Wow. I can’t believe that as of today I’ve been blogging for four years. I’m late getting this up, but I think that’s probably apt given how my reading and blogging life has been for the last nine months — always a little behind what I want to be doing. But I’m here, still trucking on as best I can.
I haven’t talked about my job much on the blog, so for those who don’t know, here are the basics: last August I took a job as the editor of a small, weekly newspaper in rural Minnesota. It’s exactly the job that I hoped to get when I finished grad school, which I love, but it’s also a lot of work. I spend most of my day out covering events, doing interviews, or writing stories for our print edition and website. It’s a challenging, awesome job, but it also takes a lot out of me. Blogging, and all the things that go with it, have taken a back seat more often than I care to admit.
But honestly? Even when I’m exhausted and can’t think of what to write about and don’t want to sit in front of a computer screen, I wouldn’t want to give this up. But I’m just not totally sure what direction I want to take the blog in that will keep it fun and manageable with this job. I’m pondering, a lot.
Rather than doing a Year in the Blog wrap-up like I’ve done in the past (Happy Third Blogiversary to Me!, My Two Year Blogiversary!, and Happy One Year Blogoversary!), I’m going to ask you all for some feedback in the form of a Reader Survey so that you all can help me out a little bit.
If you follow this link it will take you to an eight question survey. And as an incentive, I’m offering two $15 electronic gift certificates to the bookseller of your choice to two people who complete the survey. So that’s cool, right?
Anyway, this is a pretty anti-climactic post, I guess, for being a blogiversary celebration. Four years is a long time to do anything, long enough that there are inevitably going to be some growing pains. That’s what I’ve been feeling lately, growing pains. Can you have those online? I think so.
But this blog, and all of you, have grown with me, and I’m so grateful for that. Thank you for reading, thank you for commenting, thanks for being here. That’s really all!
(And take a minute to take my Reader Survey! It will make me happy!)
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Happy fourth!
Happy Blogiversary!
Four years is a long time to be blogging! Happy blogoversary and here’s to many more!
I didn’t realize (or perhaps I forgot) how close our blogs are in age! Our 4th blogiversary was just a month ago, although I didn’t join until a few months after Jenny started.
Anyway, happy blogiversary, and good luck in figuring out the whole work/life/blog balance.
Big time congrats. (4) years for me as well (the end of June).
I am happy that you made it to 4 years of successful blogging.
Happy Blogiversary! We totally understand the job has to come first at this point.
Happy blogoversary, Kim! How nice that you have the job you always wanted!
Happy 4th Bloggoversary!!! I think every year we continue to do this is an accomplishment. Life is pretty busy already, add-in one or two jobs, and well, time flies by. I think as long as you can enjoy doing at least one post a week, you should continue to blog. And blogging should be fun. Once it feels like a job, it’s time to re-evaluate what you really want to do.
Happy Blogiversary! Four years is a long time in blog years. Great job!
Kim, I certainly applaud you for keeping up such high quality blogging while balancing the demands of your job. I know a bit about how that goes, but I have to say, you do it with the utmost grace and thoughtfulness.
Cheers to many more!
Happy blogiversary, Kim! You’re right that four years is a long time to do anything, so congrats on this accomplishment! It’s been so fun to watch the site develop over the years, and I know that the best is still yet to come!
Happy blogoversary!
Growing pains can exist online, I’m sure of that! I’ve had quite enough of them myself, haha!
Happy blogiversary! Real life does have a tendency to get in the way.
Congratulations on 4 years! You were one of the first book bloggers I came to know, largely because of your South Park avatar. It was so memorable to me and really stuck. Cheers to many more years blogging!
Just wanted to say congrats! I have enjoyed following your blog the past few years and have suggested it to others that may be interested. I wish you continued success.
And I filled out your survey!
Congratulations! Four years… very, very impressive! I’m really glad you’re not thinking about giving it up, even though your job is so taxing. But it seems like you love what you do, both professionally and blogging wise, so that’s great!
Happy, happy blogoversary to you! I’m right behind you: my blog will turn four in three weeks. You’re right: when you do something for four years, no matter what it is, there will invariably be growing pains. But you’re doing great, and I hope to see you ’round these parts for many years to come!
Happy blogoversary! I haven’t figured out what to do with my blog either. As life gets more complicated, I’m finding I don’t have enough time to be as consistent with my posting and reading/commenting.
Happy Bloggiversary. I only discovered your blog this year and I’m so glad I did
Happy Blogiversary!! May you have many more
Happy Bloggiversary!!!
I adore your blog, even though it seems I’m always commenting and reading late. I’m sure with your busy job/life you get it. To many more.
Happy Bloggiversary!!! Keep up the good work!!!
Happy Bloggiversary!!
Happy Blogiversary! I hope you’re able to work things out so you can continue enjoying blogging
Happy happy slightly belated 4th! I don’t comment nearly as often as I’d like to, because I’m always ten miles behind on my blog-reading, but I love your posts and always come here when I want a good nonfiction recommendation. *hug*
Congratulations on four years! What a great milestone. Here’s to many more