one from the heart.
i’m gonna be honest here, it’s been a rough week. maybe it started with tax payments (yuck) but it just seemed like the whole world was feeling grumpy and some of that crashed down on me. you know how it is. some days you can take it — no problem. bring it on! and other days, you’re sensitivity is heightened and the world feels disappointing and feelings get hurt and you just feel like crawling under the covers and waking up three days later and finding it – ahhhh, all better.
i also feel tired. trying to keep up a daily blog without a vacation, or a weekend to speak of (i work almost every single day), i think i’m a little burnt. i find with technology moving faster and faster there’s a constant need to keep up and sometimes, you just want to lay down in a grassy field and look for shapes in the clouds and not think about it all. i think i need one of those days.
i love being here each and every day — i just think in order to make pretty posts for you, that haven’t been seen all over pinterest, or tumblr or other blogs, i need to bring you more original content. and i’m working on carving out more time so i can bring you that — shooting new homes for you to view, and inspiring images to hopefully make you say ‘ooooh’.
i’m sure you get like this too from time to time? what do you do to refuel? any ideas for me? i could use a little reader guidance right about now. thanks guys! xo, v.
*addendum: thank you all so, so much for all your kind comments, thoughts and ideas. i took the day off today and am feeling much better. you guys are everything i need sometimes. xo
xoxo
go lie in a field with lucy on this sunny, lovely day. you more than deserve it! your content is always beautiful and fresh, but i’m excited to see what you dream up while lying in that grassy field with sweet miss.lucy!
take the weekend OFF! xo
I hear you!! I post every weekday, take my own photos, edit, etc. and find it hard to keep on top of my posts. Ideally, I’d like to have two weeks prepared and uploaded in advance, so that I have some spare time for other things I love to do, or do nothing at all, but I just can’t seem to get to that point. Luckily, I am still feeling chirpy…
Victoria, why not take a couple of days off from it all, recharge your batteries and resume once you’re ready to? I’m sure your readers will understand and not mind! (which is not saying that we’ll miss your posts terribly, hahaha!)
I am truly sorry to hear you had a rough week. That’s no fun! But it definitely happens to the best of us…
To battle overwhelming weeks or negativity in general, I take a walk, read a book or close myself up in a room alone with an aromatherapy candle and sing my heart out to a beautiful song or two. Anything to escape from it all…
Best wishes for a better week come Monday!
Ahh Victoria, I feel for you. You work so hard on your blog and it shows everyday, but every human needs a break – a real one, not just the couple of hours of sleep a night. My only suggestion would be to truly shut down your laptop, phone, twitter etc. and take a real break. Be it a day or two or even better a couple of days. It will be hard at first, but it’s the only way you can re-energize. Your readers will understand and appreciate that you take time for yourself as well.
Fingers crossed and wishing you a good weekend (a real one)
I hear you girl, same problem here… And actually, it seems like the whole world had a proper Shit Week… I work every day crazy hours as well so Im not the right person to come with good chill out ideas…. But this evening I’m going to accompany my writing with some red wine and dark chocolate and just for you I will even set aside 68 minutes to watch ‘Man With a Movie Camera’ by Dziga Vertov. Maybe that is a good advice actually. Watch a really good movie and justify it with the fact that you it gives you writing material… Write a movie review hihi. Thanks for sharing, I feel less lonely in my April misery <3
Drive to Muir Beach, tun off your phone, put your feet in the sea, settle on a blanket and read some silly escapist fiction, gather sea glass, stop at The Pelican for a pint before you head home :)
YES! ahhh….. Muir Beach….
I feel for you Doll! I have had those days, weeks- luckily not months- every so often. The daily grind just gets to you some times. I find that focusing on something completely different for a while really helps me get through. I read a book or listen to a podcast series about history or science, both of which I love but hardly ever get a chance to seriously delve into. Ted Talks are a great resource about a broad range of topics. I am even considering exploring the world of math- which has long been my nemesis. Spending some time exploring a new & interesting subject can really shake things up & open some new channels of creativity. Best of luck!
