We leave soon on our yearly summer vacation to the cottage. I have hinted at the fact that I am undecided on whether or not I will blog from there this summer or not. I haven’t even left yet and already haven’t blogged in over a week. Things have been crazy. My baby girl graduated kindergarten this week, we threw her a birthday party since she has a summer birthday and we are mean and leave for the summer so she can’t even have a friend party over the summer. So we did one last week before we go. And my son, my little man, my baby finished his first year of pre school. The little guy I thought would get kicked out for hitting, or not talking or any number of things blew me away and had a fantastic year at school and is a far different boy than he was this time last year. I could not be more proud of them.
I could also not be more overwhelmed at cleaning and packing and packing and cleaning and getting ready for our trip. Overwhelmed = blog block. But really, I feel quiet for a number of reasons. Part of me wonders, in all honesty – not like I am not honest otherwise, but just to be clear – that sometimes this whole blogging thing isn’t everything. I feel like it’s not always what I want it to be, and for all I put into it that it consumes so much and doesn’t give as much back. I love writing. I love photographing. I love documenting and sharing. Part of me wants to evaluate quietly what that all means and where it means I’ll go from here.
I won’t know until I am there whether or not the inspiration will strike to share. To blog. To document. Right now I just don’t feel it. But that could be a zillion times over that I am just overwhelmed and uninspired. My house is covered in drywall dust, I have piles of laundry to put into bags and things are just unsettled. I think it’s safe to say I need a vacation but even saying that makes me feel like a spoiled snob. I am at a place in this moment that I feel like everything I could possibly say isn’t what I really want it to be. So I write. And delete. And write again and delete again.
I should stop this ramble-fest to say that I appreciate all of the people who have been here reading and encouraging and sharing your stories. Even if you’ve never shared, trust me that I know you are here and appreciate you. Thank you for helping me to see that living a simpler life isn’t a lonely place to be.
If this post is to sit for a while as I enjoy my vacation unplugged, here are some posts to enjoy in the meantime. Some things from far back that are near and dear to my heart and make me remember why I started this journey. Not to share pretty pictures and be patted on the back. But to share my heart and find myself and encourage others at the same time. Thank you for always letting me know that in that regard I’ve been successful.
I so share your perception of blogging right now – although I’m so very sure you get WAY more feedback than I’ll ever dream.
I tend to over analyze things in my mind and blogging helps me to process and prioritize what’s realy important as well as keep me grounded. Reading other blogs (yours is a regular visit!) also helps me feel more human and ‘normal’ – so I figure as long as that need is being met, then I’ll keep at it.
There are a few connections I’ve made along the way that also help to make it more fun as well.
Hope you have a very restful and enjoyable holiday! If you don’t decide to blog, then just journal – then at the end of the summer you can share the proverbial ‘what I did last summer’ story with us!
~h
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Have a fantastic vacation Em! The kids, your family and you (most importantly) are going to remember these summer vacations as a time to gather with your loved ones and just be. The days before a vacation can be stressful but think ahead to all the fun that will be had. Love you and talk soon! Lisa
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Have a great vacation! I wish I could go too.
Be safe!
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I remember your trip to the cottage last year and it seemed so beautiful and refreshing. I hope you pop into the blog every now again so we can see what you’re up to!
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I just found your blog and have enjoyed reading, so I hope you decide to continue posting. However, I understand the need to take a break from things for a bit and just enjoy life. Hope you have a great vacation!!
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Oh, I for one would really miss you. I wish i had more time, but you are one of only about four blogs that I read religiously. I do understand though, this is a tough season for blogging. I am finding myself drained in the summers. Do what feels best for you and for your family. I will be waiting when you come back!! xoxo
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{{{{Squeezes}}}}
I am not a blogger, I am a reader and I am hooked on good content and I am hooked on your site.
So many of your posts have articulated my own thoughts and someday I hope to live the dream as you guys are.
Thank you for being inspirational to me, I have found immense hope in seeing someone else succeed at the very thing we are working towards and it’s motivational.
Have a fun summer!
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Enjoy your vacation. Everyone needs a change of pace/scenery sometimes. Here’s to hoping you’ll come back feeling refreshed!
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Have a wonderful time at the cottage. I can relate to how you’re feeling and wish I had a cottage to retreat to right about now.
Enjoy your break, Em!
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I hope you have a wonderful vacation Emily! I would miss you terribly if you didn’t pop in now and then but I completely understand and am all for the idea of a nice long break with no blogging! It is definitely not everything and a break can refresh you enough to where it is enjoyable again! Either way, blogging or not, you are a treasure in blogland
Have a ton of fun! Play in the sand! Put your toes in the water! And don’t feel you have to come back to the blog right away to tell us about every detail, just SAVOR IT! xoxo
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Don’t feel bad at all about unplugging for a while! I was a Peace Corps volunteer for 2 years and didn’t have a clue what was going on in the world outside of my little town the whole time. I miss being able to get away from everything so completely so think it’s completely normal and healthy to want to escape.
Do what you need to do for yourself! Have fun with your family!
I just started reading your blog (this is my second time here) but isn’t the point of remodeling your life to be able to use your own time the way you want? Evaluate and feel happy that you’ve structured your life so you can make good choices for you. If you want to blog, do it. If you don’t, don’t.
Have a great vacation! I’m looking forward to ours too.
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Don’t you wish you had a mental camera that could translate your images to photographs and a mental author that typed up your thoughts for you?
Maybe that’s just me.
Anyway, have a peaceful summer at the cottage.
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