So this photo and its humity-induced soft focus is pretty representative of how I am feeling about my blog. Ever since I graduated from my grad program, I’ve been hobbling along and only posting here or there. I know enough people who blogged two years ago who still do now to not feel completely isolated in the blogosphere, but I also feel out of touch, and it’s of my own doing.
Being a teacher isn’t an easy thing for me. It’s something I have to work at, and I really, really, really want to be the kind of teacher that I loved and wanted, so I put a lot of time and thought into it. Lots of people have time or energy consuming jobs, but I’m still trying to figure out the balance for me. I also am still, 2 years in, trying to find my style in the work world, and sometimes it’s just not as fun as when I was a student.
All of this leads me to ask myself what to do. I love this blog and what I have learned about myself and others throughout my time writing it, but I also don’t like how half-assed it seems to have been these past 2 years compared to before. I’m searching for clarity. What will this blog be now? How will it reflect the ways that I have changed?
ASOS Curve dress, Aldo handbag, Forever21 heels
I’m not planning to stop writing/posting here any time soon. I’m just wondering…how do I make my personal fashion blog feel, well, personal again? Hmmm.. still thinking.
So first, you look fabulous! I love that dress and the shoes with it and the whole friggin thing! Perfection.
Second, I have been feeling a little out of sorts with my blog lately, so I sort of relate. Part of me feels like it is just the summer, filled with lots of things to do and way more events and gatherings and activities. I just can’t keep up with everything. I feel like I am constantly playing catch up. Since I got done with radiation, I have stayed pretty busy, which is awesome, but the blog sometimes takes a backseat to that.
Also, I like to post more than just outfit photos, but I have had such a plethora of outings that I have outfit photos for DAYS and not enough time to post them all right now. I guess I just feel a little burnt out on outfit photos and worry I am boring people.
Sometimes taking a little break provides more clarity and a renewed sense of interest. I certainly don’t want you to go anywhere, but I hope that you find a solution that makes you happy.
As a teacher, it is very hard to live the personal life you want to live. I have been teaching 12 years. Some of my earlier years were easier than my later ones. One thing you need to remember- you need to have a passion outside the classroom, whether it be a blog or anything else. Yes, finding a teacher identity isn’t easy. You want students to find what you say memorable but at the end of the day, it is who you are that they will come to appreciate. The material is added bonus. Giving yourself time to do what you love will make you a better teacher. Only focusing on work will eventually make you bitter about it. When I work, I WORK but when I am at home, I spend time with my husband, I write, I read, I play silly computer games, I play with make-up because I know the next day, I will be back at work teaching.
I agree with your statement “very hard to live the personal life you want to live”. Amen to that! I’ve been teaching 16 years and still not have not found the balance. There’s always something to do but I LOVE every minutes of it.
Ever since I have known you (blogosphere) I have loved the fact that you always share yourself and what is important in your life. Fashion is just one part of it. You are pretty much in transition with your teaching and your new apartment and balance. I am a teacher so I know how it can be all consuming, especially at first and each year is different and students are different. But if you inspire them like you have inspired us all, you will accomplish a lot. Students see the light inside of you and they see your love for what you do. We teachers are a called lot and we really are a group all to ourselves, Creative and crazy folks who think we can make a difference in this world. As you change, your blog will change. We are here with you and love you. I know you will find the balance and you will look fabulous doing so. I love the beautiful dress. It is the penultimate (don’t know if that is a word but it should by) of the best I have seen you wear, so girly and lacy. I love white for the summer. I look forward to seeing what you will do next.
You look fabulous in your dress. I hope that writing about feeling out of touch will create more clarity for you!
I have just started following your blog (4 months ago ish). I am from Australia, and I am loving your idea of fashion. You have inspired me to wear more then just black! I am enjoying fashion again and not being ashamed of my body. So what ever you decide, thanks so much for being yourself and enjoying life!
I’ve been reading you for quite a while, and one of the reasons is because I love your honesty. You’re not trying to concern yourself with being someone that you’re not – and I see this with some other blogs that I’ve read.
I think if you continue to be yourself – everything will fall into place.
Sidenote: loooooove this dress!
So this dress is making me reconsider my original wedding dress idea. It’s gorgeous! And that belt and those shoes. I feel like I want to run into you on the street somewhere. 🙂
I love your blog. It doesn’t FEEL half-assed on this side, if that makes you feel any better.
My dear friend, you have some excellent replies here – including from two teachers, and those I would say : take those to heart! Also take to heart that all of us (posting and not) who read you take you to heart, and are keeping good thoughts for your own heart’s clarity … that said – LOVE THIS DRESS ON YOU!!!
I’ve been teaching for 16 years and teaching is always about reflecting. It’s difficult to find balance. As some of the people on here have said, you have to find a passion outside of teaching. Balance is hard!
I’m new to your blog, but it’s been so helpful to me. You are gorgeous and fabulous, and you
Have been truly inspiring.
http://Www.yousaucyminx.com
This bag is amazing and you look stunning in the dress. I love all your posts so I hope you’re able to work things out! 🙂
I am new to this world of blogs and yours inspires me. Please don’t stop writing your thoughts etc. You look amazing in this photo. Your blogs have made me consider what I wear and how I can stop hiding away in black and baggy shapeless numbers.
I just found your blog a month ago and nothing about it seem half assed to me. You are lovely. Being a teacher is hard work… that’s why I didn’t become one. 😉 Lol. Hope you get back what ever groove you feel you fell out of.
Yesterday you commented to me that everything you see and experience is – right now – relating to your teaching. I think that’s the real issue right now, your creativity is all heading in one direction. It doesn’t have to. Inspiration is not a one-way street, as so many above have attested.
I had a moment of fashion-related inspiration today myself – reading InStyle Magazine and thinking about last week’s Project Runway, what the designers thought might be fashion-forward in 20 years. I thought, if I were a designer, what would I design? Today’s headlines seem so bleak, what will the future bring? For me, I hope 20 years from now, I’m experiencing joyful, creative self-expression, in whatever field that might be. (and I’ve imagined one FINE beautiful dress, btw).
My only advice, allow yourself joyful exploration.
i totally get where you’re coming from. Being a “serious” student, and working and keeping up with personal life, blogging has taken a back seat in my life as well. I know first hand, how hard it is to keep blogging. But i think as long as it is fun for you, you should keep doing it. If it becomes a hassle then it shouldn’t be an extra thing to “stress” about. I think posting every now and then for fun, and when you find the time is perfectly fine. 🙂
xx
Hun I just discovered your blog just spent a decent amount of time reading it & please don’t stop blogging! X
Hun I just discovered your blog just spent a decent amount of time reading it & please don’t stop blogging! X
Just discovered your blog! I LOVE IT!!!!! Gorgeous!! After like 16 yrs old, my metabolism just slowed down like crazy, and then I recently had a baby, so I have gone up a few sizes since. I love this new body, but it’s hard to dress myself now, I feel so limited. Every store I go to, there’s either none or very little plus sized clothes. And what I do find is very ..hmm… MOM ish? It’s just not very stylish at all. And I just don’t know how to put outfits together for my new curvy body an I’m tired of wearing sweatpants everyday!! Your blog has given me so much inspiration!!! I am going to continue following you and learning. Any way, thank you for this awesome blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please do not stop blogging!!!
so pretty!