How about a mid-week holiday for you: say a wednesday or a thursday where you don’t post at all? or a friday that JUST consists of a recap of the best-of the week and your “happy weekend” image? we could live with that if we knew it’s helping you recharge, not burn out, get some downtime, all of that… Seriously, I don’t know how you do it. A blog as personal in style as yours is a representation of your core personality, but it is hard to live up to that upbeat,’best-of-yourself’ person day in and day out!
I can totally relate! Lately it just feel like I’m phoning it in. I’ve been trying to step away for short periods of time and take some time for myself, I find that really helps!
I take two days off. Not one, but two. That way work thinks I really was sick and I get back in touch with myself. I just did it this week actually. And it gave me a thread of myself back.
Aah – there’s definitely something that happens, recharge-wise, when you take that time to lay in the field. :) Maybe take your camera with you to snap the clouds while you’re there? ‘Work’ that doesn’t feel like work always gets me inspired, again… :)
I second Gia’s opinion; take two days off, and just give yourself space to breathe. You can always bring in guest bloggers that you admire, or just let your readers know that you truly need some personal time. Go to a bookstore, buy your favorite magazines, eat only your most beloved foods. When I’m down, a few days spent getting in touch with my own desires and joys makes me feel renewed.
Ah, Victoria… I’m so sorry to hear you’ve had a crummy week. You’re definitely not alone in feeling overwhelmed and blue on occasion. I really believe in approaching it exactly as you have done… being open and honest, soliciting comfort and words of wisdom from friends… it helps to not feel isolated and is a great first step. It looks like it’s going to be a glorious weekend here in SF, so why not take a spontaneous vacation? While I love the idea of more of your fantastic original content, I hope you can find a way to do that without sacrificing your needed down time. I don’t know about blog economics, but maybe more original content would make up for less frequent posts? (This reader says yes!) You have an eye and a voice that I find entirely original and refreshing and I hope you can find the balance you need to keep it coming, while also keeping it fun for yourself. Take good care!
I feel my best when I am eating well and exercising – but unfortunately my mind usually takes over when I am feeling overwhelmed (ugh grad school!) and i tend to throw my healthy habits out the window! but sometimes something as simple as a big ol glass of ice water can make me feel like a new person… nerdy but true.
you have some pretty amazing followers, victoria….with wonderful advice. xo
i do indeed. so lucky. xo
thank you guys all so much – such lovely advice here, and i’m feeling better already. love your ideas. xo
I am so sorry you have a rough week, I really hope you have better days : ) , when I have days like that I just take one day to do nothing just me and my pajamas, I play with my son and the dogs ( Rocco and Lucas ) in the carpet. I hope you feel better, have lovely weekend, big hug!.
This has been a cr*ppy week over here too. For me the best thing to do is to do something different to get myself out of this mood. My other co-worker (who is in the same boat) just decided we are going to see a friend’s concert of choral music. Maybe spend some quiet time with beauty–whether its the beach, a walk, or a good book. Sometimes I like to be a day tourist in my own town–because I don’t have the time or the money to take a vacation–that can be fun too. :-)
One of the reasons your blog is so wonderful is *because* of all the time and care you spend on it. There are other good blogs that cover design out there but yours is one of the best! :-) I hope you spend some time recharging your batteries this weekend. Much love to you and Miss Lucy!
Chin-up! Sounds like you need a break. I recently found myself without internet for an entire Saturday afternoon, I read a book in the sun & it felt so decadent & refreshing. I highly recommend it. Line up some guest posts, take a few days & go play outside!
Totally know what you mean. And pinterest, being all awesome and all, well does bring that feeling that we always need to be better and faster and beat each other up to the pretty stuff. It’s tiring. But I guess that’s the reality of things and we need to figure out how we’ll cope with that. To recharge, I usually unplug my computer for the day, get out (usually with my camera) and go do things that I never do. And go visit friends. Because hanging friends are just the best way to forget about the crappy stuff. Feel better soon!
