I’m sitting here with a blinking cursor after a more than two-week-long blogging silence. (Well, apart from yesterday’s DIY post, which I shot and wrote weeks ago.)
The first eight days of silence were beyond my control. My site host was giving me trouble, then I was signing up with a new host, then struggling to migrate nearly five years of blog content in one fell swoop. That was a little bit awful.
During those eight days, I flew to Dallas, Texas to attend the BlissDom blogging conference (as evidenced by my barrage of Instagram and Twitter updates while I was there).
That weekend alone took some serious literal and figurative unpacking for me. Enough so that when my site was restored and I was once again able to write and post and share, weirdly, I felt as though I had possibly lost my voice.
I really can’t explain it except that an 8-day break (which translates to 8 months in blog land) left me oddly out of practice, quietly introspective, and a little bit happy with all the free time I had no idea existed outside of maintaining a blog for nearly 5 years straight.
Wow.
I’ll be honest, over the past several days I’ve definitely entertained the idea of staying away. It sounds kinda nice and simple. Especially with summer coming and Oliver being out of school.
But whether I go or stay, this time away has certainly afforded me more of a 30,000-foot-view of my blog and the internet and how that fits (and should fit) into my life. The break plus the conference has given me time to really ask myself why I blog, what of it is life-giving, and what of it is life-draining.
I’ve noticed a shift over the last year in my writing. As I’ve begun to write a little less about my kids and my family for their own privacy, I have filled that space with other passions of mine. I’ve written a lot more about our home, interior design and DIY – things that are very much life-giving for me.
I’ve also shared a lot more about fun this’s and that’s that I enjoy and would recommend to a friend (I’ve intentionally named this category “Just Things” because I want to be clear and always remember that that’s exactly what they are). Life goes much deeper than clothes and water bottles and pretty playrooms – but the creativity in any one of these areas is fun and exciting and okay to enjoy, too!
With that, of course, has come the opportunity for a (very) little bit of income by way of affiliate links and the occasional sponsored post or free product. (I actually got a bag of chips in the mail a few weeks ago to review, but I was so disappointed in the ingredients, I decided not to share them with y’all. Eesh.)
I definitely don’t get rich blogging, but I earn a little bit every month and I’ve found that while I have come to enjoy the income-end of blogging (it’s exciting – almost like a game in a way), I never have been comfortable with the idea of Finding My Feet becoming a business. (This is totally a personal preference and I very much support the many bloggers who blog for income! I’m just talking about me right now.) Sponsored banners at the top of posts are a nice way to ‘keep the lights on’ here, and I know my readers probably aren’t too bothered or distracted by them, but I worry that going so far as to depend on my blog as a part of the family budget would take the fun and freedom (and maybe even heart) out of it for me.
One thing that has always been very important to me is that I remain as honest with my readers as I was five years ago when it was just my mom and a few friends following along. I want to be always genuine, always honest, never putting things or clicks or commissions before people. I want my readers to trust me, and for my stamp of approval to really mean something. And more than that, I always want to feel great (and be picky about) the things I share. I’d rather share something I love for no kickback, than something I don’t love just to make a dollar.
The truth is, I do have all kinds of awesome things in my back pocket that I love and I think you will, too. I have talented friends whose handmade awesome is worth sharing with my internet people. I am three fixes behind in reporting the cool stuff that has been arriving in my StitchFix boxes (we’re talking polkadot jeans, people!). And, I have a lot more cool Land of Nod DIYs in the works that I think y’all are going to love (one is in the kitchen and it involves a nail gun!!!).
It’s stuff that I love – things I’m really good at. But, even with all of this fun to share and link and love, I’m really feeling a strong pull to scale back. Things have gotten pretty link-heavy around here lately, and I’d like to see what would happen if I committed to a link break for the rest of the month of April. (I know that’s not a real thing, but I just made it up and I bet I’m not the only one who thinks it sounds kinda nice!) Maybe no links at all, but at least no income-generating links.
