Tuesday, 12 July 2011

My blogging conundrum...

So, you know me, I have been doing a lot of thinking; mainly trying to join up the dots to see how I got on the path I am currently on. One theory I am developing is that a contributor to my pain is muscle tension, especially in my shoulders. There is an irony here as I have, for years, had pain in my shoulder caused by using the computer. I have mainly ignored it - despite it being like a resilient and annoying low hum in the background. It got much worse when I started blogging. I would, in those heady early days of my blog, spend hours reading blogs, sourcing images, scouring the web and of course writing. However I am starting to see that there might just be a link to the way I sit at the computer and the way my muscles now hurt...leading to the pain.


This leaves me with a conundrum. I love my blog. I love to blog. I am inexplicably linked to my apple Mac and the prospect of not typing for a while is, well, let's just say it seems more or less impossible. However I am trying to sit properly at the desk (no more hunching) and I am trying to limit the time I spend in that position. The net result is that when something enters my mind and I want to blog about it, I have to pause and think 'actually, maybe I shouldn't...' I need to see, you see, whether there is anything  I can do to make the pain reduce and it's slow progress.


I also appreciate that for weeks all I have written about is me, me, me and feel I am in a little 'Louise bubble'. Whilst it's lovely that you're willing to join me in my bubble, I do get the distinct impression I am going on a bit. And so, in the way of brief updates about me, me, me - today I went for a bicycle ride along the canal path, dodging fishermen. My children break up for summer at the end of the week and so I am cramming in every last bit of organisation I can, before I am accompanied by them for the next eight weeks. I am going to a summer ball on Friday, so I am trying to decide what to wear...long or short? I am spending a lot of time in my head, mulling stuff over, to the extent that I believe I have told people what I am thinking and realise that in fact I didn't, and it was all an internal mental conversation! I am thinking about old friends and old choices and things I have done.  I am observing my hometown, now flooded with summer tourists and wondering how it went from that sleepy town to a bustling city in the space of fifteen years.

Much of the time I think about blogging and so, if I am absent for day or two, I will be back, I am probably just deciding to give typing a rest and trying out my new ergonomically correct posture...



15 comments:

  1. I hope that muscle tension goes away Louise! We'll miss you but will be here when you get back (: Happy rest.

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  2. I get the same shoulder aches, and I used to be an adviser on correct posture and workstation habits many years ago!! Need to take some of my own advice! Enjoy the time before school holidays begin - we are on day 5 and I'm already feeling the tension of being with the kiddos all day every day - especially with the Huzz away all this week.

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  3. Mmm I can relate to the shoulder thing..oh dear.

    Sounds like a fun week and Fridays Summer Ball should be fab.

    Good luck with the dress choice :)
    xoxox
    what a lovely picture the last is.

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  4. Hi Lou, could I suggest an iPad, I'm sitting on the sofa, relaxed holding the iPad like a book, it's far more comfortable then sitting at the table with my laptop. I now use the laptop to write my own blog, load photos and for any sites that need Flash! Everything else I do on my iPad, including following all my favourite blogs.
    I do hope the pain improves. Jude x

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  5. Whatever you decide or do, you must put yourself and your health first....

    I know what you mean about thinking you have already told someone something....I do that with you all the time ;)

    Enjoy the last few days of peace before the hols begin :) xx

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  6. Yup I get the shoulder thing too.. but as I have only just got back to blogging .. it is a constant LOL .. its life sadly Lou.. but being constantly posture aware will help always xx

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  7. Thinking of you my dear!
    x

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  8. I think shoulder tension should be called having a 'blog shoulder'. I think we all suffer:-)

    You will be greatly missed here in blog land, but you come first and if you need to take time away from here you must do so. Hope it can help.

    Laughed out loud at the 'to do list' image. I actually have that note on some of my to do lists!!Sad but true.

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  9. Hi Lou - I sometimes wonder if all my headaches are due to this blogging thing - computers, tension, reading but like you I just can't stop! Hope a few days away from typing gives some relief. Sending hugs Leanne xx

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  10. Lovie, we must all get a bit of shoulder pain but in your case it's more than that. Take a break when you can, come back when you feel like it and enjoy life! You will have a lovely summer with the kids. xx's

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  11. Hello Lou, I my self just recently woke up one morning and have been
    dealing with should pain, and have asked my self what in the world
    did I do that contributed to this recent ache. So I sympathize with you,
    I hope that you keep on with your blog, just remember their are people
    out in the blogging world that look forward to what you will write next.
    Take Care, :>)

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  12. We'll miss your blog if you have to stop but your health comes first. Hope the hiatus works for you. x

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  13. Oh Lou,
    You must take a break. It will really show you if it is the typing. I can remember typing up our children's GCSE and A-Level course work (everyone does it !!) until the early hours, and having really bad muscular pain in my back and shoulders and having refered pain so, it could be the reason for yours.
    You will still be on our sidebars and we will all know when you return so, don't worry.
    Have a wonderful summer with your family and get yourself 100% better.
    Much love and healing thoughts winging their way to you. XXXX

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  14. Lou, I feel your pain... literally. I have over the last year or so been in the same kind of pain you have been writing about. Neck and shoulder pain that, at one point, made it so that I was unable to turn my head. I actually had to cancel a business trip I was in so much pain.

    I sought doctor advise, which proved to be useless and then turned to alternative treatments. A good number of acupuncture treatments helped, but really got to the root of the problem via a naprapath - a cross between holistic, chiropractor and physical therapist). Turns out my poor posture (from hours at the computer) has caused me to loose my cervical spine. I have had a good number of treatments and sleep with a new cervical spine pillow and have found much relief! I only wish I could take time off to decompress - I'm sure that would help too!

    All the best to feeling better!

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  15. I always thought carpal tunnel syndrome was a joke until I got it. My wrists are constantly killing me even when I'm not near a computer. I've been trying to spend less time at the computer.

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