Yep, we’ve all been there, and you know that it is temporary, since everything is.
My advice. Go somewhere new. I love new adventures even the localish ones.
Bring your best girl or sister too. Always good for laughs.
thank you sincerely for sharing this. (from the heart posts are my fave) and i know how you feel and i dont think you should ignore those feelings. that is your mind, body and soul telling you Hey! Slow down! Go lay in a field of grass already!! these days i think it’s hard not to get caught in the hamster wheel of social media and self promoting, especially when you are so passionate about what you do. BUT in order to remain inspired, you need to renew yourself somewhere that inspires you (not the internet!!) i like to step away from my phone and computer for a day. or a weekend. i go places that make me happy and talk to new people. i avoid looking at design or fashion magazines. i stay away from any conventional “inspiration” and instead let inspiration come to me (or not!) from real and original places. turn off the tv, turn on some feel good music (jazz or reggae does it for me). take a nap. sit at a cafe. lunch by yourself or with friends who make you laugh. most importantly, ENJOY LIFE and feel gratitude for the moment you are living in.
You have such wonderful taste and style, and clearly so many interesting friends who love you, I would love to see more original content about you and your home and your life, Victoria! I am sure there is something in every nook of your own home that would inspire a post. Happy weekend, it sure is beautiful out! xoxo
I have always loved your blog – found it years ago via Apartment Therapy. Thank you for sharing from the heart. I always imagined that working full time on a blog would be so much fun and even a little bit glamorous! I work full time and try to post something on my virtually “unknown” blog everyday – it is very difficult – overwhelming at times.
It seems like you need to take a weekend off and relax without thinking of blog ideas! Pack your bags and stay at a quaint B&B or visit friends. If time is a factor – enjoy a guilt free dessert or pretend you are a tourist and explore something new in your city (sans camera)!
I hope that helps!
Sorry to hear that. So many of us get inspiration from your site. We likely think your job doesn’t have stress as you can work from home and make your own hours but I imagine it has its own set of stresses. If eating doesn’t work, try http://www.virtual-design.com. There are several items under the demos tab which are interactive, harmless fun and usually make me laugh. You had advertised the trip to Cinque Terre in June. Is this a trip you’re planning? If so, planning for that, which isn’t far off, would go a long way. I hope to accompany them next year.
Some of my most favorite bloggers don’t post every day! Get some rest and don’t worry. The readers who really appreciate you and your amazing taste won’t care.
Oh, I am sorry to read that you had a “merdy” week. Take some days off, hey, you can come over, I’ll blog for you while you relax with a glass of French wine… Hope you feel better soon. Enjoy your weekend!
Well I can sympathize with the pinterest dilemma. I think it probably has become so big- that everyone has seen in one way or another the same images. It’s an open catalog/magazine. So have you been told lately that you are a fantastic blog host, and take great photos!? Well you are and you do. I would post less. I think you can get the same amount of information out there in 3 or 4 days. I have a friend who has a blog called La Dolphina. (check it out), and she posts all her own images (most of the time) and she post’s just a few times a week. It’s too hard to be married to technology. One- it’s lonely and two it’s bad for your back. If you want a business on the side on-top of blogging that might be something to do as well. There is nothing worse than the “stay at home” doldrums. It’s human nature. I can relate. Trust me. I am creative and work very part-time. I have especially felt this has been a shitty week and that I could some Calgon. It must be in the air. Calgon take me away! Maybe you could have retreat day once a week and bring back photo’s of your retreat. Or force us to give you some photo’s of our retreat day and you can use them.
I have a small–make that tiny–blog and I think we all struggle with this burnout. A key to remember is that your life should inform your blog. If you take off a day and don’t post, life will not be lost. But the next day just might be that much more interesting. Thank you, by the way, for sharing the volumes of amazing images, etc. that you do post. Cheers!
