A turning point in my life…where have I been?
It may be an overused phrase, however, this does indeed mark a turning point in my life and the content of my blog. While what I have done over the past years has been an amazing experience in itself and allowed me to enjoy some “trips of a lifetime” with my family, what really comes to mind is my husbands words to me at the beginning “Are you sure you want to turn something you love into a job?”
My answer at the time was yes, and still is actually, just with some major adjustments! What my personal struggle has been is balance.
So, I took an almost year long hiatus from blogging, social media, and many, many miscellaneous things in life. I have been slowly “gearing up” for entering the online blogging and crafting world again, just with a bit of a twist. Over the past few years I have been slowly collecting and playing with jewelry making tools and accessories (I still love paper too!). Like many folks I just like to create with my hands, but I didn’t want to feel like I was so tied to one product and hobby as my focus.
Balance…I have Marie Kondo’d my life!
No matter how rewarding it was, I needed to choose a different path for me. A balance of home, family, God, and simple joy. In other words I have “Marie Kondo’d” my life and I am excited to see what happens. I have been purging like crazy. Where before paper crafting had literally taken over, NOW you can see from these pictures there is better balance! It’s till a work in progress though. I’ll keep you updated! The left is of my loft teaching space, and the right is my personal studio.
Last year I started to serve in our church media room. I have loved learning and am happy I found a way to serve and give back. My friends and I have also started a bible study that meets at my house twice a month. Right now we are doing the Beth Moore study “Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit Of The Spirit”. I have really enjoyed the time spent with these ladies and I am looking forward to continued growth.
What is happening to the blog?
My intent going forward is that this blog will be a reflection of those changes, much less structure, just simple joy. I want to create and share blog posts for fun, not to meet SEO ratings or a monetized YouTube…lol… Yep, even though I did well with both it took the spontaneity out of it (and in full disclosure, I was monetized until YouTube changed the parameters last year) It is a common misconception that running an online business is easier. It’s just not, at least for me. I can, in fact, say that from experience, having owned a brick and mortar business for over 20 years.
I STILL want to share my paper stamping! The picture above is the So Many Stars Bundle in the New Holiday Stampin’ Up! Catalog.
However, I want to also share my wire weaving (yep, those are my very first attempts), metal stamping (still learning), and metal etching creations with you. ( I LOVE my Foredom Flex Shaft and my Optivisor!) Sometimes, I just want to share my quirky, silly life, too! I have become a collector of inspirational quotes and Bible verses, I love them! And, life confession, If it weren’t for my husband and child I really would have a house full of cats and plants!
Where did all the details go?
Going forward if you have any questions about anything, simply leave them in the comments and I am happy to answer. I don’t want to fill my posts with information like dimensions and product that not everyone needs just to fill space. This blog adjustment will be a work in progress for a while. I am even changing the blog look and name, the cats STAY though…lol… because they make me happy. Meow.
Sooo happy for you Shannon and the new direction you’re taking things! Would love to see more of your jewelry making items. Just don’t end up like me – going from scrapbooking to card making to ceramic mosaics to altered books etc. etc! Good thing you’re better at the purging part than me! Much love, many hugs, and blessings for your continued success in whatever you do.
Julie!! Hello lady! <3 I am actually letting go of things and activities. I will always be a cardmaker and scrapbooker. I love playing with paper! Just taking the stress to succeed off the table and focusing on the things that bring joy. Blessings to you, too! Shan
ruff! <3
Kitty <3 Puppy! MEOW
GOOD FOR YOU! I am excited for you! I look forward to seeing more of your creativity!
Suzie, hi! Hope you are doing great. There will be less Stampin’Up! detail, and just more fun stuff. I enjoy the creating and blogging part, just not needing to do it on a schedule. I still love SU! II just need to do things as I feel able. Happy creating, Shan
Shannon, I love that you are modifying your life to make you happy! Creative people need to be able to create things that make us happy. I know I have had too many hobbies at times and had to decide what I liked best. Scaling down is a process, but it feels good too. I am proud of you.
Marcia,
Thanks so much! I still LOVE papercrafting, the stress just came from needing to meet “deadlines” for online success. This is perhaps more of a personal mental permission to simply craft for fun and not a goal…lol… Blessings, Shan
Good for you Shannon! I admire a woman who can see what she needs to do and takes action. I wish you all the best on this journey.
“One of the things that will always be inevitable is change, full of both vague uncertainty and brilliant promise.” – Robert Redford
A favorite quote you might like too. 🙂
Tiffany! Thanks so much lady, I am still finding balance, but I am super excited for whatever is coming! I know you were at a point where you were super busy! I hope everything is going amazing for you! <3 Happy creating, Shan