Do You Resist Asking for Help? (Plus, a Kickass Web Host for Writers!)

Beware the White Screen of Death

I’ve been blogging here since 2007 and for the most part, it’s been a smooth ride. For the past 1 1/2 years, though, it’s been glitch after glitch after glitch. I won’t bore you with details, but suffice it to say I lost track of how many times my site lapsed into the infamous “white screen of death.”

As if that wasn’t bad enough, a bunch of comments suddenly disappeared and visitors were no longer able to leave new ones. My web host was not helpful at all. Reaching a human by phone took hours, and their email support most often consisted of them replying, “We don’t understand what’s wrong. Could you tell us again?”

Aaaaaaaah!

Stubborn Me = Waste of Time

From your side of the computer screen, it’s probably obvious that silly, stubborn, overly-independent me should have thrown in the towel months ago. I should have simply *gulp* asked for help. Instead, I wasted hours and hours lurking on tech forums and tweaking stuff behind the scenes. Plus, all that precious time? I could have spent it writing blog posts, visiting other blogs, reading a book, or learning Swahili. Anything would have been a better use of my time.

Sending out an SOS

So, what did I finally do? I sent out an SOS call via a Facebook status post in which I asked people to recommend a good web host for a WordPress blog. People were eager to help, and I was flooded with helpful replies!

Excellent Web Host Specializes in Writers

Not only did I end up with a wonderful new web host, but I’ve got one that specializes in helping out authors. Jay knows his stuff, and he makes the process painless and affordable! Writers, if you are thinking of switching hosts, I highly suggest contacting Jay over at Tech Surgeons.

Tech Surgeons = My Life Hack for a Hacked Blog!

I knew things were goofy, but I had no idea the extent to which my blog had been hacked and all the digital parasites that had accumulated. Without Jay’s help, I’d still be trying to cobble things together.

As for tech support from my new web host, Jay not only responds in a jiffy, but he is quick to make a joke, which I really appreciate. And while he continues to fix up the wonky technical bits, all that’s required on my end is to unpack, dust, and rearrange this newly-cleaned up space. (I know it’s still a little messy here, but it’ll be spiffy soon.)

Phew!

Is it Ever Hard for You to Ask for Help?

So, not only am I relieved, but the whole experience is part of a larger lesson. I must confess this isn’t the first time I’ve resisted asking for help in my life. Heck, the same resistance once landed me in the hospital! It’s one of those lessons in life that I keep learning over and over again.

What about you? Do you ever resist asking for help? Does the Amanda Palmer quote at the top of this post resonate with you? Are there any life lessons you find yourself having to learn and re-learn? Please let me know in the comments section below. (Oooh! Pretty exciting to think that I can actually get comments again on my blog. Wheeeee!)

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