The three weeks I was away in America, I did not take my laptop. I planned to edit any snaps from the road on my tablet that is well stocked with photo editing apps.
But I didn’t.
I thought I would be able to use my fancy phone and upload my 10 on 10 as seen through Instagram from New York City.
But I didn’t.
I had every intention of staying “connected” as I traveled.
But I didn’t.
And my blog stats dropped.
I always thought I would care if my stats dropped as this is a big part of my business now, but I didn’t. I didn’t care. That is not to say that I am at all taking the ability to do what I do here for granted. Just the opposite. I needed to be refreshed. In the nearly EIGHT years since I joined Flickr and began my photo-blogging journey, I have never taken a break. We took laptops to Japan when Gemma was a baby (before phones had fancy cameras) and shared pictures from the road. I found a way to upload the first images of the twins the evening they were born despite not having internet at the hospital. Not once have I felt obligated or pressured to do so. I just did. I loved to share.
I blog and always have blogged like no one is looking.
But the fact is, people ARE looking and I take that responsibility of what I recommend here and share with you to heart. I don’t have a blogging schedule (other than the 10 on 10 that I missed so much this month!) because that has always seems forced to me. I am not an obsessive analytics checker, but I do have an idea where I stand on a monthly basis. I never let posting here get in the way of living my daily life, so I would never storm off the internet in a dramatic “taking a break” fashion. It has always just intertwined easily. But I was bored. I needed to get a new/sharper focus.I actually needed a break and had no idea.
So I am back and I am happily blogging and there have been lots of changes (I took up running!!!!) and I am excited again about my work. That includes the blog and what I am going to be sharing with you. I am giving myself a loose schedule so that I don’t get to the point of burnout again. I am scheduling balance. My work for Tamron is just starting to come out and it is forcing me to shoot new things…like wide angle in NYC! At home we are firmly ensconced in a world of American Girl Dolls and The Avengers. You might even see a new American Girl doll category on this blog…
I am glad to be back.
I will be running my first 5K in December of this year and I am doing it to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research. I will write more about it all soon, but if you have a dollar to donate, please click here and share.
Thanks for sticking around all these years…I appreciate you.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank YOU for all the inspiration and wit.
You are welcome…I will try my best to keep it up.
I’ve had one of those moments myself lately. I understand this often isn’t helpful, but I understand. And thank you.
Glad you understand.
Glad you are back, and yes, thank you! I have a question for you, as you have recently traveled. I know you posted about what you were taking, but do you have a post, or would you care to share, HOW you travel with your equipment? We are traveling US to UK and I want to take my DSLR rather than just my point and shoot, but I’m not sure the best and safest way to travel with this camera (I have always limited it to driving trips). Any help would be appreciated!!
That is a great question. If you are on Facebook, I think that would be a great place to answer that. I do not recommend checking the gear, so it must be carried on.
Consider it done! I presumed I would carry it on, but with everything else, I’m struggling to figure out exactly how.
I’ve always loved your perspective … From the first picture of beautiful light and a raggedy My Little Pony on Flickr. Breaks from anything is good … It makes me appreciate where I am after a good break. Thanks for sharing all that you do!
Thank you Kasandra.
I took a break from photography for 3 years. Then life changed… a lot. And I picked up the camera, and your book and I’m so in love with it all again! I know I’ve said it many, many times – But I am so grateful for finding you on Flickr those many years ago. You’ve always been a source of inspiration and proof that life happens, but that doesn’t mean you stop living
Thank you so much.
While I look forward to your posts, I definitely don’t expect a schedule. I follow you on Instagram, so the pictures (amazing!, by the way) are great to get a snapshot through your view. I find it ridiculous that people drop/unfollow/whatever blogs because someone doesn’t post every other day. Thanks for sharing your life, tips, advice, and whatever else with us readers. I manually added you through GFC and enjoy when your posts come up in my feed. Glad that life is going great for you and look forward to seeing your future through sharing.
Sometimes a break really hits the spot, and it sounds like this one did. Congrats on taking up running.
A break is sometimes all you need to get the mojo back. While traveling back home to Algeria I thought I would be blogging alll the time, sharing pics and thoughts. Instead I enjoyed being there and being surrounded by family and friends. It gave me focus .
I am glad to see you back.
BTW I rented the tamron 10-24 for a week drive test ;0)
Your post hit the nail on the head. It’s great to have you back, but sometimes a break is important. I started blogging about 2 years ago– when I left corporate law and started a family. It was my other “baby” if you will. I am not a writer, nor am I a photographer (though I did purchase your online book) or a food stylist. It was just a hobby. And I loved it. It gave me something to talk about other than strollers. And then, after 2 years, the hobby started feeling like a chore. But the blog has become our family journal, so I want to keep going…BUT, I have promised myself to limit myself to no more than two posts a week, without a schedule, taking a much needed “sabbath” every weekend. Sometimes leaving the camera and shutting down is just the thing.
I’ve been thinking about taking photography more seriously, and maybe even signing up for a course and teaching myself editing software. When I think about where I “want to be”- how I want things to look– your work comes to mind immediately. You have beautiful photos and a gorgeous family. Welcome back.
I know what you mean about just wanting to be disconnected for a while. I found the whole tech-lite thing quite easy when in New York. I was more interested in the experience than blogging about it. I did manage a couple of posts and a smattering of Instagrams, but mostly I just enjoyed being present.
Just leaving a simple thank you for putting up with those of us that stayed.. Group hug?
Welcome back, Rachel! Missed you so much