I swear wildflower bouquets are so much more beautiful than store bought ones
This space is a journal for me and my life with my little ones. A way to document the magical times I want to always remember (as well as those crazy days that I am told I will laugh at later). It started out as a way to stay in touch with my family and friends and then I (semi-recently) made it public. It really is an outlet for me, as well as a way to remind myself of how blessed my life is when times get rough. It's my saving grace of sorts. Being here has become such a big part of my personal rhythm, and I wouldn't give any time spent on it for the world. I have so much fun when I sit down to type up a post and look through pictures of our recent adventures. To top it off I have all of you! Blogging is such a great way to connect. I feel so blessed and honored that you follow me on my journey, with nothing but sage wisdom, and words of encouragement. Thank you.
I have been trying not to show it, but I think it has been a bit obvious lately that my inspiration for the blog has been running low. To be honest, I have been feeling a bit run down with it, and I can't seem to catch up. It doesn't feel like what I intended it to be, and it's all my own fault (and that darn perfectionism in me!). All I can seem to think about (as I try to type a post) is the piles of projects waiting for me, or parenting books I need to read. I feel like I am being pulled in so many directions at once that everything only gets bits of me instead of all of me... if that makes sense. It drives me crazy that I feel this way. How did I lose that loving feeling?
With that in mind, I decided to take a week off from the computer all together.
I need to collect my thoughts, enjoy my family and every moment without the camera attached to my face, get through some of those project piles, and just exhale.
I hope to be back in a week, refreshed, re inspired and back to that loving feeling. I hope you all understand.
I wish you all a wonderful week. Thank you for everything!
44 comments:
hi nicole
i hope the break is what you need to refresh and revive. i really enjoy your blog - such inspiration for me on my own waldorf inspired journey with two little ones.
thanks
I recently took a week off and it was fantastic. Coming up we will be going out of town again and I am planning to take a month off.
Have fun and know that your beautiful images and wise words are always appreciated here in blogland! Have a great week!
I understand...see you when you are ready to return.
I hope your week off is just what you need to reconnect with the important things. We'll miss you!
have a great week off and take it easy on yourself!!
Wishing you a wonderfully relaxing break. :) I've taken many "blogging breaks" and have found them to be very helpful.
*hugs*
Mari-Ann
Counting Coconuts
Enjoy the time you have "unplugged". It is so very refreshing
oh nicole - i so totally understand. i think this happens to all of us bloggers every now and then (i know it has certainly happened to me)! enjoy your time off, recenter...and yes, exhale. :) much love, my sweet friend.
I completely understand!
it's good to take a break...i've been feeling it too...so much to do, but also just so much to enjoy.
have a good break from the inet and i look forward to hearing from you when you get back my dear...;)
xoxoxox
Your lovely thoughts and images will be missed. Thanks for sharing your journal with us all. But I completely understand when a break is needed! Hope you get that much-needed re-balancing, re-grouping, and re-inspiring for yourself.
-Just one of your admiring public readers, Noelle
Nicole,
Do what you have to do and know that you are not on stage and you don't owe anyone an explanation. Like you said, it's fun to connect and exchange ideas, but no fun to feel overwhelmed. Enjoy being in the now and know you're not alone.
:)
I do understand! Yet I have to leave a comment anyhow, which maybe you will not come to until next week. We take computer breaks too, I sure know about the focus being scattered in different directions, it is very hard for me with both jobs, homeschooling, the homekeeping which I really do love, the desire to create the 1000 things on the sewing list in my head!
I don't think you should feel pressured by your blog, everything you share here is so appreciated, and surely anyone would understand your need for nothing but focused family time.
I am so grateful for your presence here and your friendship, you add smiles and fun to my day. Thank you, enjoy your days, and know I'm sending lots of love!
XOXOXO Renee
I understand Nicole...Everyone needs a break at times, and you should ALWAYS do what is best for your family, and that includes you :-)
Enjoy your little ones!
Wishing you a restful and inspiring week!
I think most bloggers hit burnout at some point. I know I certainly do. You have readers that love your blog, me being one of them, but ultimately YOU have to enjoy doing it - that's what it's all about. A break is often just what the blog doctor ordered :) It's good to go unplugged for a little while - enjoy your sans cyber time and hope it helps :)
have a nice break... we'll still be here when you get back :)
Hi Nicole, I've been reading your blog since right before your long journey on the oregon trail, and get lots of inspiration from it. I've been working on finding my own voice in my blog for a long time, and find that it changes depending on the day, week, mood... It's great to take time off and not worry about it for a while... just enjoy life and your lovely girls :)
peace
I posted a bit about my love-hate relationship with blogging just this morning. Periodic breaks are absolutely necessary if blogging isn't to become just one more chore.
Enjoy! See you when you get back.
Have a wonderful, sweet and inspired week! Your beautiful blog will still be here when you get back, as will all of us, who so look forward to your beautiful posts! (yours is a stunning blog)
xo maureen
I've only been blogging since March and I get the same feeling sometimes, like there's a pressure I put on myself that adds to the many pressures I'm already under. I fantasized about a week off, to just be in each moment totally (rather than thinking, Oh! This would make a great post!) Still might do it...glad to have those feelings validated. Enjoy the rest and we'll see you when you feel ready.
