A blog shifts and changes and grows as its creator does. There are times when I have time to craft and knit and at those times, my blog brims with beautiful photos of how amazingly creative I am. People wonder, "How does she do it?"
Then there are times (like now) where I can hardly see straight, I'm so busy. I don't get around to making handmade gifts for my kids, and forget to craft with them till the very last minute (like say, dyeing eggs the day before Easter).
I feel like there's nothing to tell at these times (except, of course the real gritty stuff of life: pinworms and bruises and near-tumbles down the stairs, Lego in my coffee cup and half-assed "meals" of hotdogs and raw veggies.
I'd like to be writing about my garden, the things I'm knitting, our plans to raise our own pigs and chickens this year. And while we ARE living all those things, we're so busy living them that I don't have much time to write about them.
I just passed the fourth anniversary of the birth of this blog that's so dear to my heart, with nary a wish nor a giveaway, nor even a mention of this milestone. I was just too involved in this life to even notice!
It's natural to start thinking about closing it all down at times like these. I wonder, what's the point?
Then a funny thing always happens: I get a note or comment or message from just one person who tells me they read every day, that they love what I have to share with the world, that they appreciate the "real" of this space.
I am reminded that the posts that are about pinworms and Lego and all the beautiful mess of life and mothering is what many women crave. No one needs more pressure to have a perfect house, knit a perfect sweater, or create a perfect craft/cake/marriage/linen closet. There's plenty of that on Pinterest and I love it! It's inspiring!
It's just not what I'm here to do.
So, thank you, Lauren, for taking the time to write a note. It reminded me to keep on keepin' on, and to keep on keeping it real.
You are real and wonderful. And we look for you everyday.
ReplyDeleteFunny. I've been mostly out of the blogging world for the last 6 months... barely time to write and even less time to read. But I've been turning my focus back toward these things because I love them so much.
ReplyDeleteToday, I am home alone... I should be working on other things, but I have been spending a lot of time reading and writing.
I am happy to know that I'm not the only one in this kind of place. ;-)
Yes! That's what I enjoy the most about your blog, the real, the honest, and the love of live and family that shines through it all. No matter what topic (creations or not), I always think: how does she do it all?
ReplyDeleteWonderful post... I'm with you in the slump right now & can very much relate. Also re: Pinterest: I'd much rather spend time living my real life than spending time looking at Pinterest feeling bad about my kitchen (and the rest of my house and garden and contents of my closet.)
ReplyDeleteLego in the coffee?! so funny!! my favorite trick is to dip my paintbrush in my coffee instead of the designated water cup. bleah.
You've made my day, and it's not even 6:30 a.m. here in CA (got a wake up call from a cheerful little person at 5:30!)
xo
I look forward to reading you too. And, I love when bloggers admit that they are "real". Too many blogs make folks seem like they are perfect... only handmade clothes, home made bread, everything is always happy, the kids are perfect all the time. It's nice to hear the "other" sides of people;s lives as well...
ReplyDeleteI am coming out of lurk-dom to tell you how much I love reading your blog, and yes look for updates regularly. I also have four children, a little older than yours, (10-16) in Ottawa. I love to read about real life, the ups and real downs, worms and all. I remember when mine were smaller and thinking back about the week on a Friday not believing the things that really went down.
ReplyDeleteErin
My house has spent the last few weeks in a flu like state…it literally kept barfing up STUFF inside of itself…finding the time, the space, the inspiration for blogging is always a challenge…we are all hard working mamas…raising families…these "blogs" are our little reminders that we are so much more…that we have these creative SPARKS we need to share. Creativity comes in so many forms…from the day to day challenges of how we survive the barfing, the pinworms, the pigs, chickens, mud and shit to the little things we do in between it all. I love reading about it all!
ReplyDeleteI often feel the same way--want to share so much, but so little time to do it! And most days the real living leaves little time for photography or written words, never mind something thought out enough to share. Either way, it is a nice way to "visit" with other families, see how others with similar values spend their days, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thanks for sharing it all.
ReplyDeleteI would miss you something terrible if you decided not to write anymore. I look each day for a new post from you. Your life is real, your children actual kids, your home lived in and loved in. Who could want anything else ?~! I hope you get some decent sleep and that the worms find their way back outside and away from your kids.
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