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Help! I’m Drowning!

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Somebody toss me a life line! I’m drowning and see no way of extricating myself.

Each morning starts with the usual 100+ email notifications, and that’s not including new posts on Reader. In an attempt to be a good WordPress friend, I try to answer all of them and I’ve been doing a decent job …. until recently. I ‘liked’ a few new posts the other day and these new bloggers are extremely prolific! Now I find myself treading water, unable to keep up with the WordPress notification flood. It’s insidious! I’ll read everything and respond only to find 20 new emails five minutes later. I can’t rely solely on Reader, especially when it comes to reading comments on my own posts.

Am I the only one who feels like I’m not a good WP friend if I don’t respond to every blogger I subscribe to? Does anyone have suggestions for me? How do I prevent reading emails and Reader from turning into a full-time job while still staying on top of all your posts and comments?

I don’t want to disappear like many bloggers before me but I can understand why some friends have flown the WordPress coop.

NAR©2025

This is Into the Ocean” by Blue October


All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

84 thoughts on “Help! I’m Drowning!”

    1. Don’t even try, Tiffany! You will just be treading water; delete all except those very special to you. I followed Sadje’s advice and stopped getting email notifications except for a handful of select bloggers. I was never much of a Reader fan, but I have a different opinion of it now. That’s where I get caught up with all new posts which used to come to my mailbox. And the beauty of Reader is I don’t have to open anything to see who posted; you’re just open it if you want to read the post. If not, just keep on moving.It’s so much easier! Good luck!

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  3. Wow … I’ve been reading through all the comments (it took me an hour) and now 3.30 am, and I’m too tired to remember what I was going say … but I agree with everybody’s words … blogging fills my head like I am “Drowning in Sound”

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    1. Oh God! That video is so good! No need to comment, dear Ivor. I know your thoughts are with me. I’ve gotten a tremendous amount of support and advice from my very caring WP friends and I’ve taken it all to heart. I have stopped email notifications (except for a few very close friends) and I see a big difference already. I had a bad day but I’m doing much better today. I’ll be fine, my dear friend. Thank you. 🥰

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      1. There were lots of positive and constructive words for you (and I picked up some good points too) … I’m so pleased you enjoyed Amanda Palmers song, I think she’s an amazing singer/songwriter … I look down the hallway and out the front window the sun shining, a lovely start to my adventurous day. Nancy 🌞😍🤗🌏🎶

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  4. Hello my knowing friend. It’s tough to keep up and we do our best. I get it but don’t go for heavens sake. Just do what you can. like me know.. i’m supposed to be posting but I’ve got nada but so be it for today. We have what we have. Comments can go off when needed and we just can’t keep up but we can keep on keeping on!
    xo 😘

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  5. If only there were more hours in the day!

    Strange as it might sound, I don’t want more followers. I already struggle to follow those I have, especially the ones that post several times a day. If I am too busy to read their pieces for a day or two, I find myself bogged down with stuff to read and comment on, sometimes spending a hour or so on one site alone just catching up!

    As it happens, today is a good example. Goodness knows what time I’ll get to bed tonight!

    Me? I normally post five or six times a week, and that’s the way I’ll stay!

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    1. You are preaching to the choir, my friend!

      It isn’t a case of posting; while it’s true I post every day, I rarely post more than 2 pieces. It’s my misplaced sense of loyalty thinking I need to comment on every post that comes my way. I’m working on that and teaching myself that it’s ok to pick and choose the posts I really want to comment on and letting the others go. Thanks for your conciliatory comments, dear Keith.

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  7. It’s a serious problem, for sure…I burn out really quickly–so I’m constantly faced with the question: do I want to have fun, or make this into a JOB. We have to set limits so we don’t go crazy…that’s probably no help to you, but at least I left you a comment😊

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    1. Every comment is a help, Rene. I don’t burn out quickly at all. I’m like a dog with a bone. Sometimes, though, there are underlying factors that wear me down mentally and emotionally. This time it’s a torn tendon in my wrist which is causing me pain and concern. I had my moment of purging; now I’m ready to let it go. Thank you, Rene, for your help and concern.

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  8. I hear read and follow you, but don’t always comment, are you offended? I hope not. I enjoy your writing and would love to read everything but life gets in the way (I have a list of books I would love to read). So often I don’t read posts, no offence to anyone, when I “like” I have read and enjoyed for one reason or another. When I comment it means I have been compelled to want to make a connection. I have friends I only see once or twice a year but still enjoy their company immensely. Please don’t disappear, enjoy writing and commenting along the way. Likes are good, more than good, I think a like is great 💞Suzanne

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    1. Suzanne, I am definitely not offended. I like to think my skin is thicker than that. 😂 Everything you wrote here makes perfect sense and I totally agree. We all get overwhelmed at times; it’s part of being human. And thank goodness for that. It’s our mind and body’s way of saying “Slow down and take a breath. Let it be.” I’m doing much better today and I’ll definitely be sticking around; I love writing and the social interaction too much to quit! It’s an amazing feeling to see how much support I’ve gotten from my caring WP friends. Everyone understands and I know I’m not alone. Thanks so much, Suzanne. ☺️

