene knowing without question that she has posted some amazing holga shot accompanied by a brilliant poem she wrote in her mind while flying across town in a thunderstorm on her bicycle to work. I get electrified just reading about it! Jamie's posts are hypnotic, full of magic brilliance. I must visit her.
I seem to be making new friends at a rate that would not be possible in the corporeal world of meeting once a month for coffee dates that get rescheduled or promised lunches that end up needing to be cancelled and the busy, busy lives of all us.
In the meantime my husband is asking my opinion on the failure of democracy, my business phone is ringing and going to voice mail and i haven't sent out a bill for my therapy services in over a month. What's going to happen to me? How am i to get a grip on my life again? Do i even want to get a grip or do i just want to float off into the blogoshere never to be found in human form again?
Wow. This is serious.
DO NOT FREAK OUT if think you may be suffering from this malady. Abstinence is not necessary for recovery. As soon as i can stay off my computer long enough i will develop a WWBTM 12 Step Program with a focus on symptom management. Recovery begins with a community of those who share a common affliction and a desire for self improvement so you DO NOT have to give up your blogging or your friends.
Below you will find a symptom checklist. If you have identified with 4 or more of these you may need to seek professional help.
1. Absent mindedness, forgetfulness, inability to focus on tasks at work or home.
2. Obsessive checking of your and other's blogs.
3. Insomnia.
4. Inability to stop thinking about blogging.
5. Constant smiling at inappropriate moments.
6. Bewilderment and confusion in following the conversations of non-bloggers.
7. Feelings of guilt for being defensive with family and friends who question your priorities.
8. Feelings of loss when away from computer.
9. Neurotically seeking WiFi connections when traveling.
10. Concealing from other's how much time and energy are devoted to your computer.
To make an appointment to speak with Dr. Bird you can call Lucy at 1-900-824-4455 for an appointment. To hear a sample of Dr. Bird's therapeutic methods go here.
Remember this is not an addiction you need to recover from. You have been misunderstood by the world. In fact there needs to be more community education about the benefits of blogging. No one can keep you from having a successful and fulfilling blogging life. There is help and support available from one who understands. There is hope. Balance is possible!
I believe anyone who has blogged is totally addicted. Now, how long that addiction lasts is another story. When life starts coming at you fast, you will know to "walk away from the computer" and deal with it (then go back, of course). There are a lot worse things to be addicted to. In my opinion. I'm so happy Dr. Bird is ok with it all. Phew!
Posted by: Rosa | July 28, 2008 at 02:41 PM
heehee!
haaa!haaa!haa!!haaaa!!!haaaa!!!
heeheeeheeeheeheeeheeeheeeheeeeheeeheeeheee!!!!!
ooooooeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!! iiiiiiiiiiii looooovvvvvvveeeee itttttt!!!!
it does get better. i promise :-) xx
Posted by: linni | July 27, 2008 at 08:54 AM
yes, yes, i have all the symptoms. but i don't really want to stop, you have to want to recover, right? :-)
Posted by: julochka | July 26, 2008 at 07:07 AM
I'm lol @ some of your words because your post has made me feel like I need to confess that I blog way too much : ) This is such a beautiful open letter to me. lol
I fall in love with other bloggers words and photographs and find myself dreaming half the day away in the blog world... I love it! I mean, I need to spend less time on my imac, yes that is what I meant to say.
: )
Posted by: Christina | July 25, 2008 at 04:17 PM
this is good.
not that i would know anything about what you are talking about...
i never think about blogs while doing other things...
i never wish i was on the computer when i am doing something with my kids...
i never stay up waaaaaay too late clicking all around for hours....
i never let my house cleaning slide over time spent blogging...
i never forget to cook meals for my fmily because i am reading blogs...
i just feel so sorry for anyone who would have this problem.
hee hee hee.
Posted by: meg duerksen | July 25, 2008 at 04:08 PM
This is an adorable and funny post. I like being addicted to blogging...I love seeing how many talented, wise and funny people (are they all women?) are out there in the world.
I'd spend even more time in the blogosphere if I could! I will look at the links you've provided to further my addiction.
Posted by: tangobaby | July 25, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Oh, sign me up!
I too suffer bouts of blog addiction, but it tends to wax and wane... does that make me an addict?
Bravo for your coming forward into the light of truth! lol.
"Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery..."
How hysterical. You totally made my day.
Now I am going to be a good girl and SHUT OFF MY COMPUTER... well, as soon as I check on Dar, and Jaime, and Linni, and Nina, and Misty, and.............
Posted by: joan | July 25, 2008 at 09:31 AM
3 small words: I NEED HELP! LOL
Thanks for the great post. Soooooooo nice to know we're not alone in this world, blog world that is.
