Last year, I was nursing a broken heart when a colleague introduced me to blogging. It could be an outlet of my emotions, voice of my thoughts, medium of my personality, bla bla. If a sales lady talks me of buying a new can opener with her melodious voice, I know for a fact that I will purchase one even if I don’t really need it. That is why it didn’t take long for my friend to persuade me to create a free account in this platform and write a mandatory introductory post.
I struggled for the first few months. I did not have any experience maintaining a blog and it takes a lot of patience learning most of the things here in WordPress. I think I posted a lot of nonsense topics which earned one or two likes and no comment at all. I feel somewhat depressed. I know that I opened the site just for my personal use, but it would please my ego to know that at least other people are reading what I wrote. So I worked hard. I tried thinking of more interesting topics to write about instead of posting lyrics of Korean songs and their translation. Haha. After a few more months, I got noticed. I slowly received a growing number of likers. commenters, and followers. When I received my first blog award, I felt like being in school again. I am an achiever and it feels nice to receive recognition again. Oh, how happy I was at that time!
After that milestone, I continued what I was doing. I was polite to all the people visiting my blog. I read their works as they read mine. Quid pro quo. I gained some friends, too. Some even went as far as to extend the acquaintance personally. Now, I have virtual-turned-real friends. And just because of blogging! I was having fun. I didn’t expect I could gain a lot just by blogging.
However, they say that all good things must come to an end.
I am happy blogging about my thoughts to all the world to see. My life became an open book as I share my stories to you and I appreciate the way you accept them. I celebrated my first blog anniversary with a bang. But there were days when I feel incompetent. I feel that some of my posts are Dumpster-worthy. Not worth reading. A waste of time. And what hurts is the fact that you guys continue to read my trashy thoughts and even like and share an opinion or two. People continue to follow my site. For whatever reason? To read rubbish things written by me?
I feel guilty. I have this urge to give more to you. More than what you deserve. No matter how much I tried to squeeze out all my creative juices, I always come out with nothing. It ends up me polluting the cyber sphere with second-rate writings.
It is then that I decided to stop blogging. I don’t know if this will be a temporary hiatus or for good. I am not closing doors to anything and don’t want to see myself eating my words in the future. For now, I feel like getting a breather. Find my muse. Catch some inspiration. Whatever it takes to give you, my readers, what you deserve.
It has been a pleasure being with you on this momentous journey of my life. I did not know that I could write more than a hundred different topics. It’s a bonus that others read, like, and comment on them. I am glad that I was lucky enough to meet such wonderful and creative people from all over the world. Rest assured that if and when I come back, I will reward you with thought-provoking posts according to your liking.
It is at this point that I would like to end this post by saying a single statement which I would like to impart to you my dear readers:
HAPPY APRIL FOOLS’ DAY!
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30-day Blogging Challenge: Day 21 (Something you know you do differently than most people)- Lovely weekend from us
Lol! 😛
Salamat po!
Dang girl you really had me going! I was like o no ): I must admit that was a good one! Lol glad you were only pulling a fast one on us! Your posts are too good to lose!
Hahahahaha. Gotcha, Ashley! I was trying to pull a melodramatic post, but thought better of it. I might really lose some friends in the process haha! Thanks for your support, girl 🙂
Oh. @__@ I was already thinking of something appropriate and encouraging to write here, and then bam, April Fool’s day. Oh, man. Good one.
Hugs! Sorry, too. I am happy to know that you’ll be there to give encouraging words to me whenever I feel down. Still, Happy April Fools!
So of course you are continuing to blog…it’s in your blog and something you were meant to do.
Thank you, Cindy! I am happy that you support me to this endeavour. I love your photos of hummingbirds!
😛 I was so sad!! I’ve really come to enjoy your blog!
Thank you for saying so 🙂 Good thing it’s only a joke, right? I’ll still be here to pester you guys.
OMG I was about to cry (mostly because I feel really demotivated to write anymore and this was somewhat “timely”). You fooled me! Haha.
Oh, dear. I didn’t mean to make you cry. Swear! Honestly, this post is somewhat true. I also feel discouraged writing especially when there’s nothing much new to write about. Still, we must not give up. Continue writing and blogging! Aja!
Haha. It’s OK. Goes to show that you’re an awesome writer, able to tug on the strings of my heart. Hehe. Thanks for the motivation! 🙂
Nice! I love it!
Thank you!
