I’m BAAAAAACK!!! I couldn’t take it any longer!! I had planned to not post until this coming Sunday. I was supposed to not look at a blog or write or sneak around the internet for these two and a half weeks during my “break” and yet, I am twitching and ringing my hands and pacing around like a caged animal, anxiously biting my nails and missing you!
YOU YOU YOU!!!!
So here I am… How are YOU?
Oh, how I have missed you so much!! Seriously, like a best friend you talk to daily and then it all stops. Cold turkey. Ouch. It was SO hard to not keep in touch with every single one of you…plus many that probably aren’t reading this post right now. 🙂
But I must confess… I have cheated on my “blog diet”. Just like any well intended nutritional diet, I have slipped a few times and then lurked around the forbidden food a bit, all the while being tempted with the savory goodness of all the incredible nourishment for my soul that you amazing friends have to offer! I’d rather eat lettuce for two weeks than not write and read and write and read…
I have learned during my long, achingly long 14 day sabbatical, that blogging is as much a part of me as water and rest and living. I was busy enough spending precious time with my family, and yet I felt like a limb was missing every day I didn’t turn on my laptop. When I did have my moments of quiet, I wanted to write… and read… and reach… to you.
The power of the written word. Ah…. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?
So, instead of mopping my floors and cleaning the bed sheets for my upcoming guests’ arrival… I am writing, and reaching, and breathing again. Oh, it feels so good!
Perhaps I can REALLY mess this diet up and start reading all the fabulous blogs I follow too. Not so sure I have the time for it now, but oh my friends… I will be back. Promise.
I really must get back to my “to do” list, or I will be a hot mess in 24 hours. Nobody in my family wants a hot mess on top of the mess that I am. Oh yeah. That I am. I’m a frenzied, worn out, fried, and anxious mess, but gloriously happy to be here! Still tasting the deliciousness that is in connecting with you, sweet dear friends.
Next week will wind down the summer madness of family visits and trips. If my kids will let me, I plan on working on my ‘bloggers butt’ some more (oh how it’s growing so fast!) and sitting at my laptop to delve into the lives of my precious on-line friends and catch up with all they have been doing. As best I can.
I am working on finding balance between both beautiful worlds I live in. If you are a blogger, you will understand the constant battle between wanting to read every last word of every last writer- and not having enough time to do that. I always feel so committed to my friends and want to read every single thing they write- but the reality is that I am burning too much fuel and I must measure my support differently. I am still learning, still struggling with what that truly means.
In the meantime, please know how much I have missed every single one of you. And I haven’t stopped thinking about you and praying for you during this time away…
This diet was hard, but necessary. I don’t think I have lost one pound of love though.
Probably gained more.
XOXO…
Welcome back, Chris! You have been missed but I totally get the need to take a break. That elusive balance between blogging & family is one that we all struggle with. I hope you enjoyed your break and can’t wait to see your posts back in my inbox! =)
OH thanks SO much Sara!! You are too kind. “Elusive balance” it truly is! Oh, how I wish I had about ten more hours to the day. It’s good to be writing again and reaching again. I will be over soon to see you!! XO
I missed your words but I am one of those lucky folk who have you “off the blog” too. Truly lucky and blessed. As for balance, I’m convinced there is not such thing. The best quote from Tiffany Romero at bloggy Boot camp is that balance doesn’t exist. Stop trying to find it because that alone will make you crazy. Just do what’s in front of you with full focus and don’t worry about the rest. xo
That’s just so true Ilene! Stay in the moment and focus on what is in front of you is really the only way to be able to manage it all. It’ so overwhelming to think about everything all at once and try to juggle a million different things. I need to do that more.
I couldn’t be more grateful to have you in my RL too. Oh, how I adore you and our friendship!!!!! XOXOXOXO…
I hear you, sister! A satisfying balance seems impossible for me to find – just muddling through day by day. Enjoy the rest of your holiday – you’ve been missed! xo
I have a feeling we all try to juggle as best we can- but my oh my it is always overwhelming and I often feel so defeated. Sigh. Did I tell you how jealous I was that Ilene got to see you in person? (I may have on your blog- can’t remember!)
Oh how I can’t wait for that someday! XOXO
If you figure out a way to make balance work, let me know because I just can’t seem to get it together! Glad you are back, my friend!
Yeah- it’s ever elusive I suppose, isn’t it?! Blogging takes so much more time than people think. It’s all about the connections! Oh, how I wish I didn’t have to sleep!!
YEYYYYY! Chrissy’s back!!! I am on vacation with my wonderful family AND in total Chris withdrawal! I miss you PoopieDoopie!!! In glad you’re blogging so at least I can keep my hands on you through your entries! Boy have I got a BIG Chrissy hug coming your way when I get back : o !!!!
