Welcome back! It’s been a while since I last posted.
I needed the break.
I was definitely feeling a little whirling dervish-y and not in a good “I am getting closer to God” kinda way.
Considering it was the start of my 48th year, the holiday season, and the new year all rolled in to a few weeks’ time it was the perfect time to let. it. all. go.
I was able to enjoy time spent with the framily [FR(iends) + fAMILY= framily]
We cooked and baked; laughed; played games; shopped; watched football; went on walks; talked…I even read a couple of books and worked my way through a perilously large stack of magazines.
I kon-mari-d my closet and eliminated about 2/3 of the clothes I had. I thought it would be very stressful and that I would be filled with regret, but that didn’t happen. I enjoyed handing down or donating a lot of lovely clothes that just don’t work for my current body or lifestyle.
Now, when I go to get dressed, I am sure my options are good ones: everything fits, is in good repair, is flattering, and goes well with other items in my closet.
It’s a good feeling.
I also cleaned out my inbox. I used a program called unroll.me that helped me unsubscribe from stuff I no longer wish to receive (there were about 30 subscriptions I got rid of!) It also combines my subscriptions and emails into one daily “roll-up” which helps me feel less overwhelmed by all the newsletters and blog updates I get.
I really like it.
These processes made a big difference and helped give me the space I needed to refocus on what my intentions are for the coming year – particularly the next 6 months that I have given my self to gain traction with my writing.
To that end I spent a lot of time day-dreaming and letting my thoughts wander. What was my intent in dropping to full-time work? Is that still my priority? If so, how’s it going? If not, what is my new priority now? What do I need to change, if anything, to meet my goals?
I realized I made some mistakes along the way and had, perhaps just a smidge, allowed myself to be distracted by other things.
Like this blog, for example.
That’s not to say I am not keeping it, or that I don’t love it, or that I don’t do the happy dance anytime someone follows it, or comments (’cause I totally do!)
Rather, it’s that I got all caught up in THE BLOG AS A BUSINESS.
“What kind of ‘business’?” you may ask.
And that’s a great question because I have no freaking idea. #none
And trying to figure out how to make it a business was taking up a lot of my time. Too much.
I kept thinking about how I could “monetize my blog” or “profit from my passion” or “create passive income.” What was my platform? My “story”? Should I add a podcast to the mix? Become an affiliate? Offer an e-course? A webcast? Webinar? Mastermind?
Yeah, it was a bit much.
So here’s the deal:
I began this blog as a way to document “the sour and sweet, in life and on the page.”
And that is what I am re-focusing on.
Because my main goal, in life really, and especially for the next six months, is to work on my writing.
I want to finish book two of the Scottsville series , The Crime of Deception.
And write and publish Book Three, title TBD, I mean #topsecret.
After those are done and published I will decide which of my other book ideas to work on.
I also just began writing a column for a small local paper called The Creative Life.
I am very excited about it!
It is a sweet little column dedicated to helping the average Joe and Jane develop their own creative lives. I share tips and research on cultivating creativity and also interview local writers, artists and other makers.
It’s not only fun, it is inspiring.
So there you have it. I left room for the space between and found all kinds of goodies hidden there.
A simplified closet, a cleaner, less distracting inbox, a renewed focus and a clearer purpose for my blog.
I hope you will continue to join me here, on vinegar and vanilla, as I share the sour and sweet moments as I pursue my creative life as an author, blogger, and poet.
With Love and Gratitude,
