Remember on Monday when I said I was doing my best to enjoy the holidays? Somewhere along the way, I forgot about the days in between the weekends--those pesky workdays which never seem to end. Without warning, my days went from busy to insane. One quick look at my calendar proves I completely overdid it this week. Though most of my commitments {like our Boston Bloggers event} were ones I planned in advance, the little tasks have mounted up like a Jenga game you can't believe is still standing.
Here's the reality...
Three years ago, I desperately needed a way to fill my calendar. We had just moved to New England and I felt like I was living on my own island, hundreds of miles away from my friends and family. {cv} was working a ton and I spent a lot of time solo. My sales job didn't put me in an office on a daily basis, so I would literally be alone from 7:30am until 10:30pm. Sure, I would see people throughout the day, but I. felt. so. alone.
Thankfully, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I found an amazing outlet in blogging, which allowed me to channel the creativity zapped by my day job. Blogging introduced me to some seriously incredible friends and filled those quiet hours with Skype time. The happy problem?! My loneliness is now replaced by a continually crazy schedule. I have a hard time complaining about it, but I. am. tired.
Through it all, {cv} has been the shining light. My busy days run parallel to his, so we are both in serious go mode. As of late, we operate much more like we did during our long distance days. We were much better back then about soaking up the time we actually got together, rather than getting into a boring routine. Gone are the boring routines--and I couldn't be happier. The real deal is this: being busy isn't a bad thing for us...I just don't want to be too busy.
My conundrum now is how to make the most of the final 25 days in December. I want to truly enjoy my time with {cv}, our friends, and our family. Though I have never taken a complete week off in the 25 months I've blogged, I think I will be treating myself with a "pass" or two during the next few weeks. {Don't worry--it won't affect Friday's Fancies!}
At the end of the day, I want to keep the jolly in this Christmas. I want to have time to choose thoughtful gifts, not just speed through the process like I did last year. I would love to enjoy a busy week, without rushing home to my computer. I want to spend more time with the true reason for the season. I want to make time to work out, so I can eat as many Christmas cookies I want.
If you write a blog: are you planning to write at a normal clip or are you going to take some time off in December? I love blogging--but I want to keep the jolly in my posts too ;) Thank you for being an amazing sounding board, day in and day out. xoxo {av}
Hmm.. I go back and forth. I think I'm just going to be better about devoting scheduled time for blogging... and if it's not in the schedule to make sure I'm taking a break!!
ReplyDelete-C
you totally deserve a break! no one would begrudge you that.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to slow down the blogging (4 per week rather than the usual 6x) for the last two weeks of December - I could get all the posts up and ready, but I've noticed that readership drops a bit at that time. So I'll make life a bit easier for myself!
I'm at the point you were in 3 years ago. Just moved to another country where I can't legally work for about another 3 months. So I'm kind at the polar opposite of where you are now! (And truth be told, I can't wait for that light at the end of this boring tunnel!!) I'm actually trying to blog more in December because I have loads of space to fill up!!
ReplyDeleteI think that if you ever get to a point where you feel burdened by blogging this holiday season, it would be good to have a little break. You don't want to feel exhausted during the "most wonderful time of the year"!
You totally deserve a break! I sometimes take accidental blogging breaks when real life gets in the way- unfortunately this is the first thing to go when I'm busy but I also think it's important to step back and remember why you blog in the first place. I think you should allow yourself time off thie December- do a week or two, your readers will stick around.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on needing to mindfully enjoy the holidays. Long work days and less daylight have me feeling mopey. I smiled when I read your cute graphic though! I'm borrowing it for my phone so that any time I get a message or call I'll be reminded that this is a happy time of year :)
ReplyDeleteFor the last two years, I've taken the last week in December off and come back fresh after the new year. I don't read during this time either.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, cutting back to 3 posts per week was probably the best decision I made all year. I felt guilty at first, but then realized that my readers are all still there and I've continued to get more of them without sacrificing so much precious evening time with my husband. It's an unthinkable action to many, but it feels like all the pressure is off now and I can treat blogging as a hobby again instead of a business venture I don't have time to run in addition to my full-time job.
