Getting Unstuck

RWS2011 · May 2013

It has been a minute since I last posted. I was feeling stuck and tend to draw inward at such times.

I had been feeling isolated because I was down about my job loss, staying home more to save money, and this never ending MN winter hasn't been helping. So, I have been reaching out to friends, taking in the sunshine when it comes. Boom! Unstuck.

When I was laid off, in addition to concerns over meeting expenses, the question loomed, can we even plan our wedding now? Fortunately, other than rings, we did not have any money tied into wedding plans. After weeks of thought, a healthy dose of sadness over putting plans on hold, some research, and a heart-to-heart with FI, we are moving ahead with a new vision for our wedding. We had already scaled our guest list back to mostly family. Now we are looking at a casual family wedding at a park. The cost is nominal enough that we feel comfortable moving forward. Boom! Unstuck.

I was procrastinating like crazy about consistent menu planning, but this weekend, FI and I sat down and worked out the coming week. Then, I ambitiously planned for a week after that. Boom! Unstuck.

Job searching has been slow going, but I have a schedule I am trying to follow which allows me time for self reflection and writing. I have not had much experience in the world of blogging, but it has been suggested to me enough that I am considering it... any suggestions for where to begin? I so want to "Boom!" about this, too.

kmbryant2413 · May 2013

In Response to Getting Unstuck:
[QUOTE]It has been a minute since I last posted. I was feeling stuck and tend to draw inward at such times. I had been feeling isolated because I was down about my job loss, staying home more to save money, and this never ending MN winter hasn't been helping. So, I have been reaching out to friends, taking in the sunshine when it comes. Boom! Unstuck. When I was laid off, in addition to concerns over meeting expenses, the question loomed, can we even plan our wedding now? Fortunately, other than rings, we did not have any money tied into wedding plans. After weeks of thought, a healthy dose of sadness over putting plans on hold, some research, and a heart-to-heart with FI, we are moving ahead with a new vision for our wedding. We had already scaled our guest list back to mostly family. Now we are looking at a casual family wedding at a park. The cost is nominal enough that we feel comfortable moving forward. Boom! Unstuck. I was procrastinating like crazy about consistent menu planning, but this weekend, FI and I sat down and worked out the coming week. Then, I ambitiously planned for a week after that. Boom! Unstuck. Job searching has been slow going, but I have a schedule I am trying to follow which allows me time for self reflection and writing. I have not had much experience in the world of blogging, but it has been suggested to me enough that I am considering it... any suggestions for where to begin? I so want to "Boom!" about this, too.
Posted by RWS2011[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure who you are because I haven't introduced myself to you yet, but congratuatlions on focusing on that positive energy! Your wedding is moving forward, you've got time for self relfection, and have been connecting with FI and friends. That's more than I can say that I'm doing

I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents about blogging. I've been reading a friends blog for about a year now. It's adorable, she did custom pictures and a layout for it, has a ton of followers, and is a great photographer so that adds a lovely element. I've never blogged before. Ever. It's only ever been me writing for myself. To dialogue my thoughts, dreams, worries, etc.

I decided I finally had *something* to blog about. I do a great many things often, like hiking, baking, crafting, gardening, volunteering.. but I wasn't sure of a central theme that could pull all my 'likes' together while creating a cohesive blog with a steady stream of posts. My dog, however, is pretty darn cute and I do all of those things /with/ him. So thus, my blog was born. I write about the adventures that he and I have together, so it highlights my interests and keeps people reading because it's got cake, and puppies. My posts are just long enough, I try to be 'artsy' by peppering in some pictures, and tada!

When I first started (I'm working on my 4th post now) I obsessed over views. I talked to my friends about it. I put it on facebook. I marketed and wanted /something/ to come of it to feel accomplished. And even though it's only been up for a month, I have people texting me asking when the next post is, so I must be doing something right. I felt pretty silly pushing my tiny little blog on people to read, but I kept at it, and I am SO happy that I did. It keeps me upbeat and positive (because no one wants to read about depressing things) and gives me a creative outlet to strive for.

ALL THIS being said: Just go for it! Find a template, or a blog you'd like to model your idea after, and just start posting. Put it on facebook. LinkedIn. TK. Whatever you'd like, and regularly pump out those ideas when you've got something to share. People will take notice, and you'll feel great about yourself.

Good luck on the blogging front, and if you get discouraged, don't forget everything else you've recently accomplished!

Peaseblossom55 · May 2013

I blog about my cooking adventure, or lack their of sometimes. I just created an account on wordpress. I've been doing it for almost 2 years now. I blog once a week about a new recipe I tried out. It can be pretty tiring but the blog keeps me motivated to try new food and recipes. I have over 115 recipes. It can be fun but sometimes I can stress over it, like ahh I need to find a new recipe to blog about this week. I have a few followers, no one I actually know in person. It's also a good way for me to document my own recipes and experiences with them too. Good luck with the blog.

I'm sorry you were feeling so stuck, but it looks like you've done a great job at being positive and becoming unstuck as you say!

RWS2011 · May 2013

Awww, I missed you too, LaSak! I would read what you have to say.

Danser, how have you liked Wordpress? Are you able to interact with readers on it? What are the features you like most? Have you run into any limitations?

KMBryant, thanks for the thoughtful response! I have also struggled with have a cohesive focus for my musings. I think I have an idea, but I want to let it marinate a bit. Which blog host do you use? Also, feel free to answer any of the above questions.

Peaseblossom55 · May 2013

I have no problems with it and I'm not good with this sort of thing. ( It's been a three week process to set up my wedding planning bio). I don't get too many reader or commenters, most people will just like my post. I mostly do the blog for myself as an online recipe book. I have run into any limitations on it just yet :-0

kmbryant2413 · May 2013

RWS - I'm pretty good with HTML, CCS, and coding, so I was completely able to tweek mine how I wanted it. I use blogger/blogspot (They take you to the same place) and I like it a lot. Wordpress is also good, it's what I use for my personal journaling. I can reply to commenters by email, or in direct response to the comment, and I like that. I feel like that's all the interaction that I really need. I like that it is simple to tweek the layout/font colors etc. without diving into the HTML - otherwise I'd get sucked in and never come back out.

I'm still wishing you luck! I love to read the Knottie blogs around here, so I'd read yours (and yours sak

)