Friday, January 2, 2015

Everything Must Change



Ah, the New Year, a time of fresh starts and little changes. You will notice a few little changes around here as we start 2015. First of all, I will be saying good bye to the Morning, Noon and Night weekly post. You might see the occasional post from me, it just won't be weekly. I welcome you to continue, if you feel inspired to do so, and I will definitely pop in to take a peek if you do. Thank you to all of you who participated, it was lovely to stop by your spaces to see little peeks into your day.

Second, and the biggest change around here, is that I will be here less often. I have thought long and hard about this one, and it wasn't easy. This place serves as a journal of sorts, of our life and the path we walk. I have came here almost every day for just over three years to record little parts of our lives, not everything, but the parts that I want to look back on, the parts that made me smile, and sometimes, the parts that I struggled with. It honestly is a joy to write in this space, and to share with you, but I feel a need to step back. In July of 2014, I decided to shut down all of my social media accounts in an effort to find more time and space in my life. It was something I planned to do for a month, and here I sit, five months later, and I haven't gone back. My desire to continue to find more time and space in my days, to maybe slow them down a bit, is the reason I will quiet myself in this space a little. I am not quite sure what that looks like yet, I will definitely be participating in the 52 Project, and the rest, well, that will fall into place as we move into the New Year.

Thank you so much for being a part of my journey as a mother. Mothering is the single most amazing thing I have done in my life. It has changed who I am, made me a better person, and honestly, completely changed the course of my life. I can't imagine doing anything else, and I can't imagine having a better group of friends to share this journey with. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for stopping by each day to read what I write, for taking the time to comment or send an email, for sending letters and little packages, and for just being here and sharing my journey with me. I hope you will continue to pop in and enjoy the ride with me.

xo

56 comments:

  1. Well first of all Happy New Year! I'm so glad you're going to be continuing blogging, even if a little bit less, it's lovely to peek into your world!

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    1. Thanks Carie, and happy new year to you too! I don't think I would ever give it up, but a little less seems right at the moment. Thanks for popping in for a peek, I appreciate it. xo

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  2. I completely understand an applaud you for taking that next step. You know we will always be here, whether you share with us twice a week or everyday... I always enjoy your insight, but I know that a blog is very time intensive. A little bit of Kim is better than no Kim. I look forward to keeping in touch other ways. I've been so enjoying our correspondence. I wish you the time you so rightly crave. Fill it well and your friends will still be here. :-) Happy new year...

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    1. Thanks Yanic. You know I have never really found it intensive per say, I do enjoy it, and it is never a chore, but I just feel like right now, freeing up just a little more time will be so welcome in my days.

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  3. I am sad to know that you're voice won't be here everyday but I totally understand too! I have been trying to figure out what approach I will take to my blog this year. Last year my goal was to post every day as I had not managed to do 365 posts in any of the years prior. I am happy to report that I acheieved my goal (and a few extra posts as well)! I am, however, not sure what I will do with this space this year.....time will tell I suppose!

    Thanks, dear friend, for being on this journey with me as well! I am so very glad that we are in this together! xo

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    1. Congratulations Shel, that is great! I look forward to seeing where you take your blog this year :) xo

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  4. You are doing the right thing. I find that blogging takes a lot of time, and not just the writing part, it's the visiting and commenting and well you know the rabbit hole that happens. I started taking off three days a week from the blog (and reading blogs) that has helped. Scaling back is a good thing and anything we choose to fill our days will should restore us and feed us not deplete us.

    So I wish for you the added minutes you are capturing. (have you thought of once a week and then 52 project? that might work....)

    Good luck as you enter 2015 :)

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    1. Thanks Karen. I do know, and it can sometimes take much more time then I expect. And yes on filling our days with things that restore us, and I think that is part of the hard bit of letting go...being in this space regularly is restorative in some aspect, and also stopping into visit friends is nice, but at some point the balance tips a little in the wrong direction and I am left short on time for other things I like to do too.

      I think my plan is to blog two days a week, and do the 52 project. It seems like a good fit for me right now, and will free up quite a bit of time to focus on some of the creative projects and other writing I want to do. We shall see how it goes.

