Hani went through it, so did Aiz. Bloggers who have gone a full circle of moulding and shaping their blog will eventually find themselves at the pivotal point where they question - is it time to move on?
Moving on doesn't necessarily mean a full stop to penning one's thoughts and opinions online. While a hiatus may be in the picture, some bloggers continue writing till they establish that new blog - and in a new blog, I don't mean a change in templates!
Some stop and move to a new URL - effectively disconnecting, either partially or fully, their previous readership and reestablishing new ones. Some spin-off more focused and targetted sites, which in a way, is akin developing 'multiple personalities'!
To a certain extent, I've tried bits and pieces of it - I shifted my photos (I developed a hobby for taking pictures during my blogging 'tenure') to create my own gallery and am trying to channel my favourite pastime (eating!) into MakanSakan.com. The journey has been meaningful, but I think I've arrived at that point where it's my turn to question - is it time to move on?
As I have mentioned before, I started blogging based on encouragement from a friend:
"Blogging is a panacea for troubled minds."
My blog has given me more that just peace of mind, it's allowed me to reflect on the things that matters to me. It has given me the opportunity to make new friends, to exchange thoughts and occassionally, mentally spar with my readers. What I love most about my blog is that I've been able to show a part of myself to friends and family that I was not able to communicate otherwise, given my own personal reservations and the limited time I have to spend with them.
The typical blog starts off as a mimic of another blog. Mine was no different. Most bloggers start by drawing from their favourite ones, and at the time, mine was Aiz's VOI and Hani's Shrine of Honesty. Both seem to cater to both sides of my brain and one (Aiz's) had a functional template.
After two months' worth of posts - i.e. the random "I did this ... " and "I am this ... " type of posts, the blogger starts veering off in a direction that suits her needs. In my case, I started writing down my thoughts on the things I did and see and once in awhile, I would blog cryptic (non-specific) posts on questions in my head. One thing I realised is that once you post a question to the cosmos (read: Internet), the cosmos answers. My favourite commentors have been Faren, Pak Adib, Idlan, Jikon and Rhomerc (among others), who have either summarised my ramblings into a very concise point or directed me to things and questions I wouldn't have thought of myself.
The blog, if updated on a regular basis, tends to take a life of its own. It starts collecting its own readership (I am very proud of the type of comments I get - very thought-provoking stuff!) and to a certain extent, influences the blogger as much as the blogger influences the blog.
But sometimes, the blog takes a turn (either through increased readership or through inadvertant 'compartmentalisation') and the blogger may feel limited by what should be a mechanism for free speech. The short of it is - sometimes the blogger can't say what she wants to say on the blog because of what the blog has become.
From what I've seen, that's a good enough excuse for people to move on.
Related note:
My previous posts on blogging.
Lah: For the love of God. Can you be any more of an arse? It's like this whole post was written in Swahili and you missed the entire point, or it COULD be (though I hope I'm wrong) that in HIS infinite wisdom, God decided to spare you a working brain.
*sigh*
Posted by: Ash.ox at 2004年06月07日 21:15Thank you for blogging in the first place, and enriching all our lives. Whatever happens, I wish you peace of mind, happiness, and all the best things the cosmos can offer you.
Posted by: HANI at 2004年06月07日 21:20"...sometimes the blogger can't say what she wants to say on the blog because of what the blog has become"..
In that case, her blog doesn't accurately reflect her current state, and it would be up to the blogger to either change the blog's direction or, as you said, move on to a different pasture.
Posted by: Zsarina at 2004年06月07日 21:28I enjoyed your blog Najah, although I am not a regular (I am drawn to controversial topics). I can always count on your blog for nice food entries (:P). I have used your blog to jump to jikon's, which is also introspectively and elegantly written.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors (even if it means that there will be one link less in my folders).
Thank you.
I've often wondered how far I will go with my blog. Maybe one day I'll find out.
Posted by: Idlan at 2004年06月08日 01:46no more Malaysiana digest to look fwd to :( Enjoyed your writings n comments. All the best anyway.
Posted by: shushi at 2004年06月08日 09:02Mmm. I don't really like goodbyes (they make me uncomfortable) but I think they're necessary.
Godspeed, and God bless. I have a feeling I'll be seeing you around still.
>)
Posted by: Ash.ox at 2004年06月08日 10:06Najlet,
Blog or no blog, we will continue to be friends and go to our makan sessions.
:)
Posted by: pickyin at 2004年06月08日 10:10So that's it ? Good thing never last when I'm around. Despite being an outsider, I'm flattered by your responds to my mostly nonsense comments. I do wish we can continue again, sometime, somewhere, whenever and wherever. Whatever you're up to next, good luck and all the best.
Posted by: rhomer at 2004年06月08日 10:29You have enriched our lives with your beautiful words even when it was just a rambling. I never failed to read your posts. It's gonna be a loss for me though. Anyway, good luck in your future endeavours.
Posted by: chOpine at 2004年06月08日 11:06i'll miss reading you.
you're a brilliant writer and even more, a fantastic person.
((hugs))
First Dinesh's Alphaque, now this. Everything must come to an end, I guess. Although I do seriously hope (*fingers crossed*) that this is merely a temporary break.. ?