I feel the same way A LOT! having little ones is just a very time consuming job and sometimes we get our 'focus' out of whack trying to take care of too many things...not really enjoying just being. I love to blog too but I've only been posting a couple of times a week. I was fearful that I would lose my readers but then I decided that what is important is my family...and if my readers truly love being a part of my life they'll be patient with me! Good job taking some time off to refocus...you go girl! I love your blog.....
Oh yes. I have done the same myself recently. I had to take a step back from my blog and now I'm posting about once a week. When it starts feeling like a burden...it is! I feel like when I am putting pressure on myself to blog alot, I am doing things out of obligation, and not from an authentic place. I'd rather spend time sewing rather than writing about sewing!
Enjoy your space and time. I'll be here when you get back, whenever that is!
breaks are always good.
And as a blog reader, as much as I hate it when my favorite blogs go no vacation, I love them ten times more when they come back because I remember what I loved about them!
Enjoy your break!
Have a lovely week off and thank you for all of the wonderful inspiration!
Breaks are so good. It's sad that so many people don't have the opportunity or inclination to take them. I wish you a FOs and happy times for your break. And now to go be with my own family. . . :)
good for you! i have not yet been able to spend the time i would like to on my blog for the same reasons. life is so full! we love you and will be here (or on our own hiatus) when you return. ;) xoxoxoxo
First. Things. First.
That's a good,if tough, lesson for any and all of us.
My kids are almost grown and I still find what you do an inspiration.
bloggy breaks, tv breaks, computer breaks....they all do a world of good for one's spirit. enjoy your break!!
Enjoy your break! You do such a nice job with your blog. I don't have little ones anymore, but I still get lots of inspiration from your posts.
I don't come anywhere close to blogging as creatively as you do, but I've taken lots of breaks, mostly because I've gotten too busy. Sometimes I've had to kind of force myself to write that first post, but then I'm so happy I've done it.
Dear Nicole,
Wishing you a wonderful break:) Breaks are lovely, the pressure to blog is off and you can spend valuable time with the ones you love:) Looking forward to reading your blog soon.
Hugs
Linda
You know I think we all feel that way as parents sometimes - only a piece of you to do so many important things. Giving yourself a break is a wonderful solution. I just wanted to say good for you for listening for what your body and soul needs. Enjoy your break!
of course we understand my dear :) life is life and is real when we can touch it and breath inside the reality. blogging and internet are just one more tool to meet other people and conect and stay in contact , learn things, read and discover wonderful people, but is not all.
real life is everyday and our real compromise is with our family. dont worry about take some days or weeks for you and take again inspiration. you dont need to document all what you do, is better if you do when you really want and can do oit.
i do the same, no pressures, no hurries, internet is lovely and nice sometimes but is not all.
I make a post when i want, and in the the meantime i enjoy and just live my reality.
enjoy your girls and your family and dont make photos if you dont feel to do it.
think of you, and be happy.
lot of hugs.
Enjoy your break. It's always hard to let go, but you will come back refreshed and filled with inspiration and new ideas. xoox m.
Oh Nicole, I so feel you on this. I mean that honestly, I am right there with you. The pull to be everywhere is intense this time of year, and I think that taking time off is very important. Blogging seems to be a very up and down activity, where at times it makes such perfect sense, and it feels so right, and other times it just feels like something that has to be kept up with. I hope that the time away is fun and simple and just a joy.
Be well
Breaks are good. I should no, I take enough of them.
Rejuvinate and relax and then come back to us, because I would miss you if you didn't.
XO, jules
I hear ya, I relate, I have blogged about it, I have done it, it is worth it. Hugs.
Nicola
I hope you have a good break Nicole
Rosaleen ♥
I relate to everything said here.
The computer can be a fantastic tool, and a blog a wonderful place of connection and sharing of word/photo-crafts. And yet, we need to be able to walk away from it, like we would a sinkful of dishes, and have it waiting patiently when we are ready and juiced up enough to roll up our sleeves and dive in.
Happy break!
way to go Nicole~ we love you for it. You will feel so much better. Shut the whole thing down for a week. You may have a full email box awaiting you but it will be so worth it! xxo
Dear NIcole
You're doing the best thing you could do now; take a break and think about how you really want to go on. Your Blog is amazing and I never had the impression, there was a lack of insiration, no, not at all. But I often feel exactly like you; spending time tiping about things in my life, when I actually felt the need to MAKE something, to experience life instead of talking about it... Maybe you'd feel better, with kind of a plan? Are there days you could fix to create a post? Some regular posts like soulemamas friday pic or things like that, which won't take such a lot time and less thinking than a whole "perfect" post? Do what feels best for you; blogging is a way to express and to connect, to get some encouragement and applause, ideas and new ways to look at things- but life is what' s happening around you right now. And at the end that's what counts most, doesn't it?
I wish you much wisdom and a really good break!
Bora from Switzerland
I am missing your sweet presence here, in this space, and in my heart. I hope you have had a chance to regroup and rethink your direction. I know it can be a tough choice whether or not to continue on, and to question why it is that you are doing this. I decided to quit after 3.5 years of blogging, and it was the right choice for me. One that I did not regret. I do hope that you will continue on, even if you decide to change direction. For me, the issues became such that I could not continue, with my 3rd child being born at that time, and now having a 4th, plus homeschooling. But the tough part for me was feeling like I had to 'keep up' somehow, like a competition or something. Hoping to see you back here again soon ;o) xo Melissa
love your bouquet! hope all is splendid :)
I understand! So understand. Enjoy your week! :)
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