I have comment fatigue.
You know what I mean. It’s where you are reading great blog posts, but trying to find something to comment that sounds the same inside your head AND in type is just too hard.
I’m always a little worried that what I type won’t come out the same way as I thought it. Maybe because things don’t have the same sound when you are reading them, as when you are writing them?
Who knows.
So I don’t comment.
I read and I think and I want to add something, but the simple act of adding my opinions to the (sometimes many) opinions that are already there is just too big a job.
And sometimes I worry that I will say something jokingly and it will be taken the wrong way and then someone will get all offended and I’ll have to explain myself, all the while getting more stressed about leaving comments and then things will just degenerate into a cycle of run of sentences and I will have to shut up and stop commenting for good.
Or maybe I’m just tired.
With a tendency to overthink things.
Sigh.
So if you haven’t had a comment from me for a while, it isn’t necessarily that I’m not reading, it’s simply that I cannot find the energy to add anything to the discussion. Sometimes I want to comment and just let people know that ‘Hi, I’m here reading you. I support what you’re saying’ but how do you say something like that without sounding weird.
Surely I’m not the only one who gets comment fatigue.
***
I’m having a bit of a CFS crash and burn at the moment. The antibiotics I am on, coupled with being home after hospital and my crappy immune system has knocked me for a six. Concentrating is hard, I am physically and mentally spent and everything is achey like I have the flu.
I know a few more days and I will bounce back and be fine, but until then, you can find me underneath my rock pretending that my panadol are lollies and that the world doesn’t exist.
Failing that, you can probably find me outside in the sun with a book, watching Amy play. Luckily she has been easy going lately.
***
But seriously, this post was meant to be about comment fatigue. Do you find it hard to comment sometimes? Is there any blog in particular that you feel out of your depth on?
Mine is so severe that I’m having trouble replying to comments on my own blog. And my last post was so lame I couldn’t even believe anyone bothered to comment.
witchypoos last blog post..Boring Much?
I get a little freaked when I want to make a comment, but 30 other people have commented before me. I want to say what I want to say, but I don’t want to read what everyone else has said, and I’m afraid I’m going to type exactly the same thing that has already been commented before me.
So, no matter how witty I think I’m being, I won’t comment at all. And that’s lame. But, so am I. 😉
sherendipitys last blog post..Is that Dave Coulier?
“And sometimes I worry that I will say something jokingly and it will be taken the wrong way and then someone will get all offended and I’ll have to explain myself, all the while getting more stressed about leaving comments and then things will just degenerate into a cycle of run of sentences and I will have to shut up and stop commenting for good.”
LOL sometimes I feel that way as well. Hopefully when I’m commenting on a blog of a friend like you, you give a little leeway when a comment appears offensive at first and try to give the benefit of the doubt.
Because I know how much I love comments.
Hey, hope you’re doing ok. Keep checking in on you through the blogger thing-o. I’m guessing no news is GREAT news.
I think you should eat a pizza so that boy can be nice and chubby when he’s ready to come out. There you go, you could take that comment all kinds of ways. :]
Hugs to ya!
Mrs. Cs last blog post..On Jesse James.
I don’t lurk anywhere, any longer. I used to, but no more. I find myself thinking a) I know how I feel about getting comments b) I assume most people feel the same way c) And i can usually think of something encouraging or obscene to say. So I do. Besides, sometimes someone will take the time to tell me ‘I give good comment’. heh, heh.
lceels last blog post..Friday Haiku – Old Sunflower
OMG! I worry too about how my comments will or will not be taken. I over-think everything too – analyze stuff to death!
Then, just like Sherendipity I worry about repeating something so similar to what someone else has already posted, that people will think I’m not intelligence enough, or creative enough to come up with my ‘own’ comment. If there are more than 5 or 6 comments before mine, I often don’t bother reading them until after I’ve posted mine, and often, I don’t even read them then because I’d feel really crappy if I just repeated what someone else had already said – I’d just rather not know! 🙂
Go on and hide under your rock. Just scoot on over and make room for me okay?
