Sunday, January 3, 2016

This Is Going To Be THAT Post...

Hey everyone...I wanted to take the time to wish everyone a happy new year! I started this blog on this date in 2007. So I'm turning 9 today and starting my 10th year of blogging which is a bit mind boggling and overwhelming when I think of all that blogging has given me over the past 9 years and all of the ways that it's changed my life and continues to do so. I've made the absolute most amazing friends that I will forever cherish. That's certainly the number one way blogging has affected me and it's something that I NEVER expected when I started book blogging. It's also allowed me to read differently, become even more passionate about books than I already was (which I didn't think was possible :p), read outside of my comfort zone, and discover things I would've never discovered.

This goes beyond books though. Books have evolved into relationships with people where I've gotten music recommendations that have changed my life. TV recommendations that have changed my life. And then going back to those friends I've made....without them, there are personal accomplishments I've made and hurdles that I've jumped over that I don't know that I would have had it not been for the people that I've met. It's been amazing.

Somewhere along the way, something changed here. This is the classic "it's not you, it's me" :p That's so cliche, but sadly, the truth here and something that I thought it was only fair to write about here. For right now, I most likely won't be around on this blog for awhile. That's no surprise to anyone, I'm sure. I haven't posted here in months! I keep in touch with a lot of people from this blog on instagram, twitter or email (though I've sucked even at email lately!), though I know there are others who have read this blog that I don't talk to as often, and I just wanted to say A. I'm ok and B. I'll probably be back here eventually, I'm just not sure how long that eventually will be.

What it boils down to is that this blog started to get associated with commitments and responsibility to me and though that was completely SELF IMPOSED, it was still there. And for some reason or another, I couldn't separate the two. Reading, talking with my friends...that should never feel like a commitment or a responsibility. I knew I needed some time away and it's made a big difference. This past year has been a rough one and it looks like that will continue through this coming year. Without going into detail, my dad was diagnosed with cancer this year and I've become one of his main caretakers. It's opened my eyes quite a bit to focusing on the things that are most important to you and I've had to redefine my online presence a little bit.

I am still writing online...it's at a different place and in a different way. It's VERY sporadic. I may write multiple days in a row and then not at all for a month or so. And it's much more personal, intentionally. I created it as a place mainly for myself. But if you want to know where it is if you haven't found it already, you're more than welcome to email me at chrisa511(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll send you the link.

So I guess this is not a goodbye from this blog, it's just a temporary resting place for a little while until it feels right to come back to it again. Right now, I'm sort of happy with how things have been lately. I'm not disappearing completely! I'm actually hoping to start making the rounds again on blogs this year, though I'm not setting myself up to disappoint myself...I'm always on instagram and occasionally on twitter. I don't think I could ever leave the internet :p Could any of us? I'll leave this here for now. It's been a fantastic 9 years and we'll see where things pick up again :)

8 comments:

Beth F said...

SOBBBBBBB!!!! But I'll still see you someplace, right?? Loved getting your Christmas card and becoming friends with you over the years. I know you're on Instagram and Twitter, so we'll still touch base.

But, I get what you mean about pressure and family. I took a BIG step back from social media after my dad died totally unexpectedly last spring. I'm still not quite back to normal, but I'm ready to engage again. Just relax and do what you have to do. All your friends will we waiting for you.

Jeane said...

I'm glad you checked in, I was starting to wonder. Life happens. I hope you'll be back someday, I do so enjoy your book recommendations, I've got so many new-to-me reads from you. And I miss seeing about your garden, too. So so so sorry to hear about your dad. Take care. Your dad is lucky to have you.

Kristen M. said...

You're doing what feels right and that's all that matters. I know what you mean about not wanting the blog to be an obligation. I'm going through some of that redefining and reshuffling right now in order to make it fun again. Give up the internet? Hah! Luckily, I feel like blogging has also brought me to some life-long friends -- like you. :)

Carole McDonnell said...

:-)

I hate it when what's good and healthy and best for someone I love is just devastating to me. I'll see you when I see you. Whenever.

<3

Kailana said...

We need to talk more. I will leave it at that. :)

Unknown said...

I will still be following your wonderful instagram photos =) I know what you mean about having to walk away for awhile. It gets to the point where I feel guilty for not blogging and that's never what I started it for. I've had to come to terms with myself and my reasons. I will go through phases where I post everyday for two weeks and then nothing for two months. See you on instagram =)

Snowball said...

I'm sorry about your Dad, Chris. Take good care of yourself. You will remain in my thoughts, and I hope to see you back if/when you are ready.

Anonymous said...

{{{hugs}}}