Nice April Fools joke, you had me going there for a bit. But if that seriously was going to be your final blog post, I think it would’ve been a really nice way to end it.
-Sky
Thank you for your kind words. Blogging brings happiness to my life so I don’t think I will quit in the near future. Still, I will bear your comment in mind and prepare something similar when I draft my goodbye post.
Thanks for your honesty! God guide you in your decision!
Thank you. But hey, you’ve been fooled. I won’t be leaving. Happy April Fools!
Yes! Of course I got it! It was my own way of saying,
“Happy April Fools Day TOO!”
🙂
You totally got me!! Ha ha!
Whew, I’m glad this is a joke. You were one of the first bloggers to visit my new blog and because of you I opened a Goodreads account. I like you! Don’t go away!
Oh, that’s so sweet and endearing of you to say, Nia. I am happy to be part of your blog. And Goodreads is just so addicting, right? How’s your 2013 reading challenge? I’m almost done with mine! Haha
Argh! You got me scared! It was so well written. I really fell for it 😛
Good one! 🙂
Hahahah gotcha, Orphelia! Thanks for the appreciation. How’s your Japanese studies? I have a lot to catch-up! With the rate I’m going, I can’t even pass JLPT 5 wahaha
My Japanese studies are going awesome! I learn something new every week in my night class and I love it! 🙂
I admit, keeping up with Japanese is hard when you have a very active life. Especially when I see that you almost reach the 50 books mark. Maybe start reading books in Japanese? ;P Anyway, this is one of the reason why I took an external Japanese class.
I got duped pretty hard. >.< Nothing wrong with a breather though, if you ever feel like taking one. 🙂
Oh, sorry! For what its worth, most of my “rants” here are actually true. Except for quitting the blog though.
You know, I suspected but I still wanted to read to the very end in order to see the punchline. Happy April Fool’s, Monica. 🙂
Oh, dear! It means I am not that successful fooling you guys around? Or are you just too smart for my own good? Or because we think the same? Anyhow, Happy April Fools~
Oh no, the writing was good. I think I was trying to say that I hoped it was merely an April Fool’s bit of writing and not reality. Keep writing, Monica. 🙂
This was mean, cruel and disturbing…just as it should have been if you were to pull it off. You are a stinker my precious adopted granddaughter on the other side of the world. I am not speaking to you for at least the rest of the morning. So get along now…us fools will celebrate our day without you.
Haha! That explains my quiet inbox. I was expecting an email or two from you, Gpop. Anyway, I am still young to pull such pranks, right? Gotcha!
You certainly had me fooled.
Oops. Sorry, but I’m glad my prank worked 😀
Glad you’re not really leaving! One more loss averted. 🙂
Thank you! I’ll be happy to annoy you with my posts 😀
As I was reading this post, I was composing my reply in my head, a plea to give it a little more time, encouragement, etc. . . . you got me! Happy April Fools’ Day to you, too!
Oh! Hmm, but I think I’d still like to know what your reply might be. Just so you know, the entire post has some truth in it.
LOL! Had just read a similar post like your’s in Alastairs’s blog and hence I sensed it from that title itself. Pooyyi! For this time, I’m not a FOOL. 😀 😉
Rahul
Woops! Here I was dancing with my accomplishment of fooling you around. Happy April Fools 🙂
Hahaha! Glad to hear that you danced for that very great achievement. LOL. 😀 😉 Have a good day ahead, Monica. God bless. Cheers.m/ 🙂
Rahul
Muhahaha you are way too good in writing that you could easily give it up 😛
I am not that good actually. Still, it is nice for you to say that. 😀
Btw if you have some sunshine over there, pls dont hesitate to send some to Europe. More snow on Easter than during Xmas is just way too cold…
I have a ton! It is officially summer here so I’ll be glad to give you some sunshine. 34 degrees Celsius is the normal temperature here. I envy you and your cold weather!
*applause* I was fully prepared for a slew of April Fool’s posts and this one still got me until the end. I almost skipped halfway through to comment, so thanks for writing that last part in bright lettering. I bow to your superior prank skills.
Glad I accomplished what I meant to do. That’s why I put the greeting in big, colored letters 🙂
good one 😛
Thank you!
You had me totally sucked in!!! I always feel sad to read where people are closing down, it’s sad. So glad your kidding!!
