All change!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed blogging on a weekly basis for some time now, albeit with breaks twice a year, but recent changes have led me to consider a changed posting schedule. At the present, I’m pondering whether to move to fortnightly, monthly, or even an as-and-when the muse strikes basis.

Unsurprisingly, along with those thoughts come musings about whether to change the blog in other ways – primarily what I write about. Do I go less light-hearted magazine-style and go deeper, posting on more serious topics, or stick with the current format? I’ll be honest, I’m far from decided, so if you’ve any thoughts to offer me on this subject while I’m still in ponder mode, please do share.

Two big things have altered causing me to consider this change. The first is the nature of my work which is very full on, unlike the more laid-back schedule which my previous role offered. The second is that Himself has become less well, and most of the tasks he previously handled are now coming my way. In the past few weeks, I’ve had no time to read, which feels both like a massive loss and isn’t something I’m prepared to accept without attempting to find a solution. I’ve even adjusted my morning alarm call from 6am to 5.30am, just to allow myself an uninterrupted half-hour window to drink a cup of tea before getting onto the treadmill which is now my typical weekday.

But worse yet, I’m struggling to find time to read and comment on all your blogs – blogs which I’ve enjoyed for so long, and miss. I find myself interrupted mid-comment so many times that I’m never sure if I’ve submitted a comment and it’s been put into jail, or whether I simply didn’t get to the end and hit submit!

I’ll probably try a few options on for size over the coming weeks and months to see what works best, ‘cos there’s no doubting I miss the writing process whenever I’ve taken a break.

For now, I’m not sure what the long-term holds for Debs Despatches, but hope to be able to work it out before we get to the end of the year when I take my usual break.

Please chuck your thoughts and experiences of making changes to your blog my way – either in the comments here, via the contact page, or by email if you prefer.

Ā© Debs Carey, 2026

14 thoughts on “All change!”

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  2. The only time that I felt pressure about writing a blog post was when I was writing for another blog, a themed, curated blog that I was invited to write for. I made it a year but then moved on. I’ve always been a random blogger with no set schedule but then blogging for me has never been about routines or growing an audience. It’s just a place to put my thoughts and share life with a small group of friends. I changed the name a few years back to reflect my focus as I reached 65 and now am on the aging journey. I started that monthly review as a new thing after moving to Colorado but as you know, if I have something to say then I’ll post about it whenever. There is no schedule.
    As Neil said, I think you will find what seems balanced and right for you given your changing situations and responsibilities. I quite enjoy just reading and commenting on blogs and keeping my own writing to that random level. I do hope that you find you want to continue in some way. It’s been lovely getting to know you and talk about some interesting topics and life in general šŸ™‚

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  3. Thank you Neil, I think taking my time as you say, is the best way to get it right. I’ve had a terrible tendency to go from one extreme to the other in the past, and am trying to avoid repeating that daft practice!

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  4. Deb, I did wonder if I was jumping the gun with making this call, but felt so relieved having made the decision, it was clearly needed.

    I’m the same as you, I enjoy the writing and I enjoy the interaction with the few people who are in my blog world. I like the idea of having some form of monthly round-up, although I’m not sure what format it will take yet, but doubtless that will evolve over time. Thank you for your kind words, I’ve enjoyed our interactions very much too and would miss them too much to step away completely from blogging.

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  5. The struggle to find time to comment on other blogs while also responding to the comments on my own is real. Iā€™m glad you mentioned it here. I love the community and connection that comes with blogging, but all of that takes time. I donā€™t currently have a job, so I honestly canā€™t imagine how those who do find the time to keep up with it all!

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  6. Whatever schedule you decide on, it should never come with pressure. Technically, I have a random posting schedule, but it’s almost always twice a week. If more than 3-4 days go by without posting, I get twitchy. But that’s just me.

    I agree with what Kari wrote…and I do have a job. Thankfully, it’s not a nose-to-the-grindstone one. Still, I’m amazed to be able to keep up with everyone as well as I do.

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  7. It does take time Kari, but I never found it particularly onerous with my previous job. That said, with this job I’m finding it difficult to hydrate properly and have to rush to the toilet between calls, as I rarely get much time in between calls. It’s my own fault to an extent because I never hurry people and let them talk if they want to. It is the company’s preferred way, but I know many others doing my job manage to get through their calls a lot quicker than I do. But I wouldn’t get half as much job satisfaction if I was hurrying people up all the time. Just have to figure out a way to balance it all.

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  8. I’ve never felt pressured before Mark, but I guess two large changes at the same time have had their impact. If things improve, there’s always room for me to add in extra posts. I do like the order of a regular schedule, but it may be that keeping it random will work best for me, allowing me to respond to the blogging twitch when I have the time.

    You do keep up with people in blogland impressively well. I think you’ve got a very healthy balance in your life; I’m going to keep adjusting till I get one back in mine.

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  9. Yeah, it is definitely hard to me to blog these days, too. Plus so many have left the community. I tend to be more on Threads these days. The shorter form reaches more people with less effort.

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  11. Sorry to hear you’re so busy, Debs. I’m in pretty much the same boat myself, as my husband is not well and needs a lot of looking after (although I’m no longer working). As you will be aware, I’ve not been able to keep up my blogging schedule either. (And I also have a newsletter, which is also lapsing.)

    Don’t knock yourself up. Many bloggers blog very occasionally. Many of the Insecure Writers Support Group, who are supposed to post every month (or be thrown out) only blog once a month (for IWSG), and this is the position I’m in.

    Sorry you’re not finding time to read. A day without reading is not a day and, if I don’t manage even a few pages, I don’t feel right. Even carers need some respite, and, if your respite is to read, you must do it.

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  12. Rosemary, I’m sorry to hear about your husband and, by extension, the fact that your time is heavily committed in his care. It’s a struggle and I’ve not even been able to keep up with my IWSG posts for a while. But, having not written anything (or read much) in a while…

    You understood my feeling about reading. I have been forcing myself to carve out space, even if only for a few pages here and there, and it has helped. But working to carve out proper reading chunks, even if no as indulgent as previously.

    Sending all my best to you for finding time for yourself too, this caring malarkey can be so draining.

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