I have been writing this blog with one post a day for twenty months now and while I still love to do it and won’t stop in the foreseeable future, I feel I have to, no, I want to scale back a little. Hopefully not in quality, but certainly in quantity to preserve the former and not compromise it for the latter.
When I was newly down the rabbit hole I couldn’t smell enough, couldn’t explore enough, I had a blast. Now I’m in a more sedate mood, the frenzy has mostly calmed, and now I want to enjoy what I have and adapt that pace in my living and in my writing.
Perfume is incredibly important to me and I want to keep it that way, what I don’t want is to make a chore out of it. Many of you visit this blog more than once, because they like my way of writing, and rather than impressing people with my prolific style, I’d prefer to keep myself and hopefully my readers happy with what I have been doing all along, only a little slower.
The months of July and August mean I have less time to blog, and this year I don’t want to struggle to keep everything up and running at full speed, despite having less hours a day to do so. I don’t want to run out of steam.
I’m planning to keep the Monday Question going as well as at least two reviews per week. So I’m no totally slacking off, but I’m not keeping up the same daily schedule either.
This is a song by an Austrian singer from the nineties, I grew up with this and I think it is an exceptional piece of music that an international audience should hear. Also, it says it all…
I hope you stay with me through the summer and join me while taking the time to smell the roses (and jasmines, and irises and ouds and vanillas and…)!
Olfactoria's Travels 
Will be here whenever you post! Enjoy your time! I am more than thrilled to have spent time here with you. Long a reader here and other blogs, but it was on this blog I finally took the step of commenting! Your warmth is evident, and nobody feels like they don’t belong. I will spend the time when you are not posting to read old posts I may have missed! So, for me, it won’t be boring around here!
Thank you so much, Judith, that is so good to hear! I’m glad to kow you’ll stick around! Hugs!
P.S. How are the legs doing?
I will not “Like” this post for the obvious reason but I completely understand what you mean and I was wondering how you could do it even for so long.
I want to make one suggestion though: don’t try to put yourself into any strict schedule – one way or the other. If you feel like posting three posts a week – do it. If anything comes up and you happen to write a forth one – do not hold off trying to fit the schedule. If only one or two happen to come together during a week, we’ll be here the next one, and the next, and the next.
Enjoy your summer!
The three posts per week are the skeleton, and if something comes up that needs to be said right away, I will just go ahead and say it. 😉
Enjoy your summer too, dear Undina!
Summer is meant for slowing down and playing with your children. Enjoy the time and do only what you want to do. Enjoy the summer – at least we have one now!
Thank you, Sandra! I will! (Although I hate the heat! 😉 )
Have a lovely, more relaxed summer – see you soon !
Thank you! See you soon! (Are you off to London on Monday?)
Yes, I am – taking the first flight on Mo, coming back on Tue afternoon. Mo late afternoon/evening will have some time for myself. Are you in town the week commensing July 9th ?
Good for you! Enjoy! I’ll email you tonight.
Like Undina, I have been amazed at your stamina over the past year and a half, especially factoring in the demands of a young family and a chronic lack of sleep! Your plan sounds fine to me, and enjoy the holidays with the family. : – ) x
Sorry, iPhone blindness means I didn’t spot the repetition of “family”. Hey, you’ve got enough on your hands with one!
Haha, that’s true. 🙂
Thanks, V! I hope to get a bit more sleep over the summer months (hope dies last). 😉
Birgit, I check your blog every chance I get – it brings me that much pleasure. But less posts from you will bring me no less pleasure. I enjoy each and every one. And pacing ourselves, no matter how much enthusiasm and love we have for something, is imperative.
Have a wonderful summer!
Thank you for being so understanding and for being a loyal reader. I really appreciate it and it’s what makes me want to write. ❤
Hey Birgit,
It comes to my Inbox, I’m patient. Live.
Portia xx
Thank you, Portia! xoxo
Dear Birgit, it doesn’t come as a surprise; a post a day for 20 months is super human:-) What you have achieved is amazing, congrats on that. And with you not blogging everyday, it will just give me more time to look forward to your posts. Enjoy your summer.
Thank you, Asali, it’s not super human, but maybe testament of an obsession put to good use. 😉
This is such a good idea, dear B. Perfume is a passion of ours and it shouldn’t become a burden. All passions go through phases though and it makes sense that the passing of that initial mania should be reflected in your wriitng rate. I was just saying yesterday that I don’t know how you cope with your schedule.
Personally, for the past year my eagarness for “the new” has also calmed and I can’t tell you how much pleasure I have got from wearing my favourite FBs on most days of the week. I’m glad you’re going to get to enjoy that more often now, as well as time with your beautiful family, of course!
(I look forward to hearing that piece of music on Monday when I have access to Flash).
Take care, dear friend!
It’s good to hear that from you, dear Tara! Thank you.
Wearing my FB’s more is something I really look forward to this summer.
