Friday thoughts.
Yes, I like inspiring images just like the rest of you. Yes, I love DIY projects for my own home, yes, I enjoy the friends I have met virtually through blogs and letting my design personna loose via blog writing, and you must know, I'm obsessed with decorating, but...
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after all the blog pictures, inspiration from looking at rooms galore, fabrics, pretty" things" and endless hours of online virtual shopping, getting my own home "portfolio ready" (which may never happen 100%), and working with clients, there if LIFE. There are these people,
(yes I made them dress up in matching shirts over Christmas, and they will kill me if they see this on the internet) and others near and dear to me that I sometimes don't have time for. Why not? What is more precious?
Spending time with my husband more than time on the computer, that's more important, or going to the gym with my daughter or doing non-business outings with she and her husband, or visiting my son two hours away (that Ive only done once in 8 months). Have you ever found that hours on the computer (reading blogs) leads to difficulty "turning it all" off and getting REAL sleep? It happens to me quite frequently. My husband had to remind me of this.
I've written drafts of posts many times like this and never published them. Did I think you wouldn't understand or that you only wanted to hear about decorating? Well, all of us have lives outside of our blogs, and the snippets of those lives and letting outsiders "in" is what makes us gravitate towards certain others who do the same. Anyone can post a picture of an inspiring room, but how we relate to the person writing the blog is what I am looking for. I don't want to be part of a clique, or get caught in the cross fire of people not wanting to be my 'virtual' friend because they didn't like an opinion we shared. Isn't it about being kind to one another and sharing beautiful ideas and images and trying to be original and offer inspiration and not loosing ourselves in the meantime? Be true to yourself, phew---easier said than done.
I love this outlet of blogging and finding like-minded design crazy and artistic people to get to know. There are bumps and bruises along the way I'm finding, and now that we are starting our third year of blogging, we are trying to find balance in all things important to us, personally and in business.
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Spring is almost here and a wonderful time for renewal and some bright and fresh change. I think we are all a little bored with the rough winter we've had weather-wise.
Tell me, do you want to hear about bloggers personal lives, or just keep it all on 'the surface'? How much should we all share? I for one feel a need to keep it light- but often real life is much heavier than that. I like 'short and sweet' to read, but that can seem so 'fake'. What do you think?
Have a great weekend and good luck to Bethany and her Seamus in the dogshow this weekend!
Oh so true and well said Nancy ... I have been a little absent from blogging lately due to many of the same reasons. Trying desperately to live in the NOW with my family. Finding it more and more important as Erin is about to graduate from College and Callie has started ... they are here far less frequently, and when they are I soak them up!! Love the matching shirts by the way!! xo
ReplyDeleteIt always comes back to the same question for me, "Why do you blog?" Let that answer guide you.I read different blogs for different things. The one's I go to for inspiring ideas, no...I really don't want to read about their personal lives. The one's I read because they are my friends, yes...I do enjoy catching up with them. Could you imagine reading Design Sponge or Apartment Therapy and seeing "we are all sick at home, and the dog just ate the rug". Haha.....the best blogging books say, "look at your stats, your audience will show you what they want to see". If you are writing a personal blog, not a professional one....write whatever you darn well feel like.
ReplyDeleteI think every blogger feels this way! And I struggle with the same question! If I don't feel inspired to write a post that day, I don't, but then I worry that I will loose readers or people won't check my site anymore because I didn't post for a day! But in the end I am happy I post when I do because I have something to say... typically about design. I don't mind a sneak into peoples lives every once and a while, and sometimes writing your feeling out like in this post will give you some good feed back and maybe re inspire you!
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend!
I do sometimes like a personal post, as long as its not TMI, you know the ones I am talking about. I think a post that tells me more about you makes you seem real and not the woman (man) behind the curtain. Although I am sure it a lovely curtain in most of blogland, its good to see a face once in a while.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Linda and read different blogs for different reasons. I'm not a fan of long winded posts, but from time to time it is nice to hear what's going on in the writer's life. I prefer reality over perfection because it is well, real and keeps us from feeling inadequate. My home will never be 100%, but if I waited until then you may never see it.
ReplyDeleteOn a more fun note, best of luck to Bethany and Seamus! I'll be looking out for updates on instagram! Enjoy your weekend!
I have always enjoyed your blog for many reasons--- I love your team efforts with Bethany, your sense of humor and wit -- and I love dogs and horses! And here's my thought for you----
ReplyDelete"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who matter don't mind, and those that mind, don't matter"---by, Dr.Seuss
Great post and interesting reply's..I struggle with the same thing...when I look at most blogs I look at the images...I don't read long written posts...the white screen and black ink just hurt my eyes to much...