I’ll be honest, I’m all kinds of nervous saying this ‘out loud’ right now. And it’s okay with me if you don’t understand why this is a big deal. This is personal – more for me and my heart than for anyone else. My hope is that this will strengthen me as a writer, give my posts more substance and quality, and help me ‘find my feet’ (see what I did there?) as I approach the beginning of my sixth year of blogging this coming June.
I always want to be intentional with my time, and this is a season to take a little shift, adjust my focus, and maybe spend a little time unpacking more of who I am in Him, what I want to say with the breath and platform He’s given me, and what it means to be the lucky, lucky mama of two blonde-headed kiddos that get a little taller every time I blink my eyes.
(I am pretty sure I might be the first person ever to attend a blogging conference and come home inspired to make less money blogging and possibly blog less frequently. Ah well, there’s a first for everything!)
Have a fantastic Wednesday, friends!
I love it when you share your soul. Its refreshing.
Hi Raechel – Nikki from Hastings again. Totally get where you are at. I just gave notice that I would be quitting my spa job at the end of April. I only work a couple evenings per week and two Saturdays per month. I love what I do, love my clients, it is a little extra income each month so it doesn’t really make sense that I would quit. Other than it is time to shift focus to my kids, my husband, and maybe some ministry that God will open some doors to. As you are reflecting and making decisions, no matter what you decide, honor God, your heart. I will always be a fan of your blog, ideas, inspiration…no matter what you do!
I did the same thing! Went to a conference and came back with less desire to blog and pressure to make it into a niche or a business. So glad to hear you say this. I wrote something similar to this last week. I had a blogger identity crisis! So many blogs that I began reading years ago have changed so much and lost their appeal. I look forward to reading your blog in the future knowing it is intentional and from your heart!
Here’s the link to my post that I wrote. Your words today are just completely reaffirming to me!
http://www.pemberleyink.com/2013/03/on-my-identity-crisis.html
Funny I was at Blissdom too and I came away with a similar thing for my business!
Shannon, this is so reassuring to hear! Thank you!
I’ve been reading your blog since almost the beginning. A year or so ago, I noticed a trend with a lot of bloggers (definitely not just you) to be more “link focused” as you coined it.
Seems like blogging started out as a way for moms (especially stay at home moms) to connect with and encourage other moms, and it’s transformed into something of a revolution. Sometimes I feel like we bloggers have lost sight of why we started blogging.
Like you said, I understand why bloggers do it and don’t have a problem with people making the personal choice to do so. As a reader, though, I think blogs lose their genuineness when they transition more to a business aspect. I just like reading about people’s families and “getting to know them”. An occasional link to something you love now and then I don’t mind, but I am all for “link breaks” across the blogosphere!
Oh, thank you for these words, Sarah! I have appreciated your presence and encouragement here for years and it means a lot to see your broad perspective of things, too. I’m really looking forward to this, also!
xoxo
I think all of my favorite blogs have had a post like this. There must be a time for everyone when you suddenly realize that you’re just riding instead of driving.
Yes – yes!
Raechel,
I have loved every post you’ve written. You inspire me as a mom. You also get my creative juices flowing too. Love your heart!!
I appreciate you to much, Christine! Thanks for the always-encouragment ;)
(I had to use my last name because of another Christine! Hurrah! Christines Unite!)
When I think about the time and effort it must take to make a blog profitable, I get itchy and also want to take a nap. Shoot, let’s be honest: When I think about the time and effort it must take to post more than, say, twice a month, I get itchy and also want to take a nap. So you have nothing but complete empathy from my end. I just like peeking at your towheads, mainly. And your face. Love your face.
Your blog really has morphed in six years, friend! Did we take screenshots in the beginning?
I think I have a few, though I’d hardly know where to find them!
Just thinking about that makes me want to take a nap.
I love this post.
I started blogging almost 5 years ago. It was a creative outlet after I had my first child and decided to stay at home. I missed my job as an interior designer and started a blog about design, then a second blog just about our family. Eventually I merged the two into my current blog. While I have toyed with the idea of actually making money from my blog, I have found that my blog is better as a creative outlet and place to share with others.
I started an etsy shop last year and love how the two work together.
Isn’t being a perpetual student of life fun?