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  9. Please don’t disappear good WP friend! I do hear ya. 🛟 I’ve turned off email notifications though I still get them for comments. A glitch, I suppose. I am not able to engage every day and I am not able to read every post when people post every hour. I am a bit confused by why bloggers do that. If posts involve several scrolls to reach the end, I have to move on. Depending on the subject and post length, it may take me a few days to get to it, and that’s only if the content/writing merit my time. I never “like” without reading though I may not always comment. If comments go unanswered by me and/or others, I don’t continue to leave comments. Those are a few time-saving suggestions.

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    1. Michele, I agree fully with everything you wrote. I’m not going anywhere; sometimes, however, even the most confident among us begin to crumble a little. I have already turned off email notifications and I see a big difference. I have a large number of comments but I can only attribute that to writing scintillating posts which people want to comment on. 😂 I hate to say it but, IMO, people who post all day every day are very selfish and rude. It’s an unnecessary intrusion. Fortunately, we can turn them off. Thank you for your advice, Michele. This has been most cathartic. ☺️

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  10. Sorry for the long comment!
    Nancy…I went from posting every day for 7 years….only missing a week when I had a kidney stone for a week in 2019. This past Feb I finally said enough…that is why I only post on Friday, Sat, in and Sun…and sometimes a Thursday like today when I have unusual post.
    I met you around the time I was in the shape you are in. That is why you didn’t hear from me much and a lot of other people as well…I felt guilty because people would read my posts and I wouldn’t get to them and that wasn’t fair… and I love reading posts…that is why I do this but…you can only do what you can do.
    I would suggest either what Sadie said or just do it certain days and have some off days. I can relate to what you are going through! If I wouldn’t have done what I did…I would have had to quit. You won’t lose readers Nancy….as long as you stick to a schedule…I’m above last year already in views and I only post half as much….again sorry for the drawn out comment but I know how you feel.

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  11. When someone is posting every 5-10 minutes, take a pause and read and comment on only those you find interesting. Plus turn off the email notifications and find new posts in the reader.

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    2. My apologies, Sadje. I realized I only sent you half of my response.

      I like your idea to pause, read, and comment on only those posts I find interesting. This is something I do already but, if I’m being honest, I’m sure I can more to skim over. Posting every few minutes is unnecessary and unwelcome. Thank you, cara Sadje, and I apologize for the disjointed response.

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                1. This morning I woke with a different attitude. I am going to do what you suggested re stopping most email notifications and just using Reader. That will give me a better handle on what I read and comment on and what gets passed over. I’m not a fan of Reader but perhaps I’ll change my tune. Thanks again, Sadje.

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  12. I get where you’re coming from! I end up just deleting emails from those whose blogs I followed many years ago but never interact with. I have a core of around 40 to 50 with whom I share comments, but even then I don’t do it for every post – I leave a ‘like’ as my calling card, though.

    I also have daily notifications for the more frequent posters, which means just one email – but not for you, yours arrive instantly.

    As for the Reader, I find it very unreliable. One of my posts didn’t appear in it recently, so I wonder how many others don’t make it.

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    1. Jim, I like the stories, poems and the music blogs. Uncovering little known facts or explaining how something works can be fascinating. The long daily monologues consisting of what someone ate for breakfast, etc., are boring, unnecessary, self-indulgent and rude …. IMHO!

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  14. Sometimes curiosity is a good thing. Other times a curse. My email inbox also flooded. I too want to see what other bloggers are posting but need to become a social hermit when incoming messages get overwhelming.

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  15. Same here. I know at times I post way too many times, but I love doing the challenges. But the more I do, the more I want to see what everyone else is doing, setting up the comment/and response deal on and on . I use email notices mostly, and have set up folders for different things, like ‘comments to answer’, ‘songs to listen to’, and individual challenge titles to read, ‘stuff to read later’. It helps get the notices down to manageable numbers. But even that gets too much, so like Willow, I go on a delete spree and get rid of all and start over. I feel bad about it, but as it is I am on my blog all day long. I do have time but there are other things I want to do, too. We just do what we can. 🙂

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    1. It’s true that misery loves company and I appreciate that others share the same problems. I set up folders also; as soon as I read a prompt post, it goes straight into my prompts folder where I can work on it when I have time. I have also done a “delete all” on those days when I’m too busy or out all day and don’t want to read all those posts when I get home. I’m a people pleaser, that’s my biggest problem.

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      1. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one, too. Since we all have the same thoughts, there should be no hard feelings. But still I have that thing … FOMO – fear of missing out! haha 🙂

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  16. I struggle with that, too. And I’ve needed to reduce comments and even visits because my bigger projects aren’t getting the focus time they need. I try not to post more than twice a week bc I don’t want to overburden others (A visit deserves a friendly comment back, yes?).

