I got nothin'.
So, I'm just going to type and see what comes out.
This always seems to happen to me after vacation...I work hard and get posts ready to go while I'm actually away, and then when I get back, I have almost no posts in my draft folder, waiting to be used on a day when the blogging plan hasn't worked out.
And if I had lots of time this morning, I could make this work...take some pictures, type some words, and voila! a post would appear.
But some idiot (uh, me) scheduled a ridiculously early dentist appointment this morning, so I'm running on a tight time budget.
This is the third morning in a row this week where I've had to have the kids and myself ready to go before 8:00, and I dislike that. It's not that I luxuriously laze about in bed in the morning...I'm up and at 'em. I just don't like having to be ready to be out the door or ready to have people at my door by 8:00.
It's an awfully good thing I homeschool because having to operate on a school's morning schedule would probably drive me nearly insane. I really, really prefer to be in charge of my own schedule.
Even though I mostly AM in charge of it, lately I've been feeling like my life has been dragging me around instead of me ordering my life around. I was telling my sister just the other day that I'm feeling the need to simplify and cut things, and I'm not entirely sure what's going to go.
(I don't think it'll be blogging, just so you know!)
So, starting today, I'm going to follow my own advice and keep a time diary for a week. I want to see if my life is reflecting the priorities I claim to value, and see what time clutter could possibly be tossed out.
And maybe if I can bag up some time clutter and send it off to Goodwill, I'll be a bit more on top of blogging, and "I got nothin'." posts won't be showing up here.
Today's 365 post: I was unreasonably pleased with myself
Joshua's 365 post: Luray Caverns and You know, we should have asked for S + Z
I'm with you on the feeling of life dragging you around. Only I know exactly what the problem is - my job. 25 hours of overtime is not something I normally do and two weeks in a row is excessive. Next month I'm not picking up any extra shifts. Hmmm...that's what I said this month too... Note to self: learn to use the word "no" at work.
Oh, good luck with this! Very inspiring to the rest of us. I HATE to feel constantly propelled by things out of my control. Sure, much of life is like that, but i really like your take-charge attitude regarding "time clutter" -- although, i fear that if YOU are feeling this, there is no hope for champion time wasters such as myself (online Boggle being only one of many time sucks). There is always something for me to learn and think about here!
My Gosh! I think that you read my mind. I just had this talk with my husband last night. I know how lucky I am with all of my blessings but the past month I just haven't had my usual verve. The things that I normally love doing (taking care of my family and students) just seem to drag right now. I think that I'll keep a time diary like you suggested and also start myself on some Vitamin D drops too. Hopefully both will get me out of my funk.
It must be something about February. I have the exact same feeling.
This morning I brought out all of Jr's clothes and sorted through the ones he's grown out of and ones he'll soon grow into. That made me feel a little more in control, although Miss' help wasn't exactly conducive to de-cluttering.
Kristin, thanks for this post. I really appreciate your honesty. It's one of the qualities that draws me back to your blog. You are real. And when you've got "nothin'", you've truly got "somethin'"!
Just a month of two and the sun is shinning again! But I can understand how you feel.If I live nearby I came to help you. But I live to far over the Ocean. When You are outside live is good. so sun lets shine!
Good Luck
I agree with The Mrs; it must be something about February. I too feel like I'm dragging for no real reason. Good luck with your time diary and I hope you find something to cut.
Don't worry about not always posting about something in particular. It reminds everyone that your life is much like ours. Life is busy and that's good! I feel I go in spurts of being super productive to feeling that I'm running around non-stop but not accomplishing anything, especially when small children come behind me undoing what I've done.....
I think it's great that you will be writing in a journal to help gain insight, I hope it helps.
I also want to say something, but I'm not sure how to say it in a way that isn't offensive, so I'll just say it. I think it would be ok to cut back on your blog. I've noticed (since around Christmas time, I believe) that you've seemed like your behind the eight ball, juggling many projects. Maybe just reworking a few things on your blog or cutting out a day will give you time to recharge. I think a good way to measure what needs to be cut (if you decide too) is your reaction to doing it. Do you dread coming up with a specific topic on a specific day (Wed. baking, Foodwaste, Shopping) or does that make it easier? Would you rather post more pictures? The other thing I want to say is don't write for your readers. You seem very apologetic lately, like your not living up to an expectation, that we may have as readers. If your not enjoying it, than others won't either. Of course I'm speaking solely on my own observations.
After all that, let me just say, I hope you find the balance you need. I enjoy reading. You have given me some very helpful tips that have improved my life. I wish the best for you and I hope I haven't offended you.
Oh, no, I'm not offended! Good thoughts, all of those, and I'll mull them over.
I was wondering this also. It doesn't have to be all or nothing and the changes needn't be permanent. For example, if taking, adjusting and posting all the photos for Wednesday Baking are starting to feel like a drag, maybe cut back for a while. Fewer photos, or just the photos that are different than the norm (proofing yeast and mixing batter look about the same for 95% of your recipes), or even just text.
Well, maybe not just text.
When I feel this way - such as right now, is there something going around? - I try to isolate what I'm least inclined to do, then eliminate or lessen that item. Recently I got extremely frustrated with clutter and stupid little tasks that kept building up. I looked around my house and thought about what chores felt disproportionately burdensome. Then I made a couple changes.
