Ah, yeah, I know how that is - but this is your journal! It is totally okay to say things. (I'm aware that might not actually help, but it's the best I can offer, sadly.)

I understand about wanting to answer comments, too - I let them pile up because they're SO GOOD and I want to have meaningful conversation, but in the end (for me, anyway), having the pile there is paralyzing and prevents me from posting new things, which is what I think most people would prefer anyway.