Quantity or frequency are never the important things… only the love you bring to what you do, which is worth taking time for. Relax, let life bring you pleasure. We out here will be listening, always glad to hear your voice.
Such kind words and so beautifully put! Thanks, Meg. ❤
I certainly think you deserve a break! Don’t feel bad about how much or little you post because they are all so wonderful. For those of us who are new to the blog (me) the archives are a treasure trove of things to read anyway. Maybe you could implement a “Best of..” series and bring back some of the best posts from the past. There are so many to read through and I often stumble upon some really great ones while looking at something else but, I would also love to hear which ones you (and others) thought were the best / most interesting / most controversial, etc. Just a thought….
BTW, your Ambre addition is contagious; I can’t stop smelling all the different ambers out there. Today it was the Hermessence in Ambre Narguile (so different) that I fell in love with. And I am really debating between Ambre Sultan and Mitzah for a FB as an “everyday Ambre” (the price/size of the Dior might push the SL into the lead a little). Choices, choices, choices…..
Enjoy your summer!
I’m glad you are enjoying ambers, I should have put up a warning – amber addiction is contagious. 😉
It’s good to hear you are enjoying the blog and the “Best of” idea is great, thank you, I will keep it in mind.
B., You deserve a little down time to smell the roses and enjoy your family.
I am sure “The Husband” will be happy also – we men tend to be “Time Possessive”.
Have a wonderful and “Guilt free summer” – I am happy you are keeping your Monday Questions, I will still be watching for your posts!
Thank you, Charles, my husband is adamant that I publicly state that he has not once complained about my blogging. 😉
I’m glad you will keep on reading!
Dear Birgit,
I feel a bit like Judith, I’ve been following other blogs for many years and the times, I’ve commented there in years equal the times I’ve commented here in just a few weeks. It’s something about you (and not only your brilliant reviews!), that makes it fun and easy to talk about scents. Thank you for that! Have a wonderful summer with your family and don’t worry about us, we’ll be just fine. ;o)
Cheers
Safran
Dear Safran,
your comment means a lot to me. It is great that you feel comfortable commenting here and that you enjoy the conversation. I do too! 🙂
What draws me to your blog is the calmness, gentleness, generosity and joy of your voice both in the reviews and in your efforts to reply to every comment. I think such a voice can only be maintained with some equilibrium in your life. You bring such pleasure that it is easy to be greedy, but I’d be happy to read fewer posts and have your elegant yet relaxed approach continue. Enjoy your summertime with your children and The Husband and do not fret even if you choose to maintain a reduced schedule in the fall. I will be reading whatever and whenever you choose to post.
Such a thoughtful and kind feedback means a lot, thank you very much, Lindaloo. I will see how it feels in the coming two months and then decide how to go on. I’m definitely a happy blogger and I want to keep on writing. 🙂
Hello Birgit and all,
This is my very first post 😉 My passion for perfume started not long ago. If started my collection with some of the Albatrosses! Your warmness and generosity got me reading your blog regularly, I think I’ve already read almost all the reviews! I enjoy it a lot because it is filled with emotions, respect and sincerity.
Perfume is your passion and this blog community is really lovely but your family deserve time with you and that is way more meaningful!
Give your husband and the boys the very best of yours, it is the holidays after all!
And most important : Enjoy the time you spend with them!
Hi, lovely to see you commenting! 🙂
I’m happy you took the time to read through the archives and that you like my blog and the conversations here.
You are right, my family deserves to be enjoyed as well, time is flying so fast with small children anyway…
Birgit, I will always be here because your blog feels like “home” to me. Like others, I am attracted by your warm and welcoming style, and your writing is always as flowing and elegant as the perfumes you write about. So have no worries over slowing down to three posts a week; I am the type of person who favors quality over quantity, always!!
Dearest Suz, thank you for reading, for your thoughtful comments and for your friendship. So glad you feel at home here. ❤
Most of my own blog posts are short and “off the cuff” commentaries on a photo, so it’s easy to do once a day. But you write beautiful and thoughtful essays, and I have no idea how you’ve kept the pace for 20 months!! So no worries about the new “slacker schedule”- I think it’ll work out great! Big hugs to you!
Big hug back, Marla, thank you!
Slacker schedule – I like that… 🙂
B., What a loving community you have developed here. It is obvious, in the end we want what
is best for you and yours – even if we see less of your words and I aspire to be a better man
modeled after your husband if he really is not complaining!!! Really not complaining? Really?
Well, he complains about lots of things, but interestingly enough, the blogging is not one of them. 🙂
The community here is great, I feel so well cared for, Perfumistas are amazing people.
Your blog is one of the things I enjoy reading along with my morning cuppa, though it seems to be a little late today, my cuppa that is. Can I say that while I’ve certainly been enjoying you on a daily basis, and been amazed at your stamina, the last thing I’d want to feel as a reader is that I being a reader was contributing in any way to your feeling like you had to keep a certain schedule/volume whatever. No pressure, please just pleasure.