Yay, thanks! It feels nice to accomplish something. I am sorry if it made you sad. I’ll be happy to annoy you with my posts in the future 🙂
I was on the edge of my seat. You did a good one. – John
Thank you, John. I am glad that you appreciate my prank
Told myself I will not get fooled, but dang you got me!
Nice way to start the month, don’t you think? No worries. I won’t stop bugging you with my nonsense blog posts, so stay tuned!
Wowwww! You got me there for a while, I wanted to read more as to why you would quit blogging since I was truly finding reading your blog interesting. Well you got me. Good job!
Well, if you’ll read more of my entries you’ll realize that there’s actually truth in this post. I am a terrible writer. I use blogging as an excuse to torment others with how my mind works. If you can cope with that, we can be friends LOL
BAHAHAHA! Oh my gosh. That TOTALLY threw me! Nice one 🙂
Glad you liked it. Your reaction is something I did not expect. I thought people will start unfollowing me with how I “played” with their emotions for this prank.
Ooooooh Monica! I was ready to wish you goodbye with a sad heart! Trickery, trickery!
Hugs! Sorry, but I have to pull this prank on you guys. I won’t leave. Well, not yet. You’re stuck with me!
Ha! That was a good one!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you!
Oh, you! I was all ready to get upset! Lol!
Then please don’t get upset. This blog will continue to exist because of your support. Thank you!
Yay!!
hahaha I like this one you fooled me..btw you gained another follower.
yippee! Thanks for following. I am glad to meet another Filipino blogger here.
I was really scared you were going away! Good prank. Don’t do that to me again! 😉 I really enjoy your posts.
That’s so sweet of you to say. It never fails to overwhelm me when I read that you guys appreciate and enjoy my posts. Sorry for giving a prank. I can’t promise not to do something similar next year though… 😀
Oh you wicked evil girl!! You got me on this one. Glad it was an April Fool’s joke!
Haha I take those as compliments so no worries. Thanks for appreciating the prank. I will soon write more serious stuff though.
Why you little…grr, you got us good! And you look so sweet and innocent. I’m seeing a whole new side of you, Monica. As John said: So glad you’re kidding!
Now, this is funny. Yes, I know I look sweet and innocent. But all of us children do. I have many sides of me – one sweet, one naughty like this one, and one political. You may check on the latter in one of my menu tabs in the top of this page – My Other Side.
hehe I was thinking how I hoped you would change your mind in time and come back to your blog. Yes, you had us fooled! Funny, though, the reasons some of us turn to writing. It’s a great outlet. Glad you’re staying, Monica 🙂
Thank you, Meggie. I am glad to be staying and indulging you with more of my “trashy” posts. True, writing is our outlet for those things we can’t normally speak out loud. Still, my number one hobby will still be reading. Haha!
I knew it! Ha! 😀
Oops. I didn’t get a victim here, huh? Oh well. There’s next year. :p
Haha, I went into this post fully thinking about how to prevent you from saying goodbye. You really had me going there!
You are such a sweet thing, Zen. I am happy to know that you’ll be there to support me when I feel discouraged to write. Still, I won. Nice way to start April, right?
😀 You really got me, my dear! 😀
Happy April Fool’s Day back to you and all the best for you and your blog!
Greetings from Vienna 🙂
Oh, yes! Thanks for being sport about it. I didn’t mean any of you emotional harm with this prank. I promised to be a better blogger though.
I hope to see Vienna in the future. It’s in my top five places to visit before I die. Now, it sounds like a topic for my next blog post.
Greetings from Manila 🙂
Totally fooled me LOL
Gotcha there! 🙂
hehe, although I didn’t know your blog or any of your posts before, I somehow knew this was an april fool’s day joke from the middle of the text. good one, though 🙂
Dang! I thought I could fool anyone. 🙂 Thanks for reading it until the end though
This is the best post you’ve ever written 😀
Thanks. Funny that it was meant to be a joke though. 🙂
As I’m reading the post, I’m thinking…”what? I just linked to her and now I have to remove it? Ay naku!”
And I rarely fall for April Fool pranks….
Hahahah nakakatawa diba?
I am glad I got you in this one. 🙂
Believe me, as soon as I read the title of this post, I had a smile on my face and a thought on my mind “You think am gonna fall for this??”. Girl, seriously. I know how much you love blogging and I would never fall for a prank like that. But obviously I did read the post as I wanted to know what you wrote that made this post a long one. I expected you to reveal your prank a bit faster into the post. Hehe. Written excellently. No wonder many fell for the prank. But I know you too well, Nica!
