Blogging because you want to, about what you want to.
What sort of blogs do you read? I’m starting to realize there are more and more blogs out there that extend beyond the food blogs that I started reading more than a year ago. People blog about all sorts of things! So, what do you read and WHY?
I’ve been thinking a lot about what my blog is and why I write it. First and foremost I write because I enjoy it. It’s sort of a fun outlet for me. Secondly, I write to remember some fun things that have happened in my life… most recently being our wedding and the events that lead up to it. Whenever I’ve thought of giving up blogging, I started to get sad for the fact that i’d lose the posts that I wrote some of the biggest moments on. Like my first half marathon, my trips to Canada, the events of our wedding (like my bridal shower, bachelorette parties) etc. Surely, I could back those up or even print them out to keep them- but it’s fun to write about life’s big moments. Thirdly, I write to keep in touch with my family/friends who live in Canada. I know specifically that my Mom and Sister love reading to see what i’m up to- so it’s for them too!
Then there is the content. When I first started this blog, I wanted to be like the other food bloggers out there – and I often blogged about what I ate and how much I exercised. I think more and more I am straying away from that and I’m realizing that it’s not really for me. As someone who struggled with a food, exercise and weight obsession for a long time, it’s not practical for me to photograph everything I eat. Food to me, nowadays is just that. Food. It’s not something that I focus all of my energy on anymore, thinking about it, photographing it, researching it.
For the record – I am at a more stable place than I’ve ever been regarding those struggles that I went through, just incase anyone is wondering. Yea I have my days or even weeks, but eventually I come out on the other side.
So what’s up with simply fabulous then? I want this to become more of a lifestyle blog. I don’t want it to be just about the food, or just about the exercise or just about all things health. I want it to be an anything goes sort of place. In my opinion, being happy in life involves everything about life. Work, friends, relationship, your home, food, exercise, entertainment – you name it. So, if you see posts about a wicked book i’m reading, or a movie Steve and I saw – without a photo of what we had for dinner, don’t be alarmed. If you see a photo of a cute dress or some new make up i’m using without a photo of breakfast – it’s ok! I’m just moving away from the ‘photograph tons of food’ theme. Yea I love to cook & bake… it’s something I LOVE to do. So expect to see some kickass recipes or a batch of vegan cookies I made from ED&BV (Friday night, soooo good- Steve ate 7 of 9 of them lol). Sure I love to exercise, but what i’m trying to say is this blog is moving in the direction where it will focus on more than just food & exercise. And I hope that’s ok!
Another thing, I mentioned in last nights posts…. less is more.
Sometimes I get overwhelmed with being so busy that I can’t get online to post. But I want to. But once in a while I feel that I have to have a super long, informative, bla bla bla kind of post- and let’s face it- sometimes I just don’t have time for that. But, i’d rather post little tidbits than none at all because I enjoy it.
Yea this post is getting long, but hey I felt the need to explain!
I have a less is more outlook on a few other things lately…
1) EXERCISE
2) HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (hello, clean out!!).
3) SUGAR!
I’ll be back hopefully later to talk about those things!!
Thanks for your advice on indoor vs’ outdoor cats. You guys have given us a lot to think about. Yes we’re thinking of getting a cat. I always thought it should be an indoor cat, but Steve disagrees. He said he never heard of indoor cats until going to Canada. Apparently all he has ever known is allowing cats to run freely outdoors and coming inside as they please. I just have a fear of it getting hit by a car or some sort of disease. But, your advice was really great and the neighbourhood we live in is quite quiet so I think it’d be ok. We’d never get our cat declawed and would definitely make sure it had tags and flea prevention. We have some more thinking to do!
My cousin Dannielle is running her first half marathon today. GOOD LUCK DANNIELLE!!
Here we are at my wedding with my Sister!
ENJOY YOUR SUNDAY!
Well, it sounds like the ‘new’ Simply Fabulous will be just that. I kind of write about the same things – some food, some exercise, some whatever-else-I-feel-like-writing!
