This is probably long overdue, but I’ll feel much better getting it out in the open so it’s “official.” I’ve bitten off quite a bit this school year, including a new job, starting a doctoral program, and teaching a college course. Add into that the modestly successful podcast I work on with Melinda Miller, a soon-to-be 4-year-old and a daughter who just turned one and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
So something has to give.
After much reflection, for me it’s going to be the Universe. I’m not saying I will never pick up here again or post on occasion when I have something to write about – I’m sure I will – but finding time to craft any sort of meaningful, high-quality posts has proven to be exceedingly difficult given the papers I’m writing for grad school and the capstone class I’m teaching for teachers-to-be.
My prioritized list of commitments looks something like this:
- Being a good husband and father by making time for my family FIRST.
- Earning money to support my family by performing well at my day job.
- Passing my grad school classes.
- Teaching my undergrad class.
- Continuing to build the audience around our Practical Principals podcast.
Were it not for this blog, I would likely have missed out on the chance to meet (virtually, anyway…) some incredible people with whom I continue to interact via other means. So if you’re looking for me online these days, try here:
I just felt the need to make it official because I have felt this “weight” hanging over me; this feeling that I’m “slacking” by not keeping the Universe up-to-date.
Remember – this isn’t “good-bye,” it’s “see ya ’round.” I’m officially going on a blogging sabbatical.
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It’s hard to fit everything in. I thank you for your contributions to my thinking about presentations and classroom observations.
You’ve got your priorities in the right spot. Especially #1. See you on Twitter, GTalk, and wherever else we both happen to be.
Well, sad but somehow expected. I’m happy you say see ya and not the more drastic version. I worried about this when you started focusing on the collaborative blog, because to me your personal blog is so much more relevant than the other, which I don’t even remember the name of. But I understand the priorities, though I regret them. Hope to see you back and kicking here soon.
How bout a blog about your #1 priority?
As a parent of 4 children, all under the age of three, I have learned in a short, spastic amount of time, that what I do to tend to #2 is far less thought-provoking than anything I experience by being an involved parent.
Here’s hoping you read this comment, seeing as you’re giving this space up for some time.
Thanks for the comments and kind words. As an FYI, I’m taking a break – not abandoning this space. I still read the comments and as the mood strikes me will continue to post, just not on a frequent or regular basis.
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Ah. It is so nice to hear someone be honest about this. I think many of us are over extended and over-committed, particularly in the blogosphere. I do wonder, every now and then, when I come back to the computer and notice that my twitter stream is dominated by 5 or 6 men tweeting back and forth about banalities…
I think your taking stock and making choices is a healthy and respectable choice, and vocalising that decision is brave! It makes us, the readers, stop and think about our own lives and activities. I love how the Wii gives you an update on how much time you have spent online, and sends out a message after a certain interval of play time (something to the effect of ‘Why don’t you take a break? You can pause, you know’ and a picture of the outdoors!). With the calendar, you can check how much time you have spent playing each day.
There is only so much time in a day. Enjoy it while you can!