It's true.  I violate the #1 rule of blogging. The rule that is even more important on ActiveRain where community is so important.

I really can't help it. 

I try so hard, but I just can't seem to bring myself to comment on my own posts!

When I do follow the post and comment like I should, the experience consumes me, and before I know it I give up on blogging.

I have a really tough time looking at the work that I put out. I am pretty tough on myself and commenting on my own posts requires that I go back and reevaluate what I just wrote, over and over again. 

It's not just with blogging either. I cannot bare to watch videos of myself and even seeing pictures of me stresses me out sometimes.

I am a weird cookie, and probably have deeper issues I need to deal with. :) 

However, like anyone I suppose, I love receiving comments and wait eagerly for them to come in.  So please know that although I am often a little late in participating in my own conversation, I am watching it intently.

P.S. At least I am not alone in my BCD affliction.  I remember reading a while back that one of my business idols, Seth Godin, suffers from a similar condition. 

Update to this post at 11pm, Jan 1st: This is a lame post. There is no excuse for violating rule #1! 

 

25 Comments on My name is Jonathan Washburn and I have BCD (Blogger Comment Disorder)

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JAN
01
2008
165,482 Points 85 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Will, I don't mind the generic comment too much.  I usually never realize that it is just a cut and paste.

Lenn, Absolutely! Responding to comments is the heart of blogging. And you are so true about the "grateful for the time it takes to leave a comment" comment. Right now I am trying to leave a comment that addresses each commenter individually after about a day. So my comment doesn't really help move the comments along, but I will respond to each commenter.

Right now I am taking one blogging step at a time.  

Joeann, It's your blog, you should not feel guilty about however you handle it. Just know that responding to comments is Jonathan's successful blogging rule #1.

Sean, You noticed the flat spot on my head too?  lol

Dan, Lighten up.  Easier said than done.  Not sure if an AR group will help. - Light-bulb moment - Thanks, you just gave me an idea for another blog post!!! 
4:22pm • #6
406,115 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
LOL .....yes,but I wasn't going to point that out.
4:58pm • #7
998,475 Points 42 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Perhaps middle ground--respond to a few pertinent comments, and post a thank you to all other members for joining the discussion.
5:09pm • #8
970,239 Points 245 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

That's nice that you're thinking about responding...maybe I'll come back and leave a comment more often lol!

How about this?  If you guys are going to the Inman thing in early Jan....will you consider coming to our ActiveRain Gathering on the 28th?  (CRS Sellabration and a lot of members will be here nationwide) .

Okay..thought I'd slip that one in...I've asked a couple of the others :)

Does this comment make for conversation? 

P.S. Came back to see if you answered lol!  And I spend a lot of time responding....and reciprocating. Isn't that what we're supposed to do?
6:31pm • #9

I'm with Lenn (and many others) about responding to all my comments, although I don't know how she and others who receive many comments keep up so well with them!  When I read posts with a lot of comments, especially on "Hot Topics" I usually learn something I had not considered before because of the comments.

You know that disorders are about extreme behavior, and that the BCD could also swing to the other extreme...a blogger who only comments, and comments, and comments.  :  )
6:34pm • #10
9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

If Seth Godin suffers from it too, I guess you're in a good boat! ;)

6:58pm • #11
386,818 Points 19 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Jonathan - I "completely" understand what you are saying.  I love to see comments on my posts also, and always say thanks....but now worry that just saying a quick thanks is a bad thing?  I just like folks to know I appreciate them "reading" what I post.   Geee.... can BCD be judged by the blog/comment ratio....Now, I am worried, LOL. 
7:20pm • #12
600,280 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
You're in good company with Seth Godin - I enjoy reading what both of you have to say. Sometimes it takes a LONG time to reply to others comments, but that's what keeps a conversation going.
10:19pm • #13
JAN
02
2008
188,185 Points 31 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I'm thinking about commenting.  Will let you know if I decide to..........
12:57am • #14
165,482 Points 85 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Norma, Responding to only the most pertinent comments makes sense.

