For those of us in the U.S., we are heading into the Memorial Day weekend, and the unofficial start of summer. Some of you might be taking vacations that are kicked off by the long weekend, and some of you might be making a weekend getaway … like me. No, I’m not telling you where I’m going, it’s a getaway!
I can’t tell you how excited I am … I haven’t had a vacation in almost six months and I need a few days off.
Let me repeat that, with periods for emphasis.
I. Need. A. Few. Days. Off.
There, that feels better.
The question
Not that long ago, over on Facebook (have you liked the SBC Page yet, btw? No? I’m crushed!) we asked some folks what they like to do over a long weekend. Here are some of the answers (thank you Brian Vickery, Melissa Connolly, Jeri Wigdahl and Ian Cleary for playing along):
Note not a single person said, “Work more.” I have no doubt that some of us might do some work over the weekend, but I for one, hope to do none at all. I love my work, but I love it more when I get a periodic break from it. And by that I mean a real break, not a fake break where I’m constantly peeking at my iPhone, even though it is named Patti.
A holiday
So in that vein, WUL is going dark tomorrow through Monday (Memorial Day). We’ll be back on Tuesday with a new posting schedule until we figure out our blogging sweet spot … or, until the current sweet spot becomes unpalatable and we need to change things up again.
Yes. A blogging holiday. Just like my friends occasionally take (and that I’ve taken in the past as well). Once in a while, it’s a smart thing to do.
A new posting schedule
I asked you a question earlier in the week, and some of you responded (thank you!)… and for anyone who still feels like answering, I’d love it! But the sense I get is that you care more about quality than quantity, and you don’t want the team or I to burn out from the anxiety of “having” to post to WUL.
So, beginning next week, we’re going to try a new posting schedule: three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (and if any one of those days is a holiday, we’ll post before/after). We’ll try to do a weekly roundup on Mondays, a guest post on Wednesdays, and a post from me on Fridays.
This way we can focus on quality content instead of posting for the sake of it, and my guest bloggers will get a bit of a reprieve from my frantic cries for posts! We’ll see how this works… maybe there will be the odd extra post here and there too, but I don’t know right now. I do know that dialing down the frequency will take some of the anxiety of publishing regularly to WUL away. That is a good thing, since I shouldn’t be anxious about a blog, and community, I love.
So, to all of you also getting ready for the holiday weekend, have a safe and happy one. To those celebrating life in general – way to go!
And thank you, as always, for walking the same road as WUL. We really, really appreciate you.
![[EVENT]: PR Hacks for Small Biz (online)](https://shonaliburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/FB-Ad-1200x800-01-01-01-Copy-500x383.jpeg)
I think you’ll find that the effort you spend on writingwill be the same, but you’ll feel less pressure, and produce better work. For example, this morning I am enjoying some work on fiction instead of blogging because I can, and that makes the blogging more enjoyable, too. Have a great holiday.
geoffliving I am, Geoff. Already, because we’ve switched up the format, I’m feeling less stressed, and we actually have guest post scheduled for a month. A MONTH! Ordinarily, I’d be having a conniption right now. I still have my own “real” writing to do, but I can write with love as opposed to cortisol.
How was your holiday, my friend? And sorry for coming by late, but I was trying to practice what I’ve been preaching!
Shonali geoffliving I hear you! I am also late on comments frequently. And you can tell that the posts are happier.
Holiday was good. Planning a two week break in Scandivaia and perhaps Russia this September. Now that will be awesome!
geoffliving Yes, I really can (tell that the posts are happier). Scandinavia & Russia – how cool! So… I’m thinking you should come over for dinner before then… maybe in August?
Have a great break, I think in the US people don’t take enough breaks. Breaks can be really productive as you come back with fresh ideas and feel refreshed. I was blogging 2 days a week and now moved to 3 days – Monday, Wednesday and Friday!! I thin that will work really well!!!
iancleary You are SO right! On the blogging front, though – you actually increased your frequency, if I read your comment correctly? And that’s still working for you?
MWF is what we’re going to try as well. I know there’s a school of thought that says you should publish when people have down time… I get that, but honestly, I don’t think it’s fair for my guest bloggers (or me) to have to give up their personal time (I can do it somewhat, I don’t think it’s fair of me to ask it of others) to stick around for comments, etc… I mean, “life” has to happen as well!
Have a GREAT getaway, Shonali! Krista and I went a step further and entered a Memorial Day tennis tournament. I’m playing mixed doubles with her…and men’s doubles. The weather should be beautiful, we got the youngest daughter “all graduated”, last bit of family got taken to the airport today, so time to catch up on rest and relaxation!
Of course I’ve already liked the SBC Fan Page…hasn’t everyone?!?
dbvickery That sounds terrific, and I hope you do very well in the tournament! And thank you for the “like” – no, not everyone has. :( Have a great weekend, Brian!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! We just had our long weekend/Victoria Day holiday here in Canada, and I miss it already :) But I celebrate life in general, each and every day. (a little self-serving note here: if you haven’t had a chance to read my latest “broken pieces” post, it’s pretty timely for the hiatus you’re taking: I think it will resonate with you:) Cheers! Kaarina
KDillabough Canada gets no days off. That is per Mr. Harper who is concerned slactivism has caught on and wants to nip it in the bud. He announced that just before leaving for his summer vacation in Greenland.
Howie Goldfarb You should be a comedy writer… has anyone ever told you that? ;) I can just see you going head to head with Dennis Miller! KDillabough
KDillabough When I moved here from India, I was aghast at how few holidays there are. I think iancleary has it absolutely right, we take far too few holidays here in the US – is it the same in Canada? I haven’t had a chance to stop by your blog recently, Kaarina, but will do so as soon as I can, promise!