8.07.2012

Changes in the Air

Hello beauties :) Today you're about to get some real talk. Well all of my posts are real talk, but this is gonna be one of those heartfelt ones, if you know what I mean.

I've been blogging now for about 8.5 months. WOW I can't believe that - time has flown by! When I first started, I was in my last semester of college, so I was spending loads of time in my apartment (by myself) working on projects, studying for exams, you know...trying to get out of college alive ;) This gave me lots of time to dedicate toward this little blog of mine.

As many of you know I live a little ways away from my family, my boyfriend & my friends. During school, my free time was non-existent since all of my energy was going toward my 5 classes. I didn't have time to go visit them very much.

Well now that I'm done with college, I've had some of that time free up. And I'm gonna be honest with you...I don't really want to be spending the majority of that time hunched over my laptop cranking out blog posts, replying to emails as soon as they hit my inbox, making sure that I'm caught up on Twitter, etc. You know what I mean?

I want to be OUT. Living. Doing. Being.

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Don't take this the wrong way - I'm not quitting blogging by any means!
I still love putting together posts and getting to know my sweet, sweet readers (that's YOU).
I just feel a little more pressure now a days to post Monday-Friday. To reply to every comment. To answer emails within 24 hours of receiving them. To visit other bloggers' blogs who have visited mine.

You see, I don't want blogging to become a chore. AT ALL. I want my passion & love for it to continue to grow rather than diminish. With working more, making the drive to visit my loved ones a few days a week, keeping up with my workout schedule & studying for my NASM CPT exam...my plate is pretty full. I'm learning to find my limits and to stay within them. I don't want to give up sleep, because I HAVE to have a post up by midnight. I don't want to stay home when my friends are going to dinner because I HAVE to catch up on emails. 

I really hope that you guys get where I'm coming from. 
I really hope that you know how I much I appreciate every single one of you reading, commenting, sending me emails, tweeting me, etc. 
Because I appreciate it SO much. It really does mean the world to me that you guys care about what I have to say :)

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So by "Change is in the Air" I mean I may not get the chance to post every weekday. I might not be able to reply to every single comment (although I will read every single one and smile). I might not be able to say yes to every guest post or giveaway opportunity. I might take more than a few days to reply to an email. And I have to be OKAY with that. I don't want to feel guilty. I don't want you guys to think that I'm "too good" to communicate as well as I have been or that I'm too big for my "blogging britches" because I can assure you that that is not the case! I just want to focus my time & energy on things that I love :)

Things like:

- Reading 
- Taking bubble baths
- Getting 7 hours of sleep at night
- Biking
- Painting
- Writing
- Taking workout classes
- Going on coffee dates
- Giving my loved ones my undivided attention when I'm with them
- Crafting
- Cooking

I really, truly hope that you guys still love me :)
I just want to stop, take a step back and do more of what makes me happy!
Oh and I've been looking into going to grad school, too so that will also be another thing added to my plate. 

And last thing, I'm considering cutting back on offering ad spots. If you've already purchased one, you're absolutely going to have your ad on my blog :) I just don't want to feel obligated to post so that my sponsors get their money's worth. And I DO think they should get their money's worth ,which is why I'm considering axing some of my ad spots/prices. 

So, what do you say...still friends? :)



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45 comments

  1. I completely understand what you're saying. You have to do what is best for you, no matter what! As much as I think blogging is a blessing, I don't believe God intended for our lives to be so consumed with technology as they are nowadays.. myself definitely included! Props to you for stating your feelings, even when some might be offended. Hooray for being done with school and having more free time, I'm so happy for you! Thanks for your honesty :) I admire that.
    Love you girl! Have a wonderful rest of your week.
    XO

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  2. Sweetie, you do what you have to do! Life is important - it's what fueled your passion for blogging in the first place and it's what will keep that passion going. But you're right, you have to live it! I'm so glad that you're not quitting, I'd miss you! But I totally understand. It's a decision it seems a number of bloggers are needing to make right now. And I know I'll have to slow down when school starts back up. The blog should be a reflection of you and it will ebb and flow with you. That's amazing, I think. I'm excited for what life brings you and what you share with us! :)

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  3. Good for you! Get out and experience life...and then blog about it when you can.

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  4. Oh man we are seriously in the same exact place right now! I totally know where you're coming from =)
    Personally, I feel like living is so so important. Lately I've decided that it's ok if my posts don't go live at 4am every morning, it's ok if I don't respond to emails right away, and it's definitely ok to just shut off my computer for awhile. I want to feel passionate about blogging, not like I have to do it.

