Thank You
To each and every person who has come by and helped me through this month, Thank you. I really wanted to at least answer every comment on the previous two posts before writing another but I had to.
I have so many people to visit and thank personally, it may take a little while to get it done. Many people who have really helped a lot, are folks I don’t even know! It is unbelievable the amount of love in the blogosphere. I may not have replied to all of you yet but I have been reading all the comments. It has helped so much, I am without words.
Lessons From Experience
Every blog and author is unique and each have their own tempo and personality. This blog gets a ton of comments and many are long and detailed. I love long comments and I love replying to them. I have been increasing the amount of good friends I have for some time. As a result, I was blogging at the same pace as when I only had a dozen or so friends.
When you are dealing with that many people, it is impractical to visit all of them everyday or even every other day for that matter. That is one thing I struggle with. I think if I visit this person, all their visitors will know I was there and so I feel a need to make sure everyone is visited so everyone is getting the same attention.
I will no longer be doing that! I do suffer depression which I have come to realize is not something I can control all the time. I always thought I could and such is the reason I have never tried medications for my condition. I was sure I didn’t need to even consider them. I am trying some and I hope they help.
New Approaches
The way I have always dealt with depression isn’t working. For the last 3 months, I have felt great and positive. Then the depression took hold. It has disappeared just like it arrived, out of the blue. One day I am in a world of despair and the next I’m feeling normal. I am thankful that my readers understand. It’s been a life saver.
I feel fine now and will be pacing myself and not letting my blog become a source of stress. My blog is my retreat from stress, thus it will be much more relaxed. I am taking the wonderful advice of my readers. I will be by to visit you all.
An Idea
I think I need a reader management system. A program that lets me know who I visited and commented on and who I maybe neglecting. Wouldn’t that be a great thing to have? If you have a friend based blog, it is impossible to not let some people become visited less frequently. I like everyone so I really wish there was something that could help manage that.
I am back and will be visiting EVERYONE. All of you are amazing and friendly. I have some 30 new friends too. I can’t wait to get to know you all.
Here’s to you all with a lotta love,
Bobby



#1 by emila at November 18th, 2007
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Bobby!!!! Great to see you back!! Reader management system is good, hope somebody will implement it soon!
emila’s last blog post..Superstition – IF
#2 by Jeni Hill Ertmer at November 18th, 2007
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Good to see you posting again – and also that you are trying meds as well. Depression is often caused by a chemical imbalance and meds are needed to re-establish the proper connections there -nothing wrong with taking them, not at all!
Jeni Hill Ertmer’s last blog post..Plus and Minus
#3 by Diane at November 18th, 2007
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Glad to hear you are feeling better and blogging again – that is good news!
Pace yourself and take it easy
Diane’s last blog post..Pink with polka dots
#4 by Random Magus at November 18th, 2007
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Hey Bobby great to see you back. I myself took a long break from blogging. A reader mangement system would be glorious really
Random Magus’s last blog post..A matter of the heart… or the brain??
#5 by darlene at November 18th, 2007
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so glad you are back, as this will i think perhaps help you through it a bit….
darlene’s last blog post..Birthday Celebration of Someone I Love
#6 by clairec23 at November 18th, 2007
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I still think you’re taking too much on by trying to visit everyone’s blog. Personally, when I leave a comment, I don’t expect the person to visit my blog – I do it because I have something to say or I like their blog, most of the people I regularly visit don’t visit me back but I don’t mind because that’s not what it’s about. You don’t owe anybody anything. Judging by the amount of commentator friendly plugins on your site, you definitely don’t need to be visiting every single person that leaves you a comment. You’re already rewarding people that comment what with top commentators and the commentluv. Don’t take everything upon yourself. Visit blogs if they interest you and if you have time, don’t make it an obligation.
I’m glad you’re feeling better and if the meds are helping, keep taking them. But look after yourself either way. That’s the most important thing. Depression can creep up on anyone at anytime. We may not understand why it comes or why it goes but the key is to take care of yourself, put yourself first for a change. I came here because of your link on AntiBarbie’s site so you don’t know me but I still think I’m right
clairec23′s last blog post..NaNoWriMo Update And A Change of Heart
#7 by WaterLearner at November 18th, 2007
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That sounds like the dude I know!! Please just visit my blog once a week or once every two weeks. Our friendship established is strong enough for that!