I read a lot more than I comment. When my brain stops functioning, which is more often than not, then commenting stops. I feel guilty, but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.
nikkis last blog post..Hittin’ it retro style
I sometimes share your comment fatigue. Guys, I think, are a minority in the blog world…and I read a lot of blogs but sometimes I feel as a dude, I’m not necessarily ‘knowledgable???’ enough to comment. I mean, what the hell do I know about the pains of breastfeeding? The bonds between mother and child are different than father and child, so I refrain from comment sometimes.
I read alot that I never comment on, and if it’s something I don’t have a feeling about I wont or if I think well I relly feel a different way I tend to be quite since so many are ready to take your head off if you think differently then they do.
Jenns last blog post..Friday Fun
pish posh and pshaw. I go though highs and lows with commenting – mostly just depending on how busy I’ve been with real life and how much time I have to read and how many people have updated….
I’m with everyone who said, though, if there’s 100s of comments, I’m unlikely to comment just to say, “Yea, what they said.”
XX
Rees last blog post..Seventeen
I am so with you, at times. Its even worse when I visit new blogs, I lurk and just don’t know where to jump in with a comment! And those with lots of comments are definately the hardest!
M & Bs last blog post..Royal Show
heheeheh. Lou gives good comments.
Honestly, I comment only when I have something to say. And I don’t always read everyone else’s comments. (Are you kidding, that would take fooooorever)
Get your rest, be healthy and healed, my dear. No one thinks any different of you if you don’t comment every time.
Ashs last blog post..My body is a racecar.
I get comment fatigue too! Everything you said summs up my fear of commenting too, I’m afraid I’ll sound really dumb and there person blogging will be like” what the hell is she talking about, stop reading my blog!”
I also get comment fatigue. Sometimes I just don’t know what to say, but I hate to say nothing becaues I want folks to know I’ve stopped by and am intersted in what’s going on. But then I fear I’ll just say something lame.
You should just get some rest anyways. We know you love us!
Jennis last blog post..The One Where I Turn into a Teenager
I used to get annoyed with people who didn’t comment ever on Livejournal because there wasn’t a way for me to know if they were stopping by or not.
But now here on blogger I have the statcounter thing so I can tell if someone has stopped by. It’s no longer really an issue.
I think I get weirded out a bit and/or worried if someone is stopping by every day and for weeks they don’t leave a comment. I have that urge to yell out. “Why aren’t you SAYING anything? Hello? Hello?”
But I definitely don’t expect people to comment on every entry. I don’t comment on everything that I read. I used to on livejournal because I wanted people to know I stopped by and was listening. But here I figure people will probably have some statcounter and know I stopped by to read.
I’m sorry about your CFS problems : (
Dinas last blog post..Are You a New Mom? Do You Feel a Bit Down?
I don’t always comment on the blogs I read. I find it hard to find something to say most of the time, so I understand, I got comment fatigue as well.
Megans last blog post..What Do you Do when "Kidnapping" a 2 year Old?
I think you should just do the 🙂 Its safe and then you get the credit you deserve without the headaches. 🙂 for everyone!…but not me of course 🙂
Suzies last blog post..I’m Outta Here
I’m right there with you. I read a lot of blogs and to comment on most is just overwhelming. Plus, I don’t really like commenting when several people have already done so & I’d just be saying the same thing. Not to mention the pressure of trying to be witty and clever.
celticbuffys last blog post..More Medical Updates
I hate using those LOL and smiley face things, but then I think if I use them, it means “just kidding”. So I say something rude and then toss a smiley wink on the end.
I also have a hard time commenting sometimes — I find I tend to want to share a story of my own, but then I think I shouldn’t talk about myself all the time, and I should comment on what they said…I overthink it too much, but I want to comment, because I know how much I like getting comments, so I toss some stupid thing in the comment box, hit submit and then flee.
I also figure that, depending on what the post is about, a bunch of comments all expressing support or laughter or shared outrage, no matter how lame, is good for the person who wrote the post. So I don’t worry alot about saying pretty much the same thing as everyone else who comments.
