Why I Blog... And Why I Don't

I used to blog.... and I loved it. It was the perfect way to connect with creative people that I may otherwise never meet. People that loved being creative, sharing family stories, faith, fun and pictures. I LOVE pictures. Posts without pictures are tough for me to get through. ha! (So enjoy a few pictures from the last few years as you read through this.)

My little girl at the tulip fields a few a years ago. 

But here's the problem... I got caught up into the "you must do 'this and that' to be considered a successful blogger" lie. I focused too much on growing and networking as a badge of a successful blog that I lost my joy in writing and sharing. I forgot that blog is successful when it meet's your own expectations, not others.

Mums hold a special place in my heart. 

Hubby brought me some on our first date!

I was not turning my blog into a multi national empire. (Now don't get me wrong. If you have done that and fulfilled a dream, more power to ya! You are an inspiration to me!) But that wasn't my main goal in blogging. My main goal always was to have a creative outlet and connect with people that have similar interests. I lost sight of that. The failure and comparison game was ugly and I got discouraged.

My little one with my mom on her first ferry ride several years ago. 

I took a break when life got busy. And that break became longer and longer until I felt I needed to just shut it down and reevaluate why I blogged... and why I didn't. I realized that there is no right or wrong way to do this. There may be more effective ways, but not wrong. In the words of the Nester from long ago ( I'm pretty sure it was her...) "it's my blog and I'll ruin it if I want to!" (insert parody singing here.)

Seattle waterfront.

Don't get me wrong. I want to be the best blogger that I can be. In fact I will be the best blogger that I can be. I wont get overwhelmed in trying to catch up with others. 

This is my journey. 
Their is theirs. 
And I want you to join me for the ride.


So here's the deal. If I get 10 followers or 10,000 I am determined to keep blogging for the right reasons.

I will enjoy it.
I wont stress over it.
I will keep this as a creative outlet.
I will not over commit.

I also will not blog for the wrong reasons.

Lincoln City

I will better myself, my home, and my style of writing/sharing on the blog. I do want to grow as an individual through this.

And if Hobby Lobby wants to partner with me down the road to create my own line of home goods I certainly wont complain. Hey a girl can dream, right? {wink}

What are your reasons for blogging? 

Are you a hobby blogger 

hoping to make this a full time job? 

If so what steps are you taking 

to make this dream a reality?

I'd love to hear your story!

All photos are taken by yours truly unless otherwise noted, and are exclusive content of this blog.

10 Random Facts About Me

Just for kicks, here's 10 Random Facts About Me:

1. I'm not crazy about olives. For a long time they made me crazy sick too.

2. My favorite ice cream flavor is Cookie Dough. I enjoy others, but my loyalty is to the dough. 

3. Most of my wardrobe is thrifted. I {heart} the Goodwill.

4. I'd rather refurbish something than buy new.

5. I want to own chickens but I'm not crazy about holding them... I probably need to get over that. 

6. I was born in Australia.

7. I teach Spanish at a homeschool Co-op. 

8. I love When Calls the Heart. When season 3 finally came out on Netflix, I danced. Yep. All alone. In my living room. I may have shouted too. Just sayin'.

9. Hubby says coffee makes me act like a caffeinated chihuahua. It's a pretty accurate description. 

10. I had to look up how to spell chihuahua. 

What are some random facts about you?

I'd love to hear in the comments below!

Oh, and what's a post about random facts without a random picture of my daughter and I with mini plush bearskins on our heads? hee-hee!

All photos are taken by yours truly and are exclusive content of this blog.