I am in total WALLAPOOPIEBESTIE withdrawl like you wouldn’t believe… Oh how I miss you. It’s been years, hasn’t it? (in our time anyway)
I haven’t attempted a long blogging break yet, but I am sure that it would be very difficult for me, too. Me without my laptop? Hard to picture. I know I would miss the reading and the writing and the sharing. Sounds as those you have had some wonderful distractions to keep you busy since you have been away. 🙂
Yeah- away from the laptop is like a fast of great proportions~ and it surely wasn’t easy! But necessary. Ya know it helped me realize that I CAN take breaks once and a while, and the blogging world still goes on.
LOL 😉
Welcome back!! You were DEFINITELY missed in the blogosphere…I do think it is great to take a break, though. I am taking a small one in a couple weeks, and I know it will be really good for me.-Ashley
I appreciate your loyal support more than you know, my friend. Thank you thank you thank you…
ENJOY your break Ashley!!! (Maybe Lisa will step up for once… LOL!! Oh Lisa- you KNOW I am totally messin’ with ya!! I ADORE you!!!)
Welcome back 🙂 It is so hard to find that balance between the blog and life…if you figure it out, let me know your secret!
I wish I could say I figured it all out, Stacey!!! But- I didn’t learn something pretty important…
The blog world goes on when I am not around, and I miss a bunch of good stuff- but when I get back, it’s there waiting like a true friend. Valuable lesson learned.
🙂
Great to have you back! Two weeks is a long time to be unplugged!
Ya know it went really fast in many ways, because I was traveling and hosting and doing so much that I didn’t have much time to linger in missing it. BUT- I felt the missing part of me every single day and night like a whole in my heart.
It’s amazing how fulfilling this blog gig is. Am I right? 🙂
Thanks SO much for stopping by. I am SO grateful!!
Blogging diets are THE WORST! And the constant struggle to find balance is excruciating! But it sounds like you are like me in the fact that you always come back. It’s a part of who you are! I long ago got over my shyness at telling people I am a blogger. Now I carry cards with me that I dole out at the slightest provocation. May we both survive the crazy and live to blog about it!! So glad you found me! We do seem to be two peas in a pod!
I just loved your last post Stacey! I can’t wait to read more- when I find the time! ha. Good for YOU for becoming more assertive and having a growing integrity for what you do and WHO you are!
We are WRITERS dammit! And we are PROUD!!! XOXO
I would never have survived this diet without our “cheat” emails. It is so good to have you back and as far as balance goes, I haven’t found it yet. Let me know if you do.
I am SO grateful that we have an additional facet of our friendship AnnMarie!!!! Oh my, how I appreciate you! Isn’t it amazing how close we can be without even meeting each other yet? What an incredible blessing you have been in my life!!!
Balance shmalance. Never gonna find it! 😉
I have missed reading your posts, and your engaging, thoughtful, supportive comments on mine. Glad you are back!
Oh Laurie! That is so kind of you to say! I miss reading your posts and can’t wait to get back to them!! Your support means the world to me. 🙂
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(just in case you still need it)
Can you leave this comment every single day? Please? LOL!!!!!! 😉
I’m not sure I could leave it behind for two weeks either! I am completely with you on trying to find balance. It seems to be a common thread amongst bloggers and I’m starting to think it doesn’t exist! 🙂
I agree Lisa! Balance doesn’t exist. Pacing ourselves is all we can do!! I need to work harder on this and let go of trying to do it ALL. Oh how hard this is to do!!
Thanks SO much for stopping by. I am so grateful!! 🙂
Ugh. I don’t know what I’d do without blogging. I’m actually worried about leaving for vacation next week because I’ll be so far out, I’m not sure there will be any connection to the online world! I’m sure I’ll survive though. I’m planning a couple of guest posts on my blog just in case. 🙂
Good to “see” you back on the blog. So missed you at BlogHer!
Well you are such an expert at this gig, I am SURE you will have it covered and then some Jen!!! Enjoy your time away!! One thing I did learn is that although you miss alot when you are gone, the blog world is a faithful loyal friend that will be there when you get back.
Oh so grateful for that!!
Blogher ’14 BABY!!!! I am gonna start packing now… 😉
I can definitely relate to struggling with the balance and trying to take self-imposed leaves from the blogging world. It’s hard to do. You establish connections and friendships. When you’re away, you feel as though you’re missing out on so much and playing catch-up is just not the same as being there as life unfolds for those we’ve connected with online and off. Here’s to finding the balance and enjoying the best of both worlds 🙂
You nailed it Michelle!!! That is EXACTLY how I feel, and I believe so many bloggers feel that way too!
