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Since I’ve Been Gone – An Apology

Think Less Do More

Think Less Do More

In my five or so years of blogging I have never had such a long break as I’ve just had. I haven’t posted for a month, I have neglected this space and I’m sorry. I’m not just apologising to you, I’m apologising to myself too.

You see this blog to me is more than a diary or even a creative outlet. It’s a sanctuary and somewhere I can go when I want to empty my head and make something pretty and worthwhile (I hope) out of how I’m feeling. It’s the friend who will always listen but never judge. It’s the thing that got me through my husband’s illness and I guess in some way his death. It was the day (and evening) job I created when I needed another distraction. It still is that and I still want it to be, but things have changed and I need to work out where it’s going now.

My blog developed from a hobby to a more serious venture which could have gone somewhere. I started working with brands, collaborating on posts which were always about things I liked anyway and I never felt like I sold my soul for the odd fifty quid, tempting as it may have been.

This isn’t anything against bloggers who make money online of course, as many of my friends do, it’s just that as I already had a job I wasn’t in it for the money, so was less bothered about doing sponsored work.

This year my day job has meant I’ve had to pull back from collabs and strangely – because of what I’ve just written about them – it’s made me lose my focus. After years of having somewhere to regularly write, I suddenly feel like I don’t know what I’m doing anymore, I’ve lost my focus and sense of purpose.

I’ve written before about how I want to turn my story into a book, and work on this has slowed also as I feel like my confidence has gone and I don’t have the motivation. I’ve written quite a few chapters and a plan but I just feel like I need someone to guide me through it all. Is this a normal feeling or some sort of, ahem, early mid-life crisis?

Maybe by publishing this post it will give me a kick and get me back in to the writing habit again. I really hope so because it really isn’t something I want to give up on. I’m not sure where it’s taking me but I’m not ready to give up just yet.

I do want to keep sharing our adventures (I know this is cheesy but it’s less so than journey, right?) so here we are. The three of us, one woman and two kids, working out how we can live grow and flourish after loss.

In the meantime, does anyone know of any mentoring programmes for writers that may help? I’ve looked at a few but can’t find anyone who looks like good match for me. I know I can always rely on you for advice!

Julia x

PS – Even though I’m not here so much I am always over on Instagram 🙂

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4 Comments

  • Reply
    Beverley Watd
    April 19, 2018 at 8:15 am

    Hi Julia,

    I haven’t read your blog (aside from this post) but i’m writer, coach, mentor and facilitator and also a WAY member. WAY suggested I get in touch with you. I’m about to start a new online writing group if you’re interested or happy to chat one to one. Look me up: http://www.beverleywrites.co.uk

  • Reply
    Hayley Smith
    April 23, 2018 at 10:57 am

    This is definitely the same for me at the moment, I’ve totally lost track of where to go with my blog but I don’t want to give it up. I think once you’ve been blogging for a few years it feels like you’re doing the same thing over and over again and it gets hard to summon up the inspiration. I’m hoping it will just come back to me at some point, as I’m sure it will for you when you’re ready. If I hear of any mentoring programs I’ll let you know, I guess your writing is a little more niche than the usual stuff so difficult to find a good fit! Good luck with it all Julia and I may even get that blog post out this week 😉 xx

  • Reply
    Klb
    May 10, 2018 at 12:03 am

    We miss you hope you are doing ok xxx

  • Reply
    Gillian Parker
    June 2, 2018 at 12:26 pm

    Hi Julia,
    I would suggest getting in touch with Ginny Carter at Marketing Twenty One. For a start, she offers a free strategy session via her website https://marketingtwentyone.co.uk/strategy-session/ plus she shares lots of useful tips on Facebook and Twitter. I met her at a self-publishing conference when she presented a workshop on getting started on writing your book and I liked her down-to-earth approach and she was knowledgeable about the pitfalls of writing and getting published .
    One last thing; be kind to yourself x

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