Hey friend,
If you’ve arrived at this page, it is more than likely because you wrote something thoughtful on my blog and I didn’t reply in a timely manner. In fact,I’m only just replying now, in an effort to reply to every comment ever left on my blog.
I’m peeking out of my Box of Shame to let you know… I read it. I promise you I read it.
Maybe I was incarcerated when you posted it, or in my widow-hole-of-denial. Or, maybe (much more likely)… it’s just that I have comment anxiety. I start by thinking I might not know exactly the right thing to say at that moment, so I stall. Then I think, “Maybe I shouldn’t reply now, since it’s already been a day? Is it weird? Am I being weird?” And then a day turns into a week, and pretty soon I’m replying to a comment that is 15 months old with a long explanation as to how I let it slip by for so long– awkwardly bringing up other things I’m not good at like charades, piña coladas, and getting caught in the rain.
I was hoping to just get over comment anxiety, but since that doesn’t seem like it’s happening, I’ve invented a workaround:
This page.
I’ll just link you here, so if you need the apology or explanation, it’s available to you.
I can only try to express in words what your time and thoughtfulness means to me, and I really truly hope that you understand that my delay in no way reflects on my perception of the value of you in my life.
In the interest of full disclosure, it isn’t only anxiety that holds me back. Sometimes, I get trapped in the space between cats and the internet.
I also am incredibly distracted by shiny and colorful things. Your words usually fuel me with large quantities of energy, and off I go…
The point is…
You are brilliant, kind, and necessary.
Thank you for everything.
xo,
Ra
rarasaur 
I have a sort of comment anxiety as well. That is the reason behind the fact that I rarely reply to comments anymore. I know, that is not a good thing but I find myself to be lacking in things which make a good reply. If you have any suggestions, I am all ears. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
haha! I hope I figure it out as I go, and if I do… I’ll share the tips. Mostly I just remind myself that even a smile let’s someone know I read it. I set up the “liked” button on comments, too. The rating was too cumbersome (visually) for me… but I use the like as a little marker. The plan is to click “like” as soon as it’s read… and then comment when I’m able. 🙂
LikeLike
You summed up what we all go through, whether the reply is good enough, or I shouldn’t say it, and before I know hours turns into days and so on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awkward… it’s almost two years later and I’m just replying to a comment posted on my page about why I don’t reply in a timely manner. Sigh. Thank you for reading. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for replying.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your words and thoughts are always safe with me Ra. It doesn’t matter the time that passes, only that my words meant something to you. xoxoxo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aww, thank you, Dani. I love you! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love you too Ra. xoxoxoxoxxoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Give yourself some credit, Ra. You do an amazing job keeping up with as much as you do – which is, by all accounts normally EVERYTHING. You are brilliant, you know. Just brilliant. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, thank you, Kate! I think you are brilliant, too… yay! ❤
LikeLike
I’m experiencing “comment anxiety” at the moment, when all I want to say is: I really, really understand. This dedicated page makes me chuckle in the best way. Much love to you, Ra! ❤ Keep up all the awesome work/love/passion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much love to you, Ka! Chuckling is exactly what this page is about. It’s my “It’s not you, it’s me… no, it’s really, really, really me.” post. 😀 Thank you for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep! I think it’s brilliant [this page] and just like you, that you found a way to deliver that message.
My pleasure to read 🙂
LikeLike
What a great post for a solution to a problem! You are so creative, as usual!!!! With as many comments as you receive to your posts I don’t know how you could respond to everyone. I love having responses from you but I sure don’t “expect” them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Karuna. My readers tend to be as forgiving and gracious as you, but I often read posts where people fret. “She didn’t reply to me because she has so many more important readers”, and that’s never the reason I don’t reply to someone. So, this page exists. It’s also my way of apologizing without having to go into a lengthy one each time… because ultimately, it’s always the reason I delayed. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you link me here if I comment here and you reply late?
ECHO ECHO
LikeLiked by 1 person
*giggles* No, but I should! Because I have. I think the second comment on this page took me a year to get back to… but, in fairness… prison. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person