It’s the weirdest thing, but it seems like this icky-ness of feeling run down and slightly un-inspired has been making it’s rounds through the fashion/lifestyle blogging community. I’ve been feeling like I just can’t seem to catch up this week…my productivity level has been waaaay down and I feel like my posts havent been quite what I want them to be this week (I post every day as well). I find myself getting burnt out with all the social media craziness and the constant self-inflicted pressure to keep getting better and better at what I do. I also compare myself to others waaaay to much. Anyway, point is I know exactly what your feeling :) To make myself feel a little bit better I did a post devoted entirely to my dream getaways, a vacation post of sorts.
<3 Kate
http://www.theforgetfulwife.com
I know the feeling very well, we think that if we stop people are going to forget about us, or guilty if we don’t work 24 hours a day. I have made the firm decision of taken Friday easy, work till 11, then I go to my amazing Pilates class at 1pm, if weather allows walk back home for an hour, stroll the market for some vintage finds and good food to cook at home. If I feel like a nap i will have one, and carry on working if that is what my body is inclined to do.
This morning I hesitated whether or not I should stay and work all day, and you know, I sent an email out saying that things will be done on Monday, and that is ok.
I am constantly thinking of the new product, the new collection to launch etc…and I need to stop in order to enjoy what i do fully and don’t get stress unnecessary. We age a lot by being constantly under pressure, I just turned 41 and have realised my body, soul and mind are as important as building the business and paying the mortgage are, so take it easy and do not worry we will be here, waiting for your posts to come whenever they are ready. Nice weekend Marga
Oh girl, I hear you…I ve been working like crazy (taxes too yuck!) and with three weeks and a half for my due date Im about to explode (literally and figuratively!). Working 6 days a week, on Sunday I plan to have a wonderful croissant breakfast, buy me some fresh flowers, read every possible fashion magazine, have a bubble bath, do my nails and make the longuest siesta ever..
The little things that make my week bearable!
cheer up sweetie! Weekend is here!
:)
First of all, you rock! You are the Grand Dame of Blogging and an inspiration to so many of us. Second, you are human. And no matter how much we love these shiny gadgets and the virtual world they connect us to, you still need time with the earth & the sky. So, go out there and breath a little. Post a few old favorite posts from the past and let the blog sit for a day or two. We’ll be waiting. Live to blog another day!
I so relate to you on this – as far as the sensitivity thing goes this week. Must be something in the air! Perhaps you need to give yourself a week or so off??? I am always inspired by you and have been for so long. Thank you.
Victoria, you do such an amazing job here on the blog and bring us so much inspiration! All of your readers truly appreciate the hard work you do and unique perspective you provide. I’m with the other commenters who recommend taking a few days off to recharge and post some of your favorites from the past on those days. On your days off, don’t think about the blog. Don’t photograph things with the blog in mind, don’t go places that are worth writing about, don’t make it work. Make it about YOU and your well being. Head to Palm Springs and hug some chickens or something. :) We love your work and respect your need for personal time!
When I am feeling overwhelmed and strung out I try find other things to think about than whatever I am stressed out about. I fill my brain with other people’s stories. I watch lots and lots of good movies and TV shows, read books that have nothing to do with anything I am working on. I listen to This American Life and Radio Lab episodes while I walk on the beach. Hearing other people’s stories has a way of reigniting the spark. It forces me to see connections that I might have otherwise missed.
This blogging thing is relentless, a few recycled posts might give you some time to breathe and will still be inspiring, especially for those of us who haven’t followed you for all that long.
Its Spring – think of how hard it must be for the flowers, trees and bushes to sprout all of those beautiful flowers. It is not an easy time for any of the species I imagine. Spring is a time to rest when you need to – all of your loyal fans will anxiously await your return.
oh I hear you! I work as a freelance designer and therefore often take on too much which leaves me working pretty much 7 days a week. what stresses me most though, whenever i have some spare time i feel i should be doing all the things i never seem to have time for but the lack of energy only has me staring at the screen for hours : /
whenever i get to that stage and i feel i need a break i really do get away from it all … no computer, no emails, no facebook for a whole weekend. it feels so refreshing and come monday, i notice i haven’t even missed all that much!
i really love reading your blog and love your sunday stroll posts from S.F. always makes me wanna grab my camera and make me want to go out and shoot my neighbourhood or city!