      Thank you. xo

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  5. I have been following you just for a few weeks now and I must say, that every one of your posts have been a pleasure in one way or another. I understand your need of having more time for yourself. I will keep reading every post coming from you as usual.

    Have a lovely weekend!

    Lluisa xoxo

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    1. Thank you so much Lluisa, for those very kind words. I am not sure how you found me, but I am glad the blog world brought us together.

      xo

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  6. I love everything you share and the comments you make to me too Kim. You are such an angel! I completely understand how you feel. I have done this for almost two years now. I only post every now and then when I feel I have time. With my old site, it got to be way too busy for me and I just don't have the time with Serafina. On the other hand, I have never been into any social media sites and I am actually thinking of joining facebook these days. Different journeys right? I hope you enjoy your time with your family as you take a break from blogging for a while.

    Much love!!

    Tiffany

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    1. Thank you my dear friend, you know how much I love your space, and the journey you are on.

      Yes on the different journeys, we all have our own paths, and at any time we can change the course of them. I think right now I am just taking a little curve in the path in order to find a little more calm in this busy internet world.

      xo

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  7. Kim, you are walking the on the path I have been thinking about for weeks. I too feel the pull to step back and occupy my minutes with other pursuits. I will continue to pop in to check on you and already have plans to put pen to paper more often this year so keep an eye on you box, I will be in touch my dear friend. Much love.

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    1. It is funny how we feel these little pulls, eh? When I felt it in the summer I was sure I would take a break from social media, and be back, but I don't miss it. Yes there are aspects of it that are nice, but in the grand scheme of things it really isn't a big deal not to be involved.

      I wonder too, if my letter writing project last year has fulfilled some of the connection I get from this space in a different way. I now have a few regular penpals, and our connection through letter writing is just as lovely as the connections I have here in this space.

      Looking forward to exchanging letters with you this year Tracey. xo

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  8. Well, I will miss your lovely blog, especially since I just found it, but finding time to be not plugged in and spend it in ways that are valuable to you is important, so I commend you and wish you all the best in 2015!

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    1. Oh, I am not totally disappearing Andrea, just will be here less often. I think I have settled on two days a week, and the 52 Project. We will see how that goes, and then change course if I need to.

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  9. I too have found that I needed to step back. Enjoying every second with my family was difficult when I felt the need to blog. But I have also had to find a balance. SInce we do not live near family, I have found they miss my posts as well, and I have realized this is how we stay connected. But like you, I have removed myself from facebook etc. It frees up so much time. Here is wishing you the most wonderful new year! I hope you enjoy every second!

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    1. It is all about balance, isn't it? I have never felt the "need" to blog per say, as it has always been, and still is, a space I love to come to. I think right now there is just this little voice saying you can't be here all the time and still accomplish the other things you want to do, and that is very true :)

      Thank you, wishing you and your family a wonderful 2015!

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  10. Good for you! Funnily enough up til 6 months ago- I had never even been on social media! I've never had Twitter or even Facebook, but I so wanted a blog. I finally started and never realized exactly how much went into it! It's slightly addictive and brings you into a beautiful community, but it can be quite consuming, I often wonder how long I can keep it up and if its interrupting my time. I try to wake hours before everyone and work on it, then put it away, but it doesn't always happen.

    www.hollandsreverie.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks! It does take some work, and definitely some time, especially on a daily basis. Like you I try to write posts in the early morning hours, and in the evening after little man is tucked in. But then instead of wanting to write in the morning, I wanted to read or write some poetry, in the evening I wanted to knit a little more, or work on another project, and so the decision, although not easy, was welcome, and will definitely allow me the time and space for a little different kind of me time :)

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  11. Happy New Year Kim. I do hope you continue to blog. I do so love coming to see what you are up to. Your blog inspires me so. But I do know that feeling of wanting to be less connected to this interactive online life. Peace and happiness to you this year!!

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    1. Thanks Summer, Happy New Year to you too! I will still be here, just not as often, I am thinking two days a week, and the 52 Project. I think that will be a good way to start, and then I can see how it goes.

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  12. P.s. Did your peg dolls arrive over the holidays? I hope so.

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    1. Yes, today in fact. Little man loves them, and so do I. They are currently on the sled, in the snow, on the nature table :)

      Thank you!!!!!

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  13. Happy new year! I don't always leave a comment because sometimes I'm just swinging by quickly to see your lovely pictures and hear how your life is doing, but I do enjoy this space you've created : ) I am in the process of shutting down my Facebook account, which to some of my friends seems crazy, but I think it will give me the space and mindfulness to focus more on the present! May you be blessed as you seek the same in your family's journey together <3

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    1. Happy New Year Lyssa! Thank you so much for those lovely words. I was amazed at the time created when I shut down my FB account. I thought I was pretty good at balancing my time on there...not so much it turned out. I didn't go back for a few reasons, one of them being how much time got sucked away on there, but also I belonged to a lot of groups, and I thought they were beneficial to me, but I quickly realized that a lot of the time I would get sucked into a conversation in a group, with no real interest except to know what was going on :) Being away from it for the first month made me realize that the groups, well nice for connection, ended up taking up way too much time, and didn't really provide an equal amount of benefit...if that makes sense.

      I hope you find the space and mindfulness you are craving.

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  14. Enjoy the changes and the shift in how you spend your time. I admire your dropping facebook and hope to do the same in the future. For now I feel the need to keep it in order to keep up with a couple local mom groups that have provided beneficial in these early years if I really need to ask a question, but I could see myself shedding even those before too long and as friendships with local moms grow. I'm inspired by your constant growth and ability to change what isn't working for you in order to make your life the one you want it to be. You are amazing in that way and many others and I look forward to continuing following along with you and connecting with you in this new year.

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    1. Thank you my friend. I can totally see how local FB groups would be beneficial, especially in the early years. I wasn't on FB when little man was a baby, only joined three years ago, but I wonder how different my early mothering days might have been had I had that connection. I guess that is what we are all looking for isn't it...connection. We find it in different ways, and at times we can let go of some ways of connecting when other ways are proving more valuable.

      I have learned that this is my life, and I only get to live it once. It took me a long time to let go of my "people pleasing" tendencies and be the real me. It was only then that I could really live the life I wanted to, and also have the courage to change the things that weren't leading me there.

      Thank you for your kind words my friend. You know how happy I am that the blog world brought us together, and I have so enjoyed being a little part of your mothering journey. Can't wait for all the goodness that will be part of 2015 for you and your little family. Much love to you. xo

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  15. I will miss your frequent posts, but understand your stepping away. I also take breaks for a month or so at a time from Facebook (the only social media I'm active on) and enjoy those times away...but always come back to connect with family and friends who are far away.

    Take care and Happy new year!!

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    1. It is amazing what a little break from social media can do. And, yes, if there is one thing I miss it is catching up with family in other parts of the world, FB makes it easy to do that with one click and everyone is updated :)

      Happy New Year to you too! xo

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  16. I was wondering when you would say this. I think it's fine. :) I've contemplated stopping my blog all together. Not sure if I want to do that yet. But for now, I look forward to your occasional posts! Hugs for a new year!

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    1. Yikes, I don't know if I could do that, I do love this space and everything it brings into my life. Happy New Year my friend. xo

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  17. Happy New Year, Kim! And enjoy the extra space. I think it's something everyone who blogs does or thinks about from time to time. The connections are fun, but it does take time from other pursuits, that's for sure.

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  18. I'm happy if you are happy. Your priorities are shining through here, and I agree that you should embrace as much time as you can with your family. I love reading your blog, but, if you feel it is taking more time than you want to put into it, I applaud you for recognizing it and pulling back. It should feel good to write out your day, or share your morning-noon-night, not an obligation or a chore. It would be a shame if you resented any part of it and just stopped blogging altogether one day - it seems to happen all the time on blogs I have followed in the past. I too look forward to your 2015 post, no matter how regular they are.

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    1. Thanks Matt. You know it doesn't feel like that at all, just need more space right now. I don't think there is any chance of me stopping the blog altogether, this space and the memories it collects means too much for that. This little journal of our lives will be a wonderful place to look back on in the years to come.

