I have been so touched by all of you that have reached out to me during our recent struggle with kidney cancer. You were a little ray of sunshine when all around felt hopeless and grey.
Having successfully made it through the other side and hubby well on his way to what we are hoping will be a full recovery soon I am ever-so-grateful.
As a little gift I am offering this free printable Thanks For Every Little Thing card.
I hope you will print one or more out on your computer and send it to someone that is special to you. When we take the time to appreciate the people that make a difference in our lives our heart grows three sizes. Just ask the Grinch.
Being thankful for the details in life is a skill that we need to take time to teach ourselves. Too often we are busy running around letting the moments that make up our lives slip by unnoticed.
Very often we are so consumed with our need for recognition and success that we stop enjoying the details of the journey.
In an effort to stay focused on "real life" aka "life off the internet" I have decided to cut down on my commenting on other blogs and on the pressures of having daily outfit posts. I have decided to comment only when I truly love something or have something to add to the conversation. I want my comments to mean something, truly connect with someone and not add to the online noise. In the past I have occasionally been guilty of leaving a comment just to leave my mark on a blog, like writing on the wall in a bathroom. I won't be taking that route anymore.
I'm not giving up my fashion nor my outfit posts but I will be cutting back. My best friend freaked out when I wrote last week about the futility of fashion. I've been her stylist for years now and she doesn't want to lose that and honestly I don't want to give it up. I love it. Always have, always will. But I no longer want to be obsessed or controlled by it. I don't want an item of clothing keeping me awake at night wondering why I didn't buy it. That is out of control and sad really.
I also want to slow down my outfit posts because I need to gain some control over the negative pressures of fashion blogging. The unspoken self imposed personal critique of not being young enough, thin enough, beautiful enough, or not having the latest greatest designer clothes, most professional photography, funniest stories, best sponsors, biggest giveaways etc. The overwhelming need to compete and the self comparison is taking away my joy of blogging and undermining my body image and confidence.
In an effort to focus more on my authentic self I plan on refocusing more on my graphics and designing skills. I have neglected that creative aspect of myself that is totally unique unto me.
I've decided don't want my moments to be spent taking photos of everything I'm doing either. I'm not experiencing or being present in the moment when I see something through my view finder/phone. It is not remotely the same as witnessing with your own eyes and allowing the experience to wash over your senses. If something isn't photographed does that mean it didn't happen? Hardly, but today it certainly seems that way.
I do however want to remember my life when my memory isn't so clear, so I still plan on taking some photos and hopefully getting back into scrapbooking those memories a bit more. The scrapbooks I have made over the years are so precious to look back through and are a real insight into how I was feeling at the time.
Okay…this has become a much longer rambling post than I planned, so just know this…
I am grateful for you, my readers and the positive energy you have sent my way.
I am trying to make a few changes in my blogging strategy to welcome a more authentic experience.
I am letting go of the personal over-achieving expectations I had for my blog and filling that with realistic attainable goals.
My goals are simple,
blog with heart,
blog when I want to,
blog because it makes me happy.
I'm hopeful I can achieve those goals.
Once again,
thanks for every little thing.
Ann says
What a clear and lovely post!
Blue Hue Wonderland
Sue @ A Colourful Canvas says
Hey Suzanne…These thoughtful words speak volumes to me. Thank you for sharing. I have taken the liberty of writing down your three intentions in my own little notebook. I believe this mantra if you will, will be of enormous benefit to me! I also appreciate your candor with respect to commenting. I was unprepared for what actually feels to me to be a conflict of interest in a way…the joy of creating a blog; the writing, the photography, the ideas…with the desire to actually find people to share it with. Ultimately, for me it is about blogging with heart, when I want to, and because it makes me happy. Thanks for helping me to see more clearly.
Sue xo
Rebecca Harasym says
Very sorry about your kidney cancer 🙁 Take time for yourself and do not feel pressure about the fashion world! I agree it can definitely get overwhelming.
Rebecca
http://www.winnipegstyle.ca
Rebecca says
Very sorry about your kidney cancer 🙁 Take time for yourself and do not feel pressure about the fashion world! I agree it can definitely get overwhelming.
Rebecca
http://www.winnipegstyle.ca
Jamie "ChatterBlossom" says
I’m happy for you and for the changes you are going to try out in order to improve life. That is always commendable. I rarely do outfit posts or have photos of myself on my blog and it is for just these reasons. I find that I’m enjoying moments too much to remember to photograph them all the time and that I can enjoy an outfit or piece of clothing just as much if no one ever sees it on me on the internet. 🙂
Good luck with your creative graphics and designs and hope you enjoy your time with your husband (congrats on making it through such a scary time!).
-Jamie
ChatterBlossom
Jill says
Wow, this isn’t a post, it’s a manifesto! I can relate to so much of what you’ve written, especially about the pressures people put on themselves as bloggers. Oh, and I don’t read blogs anymore that have all the things you mentioned–the big sponsors, the clothes given to them, the professional photography. If I want to read a magazine, I will read a magazine and I hate it when blogs get too perfect and editorial. It’s so boring! So post when you can and keep it personal. I loved that you showed how to make the shirt that you wore with the black crossbody bag. That’s what I’m talkin’ about! And thank you for joining us for the “How I Wear My: Everyday Bag” post! XO, Jill
respect the shoes says
Honest post, very well written. Thanks for sharing, Suzanne!
olga says
What a lovely and touching post! Great card, thank you Suzanne. I wish you good luck and many many years of great moments with your loved ones. Congratulations on making it through!!!
Suzanne says
Thanks Ann : )
Suzanne says
Thanks Sue. I really appreciate knowing that I’m not the only one feeling like this : )
Suzanne says
Thanks so much Jamie : )
I wondered why you had so few outfit posts or photos of yourself on your blog…now I know why…you understood way before I did the importance of living in the moment and not trying to capture it all for your blog.
Suzanne says
Thanks Jill. You’re right…it turned into a manifesto LOL.
Thanks for hosting that little bag party. It was fun to see just what a great variety of people participated and how everyone is utterly unique, and as you wrote…not boring at all : )
Suzanne says
Thanks Olga : ) you inspire me to be a better DIYer every day.
Veshoevius says
Personally I think you’ve got the right attitude, I’ve had similiar thoughts recently and I don’t try to blog to a schedule or with a particular frequency or to be ahead of what’s in fashion – too much stress and pressure in an already busy life! I fit it in when I can not when some imaginary blogging rules committee thinks I should be – I enjoy writing and I blog when I’m inspired. Certainly after what you’ve been through recently time must seem more precious than ever and more should be spent with loved ones in your offline life! Your experience has certainly made me re-evaluate how much time I should be dedicating to blogging and commenting. Best of luck with the graphics and designing projects – sounds exciting!
Jeeda says
Great post Suzanne! I’m so happy you and your family are ok (I left previous comments but they never showed up). Anywho, I’m looking forward to you sharing more of your creative side with us, you’re uber talented chica;)
http://www.swoonblog.com
Suzanne says
Thanks Jeeda.
I know…Typepad seems to be having some issues with the commenting lately. Sorry about that.
Suzanne says
Thanks Veshoevius. Changing our approach to our current routines is sometimes all we need in order to achieve a better balanced life.