January 5, 2015

stop. reset. move.



Good morning 2015. How the hell are ya?

Ahh the first day back. This is always a hard/exciting day. As a mom I'm thrilled to be back on schedule and have a break from the constant bickering that occurs between siblings that have spent a lot of time together over the past two weeks. But as an individual (parents can be both despite what my children think) I am mourning the end of one of the best breaks I can remember in a long time. It was heaven. I did all of those things you imagine a vacation to be but feel too guilty to actually do. I had day(s) when I didn't get out of my pjs. I read books, not magazines but actual books. I spent one full day watching nothing but wonderfully bad TV. But we also went out on a lot of adventures, did lots of baking, went out with new friends and old friends and laughed each and every day.

I also turned off my computer on the first day of break and didn't turn it back on until this morning. Scandal.  I can count on one hand the number of times I checked Facebook and Instagram and the iPad was used mostly for watching Netflix. A much needed tech detox of sorts.

And as usual when you have a lot of relaxation, your brain tends to think about the things that in your busy daily life you push aside. One topic that popped up often was the blog. The blog (that would be this blog) that I love but over the past few months has felt a bit more obligatory and less fun. I've realized that a lot of those feelings come from my own push to follow the blog rules in fear of loosing my place, whatever that means. You know those rules: post several times a week, always post at the exact same time each day, always include pin-worthy pictures, always tweet and pin and Facebook, always always always.


But in trying those 'rules' I've realized two things: (get it, light over my head. ha)

1. When I follow someone else's rules, I start to plan and write thru someone else's voice.
If I were starting a business, I would take classes, read books and research the necessary formulas that have been proven to launch and sustain a successful business. But this blog is not a business. This blog is my own personal outlet that should follow the ebbs and flows that personally work for me. Do I sometimes share things about my business on the blog? Of course. Do I sometimes get work because of this blog? Proudly I say yes. But this blog is more than just a digital advertisement. I don't want to be selling all the time, and you lovely people don't want to constantly be sold.

2. If I don't follow those rules, the world will not end.
My goal for this blog is not to make millions of dollars so who exactly am I helping with these rules? The point of this blog has always been to talk about and share what I love (interior design) and do it with a community full of like-minded individuals. When the focus starts to shift to simply driving traffic (I believe) the content becomes hollow and all of that traffic will quickly dry up. No one wants to read post after post of pictures from Pinterest that they've probably already seen or post after post of sponsored content. Yawn. Does that mean I won't ever post pictures from Pinterest or work with sponsors? Absolutely not. But I can guarantee it won't happen just so that I have something to post about.

I say post when you have something you want to say. A passion should always be about the want, never the need.

And rather than calling it a resolution for myself, I'm calling it a promise to you. I'm going to work at keeping this blog the same thing that brought you to it in the first place. This could mean that I post four times a week or four times a month but it will always be genuine. And if the lack of a consistent 'schedule' from me leads you to not read this blog at all, then I suspect you weren't very interested in the first place.

I say we keep this love letter to design as pure and as FUN as possible.

And on a totally unrelated note, cucumber water is the bees knees. Give it a try.

35 comments:

  1. BRAVO!!!! I too was feeling the same way about my blog and couldn't articulate it adequately (even in my head!) Glad you had a great tech detox and relaxing holiday. We did too and are the better for it. Happy 2015!!

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  2. Sister, I could not be more with ya!! My break was much the same and I refuse to let life slip back to the same frantic pace! I like old-school blogging and will keep reading LBB as long as you post!

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  3. I wholeheartedly agree with all of you! I am a short-time blogger but was already feeling like my content was somewhat contrived due to all of the pressures. This year, I'm going to post when it feels right and only when I feel good about what I am putting out there. Thanks for putting a voice to this.

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  4. YES!! *fist pump*
    Happy 2015 E!!!
    Looking forward to whatever you want to dish out this year!! I love LBD!

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  5. Clealy the blog universe is trying to tell me something. I read Holly's post on Decor8 this morning all about the idea of slow-blogging, if you will. Now, you just verbalized what I think has been keeping me away from really giving my own blog a true go. Sometimes I have so much swirling around in my head that channeling it all is daunting. Other times I feel I've just got nuthin' but this nagging voice tells me I should be blogging. Thanks your honesty. It's one of the things I've always loved about your blog. Happy New Year!

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  6. OH MY GOSH wait til you read my post tomorrow because i am RIGHT there with you!!!!!! YAY to you! and yay to me! 2015 is going to be our year! (not in the blogging sense, just in the happy fulfilled sense).

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  7. Love this! I always prefer blogs that post when they have voter instead of having a post (or more) every day. I always feel like your content has been genuine so I look forward to seeing more. Happy new year!

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  8. Are we related? I have always felt that way and the only time I post on a regular basis is during the ORC! If I open my computer and just sit there....then it is a "no go" for that day. Cause if I'm bored then everyone else will be also right? Here is to "conscious blogging".........

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  9. I love this. I took a break too and I was thinking the same thing about writing. I feel like some times I put something up there because I have to not because I'm passionate about it. And bravo, amen to no blogging, no computers, I enjoyed that break more then I realized. Best wishes to 2015!

