The Closing Of A Chapter

They say when one door closes another door opens. For me, reviving this blog is my new opened door, but before I get into that, let me tell you about how I have made my way back to the world of blogger. It has been ten years since I've opened this blog that has layed dormant, but not for the lack of interest but rather for a new adventure. You see this blog was originally an art blog that I started after leaving my job as an elementary art teacher to stay home with my youngest daughter. It was my way to work on my own artistic expression while sharing it with the world (or as I hoped). I eventually moved on to starting my own art business with a new online shop. For the following 10 years, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone as it is hard for me to promote myself...felt sorta icky even though I knew it wasn't. I dived in deep with social media sharing and promoting there all while building "my" community. My older daughters grew and moved out which gave me the opportunity to move into their bedroom they shared turning it into my full time art studio. I spend 5 days a week and sometimes weekends working in the studio, and working way into the night wasn't something foreign. My motivation and inspiration began to suffer as I began to feel like I had to force myself into the studio to work. If you are a creative then you know how hard it is to be creative when you feel empty and dry. One afternoon while sitting on the deck outside my home soaking in the warmth of the sunshine, I began really thinking. At this point in my life (as not just a mother and wife but also a Nonna to 5 grandchildren), what are my priorities? My youngest was coming to the end of her high school years and soon to fly the nest. I realized that I didn't want to spend the years I had left chasing an art career and spending my days alone in a bedroom while life continued to pass me by. So just as bravely as I started my business, I closed it. Yes, it took bravery to walk away from the years of work that was put into building my business while fighting the quiet voice that called me a failure for quiting. To be clear, I did not quit...I just chose a different journey. Here I am ready for this new simple way of life enjoying what I gave up for the chasing.

One of the things I gave up and deeply missed was my chickens. We (hubby and I) built our dream coop or at least our dream coop that would fit our suburban back yard, and we are chicken parents again!

Gardening, reading, sewing, diy home projects, cooking are some of the other joys that have been welcomed back into my life, and living the simple life has been wonderful. Now back to this blog... I recently deleted my Instagram accounts because it still begged for my atttention and boy it's a needy thing, isn't it? I contemplated whether I would just give up all socialmedia and live a quiet little life, but then I remembered this forgotten blog that was tucked away in the corner of the internet. What a nice place it would be to journal my ramblings without the demands of an algorithem or social competition. When I have something to share, I will share. When I do not have anything to share, I won't. Simple as that! If you have stumbled onto this blog and you are interested in all things simple living as well as some wellness (obsessed with health books), you are in a good place, and I value you visiting.