A month into the new year and I'm feeling the effects of positive changes--acts of self editing. Most are fairly small and subtle changes.
I've gone to IKEA a total of 4 times in my whole life and 3 of those visits have been in the past 2 weeks hunting for the perfect studio furniture/cabinets that would make my space more functional (translation... less like a large storage closet). I found the right pieces, got them home, fairly successfully assembled them using the wordless all-pictorial IKEA instructions, and started the process of pushing things from one side of my studio to the other to paint and install cabinets. It's much like one of those tile-sliding games I used to get as a party favor when I was a kid with every move being strategically precise. As I was doing some cleaning before arranging some furniture, Hubby mentioned that spring cleaning comes early around here because our winter is so short--December through January usually. Yes, he's right. Now the studio has a fresh coat of lovely pink paint, new cabinets, and a feeling of lightness as I've engaged in "spring cleaning".
Throughout this week, I've had the niggling feeling that the same process of editing needed to happen in my blogging life. After a conversation with Hubby over dinner this evening and an inspiring perusal of a copy of Artful Blogging at the bookstore, I determined that I needed to consolidate my blogging activities to one blog.
For a long time, I've compartmentalized my various interests into separate blogs. I thought that my gardening buddies would prefer to only read about my garden here while my creative buddies would prefer to only see my artistic musings at Dusting in Pearls. However, that's not me. I'm not divided into segments. I am a conglomeration of all the things that I've found joy in since we moved here almost 10 years ago. I want my blog to be an authentic and true reflection of myself. To do that, I need to let one blog be a reflection of it all.
This seems to be the logical hub for it all. It was the first blog and should be the only blog. I hope that my gardening buddies will bear with me when I post about artsy stuff. And I hope my creative buddies will tune in when I wax rhapsodic about the latest bloom in the garden. Because that's me!
Featured photo: "February means camellias" (above) [digitally enhanced art photo]
In a sheltered space in the garden grow my camellia bushes.
And every February they are blooming... perfect timing for a valentine.
In a sheltered space in the garden grow my camellia bushes.
And every February they are blooming... perfect timing for a valentine.
What a beautiful photo. I would love to see your newly decorated studio.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Cathie
Cindy, I couldn't agree more! You are a sum of all you parts. Love you so much.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand. I've been thinking about my blog identity too. I don't want to lose my faithful garden and nature readers, but there is more to my life than flowers and birds, not much, but a little.
ReplyDeleteI always feel guilty when I post something personal or about my home that isn't garden or nature related. I am kind of tired of feeling restricted.
Sorry...I've been a bit A.W.O.L. I've been listening to my inner muse myself and she has been telling me she needs a breather, some time to build up her energy reserves again, so she can get back in the groove.
ReplyDeleteAnyway...LOVE this. I'm behind you one hundred percent. Excellent idea and concept.
One of my favourite "tell it like it is" bloggers is Danielle at White Hot Truth. She wrote an excellent article that sums this up very succinctly and pointedly.
http://whitehottruth.com/white-hot/hot-advice-for-anyone-with-a-website-blog-business-career-or-j-o-b-yep-im-talkin-to-you/
Blessings,
Carolynn
It's good to see that others are wrestling with this, too. I have also been trying to decide how to incorporate my non-gardening activities into my blog. My husband said it best ... my blog is about me, all the facets of me, and it's good to show what else is going on. This is especially comforting since we have a foot of snow on the ground and all of the roses are sound asleep.
ReplyDeleteI second the request for a tour of your newly redecorated studio.
Connie
It's interesting to see how blogging has helped so many of us identify the many facets to our characters and personalities. I'm a wordsmith - my life is playing with words (and gardening and reading and cooking and hiking and speculating and asking questions), so continually advocate the putting of thoughts and feelings into words. I believe it helps us see more clearly.
ReplyDelete