Getting too wrapped up in blog stats

Yay! More weird phrasing from the WordPress prompt gods.

If something is so tedious and unnecessary in my routine that I am actively trying to skip it, it won’t be part of my routine at all. There are plenty of things I don’t always get to. I run out of time, I’m too tired, etc. Take my nightly face wash routine, as an example.  Like many women “of my age,” I have an impressive array of moisturizers, serums, masks, eye creams , and toners. Between all that and brushing and flossing teeth, it’s a 20 minute routine.  I also have to med the cat and set up the coffee for the morning. Sometimes,  I’m just exhausted and I’ll abbreviate the routine. I’m not actively trying to avoid it.

Now I can easily tell you some routine things I SHOULD skip – constantly checking my blog stats. When I first started this blog, it was just a grand experiment.  I wanted to familiarize myself with the WP platform. I also wanted to explore the marketing and income potential for a friend of mine. I was actually surprised when I cranked out five or six posts. Suddenly, my head was full of all kinds of cool ideas. I started delving into unknown territory like poetry. I forgot how fun it was to write unfettered.

To my utter surprise, people started reading my silly musings. I actually have a few subscribers! But then something happened. I was now comparing myself to other blogs. I was coveting their numbers. Why don’t I have 100 subscribers? What can I do to get 100 subscribers?

I need to write every day!

I need to write things people will like!!

As quick as the valve flipped on, it flipped off again. My brain dried up. It wasn’t as fun anymore.

So I’ve taken a break. It’s been about a week, and you know what? The world didn’t end. I can look at the red numbers on my stat page with indifference.

I feel better.