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| We didn’t have time to get the ice cream home before it melted, so we’re eating it in the back of the car in the parking lot of the grocery store. 🙂 |
There have been quite a few bloggers who have posted recently about “taking the summer off” so they could spend time with their children. Some are moving to new states, others are pregnant, some are just burned out.
I have been thinking about my own blog and the lack of attention it has received lately. How is this going to affect my numbers? Am I going to lose followers? What opportunities am I going to miss because I’m not giving it 110%?
It is during this downward spiral of panic that I begin to reflect on why I started my blog in the first place. It wasn’t to gain popularity, or big numbers or make oodles of money. (although I do confess that I have always hoped to earn just a bit of income from my blog- to help support my craft habit 😉 ) I started this blog to share ideas, to put my spin on things, to make new friends and participate in a community I really enjoy. It is a place to share this part of me that yearns to shine and grow and often gets overlooked in the busyness that is motherhood.
But while I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience thus far, it is not without sacrifice that you get a blog to grow. It takes time to develop projects that are new and different, time to create the project and then more time writing and photographing a tutorial. It takes money for supplies and effort in taking “just right” photographs of everything. Then there’s linking, networking, tweetchats, blog conferences, learning analytics and html…and of course the list goes on and on.
If you are also a blogger, you know all about the demands of a craft blog, if you are a reader, you might not think about all that it involves. Either way, I hope you take just a moment to tell those who create things you love to see/do/make that you appreciate their effort…But I digress.
The main purpose of this post is completely selfish and self-centered. It is a reassessment on my own behalf to remind myself that while craft blogging is fun, a dream job really, my “real” job is what requires my best efforts. Raising children is not entirely a super fun job. It is a whole lot of thankless work, lots of re-doing what’s just been done, repetitive and dirty and downright gross at times.
But, it is priceless in it’s rewards. To see a child learn something new, accomplish their goal, enjoy their life, overcome a challenge, become something they weren’t before. To know that your efforts contributed in some way to that triumph is one of the most wonderful things in the world.
So, while craft blogging is in essence what keeps me sane and helps me be a better mother, when it gets in the way of my actual mothering it is time to modify and renew and …Focus.
Hopefully you won’t see a huge change on the blog. I have just recently re- discovered my crafting mojo and and am itching to get going on some great new projects. I have a quilt almost finished I can’t wait to show you and a guest post I’m really excited to share. Plus there are still quite a few projects I am working on for the finishing touches on the kitchen makeover and other great stuff lined up including the Point of View group that I love. (summer projects for this month- hint, hint) But behind the scenes, I am hoping there will be a lot more purposeful teaching, training and over-all better mothering going on.
It’s going to take a lot of work, and if things are slow here at times, I hope you’ll be patient with me. Know that I’m working on my “masterpiece” and it might take a few years before I know if it’s a success. 🙂
XOXO,
Amy
Ashlee @ I'm Topsy Turvy
July 5, 2011 at 6:45 pmLOVE it! Totally well written and explained. You know I feel exactly the same way. Thanks for sharing it so WELL (I'm a great crafter/cook, but not much of a writer).
mjb
July 5, 2011 at 11:30 pmI am a follower of your blog, which by the way I love your blog:) Thanks so much:) I totally understand family first and would hope all your followers feel the same way. I am really just thankful for bloggers like you, that take the time to 'teach' followers like me!!! Enjoy your family, in a few short years you will be a grandmother like me, and wonder, how did the time go by so fast?
Bethany @ A Fish Who Likes Flowers
July 5, 2011 at 11:33 pmI don't think you need to give any explanations to anyone about why you've been a little absent lately. People have real lives outside their boxes that show them pretty pictures and ideas. I'm not a mom, but most of my friends are, so I don't think any Mom should have to explain themselves. You won't lose this follower, because when you do have posts they are always awesome! Have fun with your kids and have an awesome summer!
Gwen @ Gwenny Penny
July 6, 2011 at 3:29 amYou know we share the same struggle and worries 🙂 What really struck me here is where you said "when it gets in the way of my actual mothering". This has been a big problem for me in the past. I feel like I've been better about it this summer, but it's a constant balancing act.
Amy
July 9, 2011 at 4:35 amI love your blog, totally! And I will love it if you blog every day or once a week or whenever! 🙂 As a small-time blogger I don't have as many demands to my "online world" but I struggle, too. I should link up more, get more followers, start to Twitter (or Tweet…whatever!), blog swap and on and on. But I love watching my kids fall asleep. And I love snuggling with my hubby infront of the DVR. I'm babbling, but I just want you to know that I totally appreciate all the hard work you do!!! And your stuck with me as a follower! 😉
Faith, Trust, and a Little Pixie Dust
July 11, 2011 at 2:03 amHi Amy, I'm a fan whether you post a lot or a little. And I think it's so great that you value your role as a mother so much.
Warmly, Michelle
Rachel
July 11, 2011 at 1:05 pm"while craft blogging is in essence what keeps me sane…when it gets in the way of my actual mothering it is time to modify and renew and …Focus."
So true! It is sometimes hard to stay focused.
Holly
July 11, 2011 at 4:36 pmBeautiful…I have a post with this same flavor in draft and lots of things floating in my head. When I started my blog I spent way too much time on the computer – I thought my husband was goignt o smash the computer and my kids would say "Oh, yeah Mommy is on the computer again." That is part of my obsessive personality.
When I was writing my book I had no time to devote to blogs (or very little), and it felt OK. Having a big blog afford some very fun privileges – products, trips, etc. – but when the time comes, my kids and family are not going to care how big my blog is or isn't, but rather what kind of person i was in real life and that is way more important.
A blog should be about whatever you want it to be about and on your own terms (unless you choose otherwise)…it is a crazy blog world!
I have also found that people respect those decisions we make, since backing off of blogging I have lost a few readers, I have not grown as fast, but the people who have read are still reading and I am much happier…and so is my family.
OK, sorry that was an earful. Can you tell this has been on my mind!?
Anonymous
July 11, 2011 at 8:08 pmI love this post. I think you're a great mom to step back and see the big picture. I think we all need to do the same thing now and then. Still, I'm excited to see the fun things you come up with!
(The funny thing is – I don't get on the computer much these days, so I only check my fave blogs once or twice a week . If there are too many posts, I skip it! :D)