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  10. Oh AMEN, yes yes yes! I feel the sea way. And I'm glad you had a great break, it sounded wonderful.

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  11. Yeay!!! I feel the same way! I was barely online for the last two weeks...and it felt amazing! I had so much free time and did all real life things! We did a lot of hibernating and cooking, baking....it was perfect. Blogging everyday is hard work and feels like a chore many times and this is why I'm starting to not be hard on myself if I don't blog here and there....like tomorrow...I don't think I will post tomorrow....and sometimes you have a million things to share...and other days....nothing. Cheers to you!! Wishing you the best for this year. xx

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  12. Seriously you're freaking me out, because I posted a very similar post today too saying pretty much the same thing, plus our breaks seemed pretty identical! Looking forward to whatever your blog has in store though! Love your style!

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  13. I share your attitude in my blog also. What I like about you is that you are funny and creative and you blog like you talk...I can tell.

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  14. So happy you had a break, we all certainly need it ;-) I had a week off from school myself during this time and I loved that there were days I literally didn't get out of my pj's and really felt like I was on vacation. And ditto on the cucumber water...genius!

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  15. Sounds like a fabulous Christmas break! Totally hear ya on your blogging thoughts. I'll always be stopping in no matter how much or how little you post. Love you regardless :)

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  16. I feel the same way about posting. If it's not fun, why do it?

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  17. I have stopped blogging on a schedule for a while. It feels good to do what feels good. Looks like you struck a chord with this. On another note, Netflix needs to have more recent movies. I did buy a Roku so I can watch it on my tv....game changer! Happy New Year.

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  18. Anyone who has blogged for a while can relate. It's to come up with original content on a schedule! I'll always look forward to a post from you!!!

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  19. Amen sister. Of course I've never blogged on a schedule so I can tell you from experience that its pretty awesome. I am in awe of those who do it but I just don't have a whole hell of a lot to talk about. Ha! I'm that boring person. Good for you for doing what feels right for you. Cheers to 2015!

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  20. Wow! It's like you read my mind..... these are the exact thoughts I have had over the paste several months and thus have caused me to take a VERY long blog break. I have even scaled back on reading blogs for the same reason. Especially the part about posting pinterest images that have been seen over and over. I enjoy original content and original design and send kudos to you for doing just that! Glad that your break was rejuvenating and refocussing and hope you find pleaser in your blog efforts for 2015!

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  21. Yes! The one and only maxim I set for myself when I dove into this world with post one was to remain true to my own voice and my own content. The very few times when I felt obligated to stray from that directive not only fell completely flat but felt like a betrayal to myself. I read your blog because of you and will do so whether you post 5 times a week or 5 times a year.

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  22. Good for you!! I can totally relate, today was my first post since December 17th (and that one was lame)! It wasn't intentional and I was feeling so badly that I didn't do a proper sign-off wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, or festive Happy New Year post, but life was happening. Can't wait for your awesomeness in 2015!!

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  23. Love your blog mantra! Keep it real and fun.

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  24. Oh! I just discovered cucumber water about a month ago. Agree...it is just the best! Every time I drink it now I marvel that something so simple tastes soooo good.

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  25. Bravo darling, very true and you have those young ones that are far more important to focus on! However, I love your voice and will always be excited to see what's new in the LBD world! Happy New Year! xokim

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  26. Amen! And yes to cucumber water!

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  27. Amen baby! Sounds like you've had a smashing holiday and Happy New Year to you!! I just wanted to say I'm right there with you in terms of not feeling like we're TIED to a schedule. I think a lot of readers/bloggers find it strange that I don't post every single day (or 5 times a week, whatever) but I really feel very strongly about not just having 'filler' content for the hell of it. Limiting myself to 2-3 times a week feels much more authentic to me - I talk about what I want to talk about and when rather than feeling like I HAVE to say SOMETHING ANYTHING which in turn leads to burnout for me and boredom for readers. So yes to all of that - slow blogging all the way. Also, cucumber water for the WIN! I always have a big glass jug in my fridge :) xxx

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  28. I'm with you. I've not posted regularly for a while now, and I like it so much better. That pressure to get something up is so unnecessary. We're not curing cancer or solving world peace here, are we?!

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  29. I totally agree, it's why I didn't post for 6 months. It comes across as more genuine when you write what you want.

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  30. I couldnt agree more my friend. I much prefer to read blogs who post about things I feel like they actually love rather than the stuff they had to for numbers sake. I adore you Elizabeth. And even if you only post 6 times a year im all over it love. Never tried cucumber water, but I think I will.

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  31. I'm defiantly with you, as of last week I was feeling totally uninspired and frustrated with the whole blogging process. It's so hard not to compare yourself to all of the other awesome bloggers out there! The grass always look greener. This past week though I decided to let that go, though and as Emily from Cupcakes & Cashmere continually suggests to her readers, write for yourself. Deciding that, along with polishing up my website, has really gotten me energized and inspired! (www.annaeleeinteriordesign.com)

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