ReplyDeleteYou create amazing content all year, and nobody expects you to neglect the real people in your life for the sake of yet another gift guide. Enjoy your time off!!
Haley @ Cardigan Junkie
Time off! Seriously so important I think...especially this time of year!
ReplyDeleteTake time off!! I'm thinking about taking off the week from Christmas to New Years so I can relax, recharge, and enjoy the final week of 2012 with my family and friends. Time off reinvigorates the soul. :)
ReplyDeletetime off! you deserve it! it is so important to enjoy this time of year, and taking time off would allow you to recharge and start off 2013 on the right foot! i've been thinking about either decreasing the amount of posts per week of taking off the last week of december, we'll see!
ReplyDeleteTime off for sure. Around holidays, I tend to take the three days before and following off, I assume most people are traveling and away from computers anyway, so why put up content that many won't even see. I think a break for all is necessary.
ReplyDeleteI'll be doing time off for sure. Spending time with family is hands down #1 on my list!
ReplyDeleteI found it especially comforting to read this because, although it's been a bit over 3 years- I still feel somewhat lonely here in Connecticut! Like you, blogging has picked up for me in the past year or so. It's been a wonderful outlet :)
ReplyDeleteI plan on taking a week off or so- while we're in Michigan.
Love From,
Eat Cake
smart lady! you write for YOU first & foremost, so taking some time for YOU, to enjoy whatever you like (whether it be blogging, working out, cookie baking, spending time with friends/family is most important. :) xo
ReplyDeleteI think you definitely should take a mini-break -- for you! Don't worry about us here; we'll still be here when you get back. And honestly, you deserve it. You do so much for us and provide us with so much inspiration. This time of year should be enjoyed as much as possible with the people we love by our side. :-)
ReplyDeleteAw, Alison, I love that you wrote about this. It's so easy to get caught up with to-do's during this time of year, and it's even easier to forget about what this time of year is REALLY about - which is spending time with friends and family. I've needed to step back too, it's so important to regroup with your loved ones.
ReplyDeleteEspecially in the blogging world I feel like we all get wrapped up with so much eye-candy and prettiness that we forget to stop & smell the roses while we're at it. I'll take the stand with you - let's enjoy the season! xo
Isn’t That Charming.
Don't feel bad about taking a break if you need one! I try to post 3 times a week but honestly probably won't even do that once I head for home for the holidays... if I do post on holidays its always a simple "happy whatever" post. If it makes you feel better just think about how people probably won't be reading blogs much that week anyways :) Enjoy your time off!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time "off"! We'll be here when you get back :)
ReplyDeleteI'm totally taking some time off! I haven't set an exact date yet, and I probably won't go cold turkey- I'll probably just post very infrequently. Last year I remember on the days that I did post around Christmas, my traffic was dismal because people were out celebrating the holiday! That's what I want to be doing this year too.
ReplyDeleteI think you deserve some time off. Your posts are always so pretty and high quality that they must take you a lot of thought and time. I'm probably going to miss a day here or there without guilt too. :)
ReplyDeleteyour blog is so inspiring! glad i stopped by :)
ReplyDelete-Emma
chasingtexas.blogspot.com
I can totally relate to this! You totally deserve some time off. Even though blogging is a wonderful part of my life, I struggle with it actually being my life. Sometimes I feel like I miss out on certain things because of my love of blogging. Over the last few months, I have slowly cut back on the number of times I post each week. That gives me a few nights a week to relax without the computer. You work on this beautiful blog girl, so take your time! :)
ReplyDeleteso i totally meant to comment on this last week, but i HEAR YA! i want to share so much more blogwise during the holidays, but i just don't have the time to do that and do the holidays right, you know? constant struggle :)
ReplyDelete