Posted by: Sashi at 2004年06月08日 12:33I knew just from observing you as you did your thing in Adelaide 7 years ago that you were someone to watch and that you would definitely be a player in the shaping of the Malaysian psyche.
I'm glad that I'd googled your name on a whim one day sometime last month. The Malaysiana Digests reawakened and nourished that hunger for intellectual discourse which I'd neglected in favour of the trivial dramas of everyday life.
Your insights sent a letter to my soul. Thank you.
All the best for your next chapter.
Posted by: Spot at 2004年06月08日 14:02Najah, just to let you know that I've enjoyed your writings and would like to wish you all the best in your current and future undertakings.
Take care.
Posted by: Resident at 2004年06月08日 16:05As I delete you from my IE favorite list, I welcome “www.liverpoolfc.tv” to take your place. As I am disturbed that a 20 minute void has formed in my after-work free time, I curiously wait to see what might fill this gap. As every great new adventure starts from goodbye, I bid you farewell and wish that our paths will cross again in another journey, in another episode, in another time.
Posted by: Prideless at 2004年06月08日 17:00oh dear... can it get any more cryptic than this? hmm.. good luck madame! cyberspace shud have enuff room for a phoenix-like moment. and a special note: i made a song for you. its entitled "if i never met you". when i've sorta perfected it, i'll buzz u. take care! :(
Posted by: faren at 2004年06月08日 22:13Najah
Inspiration is one of the most invaluable intangible claims one can have to immortality. I think it's evident from all the comments preceding this how much you've inspired many of us.
Blog or no, keep writing. It's a talent rarely found, a discipline seldom acknowledged, and a tool mightier than a nuclear weapon.
Peace.
Posted by: KL Konfidential at 2004年06月09日 02:38Kak Najah,
I should say that my blog has been inspired by yours. I'm quite new in this blogging stuff, but yours, when i read one entry after another, make me think and reflect and not afraid to pour down my thought in mine. The other day, when i asked you about how you get you ideas, i really meant to ask. And thanks for the lifetime advice. :)
Gud luck!
One last thing, I hope you won't be getting into politics or anything close to that. Please no.
Take care.
Posted by: rhomer at 2004年06月09日 12:14i hate to think of malaysiana digest free mornings. hope to see your writings around, though.
A couple of years ago, one of my favourite blog took a hiatus (party girl) but i'm glad to see her blog revived earlier this year. Maybe yrs will come back with a bang sometimes. (no harm in wishful thinking). Your blog (& you) is already missed.
Kak Najah,
my mornings will be different without you...
Good luck!
Posted by: hyde at 2004年06月09日 15:56oh no! one of my favourite blogs no more? i will miss the malaysiana digests terribly. terribly indeed! it has been my regular daily read.
well, najah, i guess you gotta do what you gotta do, so best of luck to you in your future undertakings.
i enjoy your writings, najah. you are an excellent writer.
Posted by: lucia at 2004年06月09日 23:57about my comments, im inspired by the verses in Surah Ibrahim (Qur'an 14:24-26)
24. Seest thou not how Allah sets forth a parable? - A goodly word like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens,- of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition.
25. It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the leave of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition.
26. And the parable of an evil Word is that of an evil tree: It is torn up by the root from the surface of the earth: it has no stability.
---
http://www.islamicity.com/quran/14.htm
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-- "The Road Not Taken", Robert Frost
Posted by: Aisehman at 2004年06月10日 19:30Seems like this is the 1st and last time I'd leave a comment here. Hope your next endeavor brings you as much joy as blogging did. You will be back won't you?? :D 'till then.
Posted by: Anuar at 2004年06月11日 02:03My younger bro who's in Spain commented above (Anuar) so I feel compelled to also add:My wife & I are also regular readers of your blog-gonna miss your writing.
Posted by: big bro at 2004年06月11日 09:28ure blog has been some source of ideas for me to blog.....thank you...
"The short of it is - sometimes the blogger can't say what she wants to say on the blog because of what the blog has become.."
I know how it feels.. its as if uve lost the original meaning of ure blog.
well good luck..in no matter what u do..
Really..? For real? Or perhaps stop blogging, and start your own book? Give it a thought Kak Najah, you're really good playing with words. See you around!
Posted by: Lolyta at 2004年06月12日 20:42Moving on - a must. A question of when and what next...
Thanks for your writings.
Posted by: fooji at 2004年06月13日 21:05Take care, Naj .. will miss your writings .. :-) see ya around ...
Posted by: omecool20 at 2004年06月13日 23:19My best wishes in whatever you choose to do next:-)
I don't read many blogs, but yours is one of the handful that I read.
Posted by: Pak Adib at 2004年06月14日 09:05oops. looks like i've been out of virtual touch a few days too many.
guess its human nature to not fully able to appreciate something until it's no longer around. i apologize for being too human, but i have to say that i learn something from you and your blog.
thanks for being there, najah. all the best. Allah bless.
Posted by: bayah at 2004年06月14日 16:57Dear All,
Thanks for the well-wishes, I didn't realise this blog will be missed! Reading your comments made me more 'sayu' to close this blog.
I'll be working on something else for awhile, so rest assured, this is not goodbye.
Posted by: Najah at 2004年06月15日 13:21