Glad that you are getting well.
Have a Good Week Ahead!
WaterLearner’s last blog post..Pictures Speak Thousands of Words
#8 by Rolando at November 18th, 2007
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Hey Bobby, we’re just glad you’re back. Take your time and definitely pace yourself. If I see any comment management system I’ll let you know. You just take it easy.
Rolando’s last blog post..Blogger?s Thanks
#9 by Janice at November 18th, 2007
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I’m actually feeling moody today but starting to get better after seeing your comment over at mine. I love the idea of the reader mgmt system. That’s gonna be a cool thing to start off
Glad to have you back Bobby, really
Janice’s last blog post..New Playground at IMM
#10 by Brown Baron at November 18th, 2007
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I’m ecstatic to see you up and about! Don’t feel obligated to visit everyone. Nobody will feel neglected. We’re your family, not your clients. We missed you
Brown Baron’s last blog post..Brown Talk #24: Community Day Sunday
#11 by Robin Lee Sardini at November 18th, 2007
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It’s so good to hear that you’re feeling better! Wow..that’s a great relief to you I’m sure, but to lots of others here…Thanks for posting.
Easy does it.
Robin Lee Sardini’s last blog post..Answers Will Come
#12 by Diana13 at November 18th, 2007
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I’m glad you’re back again! I was worry about you and I hope that everything it’s OK now for you. Take it easy and try to have care about your personal life, too.
Diana13′s last blog post..5 question about running a contest
#13 by Anonymous at November 19th, 2007
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Hi Bobby,
I noticed you haven’t posted my comments, probably cause they’re anonymous..That’s fine, I do hope you read them though..
Especially since, I wanted to give you a big Thank YOU back.. I’m right in the middle of a depression myself (which is the reason I’m posting anonymous, the struggle is hard enough as it is..).
I’m also, just as you seem to have been, fighting the idea that I can control this myself.. That I don’t need that stupid medication to ‘fix this’, that exercise and a strong mind will conquer this.. I’m right now realising that medication might be the way, the only way. Reading about your struggle and decision helps me. Helps me a lot. Thanks for that!!!
Do take good care of yourself okay? From reading your posts, e.g. the beautiful one on blogging for humanity (one of the main themes of my own blog), I can tell you are a good person. Everyone can sense that, so don’t loose yourself on feeling the need to divide your attention or anything. They appreciate you for who you are, and understand that your time is limited.
So, only do what really feels good for yourself.. I do believe friendship is about quality, not quantity..
Thank you again, and my best wishes to you!
#14 by WaterLearner at November 19th, 2007
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Yups Bobby,
Go cheer Janice up. She is moody today.
WaterLearner’s last blog post..Pictures Speak Thousands of Words
#15 by WaterLearner at November 19th, 2007
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Hey Bobby,
One more thing that I have been wanting to tell you…
My PageRank has now dropped to ZERO!!!
But I am ok with it. I rank my page by the quality of friendship that I have established. With great buddies like you … I am ranking myself PageRank 10!!! Yippeeeee!!!
Thick skin huh?….
WaterLearner’s last blog post..Pictures Speak Thousands of Words
#16 by @}-- ruby --{@ at November 19th, 2007
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i’m happy to read your post, glad you’re doing fine
i’m quite busy at work for the past 2 weeks now, got no time to check out lately, good thing i take a peek today!
@}– ruby –{@’s last blog post..What is Life has to Offer?
#17 by Maketraffic at November 19th, 2007
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Hi Bobby, Glad to know you are back! I share your above sentiments and are delighted at your new approach. In fact you inspired me to blog at my own pace.
To that i dedicate this post to you
http://projectheavytraffic.blogspot.com/2007/11/lets-continue-to-blog.html
Cheers!
