I am retracting this post. It think it’s premature. I think even if I stop blogging, the least I can do is to maintain the blog and platform. That won’t take too much time.
As for why I wrote this post, it’s really not about blogging, but my (childish?) desire to do things that matter more. But as I read Black Phoenix comments in this post and colin’s comment here, I think I really ought to accept the fact that that most people work in obscurity.
Since I am not doing this for money … or fame, I should continue to blog as long as I feel what I write has some enlightening effect.
Of course, I also want to tell people here that I don’t do this for a living, so when I am silent, please don’t think it’s my flaw. I am just juggling like everyone all the priorities of life.
So, for now, I am not quitting. But even if I do end up quitting, I will make sure the blog stays here … or that someone passionate takes over.
I think it’s time for me to quit blogging. It’s been a good ride. I have enjoyed every post and every comment I made. However, I think it’s time for me to turn a new chapter.
When I first started blogging, I found it incredibly liberating. There are only three projects I have done in my life that I have devoted my all. One of them is this blog. However after six years, blogging no longer feels liberating. It actually make me feel quite lonely.
There have been many purposes of this blog, from building bridges between East and West … to articulating the Chinese perspective. But is my voice being heard? About the Chinese perspective, am I the person to articulate it? About building bridges, have I really built any bridges?
I still have so many ideas … so many things in my mind to talk about … but I am also getting ever so conscious about the passage of time, of my children growing up, of an ever shrinking window for realizing other dreams. It’s important for me to make every minute precious, every day count.
I think I will spend a few weeks, maybe months, to complete some of my half-completed posts here and there (presuming I will find the energy to do that)… but I think the time has come for me to call it quits. As I wind down, I am calling out to see if there are people who are interested in continuing this blog.
To be honest, I don’t know if the blogging platform is relevant any more … or if this blog is worth saving, but I will entertain people writing to me to ask me to hand the blog to them. If I don’t find anyone (I’m setting the bar high), I will leave the blog dormant … and if it turns out to be filled with spam, I will shut it down. So if there are articles you really like, please start making a copy for yourself….
So what will I do with my time after blogging 1? I don’t know. … Should I turn a blind eye to world events … to pervasive propaganda? I don’t know.
But as they say, as one door closes, another opens… I don’t know if I will find something better to do. But I am looking to try….
Notes:
- The blogging itself doesn’t take that much time, but the keeping up with events regarding China, and investing the emotional energy to care … that does take energy and time. ↩
colin says
Say it ain’t so!
This blog is a beacon of truth in the distopia that is English language reporting and analysis of Chinese issues. Even if you stop blogging, I hope this blog can be kept up and others will continue to contribute. At the very least, please leave all the archives up so others can find this precious content in the future – and help themselves discover truth – especially kids with Chinese backgrounds growing up in western countries who are under constant propaganda and lies about their identity, history and current issues. I really don’t know of another place that has the similar level of content and honesty that this blog provides (do point me if there are other similar resources).
A great thanks to Allen and all the others who have contributed to this site.