What I enjoy reading is the the sense of pleasure and true enjoyment you express, which leads to the chitchat after. It feels like we’re all in this lovely journey of exploration together. I’d personally like to read what you have to say when you feel moved to say it, because you feel moved to say it and not because duty calls in any way. Whether that’s once or 7x a week doesn’t matter to me.
Thanks so much for your understanding and your kind words of encouragement, it means a lot to me. ❤
Good for you! While I am a daily reader and have greatly appreciated a different review everyday, I don’t want something to give me joy at the expense of sucking someone dry! And, honestly, it is a great example that beauty, grace and creativity need to set boundaries in order to survive and flourish.
I look forward to your twice a week posts.:)
How beautifully put, thank you! That is exactly how I feel, I want and need to set boundaries, to keep the pleasure of smelling and writing alive.
Dearest B, the fact that you have managed to post daily with two small children and a busy lifestyle is a testament to your drive and passion for this blog. I enjoy Olfactoria’s Travels immensely and regardless of the quantity of posts per week I will always enjoy the quality of your writing and will ALWAYS be a keen follower of your blog 🙂
Thank you, dear T! I feel the same about your blog. It is so great to have such good friends in fragrance. xo
Aww shucks, and I agree completely!! xo
Don’t ever let this become a chore. The whole point is for it to be enjoyable, right? I’d say you should write as little or as much as you want: your readers will always find you, whether you publish one post per week or per month.
Enjoy your summer with your family 🙂
Right. 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, P. Enjoy your summer as well!
I have continued to be super impressed not only by your elegant and thoughtful daily posts, but, just as importantly, by the care you take in replying to every comment. I would far rather read fewer, considered posts by you than anything rushed and considered a chore – please enjoy your summer, we will still be here! In the meantime it is a good excuse for me to start your blog from the beginning… x
It’s good to hear you are not abandoning ship. 🙂
Now that I’ve made this decision, I feel so much better already…
I am more than a little nervous that my post about perfume blogger stages is contagious. 😦
Blogging can be grueling. When it starts feeling like “a job” is when you have to find the right schedule for you – your readers would always prefer you keep writing even on a less frequent schedule than not at all. Your writing is so lovely, and you have built a wonderful community, and that is no small accomplishment, B!
Interestingly enough, I only read that post after I had written mine, somehow I missed it and only Ari’s link alerted me to it, but that was weeks aftr I had scheduled this, so no worries, I loved your post and totally agree, but it has not been the initial booster. 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, Patty, I really appreciate them! Thank you for reading!
Dear Birgit, enjoy your summer and when the inspiration strikes, write. 🙂
I see Patty is worried her post is contagious – I believe her post is very true of the path many bloggers take. In the beginning, you cannot but write as much as you can, and then at a certain point, you need to take it easy.
I also believe if you’re patient, the period passes (like she said) so eventually it becomes a normal, routine part of your life that doesn’t make you feel guilty for not writing more but brings pleasuer when you have something to say.
And besides, summer is always the time to take it easy and relax. 😉
Btw, are you having a heat wave as well? It’s hellishly warm here.
Horribly hot here too. 😦
Thank you, Ines. You are surely right, the stages Patty described so well, surely go for all of us. Enjoy your summer too, my dear!
I will certainly still read no matter the frequency of your posts. I have been continually impressed by the quality of your writing, and that you have been able to keep it up over so many reviews/posts. I am in that sedate mood, too. I don’t seek out fragrances to sample with the ferocity that I did when I first got into this hobby. Right now I am content enjoying those I have and letting new ones find me every once in a while 🙂
That is very assuring to know, thank you, James!
Enjoying the “fruits” of this hobby is a very nice feeling. 🙂
I think you and Ari are both worrying a bit too much about keeping up a pace that most people don’t. Here I am, finally getting a chance to READ this post. When there are more in a week, trust me, I don’t get to savor them all. And I *am* a faithful reader! Do what feels best, let the love shine in, don’t worry too much. We love to read what you post when you post it.
I view this blog as my job, since my own career has take a backseat to my husbands and the kids’ upbringing, so this is where I can do MY thing. And it is important to me that it is as professional as possible, not in content, I’m a total layperson here and that is fine that way, but formally at least. That is why scaling back is something I worry about, but nonetheless, it has to be done. But I’m fine with it now, and I am grateful for comments like yours. ❤
Birgit, I’ve always been in awe of your ability to do a post-a-day, but I’ll echo what everyone else has said: do what is right for you. And I’ll repeat what I typed over at Ari’s blog as she faces a similar decision: Google Reader means that whenever you post, I’ll be able to read it. No pressure. Enjoy your summer and your family.
Thank you, Dionne! I will! Have a great summer too!