It has been said that, “We learn from experience — we gain experience from making mistakes.” I tend to agree with that view. At least it seems to work that way for me. Your mileage may vary.
One lesson I have to learn anew from time to time is the need to pay attention to my body. It is important to observe and learn how the body reacts to what one does. To what one eats. To what one drinks. Body reactions are clues that should be examined and acted upon.
After the weekend excitement, I’ve decided that some changes are necessary in my life. I’ll be changing what and how I eat. I’ll drink more water and less Pepsi (my vice of choice).
I will be more active. That means spending less time in this chair in front of the computer monitor.
That will result in changes here on Secondary Roads. I’m going to try to continue to post on a daily basis. I started this blog as a way to connect with my immediate family, and that is working. I wanted the discipline of writing on a regular basis. Again, I’m satisfied with the results.
Along the way, I got involved in Entrecard and Adgitize. Adgitize has paid me a bit of money — not much for the effort involved. Entrecard has brought a lot of traffic to the blog and through EC I have found several friends. I spend a very significant portion of my day clicking on Adgitize ads and on Entrecards.
I have become aware that extra time on the computer adds stress in my life. I don’t understand the logic, if there is any, it just happens. I need to spend less time here. I left Adgitize once, but returned. Twice, I stopped accepting ads, gave away my EC credits and prepared to leave Entrecard. I never did leave.
After careful consideration, a talk with Sylvia and with my sister, Clara, I have decided to drop Entrecard and Adgitize. The widgets should be gone by the end of this week. I have talked about this with my two sons earlier.
This is a bit scary, but friends have left Entrecard and have told me that they do not regret their decision. Thanks Rita T, PJ and Colleen your help and encouragement is greatly appreciated.
If you visit only to drop, I’ll miss you. For the others, I do hope you’ll visit regularly and leave a comment so I’ll know you’ve driven down these Secondary Roads. Many of you regulars are already in my Firefox bookmark folders. I’ll add some more of you in the next few days. In enjoy reading your blogs, and I don’t want to give that up!
There are several programs waiting for me on the DVR and the recliner is calling my name. I’ll BCNU.
I really think leaving Entrecard is God's plan for my life. I've struggled for such a long time with this.. it's like an addiction! But the stress (and the constant gossip and contentions) are more than I can bear. Your decision made mine all the easier. Thank you so much, my friend! I intend on making deeper friendships. It was through EC that I made these friendships, and I am so grateful for that.
It seems that several of us are contemplating a change. I think God is trying to tell us something! So your "Lessons Learned" is the blog post for the MONTH, I think!
Chuck, sorry to hear all of this. I have learned some lessons as well. I've been sick with pneumonia since my trip to LA. As a result, I didn't do any dropping and barely posted. I'm feeling better now though just cannot get myself to drop EC anymore. I have two blogs and dropping 300 on two blogs is not only physically exhausting and mind numbing but a waste of time. I checked my stats during the time I was not dropping and there was NOT a decrease in traffic. So, I basically used all my credits with EC to advertise and once that is done, the widgets are coming down. I still do Adgitize because it's only a 51 blog drop with the advertising and I do make some money.
I've also realized that for me spending all this time on the blogs is not what i want to do anymore.
You have to do what is good and right for you. Your health is much more important than anything else.
Take care of yourself.
Chuck- You need to do what you need to do. Of course I met you through EC, and now consider you one of my fav blog buddies. (You could keep EC and just not stress out about dropping… But of course, it's your call.) I have to be honest and say that I am more faithful about visiting EC or Adg blogs since I need to be hitting them anyway, but I like yours well enough that I'll probably remember to stop by. Most of all I want you to be healthy… good food and more exercise is always great!
Even though it means traffic to your blog, the time you spend on EC is not worth risking your health! Take care of yourself first.
I think it's a good plan! Entrecard takes up way too much time and I'm thinking of dropping it too.
I just got caught up on your posts today. It's a bit stressful to stumble across all of those emotions all at once. You are ok, though? Yes? I hope so. You are making wise choices, and that is good. I love you. Do what's best for you and stay well!
i certainly haven't regretted leaving entrecard. even though it did bring traffic, like you said, most of it was only to drop and run. i much prefer the true friends that continue to stop over to actually read what i have to say or just to enjoy my grandbaby. the pressure that was relieved from canceling entrecard is well worth the diminished traffic. take care of yourself my friend, enjoy!
hugz!
Simplify, simplify, simplify —
I'll continue to follow!
Best to you.
Entrecard takes up far too much time that could be put to better use. I'm sure you won't regret removing it.
I've still got Entrecard on one blog but I don't really participate. I just drop when I see the widget on one of my favourite blogs. 🙂
I think you and I have talked this one to death. Go on, Chuck, do it! I hate EC and the obligation it demands, I don't know why I stay. I keep saying I'm gonna drop it too–we'll see.
In the meantime, clean up your diet and move more. I've got the diet thing going, but I need exercise. In fact, I just came in from snowblowing the driveway. 🙂 Hobbes bailed on me though–he preferred to barf on the floor for me to step into when I came in. Big help he is.
I hope you feel better, my friend. In all ways of your life.
This post is SO well-said and truthful as well. I've been a faithful follower of yours for a long time and, of course, visit without Entrecard. Hope you see your stress level wane with this decision. I know mine did.
Wishing you and Sylvia some quality time together since you'll have more free time! 🙂