Cut back! I am an avid follower of your blog and two others and it is hard for me as an interested reader to read all you have posted and those others I follow. Sometimes less IS more. i would rather see fresh, new, exciting ideas fewer time per week. What if you only posted on Monday and Wednesday and then did a weekend round up!
i’ve determined this is a universally shite week, so don’t take it personally ;)
i LOVE the content of your blog, but even as a newbie to blogging i can totally appreciate how much time your posts must take to put together… i’m about to call time on 7 day blogging… i just don’t think it’s conducive to optimum battery levels or creativity! so, saturday is about to become my day of rest… though i think weekend blogs are a relatively untapped outlet, so i agree with didi and would recommend a weekend round up for sure!
as much as taking a weekend off to spend time with a cherished friend will give you a much needed rest, perhaps it is time to think about how you are doing things? Maybe get an assistant
or an intern that could put in 10 hours a week? Listen to your body & heart. As one who has been there & pushed myself by working too much for years ( yes, it was my own business) just take a deep breath & pay attention to how you are feeling.
It feels so much better knowing I’m not the only one having an exceptionally bad week. I think your ideas for posts are great. I find it really shows when a blog post is based on a personal connection in the real world. I’m excited to see what you come up with!
For me the best antidote to being super-duper stressed is taking of on an impromptu road trip. To anywhere. It feels SO good to bust our of your routine and leave without planning ahead or telling anyone!
Just chime in to say you work your pretty b… every single day and it shows! I would never compare your blog with pinterest it gets so busy that it’s just noise and nothing gets inmprinted the way your posts and features do! If you have fresh ideas take your time to develop them. Try to get some intern help, to cover up basics and focus on your dreams!
That concept in blogging was discussed at Alt and frankly it bugs me. I do not care if my favorite bloggers take 3 months, 6 months, or a year off. When they return I am here for them, and that is what matters doesn’t it? Blogging has gone way too commercial and that is not what it should be about. Bring it from the heart, not a burnt one.
I wasn’t at Alt but I couldn’t agree more about being there for bloggers if they take time off. I got burned out last December and I have only posted on my blog a handful of times since then. There is so much pressure internally & externally to be ON and PRODUCING all the time and it is unhealthy. I love all the advice here in the comments to rest and recharge but I want to challenge you to do it regularly and share that with us too. You will not lose the readers if you take care of yourself, in fact I think you will gain more loyalty from your readers and you will inspire us to take care of ourselves too.
Hi there! I haven’t posted up until now although I have been enjoying your bits of goodness on my google reader for a while now! I though this post deserved a comment!
Don’t worry about taking some days off. Most people don’t have time to read every day, so if you post less often it will give them more time to soak in the goodness! I agree with many of the other readers who say that less is more sometimes!
Remember, this is supposed to be fun!
The key for me is to not resist that feeling of Overwhelm or Blah or Why? or whatever it is that is nipping at my heels. “Oh hello, nice to see you again” is what I try to say, instead of rejecting it—the feeling—me. I go slow. I read. I walk. I make tea. I look through all my idea notebooks and I wait without telling myself I’m a loser. You are so talented—I cannot imagine that you don’t need some kind of hibernation from time to time. You bring magic on a daily basis so it’s understandable that you have a tide going in and out. I can’t wait to see what your next wave of wonder brings!
I will echo everyone else here and say take some time to yourself, you deserve it. A lot of the bloggers I follow take the weekend off, you should too! We will all be looking forward to an inspiring Monday post from you all refreshed and all. Do it!!!!!! Have fun, we will all still be here when you get back.
V.
