A Very Honest Confession...

My name is Blair and I’m a blogaholic.

When I started blogging, I blogged for me -- as a way to look back on the joys of my week and to share them with family and friends. By the end of 2010, tired and restless, I realized that I was no longer blogging for me. I got pulled in by the followers, comments, status, and features. I sacrificed not only my professional life but also my personal – choosing to stare at a screen instead of reveling in my family, friends, and community. I set myself a strict regiment of daily posts and deemed them worthy only after reaching a certain quota of comments or new followers.

While I do adore the clothes and exotic designs I boast on my blog, they aren’t me. I own 2 things from Anthropologie (one a gift and the other from the clearance rack). I have spent hours in the past choosing what to blog on the next day only to settle on something I knew might interest my readers more than it really interested me. I’ve shied away from my faith, thinking I should not alienate myself from readers with different views.

Blogging used to be cathartic. Prior to my sabbatical, it was a stressor and quite literally was bringing me pain as I struggled with my sins of jealousy and impatience. Wild & Precious had become an idol. It saddens me to admit how much more attention I gave it than I did to my husband and to my God. I needed a break. Thank you for giving me the time and space I needed.

While blogging had become a stressor, I cannot begin to ignore the many blessings it has brought me. I have made a great community and have even made what I consider to be true friends. I have learned a lot from all of you. For that I give my gratitude.

I will continue blogging. It might look different that what you are used to. Honestly, I’m not quite sure what it will look like from here on out. There will still be some fun giveaways and reviews and a few regular features, but my New Year's resolution (for blogging and life) is to slow down. I know I might lose followers & comments might be few, but I am set on not letting my days be dictated by numbers. I will break free from blogging rules – my posts might be too long, too personal, uninteresting to the majority of readers, but they will be me.

I will pray hard to stick to this resolution as I know my tendencies to over do it will slip in and tempt me from time to time. I want to slow down – take time to cherish the world around me and this season of my life. God has been so dearly good to surround me with so many blessings, yet I speed by so many of them. I am excited for 2011. So many great things to come…

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Comments

  1. Bravo! I look forward to seeing and reading about a more authentic you. Cheers.

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  2. Excited for you! It's really brave of you to do! I'll be praying for you! you won't lose THIS follower! :D

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  3. Proud of you, ms. Blur!! Love you, friend.

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  4. You've definitely made the right choice and I applaud you! :-)

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  5. well welcome back firstly and happy new year. bring it on gorgeous, very brave of you! xo

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  6. I hope you know that I respect you so much for posting something like this. You are an amazing person Blair. Another thing that I hope you know is that you did not gain followers or comments because of the "blogging tactics". Even though you say that you weren't "you"...I know that the majority of your followers, including me, follow your blog because of the positive and open minded reminders you translate to us. Even through the blogging genres and personalities...I could still tell that you were a real person behind this blog and I appreciated your word. Wishing you a happy 2011 year too and I have taken this post as an advice to myself. You are awesome! :)

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  7. Good for you Blair! I look forward to all the changes! =)

    Melanie's Randomness

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  8. so happy you are back! i look forward to the changes!

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  9. 1. My name is Blair. And I just saw that someone called you "Blur"... also a nickname of mine.

    2. Good for you in your ability to find "yourself" in your blog... I hope to be able to do the same :)

    Happy New Year!

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  10. oh yes it's dangerously easy to get sucked into the blogging world...but always more important to live your life in the "real" world. blog when you feel like it and blog for you, no pressure!!

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  11. good for you for owning up to yourself and realizing the negativity it was bringing you. as a new blogger who struggles with the idea that lots of followers is a good thing, but trying to tell myself it's really not a big deal, this is a great post to read. thanks for helping me re-evalute my reasons for blogging (my business and for myself). you should be getting happiness out of what you are doing...not stress. good luck and let us know if you need help to stay in check! so much respect goes out to you for being honest!!!

    xoxo - Anna

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  12. I LOVE this resolution! I continue to struggle with my blog as well. In the beginning I used it to tell the funny stories of my travels. Then I got a new job and it became more of a journal for me. When I think what I write won't be entertaining for readers, I hesitate to push the "post" button.

