When It's Time to Step Back

Did you ever feel like giving up blogging? 

Do you go through dry spells and can't find the mojo?

 Or do you feel like it's taking over your life - can't remember your husband's name, perhaps? 

I read an article last week at The SITS Girls about bloggers who have to take a break from - or quit altogether - blogging. It was very interesting to me because ...

I've "quit" several times over the past 18 months since I began 
Ms. Redo. Discouragement or feeling overwhelmed by life.
But things would get better for a few weeks and I continued.

Either way, I didn't want to stop visiting my favorite bloggers who have become like friends. I care about them and what's going on in their corner of the world.

The SITS article talked about balancing life and blogging. And how sometimes life either takes over or needs to be given a priority.

Becca from Blue Cricket Design was interviewed. Her blog had become so successful, she was spending 30 hours a week answering emails, talking with sponsors, preparing, photographing, and writing posts. She had little time or energy left for her young family. So she stepped back from it all and regrouped. 

I recently talked to Brenda at Cozy Little House, asking if she'd ever thought of quitting. "Absolutely not," was basically her reply. Brenda loves to write and loves photography, and she's super talented at both. However, she did give me some ideas for times when you just can't find the mojo:

1.  Focus on the photos.

2. Tell a story from your childhood.

3. Use poetry or famous quotes.

These three tips helped me keep going, even when August seemed to drag on into endless heat and boredom. And before I knew it, September arrived and I was excited about fall and the colors and, so many other things going on! 

Like everything in life, sometimes you just have to 
keep going until things begin to look up.

And sometimes, you just have to step back.

This weekend, I made the decision to step back 
from blogging. It just feels right at this time because
I feel overwhelmed by life.

Homeschooling my two teens.
Driving them to church, sports, and social events.
Cooking, cleaning, planning, organizing.
Working on my uncle's estate account.
And feeling completely overwhelmed.
 

What about you - did you ever think of quitting? 

If so, how did you find your way through it to keep going?

I'll miss sharing with you, dear friends,
but I will be around to visit you often.
And who knows, Ms. Redo may show up
in your reader again sometime. 

Thanks for all you've taught me -
decor
gardening
recipes
crafting
sewing projects
and so much more.
Thank you.

Hugs ~ Mary