I realized that even though I missed out on a lot, blogging is truly a loyal friend that is right there waiting when you return. And like catching up with friends you haven’t see in a long time…
Ya kinda start where you left off.
Thank you SO much for coming over! I am so grateful. 🙂
Welcome back!!
You were most definitely missed.
I haven’t found a perfect balance between reading every.single.thing. and reading nothing – but a lot of days I hit pretty close to the middle. The middle can be a good place. I hope you find yours in the coming weeks.
I love that Tracie! “The middle can be a good place”. That will now be my mantra from here on out!!!
Oh how I do struggle in that place though!!! I want to read EVERYONE!!!
Not. Gonna. Happen.
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your encouragement with me. So grateful!!! XO
Glad to have you back! You are a brave woman for trying to take a break. Next time you feel like your life is swinging out of balance maybe instead of going cold turkey you should allow yourself little bits here and there. That way when you do “get your fix” it will be a part of your diet and not feel like cheating. Welcome back!
I love that advice Stephanie!! I have such a hard time only reading “this friend” and not reading “that friend” that I want to commit to “all friends”!!! A little is so so hard!!! Gotta find middle ground somehow…
Praying for balance!!!
I need to go on a blogging fast, but like you, I’d be suffering withdrawal symptoms. LOL! And balance is a fruit that lies temptingly out of reach. I want to read what everyone says! Who has time for it all?! LOL
It’s a constant battle with me too… I want to be a committed follower to so many wonderful writers and friends!! But how? I need to figure that out in some compromising way…
I totally suffered withdrawal symptoms!!! SO hard! But I highly recommend a “cleanse” to refuel and refresh!!
SO grateful you stopped by Alison!! 🙂
Love your blog, my dear, and the topic was one I definitely could relate to.
Oh what a blessing it is to read this Alison!! Thank you thank you thank you…
Hugs! And have a great week!
{Melinda} Glad you are back! I’ve been on a bit of break, too … we were on vacation for a week (with very little access to Wifi) and then I’ve just been so busy since we’ve been back. I know I’ll get back in a groove once the kids start schol next week. I know what you mean, this feels like family and we miss people!
So glad to count you as part of my “cyber family!” <3
Oh dear sister- you are truly one of my greatest and most treasured family members in this cyber world we live in and spend much of our precious time and energy investing in! I am blessed to be in it with you. SO glad God brought us together for His Great Purpose!!! XOXO…
So you’re not technically back yet. You’re just getting a little taste until you’re officially back. lol. Love the diet analogy because sometimes that’s the best way to last on a diet (by indulging just a little). You are missed lady. Don’t worry about trying to respond. The fact that my comments are no longer awaiting moderation, I know you’ve read it and that’s good enough. May God strengthen you and keep you throughout this frenzied time. Blessings lady.
Oh how much I love and appreciate your grace, Hope! I am so grateful we found each other and have such a cherished friendship. I thank God for placing you in my life… XOXOXOXO…
I know exactly what you mean! When I am away from writing and reading inspirational posts at the start of my day, I feel like I am missing such a huge part of me! We (blogger buddies) have all become a family, to support, uplift, and bless each other.
I am very glad to meet you from PYHO too! 🙂
Blessings and love,
Denise
Oh how this comment warms my heart! I love how you put that Denise! “to support, uplift, and bless each other”. What a wonderful blogging world we live in!!! SO lovely to meet you!!!!
Missed you! But totally understand how hard it is to find that balance sometimes!
I think I’d have to cheat a bit on that “blog diet” too. Writing and the friendships I’ve made blogging are a huge part of who I am right now.
Thanks so much for honoring me with a visit during your break!
I just HAD to come by!! 🙂 I don’t think people truly understand how deep our blogging friendships go and how much a part of our lives and hearts we dedicate to our writing, sharing and reaching. This is a passion for us… and there is such fulfillment in it all.
So grateful to have you in my “blogging life”!!! XO
Yayy…so glad you’re back, well partially back anyway! HAHA! I know what you mean Chris!! Here it is 10:30pm Saturday evening and I’m just responding to my Wednesday post. I still have about 20 more to go…ugh! Looks like I’ll have to finish them tomorrow, lol! This past month everything has just blurred together!:) Again, it’s good to have you back lady! And would you look at that…you came back on “DYWW”!! I feel so darn special! LOL! Enjoy the rest of your vacay and I’m praying supernatural strength for you that you can do it ALL! Thanks for linking up my sweet friend! xoxoxo
Well now THAT’S what you get for having such a FANTASTICALLY successful link up Michell!!! LOL Oh how I believe God blesses the richness of your faith and all you share to encourage and guide people toward HIM.
Do you know how blessed I feel to call you friend? Oh how grateful I am that God intersected our paths!!! XOXOXOXO…
I am TERRIBLE at blog breaks!