Julies last blog post..Breast Cake.
Lovely Ronnie,
You’re probably just tired. I know what you mean – it can take more mental energy than I have sometimes to write a clever comment, so I just say, “Loved it.” or “Cute.” or whatever. I figure I’d rather get something like that than nothing, but I don’t always have the time to comment at all.
The easiest way to understand what someone intends is when they are right in front of you, so you can see their face! Its harder on the phone and even harder in print, when you don’t know someone at all. I try to leave my dry sense of humor out of comments so I don’t offend… not so much with you, though, because you know me better I think!
Sometimes, with the really popular blogs that I love to read, it seems kind of pointless to comment. There’s nothing I could say that hasn’t been said, more cleverly, by someone else already. But I’ve been commenting on those lately too. I sort of figure that the whole point of this blogging thing – COMMUNICATING, and being communicated to – is dashed unless I actually communicate. Or something. If that makes sense. Damn. Now I’m like, all worried that this comment is too long and that I sound stupid.
=P
Kats last blog post..I Drive My Kid Crazy
I don’t have the most brilliant comments to add to the blogs that I read, and sometimes I just add one word, but I try to comment on them. But saying that, yes, there are some blogs I find harder to comment on that others.
Jeanettes last blog post..Grey skies
I’m sort of new to this whole blog community thing. I just heard the term “lurking” for the first time this week. I’m assuming that means reading a blog but not leaving a comment? Gawd, just realized there are probably all sorts of blog etiquette rules I am breaking on a daily basis. That said, I usually only comment if I have something intelligent to say, or possibly encouraging. That’s only about %10 of the time. But I love GETTING comments, so why I don’t leave more of them is beyond me. Many of the blogs I frequent have hundreds of readers, and I guess I consider my one measly comment to be more of an annoyance than a joy. Clearly I’m clueless!
Cats last blog post..Kissing Cousins
Absolutely! As I sit here with a ton of comment windows open. 🙂 I want to comment and let people know I am reading, but sometimes I wonder – do they care? will I offer any good additions? Is it witty? Or am I just being a dork? Then I realize that I love receiving comments of any sort and think “What the hell?!” and then add what’s on my mind.
Yes. Comment fatigue. All the time. Usually typing with one hand, while trying to do 17 other things with the other hand… sometimes using 1/2 of a brain cell.
We get it. Don’t spend one second worrying that anybody is going to not love you because of it.
Hyphen Mamas last blog post..Prayer Circle
Yes, Oh yes. I get it alot. I think what can I say that will make any difference? Especially on the big blogs that get alot of comments.
Julie, fwiw, I love the comments with stories attached 🙂
Just take it easy, ok, stay ‘under your rock’ until you feel like coming out. Take care of you.
Any
tiffs last blog post..Structurally sound.
Not so much fatigue, but I don’t comment on a LOT of blogs because they are so heavily female.
There are other blogs where I so often don’t know how to say to help, Tiff for e.g., or I’ve said a hundred times already how bloody good the writing it, Maggie, dammit for e.g., or I just feel intellectually inferior having read such well written entries on the likes of sniffle & cry and the cheek of God.
Here, though, for some reason, I could go on and on and on and on….
Xbox4NappyRashs last blog post..An ill wind?
No – um, I mean yes…
jeanies last blog post..Waiting For The Third Shoe to Drop
Yep. ALL..THE..TIME…ha ha!
The one blog I rarely leave comments on is actually my all time favourite blog. Mostly because by the time I get to a new post masses of people have commented before me and I can’t see the point of repeating stuff already said.
So you are not alone. 🙂
clearly I understand.
and sweetie? I’m sorry this last week has been so rough.
xxx
frogpondsrocks last blog post..Wow!!! Post 301..
that would be me. i have such a hard time with knowing what to say hoping it comes out right. for instance, i’ve been reading you for some time and am just now commenting. i suck, i know.
i love your blog. and im so relieved that you and your baby are safe and that amy is giving you a bit of a break.
cheers,
cri 🙂
Cris last blog post..still here and whatever
It is hard to ‘know’ what to say sometimes or even to have anything worthwhile to add or share. But I try, sometimes a smiley is all that’s needed just to say I’m thinking of you 😉
Yup, I get it all the time. Especially by Friday every week, when my brain feels the mushiest.