MakeTraffic – for more Web Traffic
Maketraffic’s last blog post..Finally! I signed up for PPP!
#18 by Edward at November 19th, 2007
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Any tips on getting so much comments on your blog?
#19 by Kate at November 19th, 2007
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Yay! It’s great to see you back in Blogland
Don’t take on too much, and look after yourself.
Kate’s last blog post..The 20 most reread books: It really is all about character
#20 by Genie Princess at November 19th, 2007
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Welcome back Bobby!
Genie Princess’s last blog post..B in Manchester!
#21 by Daniel @ Daily Bits at November 19th, 2007
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Good to see that the blog is helping with personal issues as well.
Keep it up.
Daniel @ Daily Bits’s last blog post..17 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas for Your Website
#22 by Mighty Morgan at November 19th, 2007
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Hey Bobby…good to have you back and I’m glad you pulled out of the depression. Just know that your never alone.
Hugs
Morgan
#23 by Judy at November 19th, 2007
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Bobby, I am glad you have returned, I am one of those people that feel : Your Blog is your retreat. It is something you love, so don’t stress out over it. I also know that pressure to visit, comment and pass on Meme’s, awards and join things. That alone can make it hard to enjoy Blogging. I have decided that it is MY blog and I will do as I please with it , so I visit when and where I can, I comment if I feel like it and I pass up Memes I don’t want to do or awards I don’t wish to pass on. Its MY Blog and I retreat there…. I understand depression, I have suffered that too, mine came from growing up abused and also from suffering losses of 2 Sons, I understand! I know in my heart that you will jump back when you need to and return stronger for it, Peace my Brother…
Feel the love……
#24 by blur ting at November 19th, 2007
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Hi Bobby, sorry I haven’t been visiting. I heard that you’re feeling down from other blogs and quickly come by to say hello. Glad to hear that you’re feeling better now. I wish I had more time to read everyone’s blogs as frequently as I wished. I can imagine you have such a big fan base and it can get rather tedious to plough through all that… anyhow, do pace yourself. We all start blogging as a way to destress , so the last thing we want is for it to overtake our lives and become a stressful activity.
Take care Bobby!
blur ting’s last blog post..Back from Vietnam
#25 by Janice at November 19th, 2007
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Janice’s last blog post..Zac’s Class Photo
#26 by David at November 20th, 2007
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Glad to hear things are going better for you
David’s last blog post..Stress And Anxiety Ruling Your Life? Try This Furry Solution!
#27 by Mel at November 20th, 2007
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Bobby,
YOUR BACK ………….YES!!!
You put far too much pressure on yourself. Even in this post your are talking about how you have to visit everyone. Please pace yourself. As you get more and more friends it will become impossible to visit everyone. Please don’t try. You blog has to be your place where you can express yourself and feel safe. we will understand!!!!!
Mel’s last blog post..Cats in a CD Store
#28 by Marcel Legros at November 20th, 2007
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Hi Bobby,
Every time I visit your blog, I’m struck by your compassion and how approachable you make yourself in every post. You’re bringing humanity back into a blogging world where everyone is talking about their last great post. People forget there is a real human being on the other end of that post, with problems and feelings, just like themselves.
I too suffer from major bouts of depression and I stop writing for weeks at a time. I’ve always rejected medication because of the fear of losing the highs along with the lows. We always come out the other side, often feeling a little more gratitude for the people that make our lives more meaningful.
Thanks for the post. It’s a breath of fresh air.
Marcel Legros
http://www.marcellegros.com/
Marcel Legros’s last blog post..How To Create a Revolution Right Now
#29 by Aaron Cook at November 21st, 2007
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So glad to see you back buddy. I hope you feel rejuvenated and positive. Just take your time with things and remember that reading blogs and commenting isn’t supposed to be a drain on you. When it is, then that’s the sign that you’re attempting to do too much at a time. So don’t spread yourself too thin buddy.
#30 by Sueblimely at November 21st, 2007
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Seeing this blog post has made my day
I am so glad you are feeling much better – it is obvious that you have many good friends here who must appreciate your visits and comments – but being good friends, as well as being bloggers who understand how busy and stressful it can become, they will appreciate the occasional visit as much as very regular ones.
