Ready to Start Again

To start off, I want to tell you a bit about my journey. I want you to know a bit about how I landed on, and eventually, found my way back to blogging. If you don’t know me already I think this blog is a good place to start. In a sense, the first chapter.

I started blogging when Ryan and I were a newly engaged couple as a way to share my journey with the world. That was 11 years ago and here we are now: married and (mostly) happily in love. ;P

When I started blogging, I loved it! Writing online was a positive outlet and I got to share my perspective with the world. If my words reached just one person and made them smile, I knew I was making a small ripple in this big world. That was my ultimate goal. It was also a way to express stressful or difficult situations by reflecting on them. Most of the time I found a way to add humor and positivity to the experiences, giving myself strength and new energy. 

When I became a mom I found less time to write consistently. Motherhood changed me in so many ways. If you're a parent you understand the list is very long. Motherhood wasn’t the reason I quit writing. Actually, I continued to write about motherhood and my family for many years after Edee was born. My focus changed slightly with this new role as a Mom. I wanted to reach other moms who might be going through similar things, share how I cope, and to also show other Moms they aren't alone. At this stage in life I just wasn’t writing as often.

When I started my career, 10 years ago in October, my blog took a back seat. I blogged here and there but focusing on my family, my job, plus a hobby-turned-business was more than a full plate for me. My creative outlet, self care, therapy at this time became crocheting and graphic design. If there's one thing you should know about me it's that having a creative outlet is fuel for my soul. 

But, confession time…

I stopped blogging. I realized at some point I lost track of why I started blogging. All of a sudden I was logging on just to see how many views my blog post received. When my views were high I was excited and inspired to write more. When they were low, I was sad and analyzed why a blog didn't get seen. I questioned if I was good enough to be writing a blog.

Right around this time my blog started generating money. Just pennies here and there but it quickly became my focal point. I was more interested in trying to make money off views. A little extra cash is nice but far from my why. When I realized this, I knew I had to take a step back. Stepping back from doing something I enjoyed left a gap. I wasn't writing for my own benefit anymore.

All along I should’ve been logging on to share my story because that’s what was most important to me. I just got lost along the way.  

Fast forward to today.

One of the most rewarding things I find now is that I have all my writing to look back on and eventually share with my daughters. Future generations can read my stories, new Moms can find a good laugh and maybe even find optimism from my humor. My journey will always be there. This is one of the many reasons I couldn't fully let go of writing.

Do I regret not continuing to write my blog consistently? Not at all! I made space for other things like camping, paddle boarding, seeing lighthouses in Michigan, selling handmade items in 5 stores, reading, raising an energetic and loving daughter, growing my relationship with my husband, growing my career and investing in myself. Plus so much more… 

Now that I’ve determined how to combine all of my interests into one space and have refocused on my why, I am reinvigorated and excited. I am ready to continue writing not just for myself, but for others, too. I have the same goal in mind, but bigger! I hope you stick around to see what Booked In Michigan is all about.

Karlee