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| A gorgeous framed print that Renee made for us! Don't you love it? |
So, has anyone else noticed that things in the blog world seem to take a sadder, more exhausted turn every winter? I've started calling it the Late Winter Blog Blues, and I think it's a real thing. I started to notice this in January of 2011, and I'm seeing it even more this year. I've noticed a lot of posts (I even wrote one of my own, and then decided not to post it, thanks to the advice of others) that have a sometimes-I-don't-think-I'm-cut-out-for-this tone, or a here's-what's-wrong-with-the-world tone (that was mine) or a I'll-never-be-like-Sydney-or-Grace-or-Joy-or-Joanna tone. And I know that's a huge generalization of topics and emotions, but I think that the combination of the beginning of the year being a natural time to reflect and reevaluate, combined with just coming off of the four most blog-able months of the year makes for a strange transition. I've certainly felt it myself, just a general lack of inspiration to share. But because I've noticed it, I've also built in some habits to not get down on myself or this sweet little corner of the internet that I call my own.
First, I've decided to be real with myself. I work 40 hours a week (I couldn't ask for a better job, by the way!), I help out with CookingThyme, I have four other freelance projects going on, and I have Landon (and now Snook) to spend time with (that's NOT to say that spending time with Landon is ever a chore, cause we do super fun things together like listen to Fresh Air and do Jillian Michaels workouts, among other things).
Second, I've increased my intake of solid inspiration. I'm reading Start With Why by Simon Sinek, and it's changing my perception about a lot of things. I also watched the recording of Ben Silbermann's Keynote Address at Alt Summit this year, and I thought Ben shared some of the sentiments of Start With Why: that just as in life, having success in your endeavors comes from authenticity, humility and hard work. There really aren't any gimmicks, shortcuts or sales strategies that can get you there. People become loyal to people or companies who are real, honest and flexible.
And third, I've taken a "just do it" approach. A lot of times when important things need to get done, I let my emotions get in the way. I spend time being stressed or worried rather than digging in and getting the work done. Now, any time I feel like I'm starting to get too emotional about the work I'm doing or the tasks ahead of me, I make a mental list of exactly what needs to get done, set myself a time limit and then get to work.
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| Feels Good To Get Some Stuff Done Poster by Mary Kate McDevitt on Etsy |
How do you fight the late winter blog blues? Have you noticed this trend in blogging?
xoxo.
2 comments:
good to know that im not the only one! misery loves company, i guess! thanks for the reading suggestions........i just keep telling myself its better to be honest about how you are feeling on your blog then fake it. we can just all help each other get over the blues, right?!
I've noticed it! But I definitely try to not get down by it because we can only do so much, like you said, we're all busy and for most of us this isn't our full time job. However, I'm sad that I'm lacking in projects and fun things I love to do like refinish furniture and stuff...school always takes over! ugh :( Oh well! Spring break is coming up and I'm hoping to be rejuvenated in that department!
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