School started back up this week so I thought it was appropriate to post a lovely school related photo.
Hello sweet friends! Long time, no blog. I apologize for not calling, writing letters or sending the proper amount of hugs and kisses. I sort of don’t know what to say (typically not a problem for me). I’ve restarted this post five times and I know at this point I just need to accept that what I share may not be perfect, but it will be sincere.
So I haven’t been blogging for a variety of reasons. It’s a combination of the summer schedule (aka not a routine), traveling, and moving into a new place. In addition to those events, I was internally analyzing what my relationship was with blogging. Long story short, I realized that I had been idolizing my blog. I confess that I had prioritized blogging over my time with the Lord, over cooking decent meals for my husband, and over so many things that deserved to be a higher priority. Please know that I am by no means suggesting that other bloggers are wrongfully prioritizing their time with their blogs, because I don’t believe that at all. This is simply a realization I’ve had about the way I’ve unwisely and selfishly used my time. I’ve prayed about this, I’ve apologized to my sweet husband and now I apologize to you.
With that said, if you’ll potentially have me back in the blogsophere, I’d love to continue blogging but this time with a healthier mind-set. Jon and I have talked about it and we both think that continuing blogging is the right decision because I love it, it’s the best creative outlet and I enjoy getting to know so many of y’all.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest! I really appreciate it and I hope you understand where I am coming from. Posts on some of my other trips this summer, some recent invitation work and shots of the new home coming soon!
*Disclaimer: Jon has never suggested that I was a bad wife. I simply know that I can improve in my domestic skills.
{school photo via Be Calm’s photostream }
15 comments
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August 24, 2011 at 8:10 am
Maddy
I hear you…I had that same discussion with myself and that’s why I decided to combine the personal/business blog and the reason I reduced my posts from 5x a week to 3x a week. It really has helped bring some balance to my life. And I already feel the positive effects of this decision. I do hope you continue to blog (because I love coming here for visits), but I also completely understand that you must do what’s best for you. XOXO – it’s so great to have you back!
August 24, 2011 at 9:58 am
britrish
I totally hear you – what an honest post! I agree that blogging is a great creative outlet but can also eat up a lot of personal time, which of course includes time that could be better spent with my family. I’m also trying to be more balanced and manage my time better! Your post just spelled out all that’s been in my head the last week or two so thank you!
August 24, 2011 at 6:45 pm
Lillian (Unstitched.)
Aw Viv, we’ve ALL been there – wondering why we get sucked into this world and forget about our real lives. Figuring out the balance and finding a way to compartmentalize the two is, I think, the key. It’s a constant work-in-progress, but no one’s perfect
You’re so not in this alone, Vivien. Glad to have you back 
August 24, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Denise
PTL! These are the many of the same things God has been showing me since I stopped teaching in 2010. I’m so happy for you and for Jon : )
August 24, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Elizabeth M.
it’s no problem, viv. i totally understand and get that way myself in life. i admire your humility. i love your blog! your fashion sense, you creative ideas, your style. more than anything, though, i love your heart and i think it’s so cool when it comes out like this. you are a godly girl and i admire you. =)
August 25, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Brandi {not your average ordinary}
Viv, I so admire you. I think it’s wonderful you took a step back and reevaluated why you do this. I did that too. I asked myself, why am I doing this, what do I want to share. That really helped add significance to my work, at least for me. I’ve missed you. So glad you’re back.
August 26, 2011 at 6:37 am
ourdreamlives
Love this post…! I feel like this A LOT, and I’ve always wondered how you manage to teach AND blog so well…?! I’m seriously considering training to be a teacher next year and can’t imagine how you squeeze it all in! I think it’s just important for each individual to figure out what’s important to them and get a good balance, I’ve felt stressed out if I haven’t had time to post anything for a week before which is just silly! Good to see you back though
August 26, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Tang
Blogging does take up a LOT of time, so it’s good to take a break sometimes!
August 27, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Heather J
As much as I have loved blogging, sometimes it can be a time suck and I totally understand what you are saying. I am glad that you were able to take a break over the summer but also glad to see you back here blogging. You’re good at it!
August 29, 2011 at 6:58 am
whispersweetnothing
Hi Viv,
I’ve been following your blog for a while. I don’t often comment on posts, I’d like to but I don’t always know what to say, so I say nothing, but your post really hit a chord with me. I’ve had my blog whispersweetnothing.com for a while, at the start I wanted just to have it as a store cupboard for all the things I’d found online for my wedding, so I didn’t really write anything, then I felt like I wanted to share more about myself so I started posting stories and bits from my life, but no-one ever commented (that said I rarely comment on others so perhaps that is part of the problem) and so I felt silenced, then I realised I was spending all my time looking at other people’s blog’s and all their creative work, rather than doing my own creative thing. So I’ve not really posted anything recently, I’ve even considered shutting the blog down, but there’s a part of me that wants to keep it. But I guess I need to really decide what I want it to be, and how often I want to write/post on it. I still don’t know really, but I felt compelled to comment in response to your honest post. I’m still deciding what to do, but it’s always reassuring to know that others have felt the same as you. So thank you for this post, it’s definitely given me lots to think about. xxx
Looking forward to reading more from you.
xxx
August 29, 2011 at 7:55 am
w8n4ljc
Good for you, Viv! As fast as our world moves, constant evaluation of priorities has become a priority! The Lord bless you as you continue to pursue Him.
August 30, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Kayla @ Exquisite Banana
thanks for your candid truthfulness, lady. I think most bloggers would be lying if they claimed they hadn’t ever felt the same way. perspective is a blessing, yes? welcome back!
September 1, 2011 at 2:26 am
internodiciotto
you know, it’s lovely to hear that we all go trough this…one year ago i stopped blogging for a while, because i thought it’s too much time i spend on the blog, not enogth with my boyfriend or friends, it kind a distracted me from my dayjoy as well…and after a while i started again, because i missed it. But i decided than to enjoy the blog, but that it was just ONE part of my life, or a hobby, but not another job or so…now i’ve been in vacation for 1 month in the US and i did blog vacation as well. It was MY holiday, just relax and have fun with the most important person in my live – Marco.
Reading the comments i saw it’s not just you or me, it quite the most of us. I also met a very nice friend trough my blog and she is having that same period since some months. I hope she is comming back blogging like you did, and hey, this is a lovely way to met new friend, to share, to enjoy, but first of all we have a reality to live in with amazing people. Hugs,sissi
September 7, 2011 at 8:22 am
Lacey
i love reading your blog, and i applaud your honesty. i think a lot of bloggers feel the same way. it’s kind of a love/hate relationship you have with your blog. you love it for a creative outlet but hate it because it takes up so much of your time! i think you understand that the Lord and your husband come first. your bloggy readers will understand when you take time off for them.
September 17, 2011 at 10:40 pm
jozen
what an amazing and honest post… i actually did this myself a few months ago, stopped blogging regularly because i felt like it was becoming too encompassing. I then started blogging once a week, and from there have increased my posts to 3 times a week, which i think is just right for me.