Priorities

02 May 2015



I started to write a post on Thursday, I was shoehorning that writing into a busy morning.  There were lots of other things I needed to be doing.  So I downed tools and stopped.  My life is all about slow living but at the moment it feels so far removed from that as I try to keep many balls in the air.

Over the winter months my life has a wonderful rhythm to it, this winter my children really enjoyed doing a project during Advent.  They enjoyed it so much that I started another one at the beginning of the new year and now were are doing a third.  Cameron told me this week that he loved the projects we have been doing and can we do Dinosaurs next.  This home edding thing involves adapting as the children grow and change their needs change too.  Whereas Cameron was happy to do his own thing for years now he is looking to me much more.  Alice joins in when she wants to, and more and more is asking to do things too, but usually they need to be at her level.  This is involving more and more planning on my part, a lot more researching and thinking, I am loving it but it takes time.

I have always struggled to make friends.  All my life.  At school I tended to keep to the edges, not quite sure if I wanted to be in the middle and baffled about how to get there.  This carried on after I left home and spent time in higher education and working.  Much of the work I did in my twenties involved short contracts (up to nine months) that necessitated me moving around, a lot.  I suspect subconsciously this was a protection my part, that friends thing still a mystery.  It has taken having children and starting to home ed to finally feel that I am part of something.  I read much about the blogging community before I started this one.  I thought it sounded like fun, but I have still always felt on the edge.  I know that you have to work hard to be part of any community but I have never been able to find the 'right' one online.  These past few weeks I have really reduced the amount of time I have been spending online and it showed.

Now that it is Spring and the weather is warming up, well hopefully it will, my garden takes up time.  I need to be out there tending it if we are to have any hope of producing food of our own.  In the winter I don't replace that activity with something else so that time has to taken out of my day.

So my priorities needed examining and much thinking has been done.  I have made two big decisions this week and one is that I am no longer going to be writing this blog.  This will be my last post.  I would like to thank all of you who have visited and read what I have written here.  A huge thank you to those that have commented, the lovely positive comments and support has been wonderful.

I will miss you all.

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This is not a goodbye, if you would like to stay in touch email me your address and I will use old fashioned snail mail!

62 comments:

  1. I will miss your blog, but I understand why you choose to stop writing it. It does take time and sometimes the time just isn't there - or is better spent doing other things. :-)

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    1. Thank you Anke. I can make the time but like you say it is taking from something else which is becoming more and more difficult :)

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  2. I'm sorry to hear you won't be writing the blog any more but I do realise that blogging can take up so much time, something which is very precious when you've got a young family. It is all about priorities and family is at the top of that list.

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    1. Thank you Jo. It does take up so much time, not just writing posts but reading other blogs too. I hope in time I can return to this space and that this is just a pause for a while.

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  3. Oh Gosh, I will miss your posts! I totally understand your reasons for leaving the blog, and respect them 100%. I have been so interested to read about you home schooling your children, and reading about your life. Wishing you all good things, and thank you for letting us know, rather than just disappearing! X

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    1. Aw thank you Penny. I do hope that one day I will be able to return as I have really enjoyed writing about home education and it is a great way to keep a record!

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  4. I'm genuinely sorry to hear that you are giving up your blog. I know only too well how much time it takes and can understand how life has to take priority. It is very hard to juggle everything. My own lack of time has meant that I cannot always comment as much as I'd like but I had your blog listed on a reader and enjoyed every post. I'll miss you too. Take care and good luck x

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    1. Thank you so much! It is hard to juggle everything. I have the time to write posts or to read lots of lovely blogs, including yours :). I don't feel it is in keeping with the blogging community to write posts and then expect others to come read and comment without doing that myself on others blogs. I guess when you have a huge following you can do that, but I am not sure I would want that for this blog. I do hope one day to return!

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  5. I will be sad not to see your posts but I do understand and it has been a while since I posted too. The whole blogging thing is so time consuming and I notice that many of us do drop off the merry go round after a while (usually the blogs I most enjoy reading!) If you want to keep in touch via snail mail please do I will always reply to a letter.

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    1. Thank you :) I think I will have more time to write letters now so I will definitely be keeping in touch that way.

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  6. I'm sorry you're saying goodbye, I'll miss you x

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    1. Thank you Tess, I will still visit your blog so I haven't gone away completely.