Ugh. Sometimes it sucks when someone knows you too well. Haha! Didn’t fall for it not even a bit? oh! Well, you’re stuck with me. I’ll continue blogging just to annoy you, Naz 🙂
On every April 1st, I make up my mind that I wont fall for any pranks. So whatever people tell me, instead of believing it right away I think it over a few secs. This way I have avoided falling for pranks for a long time. But with your post, I didn’t have to think for even a sec. The title was a dead give away!. Seriously, a smile spread on my face and I knew right away what you were upto 😛
P.S : You can continue annoying me. I don’t mind it one bit :).. Coz I love you loads, Nica…
My title is a dead giveaway? Argh. Next time, I’ll consult you first. But that would ruin the prank for you. Hmm. I’ll think my next strategy then.
I love you, too girl. 😀
Oh My! I was really upset when I was going through it. Midway, my thoughts were like “Oh man! all those amazing book reviews and Korean songs, i wont be able to read them o(╥﹏╥)o ” and then BOOM “April Fools Day” ⊙▂⊙
Your blog posts are just amazing, they’re so not dumpster-worthy. They are thumbs-up-worthy (´∀`)b
Good Luck!
So touching, Mairah! Thank you for really appreciating what I post here, especially the Korean songs. I hope you like them. Do not worry though. I will stay here 😀
Oh my GOSH! I seriously… ARGH!!! I’m sooo happy that was an April Fool’s Day post *phew!* I totally was falling for that one : )
Sorry, but it makes me grin whenever I read people falling for my childish prank. Oh, it definitely is a joke only. I won’t give up blogging yet!
Haha, fine have your fun. I’m glad it was a joke!
Me, too! I so like blogging!
Oh wow, you really had me. I was starting to feel really upset that I hadn’t been more encouraging and more supportive and already composing in my head how I would express myself so that you wouldn’t feel pressured … 🙂
Anyway, serves me right for dropping off the radar for so long. Have a beautiful day and know that I love your blog!
Thank you! We all have our depressed and discouraged moments and I admit that what I have written here are mostly true except for the giving up blogging. I sometimes feel incompetent, true.
Anyhow, thanks for supporting me. I hope this does not make you pessimist, too. I love your blog!
No, I’m not pessimistic! 🙂
About feeling incompetent: I know exactly what you mean, that sometimes we feel like frauds when people like something we have written, even though we don’t see it as special or even very good. But one important thing to remember is that nobody likes perfection. Perfection is boring. And another important thing to remember is that most of the time we are our worst critics – we often judge ourselves so much more harshly and hold ourselves up to some kind of unachievable standard that we will always fall short of it. Others often don’t have the same demands on us – they judge what they see and not what could have been there.
I love the way you engage on your blog, and how authentic and charismatic your writing is. You almost always make me smile or even laugh out loud and your enthusiasm for the books you love has made me buy (and start reading) a number of books I wouldn’t have picked up otherwise. *hug*
Oh, gosh you are good! I was shaking my head in denial the entire post and then I saw the bright pink text at the bottom. You are a mean, mean woman 😛 (I keed!)
Hehe. Why will stop blogging when bloggers like you are still here? ‘sides, we haven’t done our reading buddy kind of thing!
I think I have chosen pink so it will be easily visible to the readers. I don’t want them to misunderstood my post and immediately unfollow me haha!
Ah!! I was just finally logging in to thank you for stopping by my blog and liking a post when I saw yours and got so sad that I might have missed you!! Good April Fool’s joke!! Thank you again and looking forward to reading more of you!
Oops. Sorry to have that sort of misunderstanding though it was intended. It was nice playing pranks at this age. I am so glad you have read the entire post and saw that bright pink text. Thank you for visiting my site in return 🙂
You cheeky girl!!! Had me fooled!
Haha nice to know I have another victim 🙂
I am glad you decided to stay around! Thank you for liking just fuffy… I am you a year ago, finding my way, my truth and my voice…. looking forward to exploring your site.
😉 very nice!
Oh, that was very clever 😉
Dang, you got me, Monica. Thanks for reading my blog earlier. I hope to see more from you.
Aww! I was so sad for you I was working up to a big ‘DON’T DO IT!’ speech 😀 – you’re a real kidder aren’t you 😉
Thanks for stopping by my blog and reading & liking my post. I loved your post on April Fool’s Day 🙂 it was well conceived and funny.