I asked a friend of mine, who happens to be a very good, experienced blogger, if she ever feels like just deleting her whole blog and giving it up. I’m not sure why, but these feelings have crossed my mind, daily, the past few months. I drudgingly find a little piece of inspiration and then try to hurry and write it down. I love writing, I love expressing myself, I love sharing recipes, and I love helping others who are changing their lives over to a healthier lifestyle. So, I’ve been confused about these conflicting emotions.
Why would I feel like this?
I am stretched too thin. I homeschool, I admin a Facebook Paleo group (1,500 members), I recently started a Meetup group that is growing really fast, I admin another Facebook group, I have my personal Facebook page AND my Paleo Facebook page…I spend hours blogging, answering blog comments, Facebook comments, and emails. I feel so attached to my computer and it really makes me sad. I didn’t want my life to become so techy. In fact, I got rid of my iPhone for this purpose. I can’t even keep up with everything in the social media world. I suck at Twitter and Pinterest…and can’t even fathom adding in Instagram.
I am insecure. Not only do I have all these things to keep up with, but I also feel the need to check out other Paleo blogs, follow them, like them, comment on them…it’s overwhelming. I never intended to grow much. But, now I feel the pressure to grow more, or as fast as other Paleo blogs. I feel the urge to create delicious recipes like his blog or her blog.
I never intended for this to be *just* a Paleo blog. I am Paleo. The Paleo Mama is Paleo but that is not all I am. I am earthy, natural, silly, honest, raw, and fun. I love to be outside and I dream of farming and living a simple life; I am a kid at heart. I feel limited right now but this will be changing in the future.
I care more about being involved in my family, then being involved in social media. This is no hit on ANY other bloggers or mothers who blog. Please don’t misunderstand me. If you know me, you know that I hate social media. It takes me days to respond to text messages sometimes…which is why I prefer a old fashion phone call! But, I constantly am feeling the pull between interacting with my kids and interacting with my followers. It’s stressful sometimes!
There’s just too little time and too much to do on this beautiful earth. I’d rather take the kids to the Springs then sit down and blog. It is summer here in Florida and I am a stay-at-home-mom to two beautiful children. My son is almost 2 and my daughter is 4. These early days are fast and fleeting. I want to be fully involved…fully there.
So, after much prayer and consideration, I am going to be take a summer sabbatical from blogging. I’ll still be here in small aspects…however, I feel like I need this time away from the computer and the chains of social media. I have a few commitments that I won’t neglect, like posting a review for Beyond Bacon and a few guest posts I agreed to do. I will be semi-active on my Facebook page and my blog will, definitely, NOT be going anywhere.
Here are some great Paleo blogs to follow:
- Paleo OMG
- The Dirty Floor Diaries
- Fast Paleo
- Paleo Parents
- Satisfying Eats
- Whole9
- Everyday Paleo
- Balanced Bites
- Food Lovers’ Primal Palate
- The Clothes Make The Girl
- Cave Girl Eats
- Mark’s Daily Apple
- Civilized Caveman Cooking Creations
I pray that this time away will bring even more inspiration when summer is over! Thank you for your love you have showed me and your support over the past year! May you be richly blessed this summer!
Until we meet again…
Good for you, Jackie! Have fun this summer!
Family balance is so important.
Well said! 🙂 I admire that you feel convicted about certain things, pray about them, and do what you think is best for yourself and family. That takes courage and discipline. 🙂 Have a great sabbatical. 🙂
Good for you!
Good for you! Family is way more important and living YOUR life is a great choice! I have myself given up posting so much on facebook. I was involved with “dog rescue” for a few years and it took over my life. I am now giving back to myself and my family. It feels good! Good luck and thanks for all you have blogged thus far– being new to Paleo this week is very challenging. Thank you. God Bless.
Good for you! I think we have all become way to reliant on facebook and other social networking pages. I have often considered cancelling all of my pages! This may just be my inspiration to do so. Just as an idea, since you say you truly enjoy blogging and helping people, you should consider writing your thoughts in a notebook, and sending out a weekly email instead of blogging daily. Once you leave the world of blogging, I am sure you will enjoy the time with your family. Weekly emails may be a good way to dive back in, and yet not be so submerged in it! Have a wonderful summer, and thanks for all of your great thoughts and ideas!
Great idea Denise! Now, I just need to figure out how to do that!!!
Don’t worry about it now! Just relax for the summer, and revisit the thought when you’re ready! Its more important for you and your family to relax and regroup. Homeschooling is rewarding yet time consuming and stressful at times!!
Good for you!!! Enjoy your kiddos and this summer 🙂
i admire your willingness to be so honest. God made you unique and you should know that you are pretty awesome. Thanks for really giving me the courage i needed to take action into changing how i help my own family. God has great purpose for you and know that He will give you the inspiration you need during your break. Blessings to you and your beautiful family. Hope to see you sunday 🙂
Good for YOU! Seeing all of this for what it is and concentrating on life’s most important stuffs — you and your family. Best of luck to you.
Good for you! I think all of us can relate to wanting more time to spend with family. Enjoy your summer and thank you for your honesty!
I know exactly what you mean. You will not regret it! Technology is addicting and overwhelming. It can easily suck you in. God bless you and enjoy your summer!!
Well expressed – go girl 🙂
This is so refreshing to hear! I took last summer off from my blog also and I found that I was more inspired to write and share when I came back. I often tell my husband that its hard to be Paleo and be a blogger. There just isn’t enough time for both. Enjoy your time away and thanks for your honesty 🙂
Good for you, enjoy those precious babies! Have a great summer!
My blog is still somewhat new, but I feel the same sometimes. I appreciate you writing this. I always feel like I have to do more and be more to keep up, but I need to realize that I can only do what I can do…and that’s enough for me. We all can only do what we can do. I hope you enjoy your break!
Have a great summer!!! I will miss your posts, but the little ones are so much more important!
I so respect this decision! I did not anticipate all that went into managing a blog and the social media required to promote it when I first started almost a year ago. At times, it can be all consuming and often does take away from the things that really matter most. My kids are 3 and 9 and I don’t do everything I should with them because “mommy’s managing the blog again”. It is a joy to share all that we have learned and are learning with others when it comes to this lifestyle, but we can’t be everything to everyone all the time. All the best to you! Hope to see you again in the future!