The tax man cometh it is true! I will tell you, when the days you describe descend on the East Coast, I always read your blog and that is the game changer! No lie. So anything I can do to give back to you let me know…Also, this is hilarious but my daughter was looking at something on the tumblr or the instagram…and there was a picture of Lucy, your Lucy that someone re-posted. I shouted out “Oh my God, its LUCY!” like A. I know your dog and B. I know your Dog!!!! It was how people react to seeing Justin Beiber but it was Lucy. So know you are doing an amazing job and make the world a better place one post at a time.
Also having lost my pops around the same time as you lost yours, there is a point between the three and six month point that it becomes kinda dicey. Not sure why…reading Joan Didion helped me, but then again if the grocery dude gives me a silently judgmental stare, reading Ms. Didion makes that better too…
xo
So many people have said this, but you need to unplug. Start with an evening. You put a lot of work into this blog but taking time for yourself is important. Just getting away from your computers and devices will help you feel better.
As plenty of the peeps have mentioned, it SHOWS how much work you put into your blog. Thanks lots. And after years of fighting my own need for regular quiet time, I’ve learned to realize that downtime benefits the folks I’m otherwise working with as much as it does me. Downtime might feel a bit selfish, but really it’s win-win for everyone.
Your blog is such an inspiring read for so many – it’s no wonder you feel the need to refuel! I go through stages of becoming totally addicted to the internet and then I have a few days where I need to go offline. I usually read books when I step away from the computer. I try to find a sunny or warm spot and curl up for a good couple of hours escaping somewhere else! :)
i’ll put it to you straight, V. i’m a blog whore, i mean truly, hard core. and your blog is the first and last one that i visit every day. even if you’re featuring something that i’ve seen elsewhere, the difference is that i trust you. your sense, your taste, your style. and you have a very “Victoria” way of putting your own spin on it. rest and breaks are essential for creativity & clarity. never, ever deny yourself of that. your heart & soul needs it., and we all understand that & feel your pain. big hugs! oxo ps. your idea of looking for shapes in the clouds has inspired me to do the same. i miss taking those moments. awwww.
Wow, what great readers you have! :)
I didn’t see my suggestion for you, so here goes… It’s supposed to be FABULOUS all weekend, so take Lucy and head out to the Marin Highlands or some point in the East Bay and enjoy :) There are great parks with special areas for dogs too, so you can hear the kids screaming and get in touch with your inner kidlet. I have a 5 year old so looking for shapes in the clouds is a definite YES in my book (I do it more than he does).
I just came by after landing on Centsational’s blog, will come by again soon!
~H
soooo on the same page, girl. but i have done the same as you… take a day off. it helps so much to get away from the computer screen and breathe some fresh air. i had woken up to 64 unread e-mails this morning.. and i just emptied it last night! i know the pressure of keeping up with technology too, but man it would be nice if we could make the world stop for a bit. anyway, have a good night dear. i’m a new reader to your blog (bri emery too) and just adore the both of you. you’re inspiring a young san-francisco-soon-to-be-fidm-grad to do her thang. so when you feel down and tired, remember that!
take care,
gloria
Our router died on us this week so we were forced to spend four days offline in our home / freelance work spaces. I was on deadline but managed to send critical files from elsewhere. Honestly, it felt really nice to be offline for a bit. I’ve considered having a tech-free day, once a week, in the past. This mandatory occasion had me wanting to try it all the more. Perhaps that is something that might refuel us both. Wishing you the best, Victoria. It can be hard to find a balance at times.
bonjour ! i’m very late in answering your post but just a note to let you know that every single time i’m coming on your blog it’s like tasting an ice cream….. i just enjoy every moment from the idea of planning to visit it, to look at it…. and after having seen it :)
Take a rest !! don’t blog during the week-end, you deserve it ! we can wait !!
M E R C I !! and a big hello from Geneva/Switzerland :)
corinne
Hi there! You are a constant source of inspiration to me! I can’t even tell you the millions of ways you have influenced my life and my business, so thank you.