1) For the nonce I will no longer collect the water that runs while I wait for it to get hot. I'd started doing this during a summer drought to water the hydrangea. Gathering it, moving it from where I collect it to where I use it, the extra steps to the saved water as compared to the tap, and the low savings (only 7 gal a week, not much water and saving less than $.50/month in water fees) all combined to make me say "Enough!" It's not summer, there is no drought, the hydrangea do not need to be watered.
2) Another source of counter clutter and delayed chore completion was my compost bucket. It sat on my counter, waiting for me to be dressed, in shoes, and not in a rush - all at once. That didn't happen very often. There would be too much for my deliberately small container so there'd be more containers on the counter, I'd have a bowl of egg shells waiting to dry so I could crush them taking up even more space and looking ugly. I disliked the visual clutter, I disliked the loss of counter space, I disliked the reminder of yet another smal chore undone. So I've stopped composting for a while. I'll likely start again the summer but we'll see.
So - what gives you the highest "Ugh!" or "I don' wanna!!" factor?
I also want to say something, but I'm not sure how to say it in a way that isn't offensive, so I'll just say it:
You + are = you're
I wish the best for you and I hope I haven't offended you.
This is truly " a somethin" not "a nothin!" You are young but still it takes several weeks to overcome "flu fatigue". A Mom is on call 24/7 and really doesn't get the time to recover with the proper rest and relaxation. I am a nurse and this is really true.
Kristen-
I just read this blog entry, shared with me by a friend and thought you would enjoy. I tend to overcomplicate things myself and this hit home.
Mainly, I am focusing on the big picture this week, and I know you have such a strong sense of that. After vacation adjustment is always tough too.
http://thehappiestmom.com/?p=2490&wpmp_tp=1
Georgia
Ooh, that is good. Thank you for sharing!
No need to be so hard on yourself--some weeks just don't flow. Three early morning events the week after vacation would do it for me, and I don't have four kids to get dressed and out the door with me. Like you, I find it much easier to be up and doing things at home in the early hours than to fo somewhere.
I LOVE that you post 6 days a week, but will not whine if you take another day off!
"go" , of course.
Oh Kristen, I agree with Jenn and Frances. Your readers love your blog, so please don't put added pressure on yourself to write what you would deem to be a perfect entry, on a near daily basis. Whatever you share has value and is enjoyed. Your writing is a gift to us. One should never be apologetic about a gift. I'm not being very eloquent right now...just know that we understand about how hectic life can be. Hope that you find a solution in the implementation of your time diary.
It happens.
I hate the mornings! Although up and about I love to not have to be out of the house and to go at a slower pace.
I love your blog and hope you find the balance you need!
You are not alone in the feeling like there is so much going on! I agree with everyone else, I think it's just February! I feel like I'm always at a non stop run anymore and can't figure out why! Darn short month! Makes you feel like you need to get everything done you would do in a 30-31 day month, but in a 28 day month! Ok, so that's just my excuse 🙂
At least you write an "I've got nothing" post complete with an adorable photo. I'd probably would have just skipped blogging. A diary is a great idea. I've been feeling quite overwhelmed since Chris has been gone and I know there are some things I can definitely drop. I just need to record to see what those things are. Thanks for the idea Kristen! 🙂
I couldn't agree with you more about the difficulty of being *presentable* at 8 am. It's one thing to get up early and accomplish a lot from the comfort of your own home; it's quite another to actually have to be dressed and ready to go! One more reason to add to the list of reasons why I <3 homeschooling. 🙂
Its called...Life! We only get one. Take charge!
man, it really *must* be something about February this year. I'm feeling the same way. I kid you not, it's not even 7pm yet and my kids are in bed and I'm headed there shortly. It's the first time in who-knows-how-long that I'm going to go to bed this early without being sick.
Take all the time you need, we'll still be here when you're ready.
I have always over done it to the point of severe pain. I have to cut back on what I am doing. The most important subject to teach is home economics to children or they just will not make it. Have a good day when you get this. Take care.
As others have said, "Flu fog" and the fact that its February could certainly have something to do with it. I suffered with serious discouragement the week after we had the flu in early Feb. I was feeling so much unlike myself when husband wisely reminded me that I was still recovering from the flu and that I'd been cooped up for quite a while. I'm sure that accounting for your time and re-prioritizing will help. Some things do have to give at times. I can fully relate to William B's needing to eliminate certain activities that, albeit good, are sapping him of mental energy.
I guess I'm a day late reading this post but I had to reply. I've been reading your blog for a few weeks now and it has brought me so much encouragement and inspriation. I'm not sure I'm the one to be giving advice since you probably acccomplish more in a day than I do in a week but here goes. I've noticed you make time to read and pray every day. When I feel like I've emptied my self out and need filled back up I spend more time in prayer. It works every time. Even on the gloomiest day in Feb. How is it that Feb seems like the longest month when its actually the shortest?
I agree with many of the comments. I think it's great that you are making the time to think through what you are doing rather than doing it by rote. I read your blog every day and can't get enough of it. However, your life and the life of your family are your priorities. The rest of us are just lucky to be along for the ride. Whatever you decide, I'm sure we will all adjust and most likely even benefit. (Happier Kristen=happier family + happier readers.)
Do you ever think of this blog as a virtual scrapbook? I'm sure your kids will love reading about their "growing up years" when they are older. In a sense, you are writing your own "Little House" series, one day at a time.
P.S. It's fun to see how Joshua's 365 posts reflect your verbal style. As he grows and develops, he has a wonderful model from which to learn!