Next month will mark six years since I began blogging on a weekly basis. Over the past six years, I haven’t missed a Sunday. I’m rather proud of that record, although my intention is not to brag about this accomplishment. On the other hand, I recognize that it takes a lot of discipline to show up every week with something that will be of value to my readers.
And don’t worry, I’m not stopping—but I am rethinking one element of my blogging life.
As my writing and editing business has grown over the past seven years, I’ve sometimes struggled to honor time off and find work-life balance. As a result, I’ve been pondering how to give myself a true sabbath, a real day of rest each week. I well remember, as the Human Resources manager for a nonprofit, how frequently I had to encourage staff to take their earned time off. Our culture just does not support a healthy balance of work and play, stress and sabbath rest.
Because of that, I have honored Sundays as my sabbath whenever possible. (In fact, as I noted in the second post linked above, I negotiated a higher “Sunday rate” with one client in order to minimize work done on my sabbath day.)
However, I’ve always posted to my own blog on Sundays. This began because I considered my Prayerful Pondering posts to be a type of spiritual Sunday offering. As a result, I need to get on my computer or phone every Sunday morning to share the new post on social media and LinkedIn. I also frequently need to get back to the screen later in the day to respond to your comments. I do not resent that at all (please keep commenting!), but it does mean that I’m not giving my body, brain, and spirit the screen break that it really needs.
So, while Sunday posting is a hard habit to break, I think it’s time.
For some of you, this might not matter at all. One of my regular followers has told me that she reads my posts on Monday mornings at the office, as a way to help ease into the work week. For others of you, this might mean a disruption to your Sunday routine. For that, I apologize.
I’m also curious. I could post on Saturday or on Monday. I’m inclined toward Monday, so that you have a dose of Prayerful Pondering to balance whatever else might hit you as the work week begins. On the other hand, if I post on Saturday mornings, those of you who love to read my blog on Sunday mornings could still do that.
So…I’d really like your feedback. Would you prefer I post on Saturdays or Mondays? Please respond in the comments, or send me an email, and let me know what you prefer. I’ll let you know the results when I post next week—either one day earlier or one day later than you’re used to!
Finally, I’ll leave you in my usual fashion: with questions. What well-established routines in your own life might need revisiting? What changes could support more work-life balance in your own weekly schedule?
Interesting… I have been asking myself this question too: revamping routines. No decision yet, but pondering.
In response to your question: I prefer Saturday with availability on Sunday. I get ” Monday Matters” – another interesting blog so having your inspired words on Sunday a good option. If not then, a totally different idea- some kind of “wrap up” on Friday – the week in hindsight!
It really does not matter too much: I will read whenever you show up knowing there will be some tid bit for me to chew on and “inwardly digest” for a few days. In retirement the days seem to blur anyway…it’s all good. What’s important is what will nourish your body mind and soul: we’ll be here!
Thank you, Joyce, for your thoughtful reply and suggestion of a Friday possibility. Given that I have usually set aside Friday to write my post, I’d have to do more re-working of my week for that…but I am glad to add that option to the discernment process. I’m glad that my blog is part of your ongoing digestion of life in retirement….
Peace,
Shirin
I vote for whatever gives you the best true Sabbath, and my guess is that would be a Monday blog post. Hey, you could even write it on Saturday.
I’m always tweaking my own work-life balance. Monday mornings I do part of our accounting, my husband having started it on Saturdays. So that’s Money Mondays, followed in the afternoon by Miscellany Monday. Tuesday through Friday mornings I work on my current book. Those afternoons I blog and do other worky projects. We have a standing lunch date with a couple of friends on Tuesdays downtown, followed by our weekly grocery shopping. Another standing get-together with other friends just got moved to Thursday dinners, because I’m now doing water aerobics on Mondays (except Vestry day) and Wednesdays close to the dinner hour. Saturday is housework and home-related projects, some trips to the farmers’ market also. My basic position on housework is that if I don’t do my share on Saturday, it can wait a week. And so it goes.
Thank you, Rosana, for your feedback and support. I generally write the posts on Fridays, unless something has come to me earlier, so either day will work, but waiting til Monday gives me more flexibility…we shall see. I agree that work-life balance is always a work in progress!
Peace,
Shirin
Seems like that is best for you and therefore your readers. Good example!
Thank you, Sally, for your contributions to this discussion!
I would put the question back to you. What inspires your writing the most? The idea of a new beginning after a day of rest… Or do you find that reflections at the end of your week are calling to be shared? I could be wrong, but I would wager that your Sunday is more likely to be a day of rest if you’re not having to be thinking about writing something on Monday. It’s possible that the blog will bring you more joy if you are responding to the call of the holy than to the duty of meeting our needs. “Where your deep joy and the world’s hunger meet,” As Mr. Buechner would say.
Thank you, Barbara, for your great, spiritual-guidance type questions. I usually write it on Fridays, so I have a day of leeway to write on Saturday if need be, in order for it to post on Sundays. It’s the responses that end up being my “sabbath work.” You do make a good point about what will inspire me…that is definitely something to take to prayer!
Peace,
Shirin
Wise reply!
Hi Shirin
It really doesn’t matter to me if it’s either Saturday or Monday because I’m going to read your blog! I rarely miss one and they generally make me stop and think about what you’re presenting.
You definitely need a day off. God has mandated it and He even showed us His example. Sorry to say, but as you age you’ll feel the need for it too. Not only physically but really emotionally and mentally.
Do you have something else that can absorb your complete attention? Gardening? A craft? Pleasure reading? Spent time involved in something else that can refresh you.
Take care, my dear friend. God and I and a whole lotta people don’t want you to burn out before your time!
Love and hugs
Nila
Thank you, Nila. I’m glad you rarely miss a post and that they do help you to stop and think. I agree that I need a day off…and if there’s one thing that does tend to absorb my attention on a day off, it’s a good book. The gardening has to be done early in the mornings this time of year, so I tend to do a little each day after my morning walk. So those two things do refresh me. Thank you for the reinforcement to not burn out! 🙂
Peace,
Shirin
Hi Shirin! I vote for Monday postings. I admit my vote should have little influence on your decision because my reading of any blog is very uneven and haphazard. It just feels Mondayish to me–more Mondayish than Saturdayish–to post. It seems a good way to begin the work week, rather than end it. In any case, I celebrate, honor, and support your sabbath practice. Yay, you!
Thank you, Rachel, for your vote, and your vote of confidence!
Peace,
Shirin
Dear Shirin,
Your blog is a blessing in my life that is meaningful, no matter what day I receive it. I echo many of the previous comments – whatever will fit with your spiritual and physical needs is best for me. Your rested and refreshed mind and spirit will provide all of us your insights and wisdom at its best. Love and blessings, Linda
Thank you, Linda! It’s good to know my posts are blessing you, and it is definitely true that a sabbath day supports my refreshed and Spirit-tuned mind and heart. Love and blessings to you as well!
Peace,
Shirin
Shirin, I agree with others who have posted that it doesn’t matter; I will read your posts no matter when it hits my inbox. I am happy that you are focusing on having a Sabbath and I really appreciate and admire your example.
Thank you, Sondra! I’m glad to be an admirable example, too. 😉
Peace,
Shirin
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after looking at some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m definitely pleased I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!
You’re welcome anytime, Stephen. I’m glad you’ve found pleasure reading here.
Peace,
Shirin