Sunday, October 04, 2015

Getting Back into Blogging



I received an email this week from a fellow blogger asking if I had quit blogging. My original plan was to take a week off. Somehow that week turned into two and the next thing I know I hadn’t blogged since August. To get back into the swing of things I’ve decided to provide an update. Here is my current status:

Work:

I am finally getting caught up at after an employee in my department resigned earlier this year. We were both working 40+ hours per week, so after she left my workload became overwhelming as I attempted to cover both positions. Initially, we brought in a temp who did not work out and were disappointed to learn she had asked the agency to be reassigned two full weeks before they felt the need to share that information with us. During that period she created an incredible mess; incorrect postings, duplicate payments and from what we surmise - throwing her mail away. We are still making corrections. We recently hired a full-time and a part-time employee who I am confident will be great hires.

Fitness:

I cancelled my gym membership and joined Jazzercise. With my increased work-load I was no longer able to attend the fitness classes I enjoyed at my old gym. Feeling depressed and lethargic, I asked a former gym member how she was liking Jazzercise. She loved it and invited me to a class. Impressed with the class variety, schedule, fitness instructors, location and the price (I receive a discount through my medical insurance) I joined and am back to working out consistently.

Reading:

Since my last post I finished reading Isabelle Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration. I had an “aha moment” when Wilkerson mentioned of the three lives she followed for the great migration she considered Ida Mae the happiest. Ida Mae also lived the longest. Instead of living with regrets or trying to be someone she was not she accepted who she was and lived in the moment. I have spent years living in the future – retired, self-employed or anywhere but at work. This book inspired me to read Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown. Both books helped pull me out of my workplace funk and back to a more balanced state mind.

Anticipating:
Travel the World in Books read-a-thon: The Travel the World in Book's team has chosen October 18-31st for this year’s read-a-thon. I’m already compiling a list of books and have chosen Rosemary Sullivan's book Stalin's Daughter: The Extraordinary and Tumultuous Life of Svetlana Alliluyeva as my first read. Stay tuned for more information on the read-a-thon and our challenge.

Dog Update:
Buck, our golden retriever, was diagnosed with lymphoma earlier this year. After deciding against chemotherapy, our vet prescribed a steroid regimen and told us to begin preparing for his demise. After a rocky couple of months, I am happy to report yesterday was Buck’s 12th birthday. We celebrated with lots of photos and birthday treats. He seemed to enjoy himself and now when someone says the word birthday he stands by the treat jar.

Watching:
In the spirit of a friend’s resent trip to Tuscany we watched Under the Tuscan Sun last night. This was one of those rare instances where I enjoyed the movie more than the book. The movie is quite different in that Francis is portrayed as single while in actuality she is married and bought the home in Tuscany with her husband.

Have you ever taken a lengthy break from blogging? Did you miss it? What brought you back?

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14 comments:

  1. I'm glad for your return to blogging! I know it's hard to keep up with but I always love hearing what you are up to. I'm excited for the Readathon too. Happy birthday to sweet Buck!

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  2. I guess I didn't really answer your question. I take breaks from blogging bit I usually miss the interaction with bloggers I love and writing itself so I get back to it.

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    1. It is hard to stay away too long. Now that the weather has turned a bit it is easier to feel motivated.

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  3. Hi, Savvy, glad all is well with you. Have missed your posts, but since I am also on hiatus, I cannot complain! Somehow, i just haven't had anything to say ... since July. Am just not in the mood right now, and don't know if i will go back to it. I think blogging did two things for me: first, it gave me an outlet when i was working at home, with no colleagues, and secondly, it introduced me to a bunch of fascinating strong women "out there". They have become very important to me and i read them daily for their wisdom and their support. In a lot of ways that is the more importnat thing - so i should go back to contributing to the conversation.

    When it feels right, you will write. take care.

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    1. What a great comment. I did notice you haven't been posting and have missed you. I still always read and occasionally comment while on hiatus. It in interesting what draws us too blogging. I think at some points I need it more than others.

      My husband is worried that when I join him in retirement he won't get any computer time. I told him that may not be true. I think now I am too exhausted from work to be social outside of a computer and honestly think that will change once I'm home full-time. Though that is still several years off.

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  4. Hi Savy, I knida took the summer off from blogging. It wasn't planned but sorta happened week by week. I have to admit it is difficult for me to blog when my Honey Bunny is on summer vacation.

    I didn't stop reading my favorite blogs. I missed you and am glad to see you are back.

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    1. Thank you Darlene. I think several of us took the summer off. It seems every year more bloggers need a break. Thanks for reading and sharing. I always appreciate it. Also, love keeping up with you and Cole.

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  5. Welcome back. I'm sorry about the news of your pup, but Happy Birthday - I'm happy that you made it to that milestone.

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  6. The Warmth of Other Suns sounds really interesting!

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  7. YAYAYAYA welcome back Savvy! Missed you :) I am so sorry to hear about your puppy :( It sounds like he is in good hands to live out the rest of his days in love and happiness. You are a good mom! I am also excited to hear you'll finally be getting some help at work AND that you've found a way to get your exercise in even though you are stressed the F out! That's awesome!

    I randomly will take a week off from blogging here or a week off from blogging there every 6 months or so, particularly when one of my posts is hard to write (like my #blacklivesmatter post). I always come back because my blog is where I air my insecurities, lessons, trials, and tribulations. I can put it on the page and am forced to work my way through it and explain it in ways that make sense. It helps me organize my thoughts and accept my feelings. Basically, I am a mess in blogging therapy :)

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    1. Too bad my boss told me not to get to accustomed to my part-time person. She is only temporary. So of course I am stewing all weekend. He loves to get my blood boiling.

      But thank you for your comments. I also usually write a lighter post after a more challenging one or one where I share too much about my real self. I spent 50-some years trying to hide it. Agree totally that this is blogging therapy.

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  8. Just stumbled upon your blog at sharefest.Never had very long blogging break so far.
    Lol at the 'birthday-cookie jar' connection. We lost our dog in August (black lab). I think about his cute little face everyday!

    I hope you'll join our blog party- Idea Box:
    http://milaslittlethings.com/2015/10/idea-box-thursday-link-party-31.html
    xx
    Mila

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    1. Thanks Mila. I can't imagine how hard it is going to be once Buck is gone. Someone told me I will miss him for about two years... Sigh.

      Thanks for stopping in.

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