This is something I wonder about, is anyone listening?
Or am I talking to myself on here, and a handful of others.
Let me start out by saying that I love blogging. I first started my blog back in September, after we moved to a new state, as a way to keep in touch with friends and family.
It quickly turned to a way that I could be creative and share my ideas with others. I am just one of those people who have to be doing things at ALL times, the more projects, the better! I was blogging for myself, and if anyone out there picked up on an idea, Awesome! If I was just talking to myself on here, that was ok too.
I have some GREAT faithful followers now and I love that I have met some pretty awesome people through blogging.
BUT……
There are days that I really wonder if blogging is the best use of my time. I have read about blogging burn out and how we have to find a balance that works for us with our lives and our blogs. I can get caught up for hours reading other blogs and bouncing from one to another. I love seeing new ideas and new creations from everyone. I strongly feel that I should not expect people to read my blog if I am not going to take the time to read others.
Yesterday was one of those days. I felt a little down in the dumps. It’s hard to not compare yourself to some of the bigger blogs. I know that they have worked very hard to get to where they are and I haven’t been blogging long, it’s hard to remember that some days.
So, yesterday morning, I spent thinking and wondering and trying to decide if I should keep blogging.
My little guy goes to afternoon kindergarten and he had a field trip yesterday at a YMCA camp. I was a volunteer and helped with his class.
A funny thing happened while I was helping.
I don’t know if you remember my Nature Scavenger Hunt that I created for my boys a couple months back? You can find that post HERE and here is a picture of it. I just picked out items for the hunt that I thought were ok for their age and our area.
Here is the Scavenger Hunt from the YMCA that was handed out to the kindergartners. Let me say, I had never been to that camp or knew anyone associated with it.
When I got my list on the field trip, I look at it and thought it looked familiar. They were using the Nature Scavenger Hunt that I had created for my kids.
Ironic?
What are the chances that on a day that I was down about blogging that I would happen to be on a field trip that happened to have something that I created and shared on my blog?
I think someone was sending me a sign. Keep blogging and don’t worry. There are people listening and you never know if you are going to write that one post that reaches out to that one person who needs what you are sharing.
Thank you!!!! Just found this on pinterest and am taking my cub scout pack camping for the first time this weekend. I’m in charge and i have to plan everything and I’m freaking out!!!!! you know when you are under pressure and your mind goes totally blank and you have no ideas? that’s me right now!!!!!! this is sooooo helpful! thank you!!!!!
I found your “Scavenger Hunt” list on Pinterest.
Do you mind if I copy it and use it for an ESL camp field trip in British Columbia for Korean kids?
Thank you for sharing!
JTinkering
Thanks for this! I’m looking for things to amuse my 5 little ones while camping this summer, and I’ve printed it ready to go. What a great idea.
I just was reading your blog… thanks I am retired & totally enjoying my grandkids. Thanks for sharing. My granddaughters are age 3 & 7 any ideas this grandma is always open. We love to go to the beach & hunt for shells & rocks. We have smooth rocks, round rocks, & now we are collecting heart shared rocks. Thanks Cindy Peters
duckmom21@gmail.com
Great idea…thanks!! We used this the other day w/ kids from age 7-16 during a nature center hike. They all had a blast!
Thanks for the scavenger hunt idea, it’s gone global! I’ve copied yours to take camping with us, just had to change pine cone to gum nut as we’re in Australia. I found yours on Pinterest.
What a cool story! It always amazes me the impact we have on people without really knowing it. You are obviously meant to be a blogger! And I might just use your nature scavenger hunt for my kids this summer. It looks so fun!
I feel that way too but I think it's important to remember why you are blogging – I posted recently that I had the blogging blahs and wondered if I should continue and I got a lovely note reminding me that my followers will be there for me whether I post once a week or every day – it was a great reminder for me! Keep on keeping on….
Peggy
I feel the same way all the time too!I do read your blog and I thank you for sharing all the cool and fun ideas so don't give up!
Look at how God will bring something so small to make us know that we are doing the right thing, that is wonderful.
How cool! Don't get frustrated! Just blog when you want, how you want, and what you want, and I think you'll be happy! I love reading your blog every day :o)
Meredith @ http://www.waittilyourfathergetshome.com
That's AWESOME!!!!!! Sometimes we all need a little encouragement I'm so happy you got yours in such a fun way!!! Yay!!
That is awesome that the camp used your list!
I completely know how you feel about it seeming like you are talking to yourself. Just know that you aren't though! You have faithful readers (like me!) who tune in to see what you've been doing and what you have to say.
I feel the same way about blogging, too! But it's best not to compare ourselves to others in any aspect of life. We never know all the circumstances that others are in.
🙂 Sarah
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on blogging. I can't believe you just started this in Sept– your posts are always something to look forward to and it seems like you've been doing this for years! Congrats on a beautiful blog, how did you grow it so quickly? I LOVE that someone used a post of yours and you stumbled upon it. What a wonderful feeling that would be! I am looking forward to the day when I happen to talk to someone and they mention they like my blog…without knowing that I am the one behind it. Wouldn't that be fun!!
Freaky!!!! If that's not a sign, I don't know what is. Chrissy, sorry I've been MIA but we've been uber busy with the party. I start all the details today on my What I Made Wednesday – there's the proof that I haven't visited anyone for months!!!!
http://feellovdeveryday.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-i-made-wednesday-harry-potter_16.html
Great post Chrissy!
I am not a blogger, but I am a mom. I have a very different life from you and different beliefs, and you are one of the very few blogs I follow. I love your blog! I am glad you are continuing. I have shared your blog with several friends, and haven't done that with any other blog. We all thought the Mason Jar salads were phenomenal! I hope you keep doing it, really like to see your ideas and try them with my family. Thank you for the time you put in! 🙂
Thank you so much. I hope that you read this reply. I cannot tell you how much this comment means to me, I am so glad that my ideas are heard and used. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Haha – that's awesome!!! And yeah, I feel like that a lot too. Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you, for letting me know that I am not alone if feeling this way!
I feel like this all the time! It can be so hard for us “little bloggers”. We will grow up soon enough!
Thank you so much, Natalie! I agree, we will grow up. 🙂