To relax and recharge and become inspired sometimes we need to use our bodies to work out the physical. My suggestion is to try a new yoga class, sign up for a group hike or just do something new to get out and get moving! We can have some of the most amazing breakthroughs while sweating it out. It gives our minds a chance to rest when our bodies require full attention. Enjoy!
Dear Victoria, thank you so much for your honesty. It is good to hear that even as inspiring people as you need a break from time to time. I think you really really deserve breaks – your work here is great! And I do not think you’d lose your readers if you didn’t post every single day.
Your post are so wonderful and it’s clear you are passionate and care about what you do but you also need to nourish yourself and recharge. I discovered juicing and I found it gives mE that extra energy I need to deal with life…..it’s demands and it’s ups and downs. Just the boost in well being was amazing. Dr Joel fuhrman is the doctor who is using juicing to reverse disease. Just incredible. Well that’s my trick..good luck and thank for the beautiful inspiring posts.
I too write a blog but not as often as you. A lot of work and thought goes into each post and it always shows in your blog. I save your blog each morning until I have my coffee in hand and a lovely quiet space to just drink in all the lovely photos and commentary. SF Girl By Bay is one of my top 3 blogs.
Take some time for yourself … your loyal readers don’t want you to burn out.
Meg
thanks for sharing your feelings, that’s why your blog is so great and such an inspiration. friday must have been a present to any of us in SF because wasn’t it stunning!?
your notions of more personalized content is going to be more time, but i think more a creative force for you and might actually fuel your pace in a way that is more instinctively -you. for all the pain of last week, something also sounds like the start of a new chapter? like many of your fans- i’m willing to read them all!!
WOW, you are loved and deservedly so! Tax time….argh…man, do we feel it. Ouch. Thinking of you and hoping you take needed time for yourself to refresh. We love you and will give you that time and btw…YOUR posts are always inspiring and seemingly always fresh! I don’t know how you do it, besides REALLY hard work, but you do! Love your creative eye and appreciate you. Enjoy sweet Lucy today and rest….be peaceful. xoxo
Hang in there, Boo.
This too shall pass.
Xo
Last Sunday night when I left my son’s room I broke down in tears. I felt like the weekend had passed and I hadn’t spent enough time with him, and when I was with him, I was just thinking about all of the stuff I had to get done by Monday morning. It’s a sucky feeling.
That night I decided that I had to do something. It’s hard trying to juggle so much stuff. I struggle to find balance with being a wife and mom, my blog, my day job, my marketing consulting/blogging/social media gig…and hey, what about ME and my own interests?! This week I’ve been working on some different ways of scheduling my time, and it seems to be helping so far. Also, I’ve been trying to be more mindful of being where I actually am versus thinking about what I have to do later. It’s going to take a lot of practice, but I’m working on it. :)
It’s awesome when your creative interests meshes with your work. Unfortunately, it’s also harder to create boundaries between work time and personal time when that’s the case. Since I also blog about my life, I have to create rules and force the boundaries sometimes…leave the camera at home, limit my iPhone checking when I’m out on the weekend, etc. Maybe you could do something like that? Create some boundaries where you say this is Victoria time and this is SFGirlByBay time?
Oh, and don’t forget to breathe. :) xoxo
The amount of time it took me to scroll to the bottom to send my encouraging words to you tells me you’ve received lots of love before I had the chance! All of these thoughtful messages and how they make you feel are a sure sign that you are on the right track! So glad you’re feeling better. :)
Hi! You have received lots of love here; my thoughts are a bit late to the game…
I bought a dance studio a couple months ago, and so have been teaching third grade full time, starting a business, taking care of my dying dad and my sick mom, refinancing my loan, and trying to not scream at the top of my lungs every single second because it’s just too much!! I hear you so loud and clear!