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  7. I'm very sorry to see you stop blogging, but I understand why you've chosen to do so. I will miss you very much. I'd only just found your blog recently and was finding so much inspiration here. I hope you'll consider coming back sometime, but of course, I understand there too. Take care and enjoy. If you ever want to email me, you can do so through my profile or with the mail icon on my blog's sidebar. I'd love to hear from you. I wish you and your family all the best.

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    1. Thank you Jennifer. I would like to return here sometime in the future and I hope that life will allow that to happen. I would love to keep in touch via email, and will still be visiting your blog from time to time!

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  8. Oh I am sorry to see you go, though I can understand and appreciate the reasons why, but I have so enjoyed reading your posts and I hope you'll leave the blog up, not lease because I have firm intentions to poach your advent idea come next Christmas!

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    1. Thank you Carie. I will definitely be leaving the blog up as I use it too! I have been making some Wild garlic pesto this week using the recipe I posted a few years ago! Please poach away it wasn't my idea originally ;)

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  9. I am sorry that you are stepping back from your space, you will be missed. xo

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    1. Thank you Kim, I will still drop by your lovely blog from time to time :)

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  10. I will miss you, but I understand and respect your decision.

    Wishing you the best!
    Love&Light

    Lluisa xoxo

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  11. I am so sad to see you leave. I come to enjoy this space that you write in and share your beautiful images and your life. I understand how you feel, feeling the same way lately too.
    I will miss you, wishing you happy and healthy life...here's to new adventures.
    xo

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    1. Thank you, I do hope that one day I may return. I have been feeling this way for some time now but I really didn't want to give it up, it wasn't an easy decision to make. New adventures indeed!

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  12. I'm so sad to hear this, I always enjoyed what you had to say. That being said, I completely understand. I have also found myself struggling with these thoughts - this must have been a hard choice. I hope you'll come back if you get a creative itch, I always loved seeing your projects. I'm inspired by you choosing what is best for you and your family. Best to you, xo

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    1. Sorry Carlin I did reply to your comment but I failed to hit the reply button so it is much lower down!

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  13. Oh noooooo, you are the calm in my chaos! I'll really miss this blog but understand the time/effort it must take. Will you keep the site available so people can read the archives? Enjoy your "free" time. ;)

    Apologies if I've commented twice but my first one seemed to have disappeared.

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    1. Hi Melanie, yes I will be keeping the site up as I make use of it too! I may come back one day........

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  14. Goodness! Completely understand about priorities. Blogging can consume, leaving less time for other activities that need your attention. I'll miss your posts. Hope you don't completely disappear.

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    1. Thank you Cheryl. I hope I won't disappear completely! I am hoping to return one day, time permitting, in the mean time I shall be visiting blogs occassionally :)

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  15. Oh, I will miss hearing about your creative and sustainable projects and way of life. I have started brushing my teeth with baking soda and your blog was one of the places that I first heard about doing it. I also have not ever had a big group of friends - it just isn't something that I felt like I needed and it has been hard to find like-minded people. Not that on-line blogging acquaintances replace having friends that you can actually have in-person interactions with, but it is great to realize that there ARE people living their life in similar ways as you.

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    1. Thank you Katie :). I hope I am not disappearing completely and I will be popping by your blog to read what you have been up too and hope that time permits me to return to posting someday!

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  16. Totally understand your decision, sending you a hug x

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    1. Thank you San :). You will of course be the only one who still knows what we are up to!

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  17. What a shame! I really enjoy visiting here. All the best for your future! Christina xx

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  18. I have few friends and I found them through my children. Now that the children are moved out I think about what I could do to meet more people. I love the blogging community but I do not like the massive amount of time I dedicate to it. I question how much computer time I want to do!!

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    1. That is exactly what I have been doing. I came to realise that it was time that I wanted to spend elsewhere and I was constantly torn ;). I do hope that one day I can return :)

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  19. Thank you Carlin. It has been something I have been thinking about for a while. It was not an easy decision to make as I do enjoy writing my posts. I think some of my time will be filled with making, I have spend the whole weekend offline and have finshed two knitting projects and started another sewing one!

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  20. Dear you, I admire your willingness to listen to your heart and your gut and follow their advice. Not easy. I hope you enjoy this new time, and newly found time away from the blogging world. I plan on keeping in touch - you were my first true blogging friend and that is something I want to keep. So farewell from here, until the next letter! XO

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    1. Thank you so much Leigh, I will be keeping in touch and will continue to drop by your lovely blog. I do hope to return one day...........

