Can you have too much of a good thing?

My mom lied. My dad too.

When I was a kid, I asked my mom one time for a second bowl of ice cream. For some reason, the memory sticks out in my head. I remember she ruffled my hair and turned me down. It was a hard no, the kind of no that told you that she wasn’t messing around. Oh, she was kind about it, but I knew that I better not test her. She was insistent that a second bowl would give me a stomach-ache.

Of course, the next morning, I found two dirty bowls in the kitchen sink. My mom and dad had sneaked a second treat for themselves. I was appalled, but I dare not say anything.

Good to question, right?

Her response has always made me wonder. Is too much of a good thing really a bad thing? In fact, I’m asking myself that question right now. I’m thinking about my blog next year and I’m trying to figure out a workable posting schedule.

I posted this past year three days a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday’s I re-posted a piece I’ve run in the past. And on Saturday’s, I’ve posted my gratitude journal. The only days I didn’t post anything were Thursdays and Sundays.

Two years ago, I wrote six days a week. I know I definitely don’t have time to get back to that. I’m trying to figure out the posting amount that makes sense. Even when I re-run a post, it still takes time to prepare it and get it ready to run.

What do the readers say?

I don’t earn anything from blog. If my blog earned something — worldwide fame or even boatloads of cash — maybe posting more often would be a good idea. Right now, it’s a labor of love.

When I Googled suggested posting amounts, I got the following advice:

• 1–2 posts per week: A good starting point for small blogs, personal blogs, or small businesses. It allows for a balance between consistent content and quality.
• 2–4 posts per week: Ideal for many businesses, this frequency can lead to steady growth if you can maintain the content plan.
• 4–7 posts per week: Recommended for large content sites that can sustain daily or near-daily posting.

I appreciate Dr. Google’s insight, but I think my readers know better.

The votes are in!

For the year, my top rated posts include:

1. Finding my blogging friends: How I found a community and friendship with other WordPress bloggers.
2. Writing for mental health: How writing helps me process this crazy world.
3. Things people want to know, but rarely ask: My questions on things that don’t always make sense to me.
4. Don’t judge a book by its cover: When you’re feeling crummy, grab a kid’s book. I write about two that helped me this year.
5. All dressed up & nowhere to go: Getting dressed up in a suit and tie again.
6. If I ever . . .: My attempt to be just like writer Frederik Backman.
7. Nine things I can’t live without: My Julie Andrews moment. A few of my favorite things.
8. The writing process: The long and winding road: How the magic happens. How I write.
9. ‘Haters gonna hate!’: My rant on hypocrisy and faith.
10. Tips on writing: Timeless lessons: Where great storytelling begins.

Things to consider!

I have other writing goals.

I want to make my novel a priority. Writing a novel, memoir, or humor lifestyle book has taken a backseat for much of my life. It’s been too easy to put aside for other priorities: work and kids to name two big ones. Oh let’s get real, life has always gotten in the way. I’m trying to change that, but I still get an enormous amount of enjoyment out of the blog. I constantly find myself brainstorming ideas and memories that I think might make interesting posts.

It’s almost like a diary.

So I’m at an impasse. Something has to give. What do you think? I need some advice. What’s the optimal posting strategy and schedule? I’m listening.

And I promise to not wake up in the middle of the night and sneak a bowl of Death by Chocolate or Cookies & Cream ice cream without you.