I probably shouldn’t have written this post. Just let the silence speak for itself.
But I can’t help myself.
I’m an overexplainer. <-yes I know that’s not a word. I must explain to you that I know it’s not a word.
Hear this –> I’m happy.
Like really happy.
And content. 
I’m in a different place than I was 4 1/2 years ago when I started this blog.
Back then, I had more free time. I had two young, napping children who gave me a solid 2 hours a day to sit down and write.
I also felt the need to be seen.
To have an identity that went further than “MOMMY.”
(Pick a fight with me over that statement….how being a mom is enough…and then go blog about it or talk on social media. Full circle here, people. You’re me too. I digress…)
Taking pictures of my meals (wow they were horrible pictures – it looks like we were living in a cave all the time), updating my Facebook status 10 times a day (which switched over to Instagram and then Vine and then Snapchat) and just being “plugged in” at all times –> these things became part of me. I became (and had time to fully embrace being) a blogger. The hats just kept coming after that….some I sought out, some just landed on my head…but almost 5 years later, I find myself with a cramped neck from holding all the hats and showing allllll the moments and living a social media lifestyle.
Truth: I’m kinda burnt out.
And that’s ok.
I’m in a place now where I KNOW who I am, where my value lies. I don’t necessarily need online validation (although I think we all crave it at least a little, teeny bit). I have real life friends, a real life community. And my kids are at ages where they require more and more of me and less and less of the me-with-a-phone-in-my-hands.
Since I need a plan in place (always), I figured I would write out what you should expect from me in the months to come.
Nothing.
Expect silence. Then be surprised when I chime in with a post or a vlog or an Instagram picture. I know I’m not ready to step away completely – I do still LOVE this outlet very much. I just don’t want to force it. And I know I’m not alone – several of my favorite bloggers feel this way. Maybe there’s a 5 year blogging itch?? Who knows.
This will be the first weekend in a LONG time that I’m going to put my phone (essentially my camera) away in the kitchen drawer. When I have something to share, I’ll share it. But for most days, online silence is best.
splendid…lindsay
I do love blogging but I also love breaks from it. I actually have no phone days or large moments throughout each day because otherwise it’s like you’re always working or framing things in a how will this work on social media and who wants to live like that. Certainly not me. Do you, take some time and pop in when you feel like it.
Oh my goodness, yes! I hear you and am at the same place although I’m still managing to stay fairly consistent. But the itch to walk away has been tempting… :) Enjoy some quiet time!
Good for you! I think it’s important to recognize where we are in our lives and how we’re feeling about things (blogging/social media included) and instead of forcing ourselves to do something because we think we SHOULD, we listen to what feels right. I’m just about at 5 years, in some ways I’m burnt out and in other ways, I feel like I’m just getting started and have a fire burning under my butt to really take things to the “next level” whatever that means. ;)
Oh no I think I got the five year itch early. Sometimes I feel just laxadasical in how much time and effort I put into blogging and get burnt out quickly too. For me it’s more of a feedback thing, when i don’t get ‘noticed’ then I start to wonder if its worth it…thats when it occurred to me too a few months ago to stop blogging for others..and start doing it because eI loved to. That makes all the difference. SO GO LIVE! and enjoy the fun craft of a blog many many many people read and enjoy!
I think it’s a very healthy decision to step away from blogs and social media when they’re no longer suiting you (even if it’s just a temporary break). Family time is so important!
yup
Love this…a lot!
Sometimes, we just need to step back from things and embrace life fully. Good luck with your break. I bet it will help you in the end.
All of this. It’s just so sadly true that is gets so much. It takes over life and it’s not worth it.
Lots of love and happiness! I also have found validation for myself outside of the blog and it is beautiful. But I still love the memories that I have on the blog so I just post whenever I want!
LOVE THIS!
I did this all last year. It was necessary. I felt restored. And when I came back to blogging more regularly, I felt completely different about the process. I wrote for myself. Not for views, or clicks, or hearts. And it is very freeing.
ENJOY! And sending love to the fam!
Sending love your way!!
I completely understand this. I totally removed myself from social media for a full year and is was the “5 year mark”, funny enough. I found it refreshing and enjoyable. You really should see the Orlando Blue Man Group show….the storyline defines that electronics and social media has been too consuming in society today. I will leave it there.