Tuesday, June 12, 2012

A new direction: back to basics

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I've been feeling a little in the dumps about this blog lately. It started out as a creative outlet, something I did for myself, for expression. I question myself a lot lately. I obsess over losing or gaining followers. I begin wondering why I'm not satisfied with the amount of followers I have.

Am I not pretty? Fashionable? Funny? Thin? Talented? Am I a bad writer? Is my content not specific enough for any one audience?

And I finally came to this conclusion: I am enough. I shouldn't need that kind of validation to be happy.

I've turned this blog into a source of revenue. I write because I think it's what readers want to see, rather than writing what's in my heart. I've researched other "successful" blogs and tried to emulate their style and focus. I've become ingenuine, which is my worst nightmare.

I won't lie. I love that people read what I say. I love that some people find me interesting.

But I realized that no amount of money, no amount of followers could make me happy. What makes me happy is impact. If I help or touch people, I have done more than if I make a million dollars (which I certainly have not). So until further notice, in an effort to regain my true-ness, I will no longer be pushing for sponsoring or having sponsors. I may go back to it in the future, but for now, I'm taking it easy. This blog is not about money, and it is not about amount of followers. 

It is about writing. Documenting my family's milestones, big and small. Saying what I like. Saying what I don't like. Posting things for my own remembrance, and for the benefit of those who want to see. This will be a place of sharing and a place of personal growth. I hope you stay and read and grow and share and learn.

Pressure's off. Back to basics.

12 comments:

  1. Tess, I love reading your blog! You are an inspiration to me and a motivating one at that! I feel like I am getting to know you more than when you were a child/teen in our ward. Keep going and as Shakespeare tells us "To Thine Own self Be True!"

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  2. Oops, I though my name would show up -hmmm, maybe I should stay unknown.... okay this is Janette McDonald

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    1. Jan, why do I run into you at the most unexpected places?? Tess, Jan and I have been friends for about 40 years...

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    2. No Jan, I you do not have a new friend, I used my middle name..

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    3. Tess, Your writings are so unique (your style) and I love to read what you write about! You always manage to find that new and refreshing angle to add to things that you find to write about! You are a true Gem and I love you very much. Keep up with your blog as it adds entertainment, information, inspiration and new pespective for us. Signing off and aux revoir mon cherie- Ing

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  3. I feel the same way and have been struggling with the same thing here lately! This post was so refreshing it helps know that I am not the only person feeling this way!

    here to getting back to basics!!

    xo

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  4. i think we all get caught up in that sometimes (me too for sure)
    i agree with meg - here's to getting back to basics!
    love,
    elisabeth

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  5. Good for you. Do what you like when you feel like it, and do what you want when you want.
    Xoxo janean

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  6. Ah this post is refreshing. I personally do not like reading blogs that are solely for the purpose of getting followers and sponsors and such. I like the REAL blogs. But I think we can all admit to obsessing over followers and views and such, at least I can! But when I started writing/blogging for myself and no one else (well for my family too) I realized how much happier it made me! Good luck with the blog!

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  7. Good for You! You know I'll keep reading. :-)

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  8. You're not the only one that feels this way. I recently attended a church leadership conference and during one of the sessions the speaker asked everyone to write down something they were going to COMMIT to doing every single day. I wrote three words: I. Am. Enough. I am involved in so many things and I often lose focus that my "going and doing" is not a race to gain this or that. I have limitations, I don't possess all the skills in the world, BUT what I do have is ENOUGH. Do what makes you happy.

    Blessings,
    Nicole @ Three 31
    http://nicoleandkevin.wordpress.com/

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  9. I did the same thing and it was so healing. I've recently come back to blogging again and I'm liking it much better. It's about me and not money or followers, just like you said. Good post

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