And, again, I’m going to recommend my special kind of dance classes to you…signing up for them was and continues to be the best decision I ever made for my physical and mental health. I KNOW it’s crazy…I KNOW you think you can’t do it or that it’s weird. I know. But I know in my heart that they touch a different part of each woman and bring out something that was hidden for so long. They bring fun and calm and joy and a little secret mojo into your life. Anyway…my two cents (again). Website is above. Trust.
xoxo!
It seems like there’s a lot of this going around….there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. Have you considered cutting back on the number of posts per week for awhile & just seeing how that feels for you? I love what’s been suggested here, especially: one day where there’s no blog or tech stuff…it’s a day just for you for whatever you want to do.
Yoga! Get into a beginning or gentle yoga class. After just one month of twice/week classes I find my body/mind craves it. I also second the juicing or green smoothie idea. There are some yummy recipes you can find online & I think you’ll find them energizing…but not in a jolt of caffeine way, just a wow-i-feel-good kind of way. Take care…..
Okay working in the area of digital-special effects for feature films this past decade +, finally I pretty much take my entire weekend off from the computer – MUCH better. Sometimes I need to keep up with an email exchange or look up when a movie starts but otherwise, oddly, the world does not come to a stop, and my relationships fell more connected, face to face, real. Try it! (ps – LOVE your blog) xo
A little late here, but I see you’ve received a lot of much deserved love and great ideas. I can only say I agree with those who’ve suggested cutting back a bit on posts. It’s not like you’ve been slacking in that department. I imagine it takes GOBS of time to get these posts up and each and every one is very much enjoyed and appreciated. Giving yourself AT LEAST one day off a week seems like a must in my book. I know I’d go bonkers without time off. Go rest and rejuvenate! Enjoy the clouds. :D
J’adore your blog.
i’m so sorry i missed this post last week. i hope you’re feeling better. i had the same feelings and it’s interesting to see how many other people did, too. it was just a bad week! i coped by painting, hammering art into the walls and never turning on the tv. no shrill newscasters allowed! thank heavens for the dog. he must walk, which means walk to the ocean — not a bad getaway. today before starting the next project, i plan to do a round of junk store shopping — always a great way to recharge. take care. you have a great blog and your talent shines every day. we all love you and will wait while you rest.
Your blog is always a bright spot in my day, and I have learned so much from it. You are truly gifted at what you do — please don’t change a thing!
Thank you for all your hard work, great ideas, and beautiful site. It’s the best!
I love what you do and how you do it, including your honesty. There is no doubt that I will be back and continue to follow you regardless of whether you take a weekend off or not. I get the pressure to produce original content, I try my best to keep it up and just have to remind myself that, in my case, it’s o.k. if I miss a day here or there. I’m still working at my day job and that really conflicts with the blogging and my jewelry work which are my creative joys. I love my job, but this year it took a toll on me. My creative pursuits dropped off and I was left physically, spiritually, and emotionally exhausted. I’ve since followed up on medical stuff that needed to be addressed and I’m starting to get back at it, but continuing to add pressure about my creative outlets doesn’t help so I just have to let go. I don’t need these to keep a roof over my head or food in my fridge, but I understand the pressure on those who do. I would think your sponsors and financial supporters as well as your fans would fully understand if and when you need time for yourself in order to keep up your joie de vivre, quality, and maintain your creativity and voice. Looking forward to seeing where you go in the future. Sending all the best…
Good for you for saying it as it is! Sometimes we all need som R&R and then we can get back to work! Take care of yourself and the universe will do the rest!
glad you are feeling better. good you took a day off! i totally know what you mean, it is tough to keep all the plates spinning or balls in the air sometimes. i try to allow myself a moment to wallow, then take a deep breath and give myself a pep talk… sometimes a glass of wine helps too ; )
I know I’m late to the party, but I want to you know that I love your blog! You inspire and delight me. I am sending you happy wishes from Minnesota…that you get outside, see something unexpected when everyone else is just walking by, that you smell the next random flower or bush or tree that you walk by, that you hear a new favorite song, that a little songbird catches your eye…so many good wishes for you!
By the way–your tent is amazing. I want to come live in it! What a wonderful space.