Roxie
Posted by: Roxie | July 25, 2008 at 07:54 AM
So sorry, I've really lost it, I HAVE! See, I've made - lets see well several comments and silly me kept scrolling down all the way to the end of the comments to be sure it posted. Then when I saw my comment didn't post, I would try again. And now you know I'm a complete blog junkie as here I am just now realizing that my comments did in fact post at the top. But I feel so STUPID now.
Oh well, at least you know why I'm off my rocker this morning. And I truly wish you a lovely day and a nice weekend.
Posted by: Debbie | July 25, 2008 at 07:39 AM
You just made my day! Loved this post and it's O so true and I just love the way you put wove those words.
And that picture at the end - well it was sheer joy and such a perfect ending. Thanks for the beautiful post! You made me smile.
Posted by: Debbie | July 25, 2008 at 07:32 AM
O this just MADE MY DAY! Wonderful Post ~ Amen, Amen!
And what a great picture at the end! It was far better than icing on the cake!
Can't wait to come back for another visit!
Posted by: Debbie | July 25, 2008 at 07:07 AM
That's my profile in those ten steps, it IS!!!!!
I HAVE TO GET A LIFE!!!
Posted by: Jan | July 25, 2008 at 05:19 AM
Wonderful Post, Lovely Post, And an O So True Post! But that picture of yours is amazing! I just love my visits here!
Posted by: Debbie | July 24, 2008 at 06:51 PM
some people paint, some dance, some scrapbook, some write...either way, it is expressing a creative soul and I don't see anything wrong with it...actually, I feel bad for those that don't have a passion for expressing themselves. I think blogging would be great therapy in itself so I say GO FOR IT! lol
Posted by: Peggy | July 24, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Perhaps blogging can become an obsession, but in my case, as my Mother would have said "I'm not taking food off of anyone's table, and I'm not keeping shoes off of any little feet". That's how she used to rationalize going to the casino and playing nickle slots when her girlfriends all swore they only went for the buffet.
Balance is the key word. I think you've got everything under control.
Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting. I'm very glad to know that you didn't attempt the test. I've been fearful of lead poisoning for years.
Cookie
Posted by: Cookie Sunshine | July 24, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Who me? Have a problem?? Not me! Nope. Not this girl.
Perhaps I can maybe identify with a few of these things on your list, but I'm not addicted. *wink*
I think the beautiful connections I have made with creative soul sisters like you, dear Robin, completely balance out any addictive qualities I might be exhibiting.
It's about balance...erm...well, I like to think I am finding some sort of balance.
xoxo
Posted by: rhayne | July 24, 2008 at 05:55 PM
Hee! This made me grin! Such a fun, insightful post.
Love,
A fellow addict (Cxx)
Posted by: Claire | July 24, 2008 at 05:00 PM
You are cracking me up. This is exactly right! So me, but I don't want an intervention. I love this post! It needs to be in Artful Blogging magazine. It's perfect. Also, this picture of you is completley amazing - so beautiful. Hey, when you get a chance, won't you please stop by my blog? I left something there I hope you will enjoy.
Posted by: Relyn | July 24, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Just got your message - fabulous! You better vote for my banana bread! (I'm totally kidding) See you then!
Posted by: rebekah | July 24, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Yes, I've been there....Hoping you are still coming out to the sale this weekend!
Posted by: rebekah | July 24, 2008 at 03:23 PM
I can't even imagine what you're talking about:)!
Posted by: Lori | July 24, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Okay, you've been spying on me. I can tell - you've peeked through my windows & noticed that HUGE pile of unfolded laundry on the chair next to my bed. You've paid attention to the fact that I can no longer go ANYWHERE without my camera. That there pieces of paper strewn about my house with odd comments or words - " parallel trunks: Wild Trees", "spoof Robert - white rifle picture". You've seen all that unopened mail, the unscrubbed tub. You KNOW I need a haircut.
I am SO blogging about this.
:) Debi
Posted by: Debi | July 24, 2008 at 02:54 PM
oooooh, i have had more sleepless night since i began my blog than i care to admit, and, zombie-like, i often find myself sitting in front of my laptop before i've even brushed my teeth in the morning! and now i am "just checking" my google reader at work. yet the blog has me taking photos, writing, and communicating with new friends on a daily basis. so how can that be bad, right?
Posted by: m. heart | July 24, 2008 at 12:59 PM
You described my sentiments perfectly!
I think the joy of blogging is that I can feel like I have experienced so many different emotions in a very short time which makes me feel energized and like I've accomplished something for the day.
Now if I could actually accomplish house cleaning or errand running as fast as I accomplish emotional payoffs from the web I'd be ecstatic.
Posted by: Jen the Mom | July 24, 2008 at 12:57 PM
What's on your Honey Bunny to do list?
Posted by: Cookie Monster | July 24, 2008 at 12:50 PM