The Merrium Webster dictionary defines it as:
Full Definition of DOLDRUMS
1
: a spell of listlessness or despondency
2
often capitalized : a part of the ocean near the equator abounding in calms, squalls, and light shifting winds
3
: a state or period of inactivity, stagnation, or slump
Wikipedia offers us (abbreviated by me)
Colloquially, the "doldrums" are a state of inactivity, mild depression, listlessness or stagnation
The doldrums is a colloquial expression derived from historical maritime usage, in which it refers to those parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean affected by the Intertropical Convergence Zone, a low-pressure area around the equator where the prevailing winds are calm.
The doldrums are also noted for calm periods when the winds disappear altogether, trapping sail-powered boats for periods of days or weeks.
I had thought that sailing was involved somewhere in there, and I was right. Just reading about sailing cheered me up a bit.
What does this have to do with your blog? Well I hit upon an idea that I thought I'd share. My blog schedule is three times a week, so I decided that once a week I'd write an episode in a series. I chose my college days as the topic. Yes, I'm writing true, sometimes embarrassing stories of some of my college adventures.
Having the topic decided for at least once a week has helped me a LOT. I have no end of material, considering, well, how coordinated I am, how naturally, socially savvy I was back then (was not...) and the stupid things that my roommates used to do.
I'm not saying that you have to have the kind of a blog that writes the naked truth about your life for this this to work, but is there a topic that could be a recurring theme once a week?
Of course you could choose a real-life series if that fits your style, and here are some ideas:
- my first year as a parent
- my first year as a (name of job)
- the horrors of working in a fast food establishment (haven't we all had to endure that?)
- the life lessons I learned from being a (fill in the blank)
If your blog isn't that style, maybe you could do once a week:
- how to...and pick something that fits your category of blog
- organizational ideas for your (name of room)
- my new favorite song, and include a YouTube clip
- I found this great, but unknown movie...
- My favorite beach combing finds
- The best thing I ever ate (thanks Food Network)
If you're stuck in the doldrums, having the topic decided for at least once a week might help. Just a suggestion. Come on over to Life is Good if you'd like to know how I experienced college...series usually runs on Mondays, but it might be Tuesday this week. After all, it's my blog, and like a good friend told me, "Will the world end if you for one week don't have a Monday post?" (The answer is: it won't. It just feels like that if you're a Schedule Woman like me...)
~Tina, who may or may not finish tomorrow's College Life series episode...and maybe the world WILL end, but I haven't seen any zombies today...so I'm thinking not...
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