Simply because, in the decade I've been blogging things have become more, way MORE. And by things I pretty much mean everything. An increase in experience and clarity coupled with a desire to be more efficient have happened for me as a business owner. I would expect this, yes? But the amount of "things" I have to keep up with, keep track of and manage as a solo-preneur have reached a tipping point. I truly can't do it all and I'm sad to say that blogging has been one of them.
I have loved this space and still do. This is not an "I'm quitting" the blog post. It's just an explanation to my less frequent posting in months/years past.
Let's be honest, the blogging space has changed a lot since many of us started, and while I don't think it's going away any time soon or ever? the way in which we communicate and share or I should say the all of the ways {plural} have changed. They haven't become less but for many of us they became more, much more.
As a creative, an artist who likes to paint it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage my time between social media sharing/marketing and finding quiet time to create from an inspired space. Not good or bad, just how it is now. Rather than resist it as I've done in the past I've embraced it and given in to forging a new strategy on how to continue to evolve my business.
One of the other reasons it's been harder to commit to writing time here is also because I've added 2 additional start up ventures to my life and business goals as well. So in fairness it is not just the social media element, of what to post, when to post and wondering if anyone is really listening? that's hijacking all of my time - it's my choice of following inspiration and ideas that has the potential to take the story I started telling here to a much wider audience.
With all of that said I realize as I share this with you today, how nice it is to communicate through the written word. I love writing too. But right now I have to choose the easiest format for me to communicate my ideas and my work and lately it has been live streaming. Makes sense right? I've always enjoyed sharing via my voice, my spoken voice. I started this blog with a podcast back in the day. And this past year I found a medium that fulfills all of my expression in a much quicker format. Writing takes time for me. It takes much thought and editing on some days especially. Lately with so much going on, it's just felt easier to push a button and talk the thoughts I used to blog about, directly to you. And even better, you share back. I get engagement and community that I've missed here since the introduction of mobile devices.
And yet I know live streaming is new and not everyone is on Periscope or following videos on Facebook and reading is an experience far different than listening to and/or watching video. For this reason I don't want to miss those of you coming to visit me here either.
Remember? when all we did was keep a blog? it feels like it was so much easier back then? Maybe I should re-read old posts and realize I felt overloaded then too ;) I don't have the answers and I'm not sure where it's all headed - really ever? just trying to go with the flow and squeeze in as much as I can as long as I'm having fun with it all. What I am doing today actually is talking more about this subject of Blogging and What's Next? on my Facebook Page and my Periscope in - especially for those of us who've kept regular blogs for the past decade, like my friend Betz who's celebrating her 10 year blogiversary this month who inspired this live stream and this post ;)
The photo above is when Sean told me to take everything out of my head, write it down on index cards and use magnets and a white board to prioritize it. After years of listening to my constant state of overwhelm... he's been suggesting this...for a while. I finally did it, and it was an eye opener. Obvious, yet not? until I saw the pile of cards/tasks laid out in front of me - that I'm truly trying to do too much at once.
Not an overnight shift, I'm in the beginning stages of unraveling myself from the path I put myself on. While it may take longer than I hope especially as I see these new projects through - or maybe I'll just give into the juggling that I've gotten used to and call it my new normal - as this is not the first post about balance and overwhelm and it won't be the last ;-) I'll let you know how it's going.
In the spirit of not taking too much time to write, forgive the very conversational, not so carefully edited post. I'd rather say something then nothing at all for fear of it not being perfect enough. Something my experience with live streaming has taught me. Until next time! and for now, you can catch me Live Streaming on Facebook and Periscope and occasionally on Snap Chat. "See" you soon! and happy blogiversary BETZ! xo