    So mostly, I’m a clown juggling on a unicycle, and floating on an inflatable rubber mattress in the protected arm of an ocean bay, and every now and then the wind shifts and kicks up a few waves. But I keep grinning!

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  18. I have a couple of folks I follow who post prolifically and it would be a full-time job just to get through their posts. I honestly don’t know why someone would post so much, and where they get the time! I use reader, and just skim through their posts, stopping only if it seems like something I really want to read, and I comment now and then. The rest I delete.
    We can’t spend all our time wading through so much, so if it is someone I want to keep getting stuff from, I’ll comment when the spirit moves me, and hit that delete button the rest of the time.
    You are not being disloyal!

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  19. I only follow like 250 blogs and read solely on reader or a linky. Most of them are tied to specific prompts. If I cannot get through the daily posts I just wait till I do have time and catch up with those I know actually read mine. And I don’t have any problem deleting blogs I cannot even remember who writes them.

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    1. I just went through my subscription list and changed some notifications from “daily” to “weekly”; that will lighten the load and I can scan through when I have the time.

      We always know when our posts are not read; that’s ok. What I’d say to the people who don’t read my posts but comment anyway is “please don’t”. I’ve had people write such silly things that only proves they didn’t read the post. Like it, don’t like it, but don’t comment if you haven’t read it.

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  21. Go easy on yourself (the perils of popularity … lol) You are a treasure, and we WP bloggers understand how busy life can get or chaotic then a slow crawl in a matter of nanoseconds! A roller-coaster this writer’s life 😇 ~ ❤

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  22. Ahhhh…. you’re preaching to the choir, my friend. For the multi-posters *ahem* I have modified my WP delivery of posts to one email per day – this means I get one email with a link of up to three posts by said person… There are some who post 7-8-9 times per day. Seriously? Fuck that shit. Within the email, I choose one (might be two) to read and flush the rest.

    I loathe using the Reader but that means my inbox gets out of control. I cleaned it up one month or so ago and guess how many unread emails are there? 1811… Drowing, you say? I’m buried!!

    One blogger has a Feedly account where she puts in the blogs (and other reading stuff like news, articles, etc.) When she feels like reading, she goes in and picks and chooses… I just haven’t had (taken) the time to set myself up. I go nuts till then.

    I tried to get rid of the “likes” emails – haven’t quite figured that one out…

    I do know many bloggers who post multiple times per day don’t expect every single one to be read…. do they?

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    1. Between 1-3 is my limit these days. I won’t post more than that if I can help it. I love your response to prolific posters. Hilarious!

      I can’t stand reader either and only go there to see new posts I may have missed.

      No Freedly account for me. I just changed some subscriptions to be sent weekly instead of daily. They’ll come in one email per week and I’ll read the posts when I can.

      I asked WP how to get rid of the likes notifications. They showed me how to do it but it works very sporadically. Besides, it was a real hassle. When I see an email notification that says someone liked my post, I delete without opening. I don’t need to read it. The freakin’ notification just told me! Who cares?

      Your last comment …. why post if you don’t expect people to read them?

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      1. I don’t know how you do it 😉 I thought you’d like my little jab 😉

        I don’t even bother. If I’m subscribed, it means I get an email. What I don’t know I miss, I won’t miss!

        Oooh… Weekly, eh? That’s an idea. Then again, there’s another blogger I follow. I always know when she is going to post because she comments on my latest post. She spends a day reading the ones she follows, posts, responds to her comments and goes on living. Pretty smart, I say.

        I do the same. I just flush all the like posts.

        What I meant by the last one is surely whoever posts 7-8 posts cannot expect their readers to read them all. Surely not. The one I am talking about, I really like her – except when she gets ultra-feminist and bashes the male population in general – and many times she just posts a photo, fine. okay, I’ll like it and move on. But when I see she rambles on and on on more than one post, I choose only one to read. I do have to step away somewhat!

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  23. I always prioritise responding to pingbacks and comments. I only use a laptop so pick up posts through my reader. The email linked to my blog is always full of notifications, but no comments, so I can easily monitor those. There are days when I literally am too tired to read everything in my reader. I feel guilty about that, but there are only so many hours in the day and my blogging time has reduced considerably with recent events over the past few months. We can only do what we can, and I’m certain regular readers appreciate that. I enjoy bogging and the interaction, but if that changes, then I will have to consider how to proceed.

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  24. I feel the same way, so I do what I can, when I can, I am behind, but I can’t help it, I want reading blogs and blogging to be fun, not a chore. I think just do what you can when you can. If that means you can’t read everything, that is okay! Xx

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  25. Nancy, I really feel this — it can be overwhelming trying to keep up with the flood of posts and comments for me too. I think your presence already feels warm and genuine, so you don’t need to respond to everything to be a “good WP friend.” 💙

    Much love,
    David

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