    Do what you gotta do lady, everything will work itself out =)

    xoxo

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  5. And one more thing.. it's all about balance, and it takes time but I know we'll all find the right balance for us =)

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  6. Girl please, we'll always love you! And I totally understand where you're coming from--I could've written this post. You'll always be one of my absolute favorites--but you've gotta get out there and live life, too! Hope you're having a lovely week so far, sweet friend!

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  7. enjoy your time living :)
    i think bloggers that do that have better posts anyway!

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  8. Good for you. You have to take care of yourself!

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  9. You totally need to be true to yourself so finding that blogging balance is all part of it. Good for you and of course we will always be here loving to hear about your journey. Take time for you!

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  10. I completely understand. I've actually been quite overwhelmed with the Mon-Fri blogging too and have thought about taking a step back! By no means, over commit yourself! We'll still read :)

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  11. This is great! I made the decision long ago not to get caught up on being the "Best Blogger Ever" and just posting when I feel the need. Of course, I want to grow my readership, but I also want it to be because they want to read it, and not because they are obligated too. I definitely can relate to this post. We may miss your posts, but we will miss you more if you get burnt out and don't post altogether! Keep doing you girlfriend ;). Have a great week!

    Melissa

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  12. We are still friends and I look forward to your future posts. I have enjoyed reading your blog ever since I found it. Thanks for your honesty.

    www.esthernorinedesigns.blogspot.com

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  13. Best decision ever! Oh wait, I meant for me, when I said the same thing about 2 years ago and I stopped taking my blog so seriously. I mean, I already have a full time job so I didn't need another.
    I still love writing and capturing moments and making connections but anyone who isn't completely wound up in their blog will totally understand :)

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  14. totally get it!! With school starting next week I know I won't be able to give the same amount of time as I have this summer - but I think that is a good thing! I'm going to work to just set a certain amount of time each day so I'm not sitting at the computer - even though I do like it, I think there are more important things! thanks for the reminder!

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  15. I love the quote about not feeling pushed but being led, so true! Love it!

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  16. I agree with what all these others have been saying-you have a life, and that life does not revolve around a computer! Technology is often more of a hindrance to living our daily lives than a help. Enjoy life!

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  17. I absolutely love your blog, and will continue to love it no matter how frequently or infrequently you post! Live your life and really enjoy everything you do, don't feel pressured to do anything but what you love!

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  18. This blogging thing is TIME CONSUMING girl and I completely understand!!! I DEF still love your blog! :):)

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  19. Of course I'm still your friend! I love that you want to live your life! Plus, if you have more experiences, it will make the blog posts you do even better! I know I will still come visit regularly. And I think it will all be a-ok! So don't stress, go out and live your life! I look forward to hearing about it :)

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  20. I agree! I used to blog daily and then I realized how much time it took out of my life. I've been much happier with the M-W-F posting schedule that I've been doing the past few months!

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  21. Of course we're still friends you silly goose! Blogging definitely takes up a lot of time, but I've start re-organizing my life, actually using my over-priced EC planner, and prioritizing. I've been trying to plan all my blog posts at least a week in advance. I am not a prompt email replier, and I am focusing on the big changes going on in my life instead. True blog friends will stay blog friends whether you post everyday or once a month :)

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  22. Good for you, girl! Live life to the fullest because it goes by so fast and can change at any moment! Xo

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  23. good for you to not get tied down by your blog! i think it's a great idea to take a step back and spend more time doing what you enjoy, especially since you just recently graduated. and good luck on deciding if you go back to grad school!

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  24. This is awesome, Jess. Taking a step back is in no way a bad thing. I'm proud of your little self-- doing what YOU want to do! Good for you, girl!

    LOL_ I take like 5 days to respond to emails. Honestly? I have a job. I have a BF. I have a life. Blogging is fun and I try to do it when I want... not when I have to. So yeah, right there in that boat with you. :)

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  25. It's like you took our e-mail conversation and threaded into one lovely blog post. :-) Love this. You already know that.

    But I love you more!

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  26. Readers should never get mad at the writers of the blogs they love for wanting to live their lives! Rock on!

    --Laura
    http://caffeinatedpinkaholic.blogspot.com

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  27. Live your life to its fullest! If you're not living, there's nothing to write about! Readers will understand, and I'm sure appreciate your honesty and openness! Your young, and have to live it up while you can!

    Wish you the best :)

    xo,

    http://annabeeslittlebits.blogspot.com/

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  28. Great post lovely Jessica!
    I completely agree with you...my health dramas earlier in the year made me really reconsider what is important in life and now I try to constantly reasses-as you are now- about what makes me happy everyday! And to try as spend maximum time on the happy things and less time on the things that become a bit of a chore!
    Well done for reassessing and making changes:)
    Your blog will continue to be awesome!
    Lulu x

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  29. Good work girl! The Power of ONE...you are the one who makes you happy, and it makes me smile for you that you know your limits! Great work! :)

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  30. Good for you! Blogging is no joke..when it stops being something that you are enjoying to the fullest, it's time to take a step back so that you are able to re-kindle that love for it! It's no use not living just so you are able to have a blog go up EVERY DAY right at midnight...eventually you wouldn't have anything to write about if you weren't out there living your life!