Have you ever tried keeping track of comments you leave on other blogs using http://www.cocomments.com ? I think this is a wonderful tool. Not only does it give me a record of where I have left comments and on which post but it is great to know when to go back to respond again if necessary.
Anonymous – I was always loath to take drugs for my anxiety/depression. Then I discovered that there was a genetic reason for it all. I am a carrier of Fragile X Syndrome. Carriers do not have any intellectual problems but do have issues with hormone and chemical imbalances. After persisting with a few different anti-depressants I was put on one which started working within days – it seems I had too much of a kind of adrenaline in my system all the time . I have never looked back – my life has changed so much.
I am perhaps fortunate to have discovered a physical cause so I could view the illness as any other illness – which we would not hesitate to treat with all at our disposal. With the advances in genetic research I am certain that more such physical causes are going to be found. My only regret perhaps is that I did not persist with medication and other kinds of therapy earlier in life.
Sueblimely’s last blog post..Be The Blog Award
#31 by shiera at November 22nd, 2007
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Hello Bobby!
Nice to see more entries from you.
Yes, it’s really hard to manage blog visits… especially if you couldn’t blog in the office!
Before, I do half of my blog visits in the office and do the other half and posting at home.
But no pressure though, as long as we could see new posts from time to time.
Your blogger buddies understand that you like to visit everyone…
Happy Thanksgiving!
shiera’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #2
#32 by Colin at November 24th, 2007
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Good to see you back Bobby
and apologies for not popping over sooner.
Like Sue I use http://www.cocomment.com to track comments so I know where I have been and can follow up.
You take care and blog as and when you feel like it…..readers are loyal and still return
Have a great weekend
Colin
Colin’s last blog post..The Internet is Like A Dick
#33 by Mark at November 29th, 2007
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Hey Bobby, this is good news indeed!
Mark’s last blog post..Recently posted
#34 by Jean at December 3rd, 2007
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hello bobby! reader management sounds good. but in the meantime till you found this system, i’ll be your manual “system”. i can give you a warning letter if you havent viist my blog for a straight whole month. by doing so, you dont have to worry about me feeling neglected.
what about it?
Jean’s last blog post..Go By Pair
#35 by Revellian at November 19th, 2007
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Hi Emila! Thanks:) It might need to be a manual type system where you check off on a list, like a simple chart. We’ll see!!!!
#36 by Revellian at November 19th, 2007
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Hi Jeni! I hope they help because I don’t want to go through that again! Thanks so much
#37 by Revellian at November 19th, 2007
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Hi Diane! I will take your advice! Why? Because my methods ain’t doin’ it…LOL!!!
#38 by Revellian at November 19th, 2007
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Hi Amber! I just wish I had politely announced a break. I cannot seem to go quietly…he he! I must come see you!
#39 by Revellian at November 19th, 2007
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Hi Darlene! Once I started, it felt good. I will stop and break anytime I get stressed! Thank you
#40 by Revellian at November 19th, 2007
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Hi clairec23! Well, I will do it slowly…and not try too hard. If I like a blog, I like commenting. I won’t do it out of a feeling of obligation. I’ll keep an eye on myself! You are right. I must visit you soon
#41 by Revellian at November 19th, 2007
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Thanks Karen…see, I took your advice exactly! Thanks for helping me
#42 by Revellian at November 19th, 2007
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Hi Rolando! Definetly. I will blog when it feels good to do it. It’s nice to be back too
#43 by Revellian at November 19th, 2007
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Hi Janice! Moody? I must come bring you some cheer!!!!
#44 by Revellian at November 19th, 2007
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Thanks Brown Baron! I need to thank some folks and I’ll do it one at a time at an easy pace. I would feel good about it. I missed you!
#45 by Revellian at November 19th, 2007
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Hi Robin! It’s actually feeling good to blog some. I will listen to your advice too
#46 by Revellian at November 19th, 2007
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Thanks Diana13, it’s nice to see you! I’ll enjoy the positivity when it’s here!