    Thank you for your honesty! It helps me to keep my blog true to me.

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  13. I totally understand. It's so easy to get sucked in, and I've gone through similar phases myself. I'm determined to keep my blog just for me, and if nobody else cares, then that's fine. Wonderful post - and see? Sometimes the most honest and "true to you" posts reach the most people anyway. Look at all these comments! :-)

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  14. I love your honesty. Finding the blogging balance is a bunch of give and take but I'm sure you'll find the middle ground. And your loyal readers love you- not just for your giveaways, so if you stopped doing some things on here we'll still read as long as it's you. And your opening with your faith is always refreshing and welcome.

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  15. 2011 is gonna be a good year for yall :)

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  16. You are truly amazing! I am so happy for you and I truly adore your blog and you. I am looking forward to hearing from you in anyway you post. Thank you for your honesty, we all know the world needs more of it! xoxox

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  17. I look forward to reading future posts that are more "you". I enjoy getting to know the blogger for who they really are. I think it's great that you have decided to start blogging for yourself again, and I totally understand the way it can suck you in and take time away from God and your family. We have been snowed in for two days, and I have been trying to make an effort to spend this time with my family, and not be on the computer so much.

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  18. I know I will still be here reading. Love your raw truth. Many blessings...and numbers-schmumbers!!!!

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  19. Your honestly is truly inspirational. I can't wait to see all the changes, I know they will be just as amazing as you are. I love your blog and am so glad you are back! xo, Kels

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  20. Blair,
    You are brave, honest, and inspiring.
    Its honorable to take control of your life again no matter how hard - but I can guaranty you will be a blessing for many reading this!
    And this is one follower that won't be going anywhere!
    <3

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  21. what a great post! thanks so much for sharing blair! i think a lot of the times this happens and i have to say i felt the same way at first but yes as the new year sets in i too want to slow down...the blog is for me and to support my creative side and nothing more. if people want to share their thoughts then great! cheers to a new year that is filled with stopping and smelling the roses and doing what makes us happy and healthy! we are here to support you so bring on those posts that you think will be "boring" as i am sure they will not be! learning more about you is always so much fun!

    xo,
    cb

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  22. So glad you shared this, Blair! I, of course, love reading your blog, and will continue to read until the day you stop! :)

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  23. yayayaya good for you sister. thats why I titled my blog "for me" from the beginning. i have similar tendencies to people please and wanted to just do it for me. if others join in, great :) if i dont post for a few days, no worries :)

    excited about the NEW Wild and Precious :)

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  24. Blair! I adore your honesty. Thanks for sharing this. I cant wait to see more of YOU :) I smiled real big seeing you had posted! I have missed you but understand the needed break. Love you, sweet friend! <333

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  25. Blair:

    Perfect! You should be blogging for you, not anyone else:-) I often lose sight of this too. Excited to see where things go! And never let it get in the way of you living life!

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  26. Thank you for your honesty. I myself have struggled with this issue in the past (recent), and I get discouraged easily. My own resolutions for my blogging life is the same as you -- to slow down.

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  27. Looking forward to more 'you'. Enjoy it and be yourself.

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  28. It is hard to really be you on your blog, isn't it?? I find myself censoring my own writing for fear of losing readers, commenters, etc., but that's silliness. I think people like authenticity, though, and those readers are more lasting anyway ;)
    xoxo J

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  29. what a sweet and honest post -- thanks so much for sharing. looking forward to more "you" this year! lots and lots of love!

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  30. Welcome back & congrats on the epiphany! I know I'll probably continue to read, it's cool to know we'll be getting to know the more "real" you soon!

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  31. You know, that is really amazing of you. I used to stress about not having many followers at all and I tried to please the blogging community. But my attempt did not work as well as yours. In the end, I deleted the posts and started over with what I had always wanted to write about, or to share with the world. Congrats to you, Blair. It's worth it, believe me.