    Enjoy this awesome time with friends and family...snap some photos and we will join you for the ride! :)

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  31. I've been noticing these kinds posts a lot lately and even wrote my own after reaching 1000, and people do understand, or say they do. But, what frustrates me the most is they'll talk crap about bloggers who don't respond to comments, or don't visit their blog, or whatever. Like, we all just need to chill the eff out and stop making so many freaking rules or make people feel guilty for not spending more time blogging. Blogging should be a reflection of your life, and if you're not living it, then what's the freaking point?? Blog how you want and when you want, darlin. I'll still be here!!!!

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  32. I'm a new reader thanks to Kristen at KV's confessions. First off, I just want to say how much I love your honesty! I posted on a similar topic last Friday and got really good feedback.

    I will be starting up with school in a few weeks and am already feeling the pressure. Instead of blogging 4 times a week I'd like to spend that time studying, hanging out with my friends, watching TV, and enjoying the college life!

    The advice I got most from people last week was to do what I wanted to do, not what readers and sponsors were expecting. Post when YOU want to instead of feeling the need to. Good luck Jessica and remember that there are others like you who support you 100%!!

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  33. I totally understand!! Life has been so crazy lately I have barely had time to read blogs, much less write a post!

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  34. Of course we are still friends :)

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  35. I respect this so much, and really admire you for making choices that are best for you and the people you care about! I think that is amazing, and will definitely still enjoy coming to visit your blog! I start my last year of college in less than two weeks, and I'll be learning to find the balance of getting homework done and keeping up with blogging. Thanks for the encouragement to all of us to keep our priorities straight! :)

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  36. Of COURSE we still love you :) And I think as fellow bloggers, we totally understand where you're coming from and all feel that way from time to time. I'm really struggling with it right now too with everything else going on in my life (moving, packing, travelling)...so it's so nice to read a post like this one. Here's to being HAPPY bloggers!

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

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  37. FRIEND!!! Why do we think so ALIKE?!?! We posted inspirational quotes today... and Monday I went back to read your STR task for next week, and nearly died when I saw your task!!! I promiseeeee I'm sooo not stalking you (in the wrong way) and look at what happened!!! SAME PAGES IN LIFE!!!

    I'm happy you reached this point... I'm happy you're willing to let go a bit b/c we all know you're very adimant on staying on schedule, especially with blogging. This means you're totes into enjoying the moments as they happen, and that's where we need to be in life!! Speaking as a newby of a NON-student, this "free time" we have is very precious and we've been waiting a very long time to get to where we are... with that said, don't waste a day, a minute, a second, and ACCEPT THE CHANGE AND EMBRACE IT!!

    Okay.. novel is over! I la la love ya gooorl!!!

    xoxoxo

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  39. Do what you gotta do girl! This whole blogging thing can get overwhelming. You definitely have to live your life the way you feel best.

    Besides, if you don't go out and enjoy it, then your blog wouldn't be as interesting.

    I look forward to your posts whenever you decide to post them. :)

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  40. Life is all about setting boundaries - without them we would be lost. Good for you!

    On a side note - can I just tell you how impressed I am that you've only been blogging for 8.5 months?!?! I'd assume, based on your followers and your blog, that you've been blogging for years!! Very impressive. I just started following your blog so it was a surprise to me!

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  41. I love your honesty :) Thank you for being so open & real - I love you even more now! Girl - go out there and live your life! We all need to put things in the proper priority. I've been feeling a little overwhelmed at times with my constantly full inbox, replying to comments, etc. And you reminded me here to step back and breathe - to enjoy life! So thanks girl.

    Will always be a reader :)

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  42. Pshhh-friends? Of course! It'll take much more than this to get rid of me!

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  43. I think you are one smart cookie. No one can do it all and you do have a life to live so just blog when you can and I will happily read along with you when you do. :)

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  44. I'm very much in the same place right now - blogging is starting to become another full-time job, and I don't want it to become burdensome! I totally understand needing to step back and spend more time in your real life and less time on the computer! I'll still follow! :)

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  45. I TOTALLY understand! As soon as Will comes home, I will NOT be blogging as much! We will all still be here for you ;) Love you!

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I love reading your encouraging words :)
Seriously...every comment makes my day a little brighter!
SO THANK YOU for being wonderful!

If you have a question or need a response, please don't hesitate to email me at
jessica@lovelylittlethingsblog.com

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