Should I bother updating?

[drwex]

I can't do actual polls but feel free to comment: Should I make (occasional) posts of the "here's what I did this weekend" type?

Mostly I don't, for a couple reasons. One is I don't imagine more than one or two people are interested and one of those lives through the same events anyway. Unlike some guys I know I'm happy to have a "here's what happened today" chat with my partner when I get home. The only things I don't tell her are surprises I'm planning for her.

Two is that I often (guiltily) skim or skip others' updates. If something major happened I figure I'll hear about it. People often make significant events into separate postings. I already try to post about the significant stuff; do I really need to make posts other people will skim or skip?

Three is life-envy. My friends do way more interesting and exciting things than I do, whether it's going to movies, shows, museums, or traveling all over the world, going to Burning Man, etc. Me? My version of exciting is managing my dad's visit (easy) and also managing to get the family out for dinner once, out to a pool party for a few hours, and not letting the house fall into disaster state while the wifey is away (succeeded on laundry, dishes, and trash; failed on cutting the grass - you see how boring this stuff is?)

All opinions welcome; if you feel better saying something anonymously that option is open too. I'm not feeling bad, nor am I particularly looking for ego-boo.

Comments

[hlmt.livejournal.com]

*shrug* I'm into the mundane... It's part of you, and that's what I'm interested in. =)

[caulay.livejournal.com]

It's your LJ, post what you want to post.

[make-your-move.livejournal.com]

You don't have to post weekend updates all the time ... but yes, posting some of the minutea of life is what helps folks stay connected.

I too am guilty of mostly skimming the last few months, but I'm working on finding time for more reading.

[ciani.livejournal.com]

I like reading the day to day posts of the people I care about (which is to say I totally skim the same content from acquaintances) even though I rarely reply. (but that has more to do with me being paranoid I won't be taken correctly)

so yeah I'd like to read them, but only if you want to write them :)
sometimes I write about the mundane stuff and sometimes I don't.
I guess it depends on if I really feel like I have to get it out.

[awfief.livejournal.com]

People seem to have more interesting lives because, like you, they don't post unless there's something fun going on. So don't use that as a gauge.

[cutieperson]

interestingness is extremely subjective.

now that that's out of the way, i agree with others that you should post what you want. if it helps to put down the minutiae, do it. if not, don't. as long as you're not expecting everyone to read every word it should be fine either way.

[coraline]

i sometimes skim others' activities summaries, sometimes read more thoroughly, but i like having the option -- it's good to know what's up in people's lives, and i like seeing how they write about things.
so if you felt like writing such things, i'd be in favor.

[noire.livejournal.com]

I think you should do as you like with what makes you feel happy. Agree with previous post that people who talk about all the interesting stuff in their lives are filtering and only reporting on the high points (guilty myself, in general, but then I don't believe that anyone is interested in anything I do.)

Skimming isn't a bad thing IMO. I often skim--but I STILL pick up a LOT in that skim and slow down to read what catches my interest in more detail. Skimming is NOT skipping, it's just quick reading for highlights or to feel in touch.

[donnad.livejournal.com]

Like someone above said, It's your LJ you post what you want to post. People can read what they want to read.

I tend to not post too much about the mundane things that happen unless I'm bored. Usually unless I did something I don't normally do on a weekend, you don't see a "what I did on my vacation" weekend post from me.

I tend to read most posts. Since I don't get out socially that much anymore it helps me to keep up with what is going on in people's lives. I will admit, I skimmed over the past weekends posts since I had so many to catch up on after not checking LJ for three days. And if a post is particularly long I'll read the first couple lines and skip the rest or just skim the rest if I'm not interested in the subject matter.

It's your call, most people will read it if they want to know, or skip it if they don't.

[guenpanther.livejournal.com]

I agree, it's up to you to feel in the mood to share, and IMHO that's A Good Thing(tm).

:-)

[ckd]

I like reading them, even the most mundane life bits.

I'm hardly one to talk about posting more often, though....

[drwex]

Aww! Thank you, sweetie. You gave me a big smile.

[drwex]

Of course you're right. But if I was writing that kind of journal I'd use paper and pen, or keep everything private. I write public entries to communicate with my friends and I'd like things to be more two-way than a paper journal.

[drwex]

Thank you, babe.

[drwex]

You know, my first instinct is to make some query about how you ought to be taken. But then I figure I ought to know...

[drwex]

But do you write things you don't expect people to read? I mean, really, nobody reads everything. But don't you write with the expectations that your friends will want to read it?

[drwex]

Thanks, I appreciate the input.

[drwex]

Mmm, good point about skimming. Thank you.

[drwex]

yes, some of this is definitely the "I don't read LJ on the weekends" thing so on Monday I've got a ton of stuff to cover. And LJ's default interface is sort of the worst possible way to do this.

[drwex]

I'm a sharing kind of guy. In other contexts that's called "talks too damned much" *grin*.

[cutieperson]

enh, not really. i post whatever it is i want to get out, or have a discussion on, or whatever. occasionally something is designed specifically for an audience, but not always or even most of the time.

[drwex]

Indeed. But thank you for the comment anyway.

[drwex]

OK, that's fair. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[ciani.livejournal.com]

yeah I'd have to say you figured out how to take me quite some time ago! no instruction needed.

[fenicedautun.livejournal.com]

I'm actually in the same boat at the moment. I don't post because my life's not very interesting. But I love seeing other peoples' posts (even if ordinary and non-exciting). So I'd say try it every few weeks or so, and see what happens. Or not. whatever. :)

[drwex]

that's what I like - a strong and definitive opinion *grin*

Thanks babe.

[taura-g.livejournal.com]

I am also guilty of skimming a lot. Especially lately. But even if it is just the "mundane details" it does help the feeling of connection.

And I just like reading about you, anyway. :-)

[rintrahroars.livejournal.com]

I'd prefer you keep posting updates, even the everyday details that you think are ho-hum. For me, it's a way to envision you in your life.

I sometimes skim when I'm busy. But IMHO, we who live in the world of smallish children, living what we may classify as a more mundane existence, LIKE knowing that we have friends experiencing similar moments. It makes us feel part of a community. *hugs*

[drwex]

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback.