Welcome! I'm Cookie's Mom. You can learn all about Cookie and why I blog here: About Cookie's Chronicles. If you're new here, you may want to SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED. Thanks for stopping by! Pull up a beach chair and be my guest, won't you?

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Life's Lessons:
The Return From Hiatus Edition

I'm ba-a-a-ck! Did you miss me? No?! Well, that's understandable. My guests did an excellent job of taking care of the place in my absence. Perhaps too good a job!

You may be wondering, Where did she go? What did she do for a whole month?

One idea behind taking a break from blogging was to spend some time with my family this summer - it's been so busy that I felt I had been neglecting them some. I also intended to organize my life and my blogging efforts a bit in order to free up more time on an ongoing basis. I wanted to knock a few things off of the To Do list that have been nagging at me, and I wanted to rest.

The rest was necessary not only because I'm a mom (enough said, I presume), but also because I have not been feeling well - for years, but the situation continues to decline. I wish I was brave enough to go into detail on that point. I wish I could share something of that journey with all of you, because I know that you would offer your support and that support would be very healing. I tried - I wrote a draft of this post that included those details. I guess I'm just not ready.

I took this break because I needed to give some serious thought to priorities of wants and needs. There are a lot of 'have tos' and 'shoulds' in my life. My family and my health are the top priorities. Truly, if they are not looked after, nothing else much matters. Thus, I have been wondering if I 'need' to give up blogging altogether. It's difficult to manage the time commitment required to keep my blogs running at a reasonable pace. While I have been managing reasonably well, it's not just housekeeping and the laundry that are suffering anymore. My body keeps telling me, in not so subtle ways, that I need to make some choices. Frustrating as it is to me, I can not have it all. Not just now anyway.

Blogging is certainly not a priority. I'm not earning a living from it, though it most definitely is work. The world won't come to a screeching halt if suddenly there is one less mommy-slash-book blogger in it. In my most dour moments this past month I wondered if anyone would even notice if I just stopped writing. But then I yanked myself out of my dramatic, needy funk and started to seriously consider my options.

Blogging is not a should or a have to, but it is fun. I want to write, and if wants are not satisfied my health suffers too. I enjoy connecting through my blog with family, friends and fellow bloggers who share many of my struggles and joys. And this place is a part of me now.

Still the question remains, How do I manage my time? There are things I am 'supposed' to be doing right now, yet here I am, well past time to do those things and still get the sleep that I need, writing this post. I don't want the more vital things to suffer, but I also don't want to give up blogging.

I expect that my blogs will experience some changes over the next while, but, despite a month of reflection, I don't yet know what that will look like. I may blog less frequently. I may blog less energetically. Perhaps my blogs will move in an entirely new direction.

I realize that I'm probably rambling by now, but the anti-perfectionist in me (however minature she may be) is going to let it slide. I could worry also that I am being too somber, particularly given my personal commitment to creating an uplifting internet presence, but I know, and was reminded recently by a wonderful fellow blogger, that it is hard to appreciate the beauty of life without reference to its hardships.

Life is beautiful. Personally, I have much to be thankful for. Yes, life is challenging right now, but I have plenty of hope and plenty of resources. No, this blog is not a priority, but it brings me joy. I have some work to do to fit it into my life, rather than the other way around. While I didn't manage to figure it all out while on hiatus, I did resolve to be kind to myself and to try to let go a little, let the blog evolve how it will, write when I have something to say, attend to life's priorities and its many other joys when I don't.

It's nice to be home. After a month of having guests, it's almost too quiet around here, a little of the warmth has gone from the place. I suppose it is coming on fall. Time to light the fire and settle in with a good book and a hot cup of tea. To your health!

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I'm linking up this post with another good blogging friend, Rach of Life With Baby Donut, because if all of these revelations don't qualify as life lessons, I don't know what does!


Life With Baby Donut


I'm also linking up with Things I Can't Say for the first time, since, well... I'm sort of pouring my heart out here for the first time. Okay, maybe I chickened out a little shy of pouring my entire heart out, but it was an effort. Baby steps!

40 comments:

  1. Sounds like you've been doing some serious reflection. I hope that your journey finds you the answers you need. And that you can find a way to manage your time to get the things done that make you satisfied. Welcome back!

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  2. Sometimes we wonder about the value of blogging. It's time consuming just to write a blog, even more so to read other blogs and leave comments. And during that time, what other things could we do. I've found that scheduling posts helps me. This way the blog is still active, but it gives me time to visit other blogs as well. But the thing that you said - blogging is fun -- is a good thing to remember and that it should be a fun thing, not a burden :)

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  3. it is hard to appreciate the beauty of life without reference to its hardships.

    So well put. I got something in both my eyes when I realized the "wonderful fellow blogger" you were referring to is me. This is an amazing thing to be, in some small way, a part of.

    Thank you. ♥

    Sunday marks 1.5 years since my mom died. In light of tomorrow's entry, I've been thinking a lot about a video I took on the one-year anniversary. I wanted to spend that somewhere that would make me remember my mom with joy (she spent so much of her time making me laugh, after all!) instead of sorrow. So I went to the Santa Monica pier and marked the moment of her death in the air on a Ferris wheel above the ocean. Doing so connected me to the moments of laughter we'd shared on that same Ferris wheel my first year of law school. My mom had looked down the coastline and shone with such pure joy it fills me wonder just remember it.

    In March, after Li'l D and I got off the Ferris wheel, a friend who (happily) insisted she be there for support made a video of me and Li'l D playing in the waves after that. To me, that video means redefinition. It's not fast, it's not always easy, but it's a reminder how beautiful it will be to look back someday and see how far you've come.

    I'm excited to see which way you take it, day by day. And I'm going to email you that video as soon as I can find it.

    *big hugs*

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  4. Gina, thanks! It's good to be back, confused as I may be. I know that this is all happening for good reason. Life is change - reflection and uncertainty are all required in order to move forward. Thanks for your support!

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  5. Thank-you, Aleta. You're so very right. It shouldn't be a burden. Part of that is just allowing it to be, allowing myself to enjoy it, without guilt around the time that it occupies.

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  6. Thanks Deborah. Speaking of having something in both eyes... I'm looking forward to seeing that video. It makes me happy to think of you and L'il D playing in the waves. I bet it made your mom happy to see it too. *Hugs* back to you!

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  7. Welcome back.
    Take your time making your decision.
    And your were missed!!

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  8. I totally understand this. I had to take time away earlier this summer because I just couldn't do it all. My health was deterriorating and so was my family/friend life. Stopping to reevaluate what is important to you is so wonderful. Blogging and the internet world will ALWAYS be here. And know that we are ALWAYS here for you when you are ready to talk about what is ailing you...even if you don't want to talk about it, we can just offer up hugs and support.
    Blogging should be fun and not a chore ;)It's ok to step away.
    Sending you hugs

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  9. Thanks so much, Kimberly! I know I'm not alone in this, but it's just so helpful to hear it. I truly appreciate your support.

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  10. Welcome back! Glad you got to enjoy some downtime with your family. I am actually taking a little time for myself this weekend. Hubby is taking care of my boys so that I may enjoy a girls weekend in AZ. I will be taking my 9 month old daughter but compared to the three boys she is a piece of cake. Hope to come home refreshed and ready for the new fall routine as school starts on Tuesday. Wishing you Peace as you search for your answers.

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  11. Family and health definitely comes first...I agree. I think you should just let this blog evolve and go in whatever direction it feels like. If you ever make the decision to stop blogging, I just want you to know that you will be missed but never forgotten...

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  12. Sounds like you have a lot swirling around! I'm so impressed with your decision to take a break, reflect and refocus.

    Also? I adore the way that you ended this post. So warm and cozy- I'll have some cider, stay awhile, and send good thoughts your way! :)

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  13. Glad that you joined in!

    A break sounds like it was needed. We all have to find a balance between our blogging and the rest of our lives. :)

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  14. Thanks Marisa. I hope you enjoy your all girls weekend and hope that it leaves you feeling rejuvenated!

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  15. Rachel, buddy, my voice of reason, thank-you. You're right - I'm putting too much pressure on myself and I just need to 'let it evolve'.

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  16. Thanks for being so honest about your blogging, I think so many will relate so you are definitely not alone in your thoughts. I'm glad you are not giving it away entirely but it can become addictive and if you are a perfectionist it can take a toll on your life that it shouldn't so whatever you decide the community will still be here to support you! Hope your health improves *hugs*
    Nicole x

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  17. Galit thanks for staying a while - would you like a cookie to go with that cider? - and thanks for sending good thoughts my way.

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  18. Shell, yes. The break was overdue and it was really wonderful.

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  19. Thanks Nicole. Just another thing that I am fortunate to have in my life: this community of mommy bloggers. Thanks for your kind words, and the hugs - can never have too many of those!

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  20. I'm where you are right now too. Sometimes I wonder if I want to continue, but then I remember all the awesome support I've gotten. I may post less often, I may not be on Twitter as much. But I need these friendships right now. I don't know where I'll be a year from now, but you all have made this past year a lot brighter for me.

    I would miss seeing you, but I understand that you need to do what's best for YOU. Just pop in once in a while, ok?

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  21. Rach, I'll stay in touch for sure. And I'm not going anywhere just yet. I need to see where this all goes - no rash decisions - lots to think about. Thanks so much for your support.

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  22. Sometimes I think that blogging is sucking my life away!! It's amazing the amount of things I could do when I'm not chained to my computer.

    Hi! New follower!

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  23. Hi I'm a new follower! I read your blog post and I completely understand where you're coming from. Sometimes I feel like I should just stop cause of how much time I spend blogging but then I post again. Lol.

    I hope you have a great weekend.

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  24. Welcome back!

    It must be a summer of reflection as the past couple of weeks, a few bloggers (myself included) appear to have made a conscious decision to step away from blogging and social media a little. Life is too short to live a life unbalanced, and it's so easy to get sucked into this virtual world, hours passing. Life passing us by.

    Kudos to you for reevaluating and reprioritizing!

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  25. Veronica, it's so true. Some days I wonder if I have 'a problem'. My name is Sue, and I am a Blogaholic! :)

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  26. Charm, thanks for following. I don't know why I worry about giving it up at all, because you're probably right. I'll post again... and again... and....

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  27. Thanks Alison. It's the life passing me by thing that is the biggest concern. Since posting this I've heard the same worry from a number of people. It sounds like we're all in this boat together. There's a lot of understanding and support from this community of ours!

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  28. Glad you're back...and so sorry to hear about your health.
    I would miss you if you were gone! I know about "fitting blogging into your life". I do things AROUND blogging and I do a lot from my smart phone...if I didn't have that, I'd be lost.

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  29. (((HUGS))) Sue it will all work out. Sorry you are not feeling well! And you would be missed! I hope you find a balance that works for you.

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  30. Thanks Jen! I need a smart phone... or a secretary!

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  31. Thanks Linda. I'm sure you're right. I feel so much better having just expressed these feelings!

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  32. It's always good to pause and re-evaluate what's important in life!

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  33. Thanks, Momma TL! That's very true.

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  34. Welcome back and sorry to hear about your health. This blogging thing is a full time job and I sometimes find myself spending way too much time on it. I'm glad you're re-evaluating your priorities and it's a reminder for me to do the same. You take care.

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  35. As someone who is fairly new to the blogging community, I find your honesty so refreshing. I often wonder how people make the time for writing, reading, commenting and then I realize that many function on far less sleep than I could ever manage.

    There are many things that we can't control in life, but your blog is at least one that you can. If it makes you happy, blog away. If it stops making you happy, step back. I know this sounds overly simplistic, but this is the approach I am trying to take.

    Best of luck to you and your family right now. I look forward to reading more posts and hope that you look forward to writing them.

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  36. Kiddothings, thanks! That's the struggle. Parenting is a full time job, and blogging can be all consuming. I think my problem is that I pour myself into everything that I do... and there's only so much of me to go around.

    P.S. I tried to comment on your Life Lessons post (SO funny), but I'm having trouble with the Intense Debate plug in - not sure why.

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  37. Elana, you have the right attitude, I think. That's the attitude I have had all along as well. The trouble is that I do enjoy it, maybe a bit too much. The reason it becomes not fun is that I feel guilt or remorse about the time it takes from the other areas of my life that need my attention.

    In the beginning, I had it all figured out. I knew how I was going to manage it all. But life has a way of reminding me that it can not be controlled. Plans are really only wish lists, and the fewer things I focus on from the wish list the better off I will fare. Slow down a little, my body is telling me. So... I'm trying to do that.

    Thanks so much for your words of encouragement, Elana. I look forward to reading your blog too!

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  38. You are absolutely right, your health and family are definitely most important! It's ok to take a break from blogging. We all need it sometimes.

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  39. Thanks so much, Jackie. It helps to hear that.

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