I want to thank everyone who guest blogged for me while I was away on maternity leave. The tutorials were awesome and it was nice to have a break! Hopefully, all of you enjoyed the guest bloggers and found some new blogs to read! To look back over the tutorials, click on the "Guest Blogger" link under Labels or HERE.
I can't believe that Remington is already 6 weeks old!
Time passes so quickly when you have 3 kids! Because I am so busy, the days and nights fly by.
Remington is such a good baby! He rarely is fussy and sleeps well at night. My other two kids have adapted well to this big change in their life. They love their brother!
I love my little guy! There is something so sweet and special about the bond between a baby and its mommy. He knows me, loves me, wants me and brings me such joy!
Our life, as a family of 5, is truly a party. I'm loving the new addition and all the fun moments it has brought. We are just so blessed to have happy and healthy kids! I look forward to all the coming moments that I get to share with these incredible people. Family rocks!
Thanks for all the kind messages and little notes about my family and me. It means so much to me that you care about my life outside of blogging. A few of you have asked how I have been handling everything ,and for the most part, it hasn't been too bad. Unfortunately, I think life is going to change in a few weeks when school starts and we have to be out of the house before 10am!!! I have been doing A LOT of thinking about how I am going to handle everything - especially this blog.
There are days when I love blogging and there are days when I don't want to turn the computer on, but I do because I feel obligated. There are moments when I just want to quit for so many reasons. I compare. I get discouraged. I wonder why isn't my blog bigger, better and more popular. Some days, I spend way too much on the computer and not enough time giving my kids the full attention they need. Some times I wonder if my blog makes any positive difference at all. Does my blog matter? Any of you feel this similar way?
I didn't start this blog to make money. I started this blog to save projects of things I wanted to learn how to make because I am not a very crafty person. When I started getting some followers, I had this crazy thought that "maybe I can make some money off this blog." And so, I went for it. I spent more and more time highlighting cool projects and trying to build a blog. It became one of my jobs. I had no idea what I was doing.
And now, three years later, I still don't know what I am doing. I do make some money, but not enough to justify the time I spend blogging. The original intent of my blog has definitely changed because I don't have much time to make the projects I am highlighting. I ask myself often "Why?" Why am I doing this? For those of you wondering, I earn about $140-$180 a month from this blog and I spend probably 80-90 hours a month on this blog. That's not a great income!
I've been doing a lot of thinking and some things will be changing on this blog. I will be accepting more guest bloggers. If you want to guest blog, shoot me an email. I'd love to have you. I plan to have two posts a day like I had the past month. I still plan to host the Wednesday party and Giveaway Directory on Thursday. I will highlight a charity once a month. I've got to cut down on the amount of time I spend on the computer and this blog. It just isn't worth it to me. However, I hope you will continue to come to this blog for inspiration because I still plan to highlight amazing ideas found throughout blogland.
Please make submissions of your best projects. Please volunteer to guest post! Please keep creating projects that inspire me and others!!! Just don't expect me to reply to every email I receive and every comment that is made. I just can't do it! The world is in need of creativity and joy!
Come back and read the next post to see one of the major reasons I need to spend less time on this blog!!! A great opportunity has come my way!
You are in good company Michelle. I think all of us feel just like you and I appreciate your honesty about what it takes to blog for profit. SDC was one of the first blogs I started following when I found Crafty Blogland and can say that "your blog matters!" I find lots of great ideas here all the time and hope that it continues to grow. Congrats on your new opportunity and the next phase for SDC! (And Remington is adorable and getting so big.)
ReplyDeleteAmen! I've been thinking the same thing about my blog, too! :) You've got to do what's best for you & your family. They are what matters most. :)
ReplyDeleteI have definitely backed off on blog time this summer and I'm enjoying it more! I can't wait to hear what is coming next for you :)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog. And I completely understand your questions, and situation. I have just started my blog, and can deffinately see where you are coming from. Maybe when I get a little more "crafty" I can guest post! HA!
ReplyDeleteLovely family, lovely post! I applaud your priorities! :)
ReplyDeleteYes Michelle, your blog matters!!! I love it!! And yes I think every blogger feels the way you do!! I don't like comparing my blog to others but still find myself doing so. Back when I first found out about all these fantastic blogs and would spend time checking them all out, I didn't have a clue what went into it! I didn't leave comments and I wasn't a follower :( Now that I am a blogger and see how much goes into it I wish I had been more supportive, even back then. You do what you need to. Those kids will grow up so fast! My oldest is 15 and my baby is going into 3rd grade and no one gets to redo it!
ReplyDeleteYes michelle, tienes una familia encantadora. Y si, ocurre igual, entiendo perfectamente tus preguntas y tu situación. Hace tiempo que leo tu blog, y seguiré haciéndolo.
ReplyDeleteun fuerte abrazo para ti, tu marido y tus 3 hijos maravillosos.
Núria
Michelle, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your honesty! I feel the same way that you do. I spend way too much time on my blog and the return is not fantastic. I love writing, but there are times that I write up a post b/c I feel obligated to have something live the next day. I've cut back on the guilt by sending out some interviews to other bloggers and sharing those once a week as needed. :)
ReplyDeleteFamily absolutely comes first. I am so glad you shared these thoughts, because I have been contemplating the same. I appreciate all your hard work, and the help you've given me along the way. Do what your heart tells you to do. I'll still be reading, and wishing I was in Logan! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post, Michelle. This last week I totally feel like I've lost my blogging mojo. And that hasn't happened really before in the years and years I've blogged. I feel sad. And I don't know why? I just feel like everything I've written/done doesn't matter.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your decision to cut back-- I had to do that too because my computer can take over my life, and I certainly don't want that. :)
I think every blogger can relate! And most of us are just making pennies, lol :) I don't know how you do it with a 6-week-old - you are amazing!! And yes, your blog matters - as long as it makes you happy. You're totally right to find a way to have more balance, good luck!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and check it out daily! I completely understand the feeling though. I also had my third baby this year and I have backed way off of my blog since then. Every time I think I am going to post it doesn't happen. I have still been making stuff I just don't take the time to blog about it. Enjoy your little ones and of course i will still be checking out your blog no matter how much or often you post! Love from your blogging friend, Leslie
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for putting your family first! I think your blog is wonderful and love seeing the new posts, but you're blog would be just fine with less of them--I think it is amazing that you post once a day much less twice! Most of the blogs I follow only post a few times a week--I still love them because they have great content--like this blog! Congratulations on your sweet little boy by the way!
ReplyDeleteAs a new mom to just one, I don't even know how you girls do it with multiple kids. I'm overwhelmed and I don't have half of what you do on my hands. Loved reading this post. It encouraged me. :) Your new little addition is beautiful. Good for you for putting family first! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://coffeecupsandcrafts.blogspot.com/
I've only had two offers of advertising on my itty bitty blog, and turned down both due to any expectations that might create. I post when I can, and it's still mostly for me, even though I love my readers. I wouldn't think any less of your blog if you posted less often, even if only once or twice a week (or less)!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your gorgeous, loving family, and let the blog come a distant second or beyond. Glad you're all doing well.
I love to see your family come first I think that's how it should be. Good for you! I do the same thing my six kid have to be more important.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand what you are saying. I too have days where I don't even want to turn the computer on for fear of getting sucked in. You have to do what is best for you and your family. I wish yo the best with your new job opportunity.
ReplyDeleteOne last thing I love your sons name and I love the photo of your daughter holding him. She looks so cute!
I wish you the best!
-Jennie
Congratulations on your little one! What a cutie! I love your blog and you do make a difference but family comes first for sure!
ReplyDelete