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  32. I applaud your honesty! I think a lot of bloggers have taken a step back after the turn of the year to realize they spend too many hours behind the computer instead of living their life... Way to put an end to it and being true to yourself!

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  33. Girl, I'm not going anywhere! There are too many interesting things happening this year! See y'all Sunday.

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  34. I love that you've given us this honest post! And honestly, I think we can all relate! I know I definitely get caught up in the blogging world so much and can easily forget the more important things. It's always good to keep that balance, and if you can't - to step back and take the time needed to regain that balance. I'm so glad you did, and that you've come to this more contented place with it all now :)

    Keep doing it for yourself, and all the people who really support you will stick around! :) All the good things that have come from blogging will stay with you, as you do this all for yourself :)

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  35. Blair, I love your blog and have so much respect for you. I can't wait to hear more about what's happening to you personally and in your walk with Christ... especially since I never had the personal privilege of hanging with you at camp and never got to know you that way then.
    You are wonderful friend!

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  36. hi blair! good for you, pretty lady. i'm looking forward to seeing more of/from you :]

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  37. How incredibly heartfelt and honest. I know how easy it is to get sucked in, to become so engrossed in the blog world that your own reality becomes a blur. All the best for 2011 and above anything else, be true to yourself and your loved ones. :)

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  38. Hooray for doing what's best for you! I've been epically less active with blogging lately, too, because of burnout and life in general -- it's surprising and beautiful how the best blogging buddies stick around regardless!

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  39. Aw honey, it's good you realized this wasn't you. Looking forward to see your futur posts!

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  40. Hi, my name is Debby and I too am a blog-aholic. It's funny how quickly you can get wrapped up in it. Nice to see you back and I enjoyed your honesty. You take Wild and Precious in whichever direction works for you... I for one will not be going anywhere!!! xo

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  41. i admire your honesty. this will be great and yuou won't lose followers.

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  42. AMEN!! this is exactly how i feel too.. down to every single sentence sweetie!!! i think it's soo easy to get caught up in it all! but now that you have a baby on the way, i think u do need to focus on your health and your family!!! don't worry, we will all still be here!!!!

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  43. Wow, what a great post. This is exactly how I have been feeling as well lately, and I just have a small little blog. It's so easy to get stuck behind the computer all day, and that's not a good way to live. Good for you!

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  44. Wow Blair. I love you MORE now.
    oxoxo
    Denalee

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  45. Ahh, wow this hits so close to home it's ridiculous. I've been feeling the same thing, but couldn't put it into the right words. Thank you for sharing.
    Praying for you!

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  46. Thank you so much for your honesty, Blair! You should write about what you love...and no matter what that is, I know I'll enjoy reading it, and following your journey!

    Liesl :)

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  47. I am excited to see what the new year holds for your blog! I've enjoyed reading it for a while now, and I'm sure I'll love it as much or even more with the upcoming changes!
    salonjuleen(at)gmail(dot)com

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  48. I am excited to see what the new year holds for your blog! I've enjoyed reading it for a while now, and I'm sure I'll love it as much or even more with the upcoming changes!
    salonjuleen(at)gmail(dot)com

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  49. You are so cute!

    Congrats on the baby!!!!!!

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  50. Yeah, i think just as long as you stay true to YOU, you'll be really surprised just how many people can relate to you and your faith or what you like or dont like.

    Sometimes I wonder if sharing Jesus on my blog makes some readers shy away from reading, but often times, it's quite the opposite.

    ;) Thanks for the honesty!

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  51. Hi there! I found this post from reading your 'Tips for New (and maybe even old) Bloggers' post from this week. Both were VERY helpful as I am brand new to the blogosphere and am still learning and developing my own blog. Both posts have really inspired me because I realized that even though I just started I haven't been blogging for myself much! Sheesh! Anyway, I am planning a post of my own about what I learned from yours and just wanted to let you know that I will be linking to your post(s). Thank you for your honesty!

    - Jen

    cairelchronicles.blogspot.com

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