Haven't Disappeared but I Did Miss My Own Blog-iversary

So instead of celebrating my 5 year blog anniversary with fanfare, big giveaways, parties etc, I think I'm accepting that missing the 5th anniversary of my blog last month is a sign that maybe it's time to step back and rethink some things.

When I started this blog 5 years ago, College Boy (who is now Graduate Boy)  was a Junior in HS and I was ( I thought) at a point in my career where things were fairly stable. Busy, as they have always been, but I'm a person who's best with a lot to do. But with a HS Junior gaining the kind of  independence they should, I had fewer school related engagements etc. and felt it was a perfect time to explore something that might continue into eventual retirement.

Problem was, someone forgot to tell life of this great strategic thinking. Best laid plans...HA! My day job went the opposite direction. Instead of "slowing down" it went on turbo overdrive along with other life events but still I managed to use my blog as an outlet and continued to grow. As I mentioned, I do better when I have more to do. This is something that's always been true and it's something I just kept telling myself. I could do everything. I could work 60 hours a week. I could be on top of all of the events and celebrations I've always made cards and gifts for. I could Martha my way through holidays. I could apply to and participate on design teams. I could do more more more.

Except I couldn't. Something had to give. That's just reality. I neglected my health, mental and physical. Fortunately it didn't take any kind of catastrophic wake up call but signs were there. Pain, injury, anxiety, frustration, fatigue.

And just as I would counsel anyone else ( we never take our own advice do we) you can't do it well. Long story short, whether through the inability to work on stuff because of  pain or injury, or the anxiety of feeling overwhelmed (which leads to more anxiety that you're committing the cardinal sin for people who are wired like me...DISAPPOINTING anyone!) you reach inertia and then you're no good to anyone, least of all yourself.

So if you're still with me , I say all this to say that I think it's time for me to re-set the clock and go back to why I started this blog in the first place. I wanted a place to share things that I liked to make. Pure and simple. I've been thrilled to have been featured at different blogs and websites. I've been honored to have participated in design teams. I've been excited to share sponsored posts. I don't regret any of that.

I'm not abandoning the blog and I really do enjoy having a weekly link up where people get to share their creations. I'm just formalizing what's happened already. I'm going to step back and let things be organic again.