Sally, I am trying to find a way budget to make it down to HA for the CRS AR gather.  There is little I would enjoy more. Would we be invited even if we are not CRS's?

Commenting and reciprocating is what it is all about! I totally agree. I just get stuck sometimes when I go to make comments.  With practice I will get better.

Deborah, I wonder what the "perfect" ration of blogs to comments are?

Sara, ;)

Christine, Exactly! I hate responding to a comment with just a generic "thanks". I also feel a little cheap replying to every comment with a separate reply comment, like I am trying to jack up my comment count.

Sharon, Thanks for grouping me with Seth!  And okay, okay!! I get it.  :) This post is lame and I am just making lame excuses.  I should reply to every comment.   

Downtown Long Beach Laurie Manny, I am thinking very strongly about replying to your comment.  I will let you know, once you let me know, whether or not you decided to comment.
1:18am • #15
188,185 Points 31 Featured Posts Outside Blog
lol...
1:30am • #16
338,741 Points 52 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Jonathan, I think we've all experienced this at one time or another.  I got over it quickly though, finding that my normal shyness doesn't extend here.  That was pretty darned cool to discover!
6:40am • #17
162,021 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Jonathan,

Perhaps you have other issues, but you already know that...LOL! ;)

6:54am • #18
I get "comment block", especially when I am replying to comments that are all either agreeing with me, or are all disagreeing with me. I like to reply to each person, but it gets hard if they are all the same type of comment. It's much easier when they alternate between agreeing and disagreeing. That way it feels more like a conversation.
9:12am • #19
882,832 Points 50 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Jonathan... I hate my voice.  I seriously don't like the sound of it... when recorded.  I don't mind hearing myself talk, but recordings of me annoy me.  It has kept me from pursuing podcasting...  I'm going to get over it, though. 

Look at it this way... Sara puts up with you, so you can too.  

Gail (my wife) puts up with me, so I must not be terrible... or she has a high BS tolerance.   
10:08am • #20
970,239 Points 245 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME TO THE CRS SELLABRATION....CRS OR NOT. I am unable to attend the three day conference (have to hold the fort...uh, office down) but the AR gathering is here:

"HAWAII ActiveRain Gathering Scheduled for January 28, 2008!"  by me

or

Active Rain Gathering in Honolulu - January 28, 2008 by Randy

 

Yes.....I put links in your comment section :) 

 In any event, the CRS conference is at Hilton Hawaiian Village...and non members can still register here: http://www.sellabration.com/  or just come for the party...others are coming earlier or staying later....so we can do other stuff :)
3:01pm • #21
964,781 Points 60 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Hi Jonathan:  Please do not worry about being a "weird cookie."  My mother used to tell me all the time... "Karen, the other kids only call you weird cuz they're jealous.  Please remember, my dear, that 'weird' is just another word for 'special.' "  And, I remember that my dear mother used to tell me quite often how very "special" I really was.  You don't really think she meant "weird"... do you ?
4:39pm • #22
290,106 Points 33 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Excuses excuses.....and yep that excuse was pretty lame.....but hey the 200 lb. Gorilla can make up any excuse they want :)
8:50pm • #23
165,482 Points 85 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Kathy, The funny thing was that no one cut me any slack.  They called "BS" right away.

Karen, I've been called "special" my whole life... This is a good thing right.

Sally,  Sally, I'll try.  Kinda expensive and considering we don't have a lot of revenue yet, it might be a little difficult to swing.

Lane, My wife has a high tolerance too. That is what you were saying right? ;)

Kris / Allison, I think I am already over my case of BCD; at least for today. 

Suzanne, How dare you.  HOW DARE YOU!               Just kidding. I think it is safe to say I have issues.

 
11:48pm • #24
JAN
08
2008
882,832 Points 50 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp
Jon - I didn't say your wife had the high tolerance... just mine...  BTW, I met Sara at the party.  GREAT girl.  Count yourself as the second luckiest guy around...  ;^ )
10:49am • #25

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam Prevention:
 

Find WA real estate agents and Seattle real estate on ActiveRain.