On 2nd July 2013 I introduced myself to the blogging world. Little did I know that I would still be sat here nearly 5 years later. The title to this post may have you wondering what I am going to write. To blog or not to blog? That is the question on my mind.
Over the last few weeks the amount of times that I have sat and written has reduced dramatically. This is due to a number of factors the main one being my return to the world of the employed. I love being back at work, socialising with adults and have human contact. Staying at home with the laptop can be extremely isolating. But on the other hand the blogging community is one of the strongest, most loyal online communities that there is. I have some wonderful friends that I would not have if it were not for blogging. But, for my mental health and stability, I need to have actual people around me, not virtual people. Since I returned to work I have noticed an improvement in my mental health. Having a routine in my life and the feeling of need has brought the 'old' me back. I thrive at work and even want more hours (yes I am that crazy!).
I have also found that juggling everything together is even harder than I expected. I was putting too much pressure on myself. I wanted to work full time, be the ideal housewife, the perfect mum and blogger all in one. But as we all know there are only so many hours in the day.
I need to sleep, I cannot do everything.
So, something has to give!
That something was going to be my blog.
But I do not think I can let it go. I have sat back today and looked at some of my first posts. Many of those posts contain so many feelings. One that stood out was a post that I wrote about my grandad and the circle of life. After reading this post in particular I realised that I do not want to let everything that I have worked for go.
So, how will I make it all work?
I have decided to stop hosting the Meal Planning Monday blog hop. I will continue to meal plan but I will not put pressure on myself to post it every single week. Hosting a linky adds a lot of extra pressure that I really do not need. I want to blog because I want to, not because I feel that I have to. I want to blog and write because I love it, which I really do. Writing is a passion that I want to feel again. We all put pressure on ourselves and pressure has made me lose the reason why I started writing. I also host, with a lot of help from my lovely co-hosts, the CookBlogShare linky which I am going to continue hosting but only during the school holidays. While I am at work, hosting a linky that is growing as much as the CookBlogShare linky is, is too much pressure. So to keep the linky going I am going to be having some guest hosts when it is my turn to host during term time but will enjoy hosting when I have got the time at home.
Having a break from both my blog and social media has given me time to put it all into perspective and I am looking forward to the next chapter of my blog. A more relaxed chapter, a chapter where I write because I want to and not because I feel I have to. I have even started writing recipes again!
I look forward to taking you along on my journey of being a sane working, blogging mum/wife and I hope to share plenty of my kitchen tips and perfect midweek meal recipes.
Enjoy and thank you for reading x
Ahh! Your real life and family have to come first...It sounds like the right decision to step back a bit. xx
ReplyDeleteOh Kirsty, I know exactly how you feel. I went back part time in November and I know that for the sake of my mental health, I do need to be around other people not a screen. I am also not ready to say goodbye to blogging yet so will just do it as and when I can. I think you are right in taking a more relaxed approach. Afterall, blogging should be fun x
ReplyDeleteKirsty, I so think you are doing the right things, taking a step back and letting the blog continue at the pace, that is right for you. Its so easy for us to put unnecessary pressure on our selves.I wasn't blogging when my kids were little but I was freelancing from home having been made redundant when I was 6 months pregnant with my first. I know it can be pretty lonely at times but I was lucky as I still got food styling work occasionally and those days helped to keep me sane. Now with the blog I occasionally feel pressure to do more... I should be doing this or that with it, but I'm older and wiser now and realise that life is short so we must put our families first and that sometimes means putting ourselves first. Sit back and enjoy the next more relaxed part of your blogging journey. j x Ps so glad that you are still #CookBlogSharing, all be it only in the holidays its wouldn't be the same with out you.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you're enjoying your job so much and feeling happier too. Blogging can be so much work and it's definitely best to put your family and 'real world' life first. Hopefully not putting pressure on yourself will help you to find the fun in blogging again. x
ReplyDeleteI completely get what you are saying here Kirsty. it makes perfect sense and you have to do what is right for you/you family and your work/life balance. I prefer to blog because I want to and not because I feel have to. it is the best way to inspire creativity and not feel pressured to have to post an article however many times a week. go with the flow I say for sure. xx
ReplyDeleteGreat decision. You shouldn't feel the pressure of HAVING to blog if you are not loving it. You should enjoy your blog and not feel it has to be anything but what you want it to be. I take a very different tack as my blog is my business and main source of income (I also adore blogging and everything that goes with it), but if I had a full time job elsewhere, I would blog very differently (if at all!!) and not put myself under any kind of pressure! But I am super pleased you are not giving up entirely. That would have been very sad. And I am delighted you will still be doing #CookBlogShare - like Jacqui said, it would not be the same without you!! Thanks for linking this up to #CookBlogShare. Eb x
ReplyDeleteI know exactly where you are coming from. Juggling blogging with other work is a very hard balance and it is so hard to put a blog down, when the social media is relentless and the personal pressure from comparing oneself with other bloggers who do it full time can be demotivating and time-consuming. Blogging takes hours in a day and the family suffers if you are doing it evenings and weekends only.... Absolutely you should go with what makes you happy and not feel any pressure.
ReplyDeleteFrom another angle, blogging has changed so much over the last few years and I get quite frustrated with the massive shift from 'having something to say and wanting to share it' to blogs becoming commercial enterprises used for advertising and influence. Whilst I have no problem with bloggers making a living as free-lancers, I often feel that there is little space left for the rest of us and that if you aren't demanding money to review, you must somehow be doing it wrong! But hey..... enough of my ranting..... Your day job sounds great...... Enjoy! x
So pleased you have found a balance that makes you happy.Life is too short not to.Enjoy xx
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new job. I remember your blog when it started out as I followed the highs and lows of your twins and could associate with it as we also have the twins.
ReplyDeleteI have been running mine for 7 years last month and am humming and hawwing over giving it up but like you not sure I can totally