Momisodess last blog post..Remote Issues
Ummm, “what they ^ all said” (hee-hee)
I know exactly what you are going through, luckily I’m in a phase where I’m a complete comment madman but I do get times when all I need to clear my head of all thoughts is to click inside the respond to comment area!
it passes though so you’ll be back to full steam soon I’m sure
Andy Baileys last blog post..currently coding the commentluv comment contest code!
I so completely know where you are coming from on the comment fatigue. I often don’t comment when I’d like to either because the comment I want to make has been made before, or my comment sounds fatuous (sp?) or I worry that people will think I’m a bit odd/feeble! Every now and then I get brave and comment and then I’ve found a websit I’m ok to comment on because they either email back encouragingly or I get ignored – I haven’t been told off yet!
Barbaras last blog post..292/366 – Roly Poly
I know exactly how you feel. And there are some blogs where I am just in awe of the writing, and the comments themselves are works of art … I just feel like shrinking back into my corner, and I don’t generally comment then.
Karen MEGs last blog post..Thursday Thirteen – What a f?????
sometimes i do..
Tazs last blog post..Happy Birthday Baby Girl.. 52 Weeks Old..
i forgot to add..
Maddi is crawling.. 🙂
Tazs last blog post..Happy Birthday Baby Girl.. 52 Weeks Old..
Just maybe you think way more then you need to,,, Keep relaxing and feel better soon.
Just a moms last blog post..WOW SATURDAY,,,,,
Any comment is a good comment. It means people are reading and taking notice and bothering to put in their 2 cents worth 🙂
I feel like that alot, i just feel i can never find the right words to say what i mean . Silly when people just appreciate anything
Glad to hear you are still pregnant
Laura McIntyres last blog post..Hair
Nice blog, I love to see this kind of content, keep up the good work.
Yep, I suffer from Comment fatigue sometimes too.
Widdle Shamrocks last blog post..Kyah’s journey
I think we all get it from time to time, don’t worry. I often find I want to add a comment so they know I’m still reading, but I don’t want to appear as if it’s not a genuine comment. I tend to over-think as well, haha.
Katies last blog post..Oh Where, Oh Where is that Funky Smell Coming From?
I’m still in that really early phase of getting my blog going (it’s less than 6 moths old) and the stats have been stagnating so I know commenting is my way of getting out and mingling.
The problem is I’m not a good mingler. I’m more of the type to get a glass of wine, find someone fun and yuk it up in the corner.
Except when I take to the time to read all 44 of someone’s comments, then I feel pretty invested in their blog already so I just walk up up and blurt out, “I’m here! Nice to meet you all!”
And then I go home. 🙂
Dr. Casons last blog post..Off for a Ride
I think this is my first comment on your blog – how could I not comment on a post about commenting? 🙂
I don’t comment on many of the posts/blogs I read, sometimes I don’t have a lot of time, sometimes I don’t feel I have enough knowledge of a situation to comment and sometimes I just don’t know what to say or worry that people will think I am strange/stupid etc….
But, I love getting comments, so I guess I will make a little more effort to throw my thoughts in and comment more on other people’s posts. After all it takes effort to write a post and I guess comments are the reward for that effort.
ivoryfrogs last blog post..Cake picture & recipe
After reading this, it makes the comments you left on MY blog all the more lovely!
I do know what you mean about comments, though. I love to get them, but find myself just lurking on tons of other blogs. I guess all I really need to do is say a quick “Loved this post” thing and leave it at that, right?
PS – Love your blog… I’ll be back, and yes, I will comment 😉
Andis last blog post..Daring Bakers October Challenge
Me.Too.
Leslies last blog post..The Me You Don’t See
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