Monday, March 19, 2012

A Trio of Arrows

I've felt a lack of direction in my life.  Actually, maybe my days have too many directions... So many things to do, and not enough time for it all, so a lack of accomplishment while my mind and wheels just spin.  I do feel like I've had too many posts about this subject lately, but if you bear with me, I think I may be headed somewhere this time...  Eventually.  ;-)


Growing Blogs Link Party
First... Some of my favorite bloggers linked up (here), each having written a post on what they wanted their blogs to be when they "grow up."  I didn't participate, 
because I had no idea.  I had been discouraged recently, seeing blogs just a few months old with hundreds of followers, compared to my treasured 30 or so.  I took note that I don't offer the same type of information that many of the popular blogs do.  I rarely offer quick and easy makeovers or craft projects with which to decorate or organize.  I share things like photos of the island Hubby is rebuilding or recipes for 5 loaves of bread, made with freshly milled flour... Things not everyone can turn around and do, or relate to.  I was tempted to try to get more of those popular types of posts into my blog, and tried to fit some of my square-peg posts into the round holes of blog party link-ups.  But I think I should be sharing about my life and about my own passions. I shouldn't be striving to create one of those other blogs, so... 
Question 1: What role can my blog fill?  


 I've shown it before, but here it is again:
Grace for the Good Girl:
Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life
Next... I read another wonderful post, "5 Ways to Keep your Job without Losing Your Mind," by Emily Freeman of Chatting at the Sky, this time discussing how she sticks to business in a healthy way amidst personal, family, and household needs.   I really respect her adherence to a Sabbath Day of rest in her week, during which she stays away from any computer use, including personal emails.  This, as well as others of her 5 ways, was a valuable suggestion in my quest for fun and rest within the demands of my life.  But it got me thinking further.  She wrote this post in regard to being disciplined in devoting proper time to her writing job.  She writes, not only a blog, but contributes to other publications, and is marketing her own very wonderful and successful book.  
Her work contributes to the financial well-being of her family, and is a great ministry.  Blogging is not my "job," and should be prioritized properly.  So in addition to pondering the question posed above, I had a new one to think about...  
Question 2: What is my job?


And then... On the same day I found that our monthly grocery expenditures are growing,  I found specific evidence that helped explain why. (To be discussed in more detail later.)  What I need to do now is figure out how to reverse this trend... at least at the financial end.  These discoveries didn't really lead to the formation of a new, big question (which kind of wrecks the form rhythm I've got going here), but did help define part of the answer to the latter question...Which, in turn, might help answer question #1.


These 3 factors will be helpful, I think, in pointing me in a direction to help me develop a "rhythm" to my life, as Emily's husband suggested, so needs and demands aren't competing with and crossing each other. -- So I can feel a little more comfortable and confident in my own life, hopefully accomplishing things, to boot.  I'm sure you can tell, that more thoughts on these subjects are in the works.



Comments (8)

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If It makes you feel better, Your blog is one of my favorites. I like how you intermix your home projects with goings on of your family. I don't like blogs about over acheiver crafters, moms or spirtual women making me feel inadaquate. Your Blog makes me feel like I am Normal. That it is Okay to have a unfinished less than perfect parts to my DIY home, among other things. Your Blog has a rawness to it that I admire, Where others only want to see the Great thing they have done and perfect parts of their lives. We don't see maybe how much their kids are sitting in front of the TV eating Junk while they perfect their "blog Life".
Goes Back to the question we have about ourselves in Highschool would we rather have a hundred friends who don't really know you or a handful that know and care for you?
1 reply · active 696 weeks ago
Thanks so much, Beth! I do want to stay true to how I am and how we live. I hate to say how much my kids sit in front of screens, or fending for themselves while I do. I have new plans, and I hope I have time to share them. :-) I may have to aim for quality over quantity, which sure isn't a bad thing.
Rhome, I also really enjoy reading your blog. And I love how you show the messiness of your life. I always feel like I am the only one with a closet or cupboard I would never want a guest to open. I loved the kids rooms pre-organizing. My kids are gone now, but they used to look just like that. i like the realness you portray, as well as the questions we all have.
1 reply · active 696 weeks ago
Thanks, G. I'm glad you visit, and you're making me feel better about my kids' rooms. ;-)
I love coming to your blog. Like the others mentioned, there's a "realness" that I like when I come here. I particularly like how your writing style feels very stream of consciousness, like you really are chatting with friends over coffee. There are plenty of craft blogs, and no reason to change to fit that mold. Looking forward to seeing how you've answered(or started to answer) those questions.
My recent post Spring Mantel
I struggle with some of the same questions- what is my blog supposed to be? I want it to be a reflection of life and faith and diy, but I get bogged down in the glitz of other bloggers and feel so inadequate. I struggle every day with: Is this meaningful? What value in the eternal perspective? How do I find balance, not only in the time spent, but also in what I blog about?
My recent post Spring Craft Project- How to Make a Blooming Initial
I've got plenty of options for blogs packed with crafts and recipes. I MUCH prefer 'real life' in a blog than all that other stuff. It's not that I don't like crafts....it's more because I'd rather learn more about people. You can go anywhere for craft information. But to find someone willing to share the good, the bad, and the (almost) ugly--especially when you know them in real life! :) --is SO much more interesting.

And for what it's worth? I'm not sure huge numbers of readers is a huge advantage. You have to be much more cautious and much more measured, and you open yourself to much more criticism. My blog is fun to write and I'm glad when others read it, but it's really more a way for me to process and journal/document the things happening in our lives. It's hard to remember it all, and writing it down helps clarify things and gives me a record of it for when I'm old and forgetful (like tomorrow??)
My recent post so it begins
1 reply · active 696 weeks ago
Uh... You can't be old and forgetful tomorrow, because you're years younger than I am! --And I don't want to be. ;-)

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