Yes, it is! And it’s so freeing to realize that blogging doesn’t always have to equal profit. Sometimes the profit is emotional or relational – and that can be the very best kind of profit!! :)
you rock. seriously. i am a newish blogger and while i would love to grow my audience, i really don’t care about earning a dime here. ‘just things’ is something i say to myself all the time. while fun and fancy…it’s just stuff. keep doing all the good work you are doin’ – link breaks and all. i appreciate your fresh take and love hearing from your heart about your sweet babies. my oldest is about as tall as i am and it breaks my heart daily.
As one of your internet peeps: Definitely blog less in order to unpack more of who you are in Him-so worth it! Btw, I <3 your blog. :)
Much love to you, Raechel! Time is such a precious thing. No matter what your long-term decision is, kuddos for taking time to think it through. PS. I still have serious dreams of a craftcation happening at some point! If you ever get the itch again and need help planning, you know where to find me. I’d be all over that like stink on a monkey.
Haha – I love it! And man, that would be so fun!! Good to know that you’re still chomping at the craftcation bit as much as it am! ;)
Oh, Raechel.. your words couldn’t ring truer to my own heart.
I’ve been contemplating (doing a lot of pre-writing & rough drafts in my head) “Why I Blog.”
I’ve blogged for over seven years, and my reasons have evolved.
I’ve never made anything from blogging. I did join BlogHer this past year, but I’ve yet to see any pocket change.. and that’s ok.
My writing has changed, in part because my kids are getting older.. my oldest (twin boys) are 15 now.. I’ve gradually been more & more intentional about their privacy. At the same time, I’m lucky that I still have younger kids to share more about.. but I feel sad that I’m not documenting as much about them as I did in the past. Something about the audience shift that has happened for me. (on a smaller scale than what you deal with.)
I want to still document the little things of our lives and the growth of our kids. That was my original intention.
Then again, I also had a big life change this year in that my youngest started kindergarten full time.. Bringing for me the first time in nearly 15 years that I don’t have kids at home..
my life is changing. Being a mom will always be the most important thing I do, but after 15 years, I’ve had a little time to catch up & think about myself. Things I’m passionate about ON TOP of being a mom.
I added these three words to my blog a year or two ago.. “Life. Family. Passions.”
To those things I want to be true. Just as in life – in writing & blogging, I hope to always strive for balance.
Breaks are a part of that, and totally ok.
I really appreciate this post!
Love, love, love this, Amanda! Thanks for sharing from your heart and for the encouragement. I feel so much less ‘crazy’ than i did ;)
Wow that is such a heartfelt post and i totally get what you are saying. I think we all sometimes get caught up in the whole blogging world and try and do what everyone is but this may be ok with others but sometimes you just need to step back and look at your own bigger picture and do what is best for you. Good luck and i am really excited to see where you are going with your blog.
I truly truly could have written this post myself. I inadvertantly took a couple weeks off and it was wonderful. And it was hard to come back. As I sat on my laptop (which has hardly been opened the past week or 2) I laughed as I thought to myself – I forgot how to blog!
I love the connection, and I love the sharing. But I truly love the space and time away from the internet. I’m going on 5 years too and lately have been wondering how long I’ll keep going. Things are evolving I guess, maybe changing up a bit…and I’ll just go with the flow. I’m so glad I clicked over from Twitter and read this! I can relate to all of it.
Oh, wow! You really could have written this yourself! So grateful to have so many kindred spirits on the internet that get all the crazy torn feelings of life’s great balancing act :)
xoxo
You had me at “be intentional with my time”. I’ve been thinking about making adjustments in my own life, but have been struggling to do so. Today, I feel as though I can start.Thank you for being so honest with all of us.
Sometimes it takes a step back to see it all more clearly. I recently stopped being Stella & Dot stylist and slowed down my 10 year old stationery business. My time is precious. With 3 kids to raise (who arent getting younger), I need to be there physically and emotionally when they need me. Since my oldest is going to high school next year, I know I really need to be there for him EVERYDAY. Seeing the back of my head at my desk was not cutting it for us all anymore.
My favorite time to think is while I run… Go put some miles in ;)
You’ll make the right decisions!