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Nancy! I think individual personalities come through on blogs, even ones that don't bare it all. I have made so many lovely friends through our blogs...we all write about different things but kindred spirits seem to find each other. That is what is so special about the blogging community!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!! xoxo
I read different blogs for different reasons. I was an English and journalism major, so I'm hooked on interesting writing whatever the subject. It's your blog, your life, your story. Write it the way you want.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about living life. It's a tough balance sometimes. Personally I enjoy reading more about people's real lives; sort of a "how they live in the beautiful houses they make" idea. Have a fantastic weekend! I'm off to enter the contest!!
ReplyDeleteI think a little time away is always good (I just had some R&R and about to go on "spring break" to visit family). But there is that "fear" of losing what you've worked hard to accomplish. But, the way I look at it, if I don't take some time off, what I post won't be any good anyway, so nobody will read it! I'm looking forward to spring and getting into some new routines to help me balance everything. I also struggle with "how much personal stuff to post". Hopefully I'm finding the happy medium. :)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry - I think you've got the formula right! Now take some time to rest and reconnect! You deserve it!
I enjoy your blog....always a great place to find beauty, inspiring design, and a bit of personality! Keep doing what your doing!
ReplyDeleteI would sorely miss updates on the pups and horses, so please keep a little bit of "you" (and the beautiful Miz B.) in the blog.
ReplyDeleteNancy this is such an interesting post. I "keep it on the surface" as well. I don't think my personal life is all that interesting (well flat out boring), so I assume my readers do not want to hear about it. I have to say the blogs I enjoy the most only have a sprinkling of the author's personal lives mingled in..it is sort of like facebook. I really don't care if someone did their laundry or petted their cat and I assume they do not want to hear it from me either.but then who am I to ask? I Great subject!
ReplyDeleteWell-said and I love this post! I read everyone's answers as well because I just find it interesting why people blog and what they blog about. I have not written anything this week because I haven't had time nor been inspired to write and I am totally okay with that. I write my blog more for me and use it as a creative outlet... I don't write it to increase readership that would just be too hard and too much stress!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I feel this way too! I do enjoy a mixture of decorating and personal posts when I read blogs though. Some of my favorite posts have been the posts where I learn something interesting about someone. Don't get me wrong, I love to drool over gorgeous homes too but adding that personal touch is what makes me relate to the person. After all, I think I found your blog in the first place when you got Gibbs! Have a great weekend and enjoy that time with your family!
ReplyDelete-Shelley
Well said Nancy, thank you! I agree with you on all these things and hence I've limited myself to trying to post 3 a week. Sometimes I have tons of projects to share, sometimes I don't, so I've learned that limiting the number of posts I do, puts less pressure on me and my life in general. Love your family photo by the way, love seeing it and yes, I don't mind reading any personal stuff about my blogger friends, after all, blogs are usually OUTLETS so I totally appreciate it when I read something more personal than usual. I understand too the others who want to keep their privacy, different people different strokes I guess. As you can tell, I go very personal on my blog, from my miscarriage to our travels, I share what I think won't be too embarrassing for me or my family. So do what you feel Nancy, after all those who really read your blog, probably 'know' you already more than you think! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, my friend! It definitely takes a concentrated effort for me to try and balance it all. I view it as more of a job (that I love!) vs hobby and know I need to spend a good deal of time at it. I tend to skim over longer posts with detailed personal info but I do love glimpses (your animals, Bethany's goals). I think you two have it down perfectly!
ReplyDeleteThank you for saying what all of us are feeling. Blogging takes a lot of time and effort and more often than not lately I prefer to spend more time with my family and just unplugging in the evening. I feel like I've come to know you and Bethany and I would hate to not hear about the animals and other little insights into your lives. That family photo of yours is so adorable and makes you all more endearing to me. I love your blog and feel like you've done a good job letting your personalities come through so I hope you don't change things up too much! Best to you and your family! xoo
ReplyDeleteI think of this constantly...and actually on my to-do for this week or next (it keeps getting pushed back) I have to write a survey that my readers can answer to get a better idea of what they like and they don't like. As the blog writer I feel like sometimes we lose perspective of what the reader wants. I think you are both doing a great job in inspiring us while also giving us a glimpse of your personal lives to connect in a more personal level. It's all about a balance.
ReplyDeleteFinding a balance is not easy and I think you are doing a great job so far. Just keep doing what you are doing now and only share things that you feel comfortable sharing. As for my own blog, I prefer to concentrate on the "pretties" because I am not great with words and there is nothing exciting to talk about. :)
ReplyDeleteYou two did a wonderful job with the blog and I am so glad to have found you!
Jessie
www.mixandchic.com