Tuesday, July 8, 2014

A Post Without Pictures.

So it’s pretty clear the blog has been super quiet for a while now.  I used to carry around maaaaajor blogger guilt {it’s totally a real thing...I’m assuming it’s similar to “mom guilt”, just on a much smaller scale} about it, but I’ve come to terms with the pace of my blog.  I wish I could be a blogger with a set number of posts a week.  I’d love to promise you guys amazing new projects, multiple times a week, and inspire people every day.  But let’s be serious...with a full-time day job and trying to be somewhat present in my non-Internet life, it’s not a possibility.  Do I find that disappointing?  Of course!!  But I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll post when I have time and have something worthy of posting.

In this sometimes-crazy-competitive-world-of-blogging it can be very easy to get caught up with feeling inadequate.  I don’t post enough.  I didn’t pin enough.  My pictures aren’t professional enough.  My image isn’t pin-worthy.  I don’t have enough followers.  I need to join that new social media platform.  I need to catch up on my blog reading.  I need to respond to comments.  I need to answer my emails. 

I found myself feeling like I was always falling short.  My day job was draining and the pressure to “keep up with the Joneses” of the blogging world was starting to build...so my inspiration went right out the window.  Things that used to come so easily and freely just stopped.  I found myself doing things because I felt like I had to, not because I wanted to.  I lost my focus and needed to step back.  So I did.

I never announced I was taking a blogging break.  I never set a date when I’d start posting again.  I just stopped.  If something inspired me to write, I did, but for the most part…I just backed off from the blogging world and it. was. awesome.

Removing the “pressure” and the “have to” felt fantastic.  It even refreshed my inspiration and motivation for the stuff I used to love.  I’ve got a million and one ideas stirring around in my head, and I want to tackle and post about each and every single one.  Will that happen?  HA, no way!  But the fact that I even feel that way is a big deal.

I’ve accepted that blogging is not my job.  It doesn’t pay my bills.  I cannot keep up with bloggers who do this for a living.  I cannot post regularly.  I do not post stellar pictures worthy of a thousand pins.  I’m just me.  I love to share our home and my passion for pretty things.  I want to inspire others to create a home they love.  I will always keep this space honest and real.  And I’m thankful for amazing people this outlet has brought into my life.




*************************



To visually keep up with life happenings…follow me on Instagram.  I have noooo problem posting there. ;)

54 comments:

  1. I totally agree with you. I've stepped back from the blog. Partially because it was so time consuming and partially because I felt like there was a lack of ideas to post about. I'm not trying to live off my blog so it wasn't like I needed a huge readership. We are renting and I didn't feel like there was much going on house-reno-wise. House hunting slowed down and is only just starting back up. I'm not someone who crafts so I don't have that to share. So I'm just kind of in that in between stage and I'm OK with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for you for being okay with the stage you are in! That a girl! :)

      Delete
  2. Oh Gabbi, I'm so glad you posted this. You are just the sweetest. I think we all have these feelings, but this is what makes you so down to earth and easy to love! I follow certain bloggers and I love their ideas but they are so unapproachable and they would never in a million years be as real as this on their blog. I love your style and am so glad we were able to connect. I cannot wait to see all of the fun and awesome ideas you have brewing in that pretty little head of yours!! XO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, Brittaney you just totally made my day!! I think YOU are the sweetest! I'm so glad we connected too! Xo!!

      Delete
  3. This is perfect! I feel like this alot... I am still learning and I feel pressure to post even when I don't have that many followers! It's hard with a 40+ hr work week and no time to even do projects much less post about them! Life happens and I totally get that.. I still enjoy reading your blog so I hope you never stop :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad I wasn't the only one who felt that way! It feels really good to let go of those expectations and pressures. Life definitely happens and it doesn't help when we put more demands on ourselves! I'm SO happy you enjoy reading my blog...people like you are what keep me going! :)

      Delete
  4. Hey pretty lady! I can totally relate! Life is so busy, and I think that as long as you're doing whatever it is that makes you happy, that's all that matters! I have posted maybe 3 times in the past month, so don't feel alone! I love that IG allows us all the stay connected, even when we're not blogging much! :) Hope you have a great day, friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so very right, girl!! And I agree...I love that IG has allowed us bloggers to stay in touch without having to post all the time. :) Thanks for stopping by! Xo!

      Delete
  5. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post. So very much. Looking forward to seeing what you post, when you feel like it! And obviously I'll see you on instagram!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. you are not alone Gabbi. Who gives a crap how much you post and if your photos are fancy enough to pin! I love reading every post whether its a few times a week or every other month :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thank you SO much for saying so, Trina!!! That means a lot! Xo! :)

      Delete
  7. and this is why i love you! because you post when you can and have something to say or share, and because it all comes from the right place. :) XOXO to you, my friend! thanks for being you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, Cassie....you are the best! Thanks for being so sweet....xoxo!

      Delete
  8. Behind you 100% sister! I haven't blogged in months and it feels great to finally not feel guilty about not sharing our home progress. Like you said, with a full-time job that actually pays the bills and our wedding planning (3 months AHHH), blogging is on the back burner! I of course still love following along with you on Instagram and reading your posts whenever they pop-up in my feed! :) xo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really does feel so good to let go of that guilt!! Life is hectic sometimes, and there is no reason to make it more so on ourselves! Yayyyyy for 3 months out....SO exciting!!!