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  21. I am sad to read that :( But I understand completely the pull of real life. Life is so busy with children and everything else. Sometimes you need a little break (i took a long one last year!) Take care of yourself and perhaps we'll see you back again here sometime :)

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    1. I hope this is a break rather than stopping completely, we will see! Thank you for your kind comment.

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  22. It's such a battle isn't it, balancing time and priorities. You will be missed x

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    1. It is a battle Annie, one which I have been waging with myself for sometime now. My life has changed so much over the last year and I think I need some time to get to grips with it before I can contemplate returning here. Thank you.

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  23. I'll miss your lovely blog. Good luck with whatever comes next for you, and keeping up with kids and homeschooling!

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  24. I will really miss your lovely blog, I loved the beautiful photographs you took and hearing about all of your crafty projects and creative home ed life. I have emailed you so hopefully we can keep in touch. I understand your need to prioritise and to spend less time online. I wish you all the best xxx

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    1. Thank you Nell. I would love to keep in touch. I will still drop by your lovely blog and do hope to return here one day........

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  25. You will be very missed by your blogging friends, your blog is so beautifully writen and your many crafting skills are inspirational. Best wishes with all that you undertake in the future.
    Would love to hear from you if ever you fancy emailing or snail mailing.
    Kindest regards
    Emma

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    1. Thank you Emma, I will keep in touch would love to visit you one day!

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  26. I will miss reading your words, they have inspired me more than I can say, but I understand completely. I went through the same thing when I decided to cancel all our social media accounts. I can tell you it does help. Good luck with what lies ahead.

    xo

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    1. Thank you so much Yanic. I have never had any social media accounts, I knew I didn't have the time to keep up with them! I do hope to return to blogging one day as I do love the connection but I need a rest for now :)

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  27. I only just found you :( But I totally understand. Best wishes for whatever comes next xxx

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    1. I don't think I will disappear completely, hope to be back some day!

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  28. ah, well i have been away... in my own unfolding.. and missed hearing you left. never say never i say. ebbs and lows, soemtimes we need to ep away, and return refreshed.

    one thing i came to realise about online 'communities' is that the 'one' i belong to is the one with soft boundaries. rather than tribes, i think in terms of individuals.

    hoping that your time 'out there' is bearing fruit.

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    1. My time out is bearing fruit. I have reduced my online time to checking emails and learning Spanish! Just checking in here for the first time since late May ;)

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  29. Looks like I found your blog too late! I totally understand though, I have recently deleted all my social network accounts for similar reasons. It is like a huge weight has been lifted:) Enjoy the extra time you have & spend it in a way that makes you feel happy xxx

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    1. I hope to be back Sarah, I hope you will come back and read here when I return! Thank you for your kind words

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  30. I'm a crazy sporadic blog reader and blogger. I've enjoyed your blog and will miss your beautiful stories and photos, but I TOTALLY understand. This stuff can be such a time suck and kids grow fast. I've found Instagram posting much faster/easier than blogging lately and can spend as much or as little time as I wish there. In case you get to a spot where you need a friend, I'm katiemetzroth on IG. (I tried your email, but there seems to be a space in it? I would never expect you to mail me, but I was going to sling some nice thoughts to you via email. I'm katiemetzroth at hotmail dot com)

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  31. It shows that I'm very much at the edge of the blogging community and only checked your blog today to read your words. I totally relate to your thoughts on priorities, I too have moved away from blogging, though I can't bring myself to just stop, been blogging for years so it's hard to take such a step. I will miss your writing a lot, there aren't many blogs I read these days and yours was one of them. Like Yanic, I've moved to social media, which is less work and provides better connections than blogging in my case, although it's waning a bit too. Anyway, all the best, and if there is a way to stay in touch, I would love to. Steffi x

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    1. Thank you for your lovely kind words :). I am wrestling too with the idea of giving up, I knew I needed a pause but I am not sure I can stop completely either! I am hoping a wee break will give me a chance to reflect.

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  32. I too wrestle with the offline/online balance of life, especially as someone who also aspires to the simple way of living and parenting. Sometimes it feels right to eschew technology in favour of nature, the handmade and age-old rhythms of caring for family, but then, without it, how would I know there were so many people like me out there, ready to inspire and motivate me with new experiences and ideas?! Some of my favourite bloggers have taken a break though and returned refreshed so I'm hoping it will be the same for you?! Enjoy your family time. xxx

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