Making Good on Some Promises
Sometimes life gets away from me.
It’s kind of like an unruly dog. He snaps the leash and takes off running. I chase after him, the world a blur as it whizzes by…
A few weeks ago, I did a post that included quite a bit of food. In that post, I mentioned that I almost scrapped the post because I battled with myself over whether or not to post it at all. I promised to elaborate on that and so here it is – confession time.
I spent about a week thinking about that post but kept stashing it in my drafts because it was all about food. Why is that a bad thing? Well, it’s not. But at the time, I had a strange idea in my head that I could not post about food. Why not? Well, I’m not a “food blogger.” I have no culinary training. I have no authority here.
But who says so?
Pretty much only me.
After several days of debate with my Self, I remembered why I started this blog in the first place. I wanted to explore who I am and what I am all about. I wanted to write about the things I love, the things that I am passionate about, the things that bring me joy.
Food fits all categories. I love food for itself, but also for the connection it has to family and great memories for me. I thoroughly enjoy the process of planning meals, selecting recipes and menu items, and preparing the food. To me, food is about love and family and happiness. So…problem solved. Or not.
The next thing I got worked up about was whether or not my food posts followed “the rules” of food posts. I don’t know what these rules are or if they even really exist. But once again, there I was…getting in my own way.
And so I decided to get over myself. I put up my food post and went about my business.
And that’s pretty much it. It’s not earth-shattering. It just is what it is. But the whole thing reminded me that the only right answer is the one which leads me to discover more about myself. That’s where I got my title, The Meaning of Me – it’s about exploring Me and figuring everything out as I go along. Life is a process of constant growth. So that’s what I’m doing.
The moral of the story? Write about the things I love, the things I’m passionate about, the things that bring me joy. That’s it.
As for some of the other pending explanations or promised posts…well, they are coming. For real. I’m working my way through the drafts and doing some housecleaning. Dumping the unfinished business in the Drafts folder and ignoring it was much simpler. But I have learned that the only way to move past a huge and looming task is to just pick some part of it and get started.
Today I’m making good on the promise to explain my reluctance to put up a food post. Tomorrow, I’ll tackle another item from the leftover list and a Friday Favorites featuring the Fab Hub.
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Rules? Who needs them? Write what brings you joy and you will never be wrong. xo
You know, sometimes rules are just made to be broken. I definitely have the most fun when I just write what I feel like I need to say.
That’s the best way to approach it. Don’t over think 🙂 This is your space to use how you want.
I over-think like it’s my job! But yes, I definitely do best when I don’t do that.
I suffer the same struggle/over-thinking. But for me, it’s the opposite–I wrestle with posting things UN food-related. But like you, I came to the decision that my blog is MY space, dammit. I’m glad you took the leap!
Yeah that over-thinking gene is a killer. Have to keep telling myself not to think so much.
I have to come read your Minx Quotes when I am in a place I can sit and laugh out loud…I am sure they are going to be awesome. 🙂
I struggle with the same thing. I am always worried about if I am legally allowed to share a recipe and whatnot. I also have felt as if my blog has no real sort of direction, you know, I’m not a food blogger, or a craft blogger , or a style blogger, but sometimes I blog about those things because I am just sharing my life and my interests. I mostly just shrug my shoulders now and just write what I want, because the blog is really just a creative outlet for me, not some business I am trying to create. I’m really enjoying your blog and I think you should just keep doing what you want and not let any negative thoughts block this outlet for you.
Looks like a trend! Thanks for the kind words, Heather – glad you enjoy reading over here! I have quite enjoyed visiting your blog, too. This blog really is an outlet, an exploration. When I started I figured I’ll never know unless I try it! It’s been great fun and a sanity saver so far!
Bring on the food posts, I say. I am NOT a foodie, but I enjoy reading about other people’s food adventures. I rarely read food-only blogs, but I’m happy when someone who I read for other reasons shares something delicious. Plus, sharing interests is always interesting if you write about them well, which you do.
Thanks, Andrea. 🙂 What you said about food-only blogs was interesting – made me think. I do have a few food-only blogs I like, but I find that I keep them more as a resource than a daily read. Even if I look daily, I usually stop once I see what the recipe is.
Um…so maybe I need to think more. I seem to be the only one commenting who does NOT over-think. Sigh. I guess probably leaning too far in either direction creates a problem. Also, I am terrified to click on the link about rules for food blogging. I hate rules! Please don’t give me any more!
Sincerely,
Rebel without a Clue
Also, please tell me how to get a photo icon when I comment here, rather than the dreaded blue box.
You need to get a Gravatar. Gravatar.com.
Do not fear the rules link! It takes to you one of my posts about things one is not supposed to do on a school night. There is food involved.
It’s amazing what goes around in our heads that’s complete nonsense. A lot of the work of getting better at living is to clear our the rubbish rules that we’ve picked up along the way that don’t help but limit us. These rules probably never help anyone. A really bad one was my school motto – “What’s good enough is never any good at all”. That’s only ever any use for those who never want to try something new.
A good point, Peter. I’ve never liked that saying about good enough is neither good nor enough – or any other version of it. What ever happened to trying something and doing it to the best of our abilities, even if it’s not necessarily someone else’s version of success? Sometimes “good enough” isthe right answer. I, for example, am a fantastic procrastinator and a champion ADHDer. So I tend to end up with a large task to accomplish – say getting rid of the piles of STUFF in my home office or catching up on loads of laundry. With a large and daunting task like that, I may decide to ignore it because it’s too big or get distracted before it is finished. By finishing just one small pile of sorting and filing or handling one load of laundry, I can chip away at the project and gain a sense of accomplishment without overwhelming and frustrating myself. Therefore…good enough is indeed good enough and ends up being a definite positive.