      And thanks for following along whenever I do pop up! Thank goodness for Instagram to keep us all in touch! :)

      Delete
  9. Whew... I know what you mean and I barely have a blog :)
    I started it for me and not everyone else. I'm just thankful for the readers I do have. I mean, that is the reason people blog, right!?!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I so hear you! And I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this. This post is just one of the many reasons why you are awesome. Staying true to what you want, and not buying into the "blog biz", is the best way to go. Can't wait to see what you are up to next, whenever you want to share!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you appreciated this post, Brit! Thank you so much for saying that...you are the sweetest! :)

      Delete
  11. I love that you post only when you have something you really want to share. I think that is what makes a great blog...the content, not the frequency. I haven't posted all summer really! You just have to be good with it for what it is for you! There is far more important things in life and being present in those things is the most important! Having blog friends doesn't replace having real life friends who know you for who you really are, beyond your creative outlet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I couldn't agree more....quality over quantity any day for me!! :) You are so right!!

      Delete
  12. I know how you feel! It just gets to be too much! Take as many breaks as you need, and I can't wait to read those posts when they come around!

    ReplyDelete
  13. And that's why I love you because you are being you!
    No need to change anyways.

    ReplyDelete
  14. You sound like me girlfriend! [is it going through our group of bloggy friends too or what?]. I'm the same way. My job that actually pays is calling. My life is going a completely different direction. I want to change blogs but I'm going to post when I have something worthy. That's it. But I'll still be holding out hope that one day that's all I have to do and leave this pesky full time job ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one dealing with it!! It's tough to juggle it all, but I'm confident we'll find a way! ;)

      Delete
  15. Good for you girl! It takes a lot to make a decision to just do this for you! And you better believe I'll be around when you do post! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh Gabbi, I've been there and done that, and have felt every single thing you have posted about here. I don't have a job, but I'm a mom, and a human, and I've had my issues and blogging just took a back seat. I did post about this a while back, and I said it as well, I will post something when I have something to post about. Simple as that. I even contemplated deleting the whole thing because of the inadequacy issues, but in the end just left it. I'm here for you anytime you need to vent girl! And btw, I'm hooked on Instagram, I have zero issues there too ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It feels good to know my friends go through the same thing I do!! And I'm pretty sure being a mom is one of the most demanding jobs there is!!!

      I'm glad you didn't delete it because we'll all be around when or if you do want to post! And seriously, YAY for Instagram to keep us all connected in a quick and less time-consuming way!! Xo!

      Delete
  17. I LOVE this post Gabbi and the title! Definitely no pictures needed! I feel this way all too often so I love that you actually wrote about it. It seems like the only way to escape and refresh is to go off the "blogging" grid. I'm glad you did what is right for you and I'm so looking forward to what you have coming. Those dang jobs sure get in the way don't they :) I'm really going to miss you this weekend at Haven!! Hopefully our paths will cross soon enough :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed my post, Summer! Going off the grid was definitely the only way for me to escape and reboot and come back to my true passion.

      You are SO right....silly day jobs...always getting in the way. ;) I'm going to miss you too! I'm so sad I won't be able to meet you and the other ladies...I definitely hope we can arrange something in the future! :)

      Delete
  18. How refreshing! I can tell your shift in thinking has been such a relief to you! That's totally what blogging should be, not a burden but fun!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank You!!! Its like you crawled into my head and said everything I've been thinking, EVERYTHING!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Good for you Gabbi! It was defiitely draining not feeling quite good enough all the time :( At least that's how I felt. Blogging should be fun and not too competitive. I wish my blog hadn't died but like you said - full-time job, friends (in "real" life), and now a kid... busybusybusy! Remember when we were both new to blogging? Blogger templates and horrible tiny pictures. Extreme excitement over getting one or two comments :) Simpler times for sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha, yes...I totally remember those times!! Oh how things change!! ;)

      Delete
  21. Replies
    1. You're very welcome! I'm glad you appreciated it! :):)

      Delete
  22. You are amazing and I love every project you post - regardless of how you feel about photos and projects, know that you are inspiring me (and TONS of other people). Don't let the guilt hit you - do your thing and we will all be here to say YOU ARE AWESOME. Hugs, friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim, you are a SUPER amazing person! I'm so glad to have you as a friend! :)

      Delete
  23. Good for you.I find it hard too not compare myself as well. I think your stuff was always good enough and most of the time better than others. The cool thing about instagram is you can make it a mini blog now. I am loving the outfit posts on instagram by the way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thank you, Anne!! I must admit, I'm loving that Instagram keeps us all in contact even if the actual blog is slow. And thanks for enjoying my outfits! ;) It's been fun to post them!

      Delete
  24. Can totally relate to what you've written! I've felt that way so many times....but giving my self breathing room to allow creativity to flow has really helped me.

    Feel no guilt! I enjoy reading your blog and gaining inspiration and I love your pics!! Keep up the amazing work on your timeline and what works best for you :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Took the words outta my mouth. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks, I needed to read that. I enjoy reading your blog, this is my first time commenting though! I'll try to remember that next time I feel the same pressure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So happy to hear you enjoy my blog and that you were able to get something from this post! Thanks for saying so, Cathy! :)

      Delete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.