I think it’s great that you’re making some changes in your blog. People change, our interests change.. it’s only normal. Plus, it keeps things much more interesting I think.
My blog is primarly about me trying to be healthier. But being healthier includes everything in my life. The fact that I spend time with my family and friends, the fact that I went shopping for a dress for my brothers’ wedding, the fact that I love watching movies and tv shows, and even the photos I take (not of food!). Food, nutrition and exercise are something I’m pretty interested in too, so there’s obviously a lot of that. While I try to photograph everything I eat, sometimes it’s just not doable. And that’s ok.
I will most definitely keep reading.
As for you first question.. I read a ton of blogs! ahah I read a lot of fitness and nutrition blogs, but also photography blogs, lifestyle and fashion. Some musicians’ and actors’ blogs are pretty interesting too.
My google reader has a nice mix of blogs eheh
I love the idea of a lifestyle blog…and I guess with the exception of the recipes i post, thats what mine is too! The idea of a daily eats food blog never appealed to me, and i’ve found myself branching out too. I’m excited to see what you come up with!!
I think I tend to read more of whatever I’m feeling at the time. If I’m thinking more about exercise, I like to read posts that deal more with that aspect. If I’m looking for new recipes, I’ll check out those blogs. Of course, I have the blogs I enjoy reading just because I adore the person, their attitude, and their opinions, but I like to switch things up as well. We all have our own interests, and our blogs and reading choices relflect that!
Good luck to your sister!
xxoo
Heather
I agree sometimes less is more. Sometimes I felt I had to blog every single day even when I had nothing to say of importance. I want to include all the things I love in my blog besides food such as teaching, reading, movies, exercise, fashion, etc. I’m still working on it…I love learning as I go along.
i agree that blogs should be about life in general. i couldn’t imagine restricting myself to one small part of my life. obviously i blog more about what interests me more, but my blog posts are pretty varied.
I think it’s great you’re going to blog about exactly what you want, when you want! Blogging, after all, is supposed to be a fun hobby. The moment that changes, something’s wrong!
Beautiful picture
i think i’m a lot like you in some ways – the more i read/see on what other people are eating or doing, the more i think about it (which can be good AND bad).
i’m excited to see the new direction SF is taking, and can’t wait to hear your thoughts on “less is more” – i could use more of that in my life!
hmm… more of “less is more” … does that even make sense?
My blog serves as a place where I can write about my passions, food, wine, and travel. I write for work, but on less inspiring things. Maybe someday that will change. . . I throw in a bunch of everyday stuff too, but I don’t focus on every run I do or every morsel I eat. That would not be healthy for me, even if it is for others. I think as I read blogs for longer, it is nice to “get to know” people through more of a lifestyle blog. Like you wrote about wedding stuff leading up to your wedding, and I really wanted to hear about the big day then! Blogging should be fun and healthy as should blog reading. Sounds like I def want to keep reading yours!
I love that you are going to scale back to what fits for you now. I think you are an incredible woman…and that will come across now matter WHAT you discuss or how long your posts are!
Great post Leah, I know we will all read whatever you choose to right about! I agree that I feel silly writing about everything I eat, I’m not that interesting…. I am going in the direction of just posting interesting recipes, etc.
Also, you asked me about how my husband/family responds to my veganism… I’ve actually never talked about this in depth, but that’s a great idea and I’ll try to do that soon!
Hope you had a great weekend!!
I love the idea of a lifestyle blog
And I am so happy to hear that you are in a good place. Can’t wait to see what future posts bring!
I’ve stuck with a food-centered theme but always have random posts that I worry people are judging. Like, “What the HECK is she writing about now?!” But I have never had negative feedback–I think people like randomness to shake up the blogworld!
I feel like I could have written this myself! I keep thinking about my blog, and what I want it to be and what I should post, and I realized as long as I am happy with what I am doing, then it’s all good!
Do whatever works for you, I always enjoy what you write!