Falling out of Love with Blogging

Lately I have been thinking a lot about my blog, and some things that I miss sharing here! I kind of miss sharing about simple things like food, mama hacks, recipes, planning, running a household and all that good stuff. I also miss sharing some of the day to day antics of being a mom and wife.

I feel like when I first started blogging 8 years ago, many writers were sharing about their adventures and mis-adventures. We didn’t know about niches and affiliate links, sponsored posts and magazine worthy photographs. I don’t think that those things are all bad, and I love that so many have had success with building their blogs into a business. However, it means the community and simplicity that once existed in the blog world has drifted into the distance. I think that is why so many are latching onto “IG Stories” it shows so much of the day to day, real part of life that the perfectly edited photos and captions are lacking.

Many people say that blogs are dead… apparently we need to call them websites now. When people come to a “website” they expect to be met with a freebie for subscribing, a source list, a shop, shop the home, shop the look, shop it all, and expert advice!

Maybe you’ve noticed that in the last year, I have really fallen back from blogging. I have stopped sharing so personally- afraid of the internet and the potential of people getting too into my business. As my kids have grown, I stopped sharing so personally about them- trying to navigate the fact that they are growing up in a digital world- and that my online journal might not be the best place to document every dirty diaper, funny saying or cute picture. What was once “mine” is also now “theirs.”

I would be remiss not to add, that how I present myself here, has at times discouraged others, made them feel less than, or like they don’t have it all together. And although that is never my intention, it makes my heart hurt a bit. Though, it may be from taking just a sampling of the fodder- because let me assure you… I have and hope to continue to share real, raw and honest thought here. But, having an opinion beyond the hottest paint color trends has become increasingly difficult.

So, I realize that as my platform has grown, perhaps rants and emotional downs are best left between me and my girlfriends. However, I do still believe there is value in sharing honestly. I think, and hope, that everyone on the interwebs is not just looking for the latest sales or design overhauls.

I often ask myself if there is still a place or audience for me. I think though, because I love it, despite the numbers or comments, that I will just keep on writing posts, taking photos and hitting publish.

Simple things like recipes, family management, what we are up to, creativity, home design, diy, mothering, kids stuff, mom stuff, life stuff are all areas I see being a part of this blog…..err website. 😉 It has been hard for me to understand who my audience is here. Do you like home stuff, family stuff, diy stuff…. but, I guess the key is that I am inspired to post, to share and to document. When I am not inspired, it doesn’t happen… and I feel this lurking pressure to re-visit the blog. So… I am here, and I am gonna give this a go again with gusto. OR still keep at it… because I haven’t stopped.

Thank you for stopping by. Thanks for sticking with me, and all of your encouragement along the way!! I hope you continue to enjoy this little corner of the web. You’ll continue to see me sharing diy and decor, but I am inspired to share more about my life as a mama of 4, running a household for a busy family of 6, being an entrepreneur, pursuing dreams, running a flower farm, and feeding my pack of wolves called children.

Things might start to look a bit different around here, as time allows… but I’ll be sure to keep you in the loop. I think I started out feeling like there were no rules. And then, somehow, by trying to make it better, and be better, I found myself so bogged down by rules that I just got stuck. Here is to getting unstuck.

With excitement, and a big smile,

-Miss Ash