      Happy New Year.

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  19. Bravo Kim. Daily blogging for almost three years is a mammoth effort, and on top you show such support to your readers and their own blogs. It's a big commitment and volume of work that you should be justly proud of. You've built real community here and l think that will continue if you reduce the number of posts you write.
    Seems like we're on a similar path this year with blogging :-) almost shouted out snap when l read your post. Here's to continuing connection and more time in our days. xx

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    1. Thank you my dear friend, I somehow knew you would totally get it. Happy New Year. xo

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  20. To be honest... I am so glad you are just scaling back and not quitting your blog completely. We just got back from holidays and i had to read your post a couple of times to make sure you were not stopping completely. It must have been a very tough decision especially since you have such a following. Your blog has inspired me in so many ways... i must have told at least a dozen people over the holidays about your creative ideas and philosophy of slow. I also want to thank you for all the support you have given to my blog. I look forward to your 2015 posts !!! xoxo

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    1. Erica, I can't tell you just how much this comment, and your kind words means to me, thank you. It was tough, but it feels right, so that is good. You are most welcome my friend, it has been lovely getting to know you this year. xo

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  21. Ohh...good to pull back a bit, my friend. I look forward to reading when you do post, and wish you the best in continuing to simplify your life. Happy New Year!

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  22. i trust that you will find your flow. i pulled back a lot last year, but always kept a hand in, and this year i'm ready to return and connect. such is life - ebbs and flows ;)

    finally got you on my bloglovin' feed too lol

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    1. I trust in that too Monica, it will all fall into place. I actually love the ebbs and flows of life, they keep life interesting, and add a little spice to my rhythmic nature :)

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  23. I will miss the peeks into your days. They always bring me just a tiny bit of peace, but I understand the pull to scale back. Be well. Have a beautiful year.

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    1. That is wonderful to hear my friend, you will still have them, just a little less :) xo

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  24. I hope you can find the balance that works for you Kim, I have found that three posts a week works for me but we are all different! I have loved finding you blog recently and look forward to reading any posts you are sharing with us in 2015. Blessings to you.

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    1. Thank you. I think I am going to start at three posts per week and see where that takes me. It feels like a good place to start.

      Thank you, I am not sure how you found me, but it has been lovely having you along for the ride, and also popping in to visit you too. xo

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  25. I feel a little sad reading this, coming and visiting here regularly helps me keep a bit more balance with life, so though a little sad I'm very glad you're not stopping altogether. And I can completely understand your decision, I have been finding it hard to blog as regularly as I intended early on. It is time consuming and there are always other things that I could be doing instead - sometimes very necessary things and sometimes very important things - either connected with time spent with the family or time spent on my well being, physical or mental. In fact often with me the other thing I could be doing is a little more sleeping! Over the last few months I have allowed myself to be much more relaxed about how often I post. And now if I'm tired and want to go to bed then I don't make myself stay up and post - not always anyway! I hope you find the balance you're looking for, I'm sure you will.

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    1. Awe, thanks Sally. I feel like I have already found the balance, and it is only the first week. There has been more time for all the things I love, things I did before, but now I am doing more of them.

      I have decided that I will post three days a week...Monday, Thursday and Saturday, so it will be regular, just not every day.

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  26. Doing a little catching up, Kim!
    I can totally understand the pulling away from the computer but also wanting to have a record of days and events. I am missing personal blogging for that reason.
    I hope you find the balance you need.
    All the best in the new year! xx

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    1. It is hard, but so far this week I feel like the balance is right. Three days a week in this space might just be the balance I am looking for without having to give it up.

      Does that mean we might see you back in your space sometime soon? (fingers are crossed)

      All the best to you and yours Dawn. Hope 2015 is filled with good things. xo

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  27. i completely understand that change! and at some point you might find it right to post more again... who knows! but it is important to listen to what it is we need in each season of life. and we will still be reading :)

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    1. I think all of us bloggers do :) And yes, at some point I may be back more regularly, but for now I seem to have found a nice rhythm with three days a week.

      Thank you Jenny. xo

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