In only a couple of weeks my blog will turn three. As I tip-toe past toddler-status, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what this blog has meant to me.
Lately I’ve felt that in the past year I’ve spent way too much time marketing myself at Jenn from Free and Flawed rather than Jenn. I’ve lost sight of what this blog was supposed to be about. That doesn’t mean that I’m not grateful for the friendships and opportunities that I’ve been given because of it. It just means that it’s time to take a step back and re-evaluate some blogging goals.
I want to spend more time writing for me and I don’t feel like I can do that anymore at Free and Flawed. With marketers, bosses, family and real-life friends reading, I’m no longer comfortable sharing details of my life that I would have shared a year and a half ago. My blog has grown and so have I. I feel pressure to keep up with the awesome/funny/awkward posts when all I really want to do is gush about a boy, worry about a friend or dance and sing.
In an effort to start 2010 off right, I’m going to step back from Free and Flawed. I’ll spend the next month creating new goals, analyzing old ones and, ultimately, deciding if I will come back to this space that has been my shoulder to cry on, my stage, my bragging wall and my home.
That doesn’t mean I’m giving up blogging for good. The world isn’t coming to an end yet! If I do decide to leave Free and Flawed, you’ll know about it. And I’ll most definitely be popping up in a new place. It will be somewhere only we know.
I’ll still be reading and if you just HAVE to know what muscles I’m pulling or awkward situations I’m getting myself into, well, there’s always Twitter and Facebook.
Now who wants to bet that I’ll have a new blog post up by next week? I’m already thinking of two potential blog posts. Anyone? Bueller?
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
:’(
phampants´s last blog ..Smile
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No sad faces love.
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*hugs*
If you need someone to listen for all things including and not limited to: gushing about boys, worry about a friend, and dance or sing… you know how to find me. And yes, I’m up to the challenge of listening to you dance.
Erini´s last blog ..2010: Year of the Cupcake
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I’m all for people deciding to do exactly what they need at their own pace. Good for you!
Thanks for all the posts ever!
So Do what you need, and expect a very warm welcome back should you choose to resume blogging.
Happy happy New Year Jenn!!
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Every time I consider quitting blogging I think of something I just have to write about. Le sigh.
Maxie´s last blog ..I will never top my title from two days ago, so why do I even try?
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As long as you promise to come back to us in some form, then enjoy your break. I hope you figure things out. I definitely know that feeling.
Ashley´s last blog ..Retrospect/Prospect
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Enjoy your time out, and I hope you work out what you want.
Paula´s last blog ..WALK OF SHAME . . .
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I have been contemplating the same thing – stepping away from a blog where my name is known. It’s a difficult decision.
Jonathan´s last blog ..Playing god with The Sims
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Looks like you’re at a crossroad. Which path will you take?
mattkendrick.com´s last blog ..Family Car Stickers
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I hope your break does you some good. Good Luck.
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You know you can’t quit us!!!
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Every time I say I’m taking a time out, I end up posting like crazy. When I say I’m going to post like crazy, I go MIA for two weeks. Life is funny. Do what you gotta do.
The Modern Gal´s last blog ..Things that changed my life in 2009
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*packs boom box, brown trench coat, and Peter Gabriel tape*
*jumps on plane to LA*
*finds your apartment window*
Make your choice, I have all the time in the world.
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Would you really be more comfortable starting a new blog? You would probably have to do it anonymously if you wanted to share things on the Internet and not have anyone find them. Plus, you’ll have to use this blog (or some kind of marketing method) to let people know that you’ve started a new blog, which means that the same people might be able to find it. Basically, I just started integrating both my personal life and my diabetes advocacy life to help widen my audience. It’s been slow, but I have found that my diabetes audience actually likes reading my adventures in New York City the same as my twentysomething friends do. I have turned what was a niche blog into a life blog, and I’m happy about it. Anything that’s too personal? Well, that probably deserves a phone call or a coffee with a friend. Because anything on the Internet can be found by anyone, and I know so many people who have been “outed” unwillingly. It happens.
Anyway, I totally know what you’re going through, but Free and Flawed is already well-known, and I think I have enjoyed your personal posts as much as anything else. I don’t think you need to switch blogs, especially if it ends up that your entire audience here ends up migrating over there. Just do an identity-lift (like a face-lift, just online)!
Hope you figure it out and don’t stress too much about it. This should be fun!
Allison Blass´s last blog ..All Grown Up: Adventures in Cooking
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Jenn Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 10:22 am
It’s not so much an anonymity issue as it is about comfort. I never intended to be anonymous and I never plan on it. I wouldn’t put things on here that I’d be afraid to say to someone’s face. I just like having a boundary between my personal and professional life. My boss doesn’t need to know who I’m crushing on or what dorky thing I said to my grandparents.
I’m not stressing at all, but I am enjoying the idea of redefining my blogging goals. And if I did switch, it wouldn’t be something I would broadcast via this blog. I’d most likely send out an email.
More than likely I’ll stay, but regardless, I still need a break
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You gotta do what you gotta do but you better return in some form and I BETTER KNOW ABOUT IT. Good luck with your decision
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Starting from scratch could be a refreshing experience, building a fan base of all new people, maybe some of the old will accidentally find you, but ultimately you can set up a haven for your personal outlet without the concerns of work and family. It can be an opportunity to make new friends, connect with new people, and still have the occasional public update on Free and Flawed.
Being able to say what you want is part of why blogging is what it is, so if you can’t do that, I’m all for you starting from scratch. You may even have to make a new 20sb profile! Think of the fun of being “new” again!
Oats´s last blog ..Not sure when I’m departing
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I’ll be sad to lose your reading material until you figure out what you want to do, but I think you’ll back. I quit blogging twice and ended up coming back for good with Bitemarks.
Leahchristine´s last blog ..How I started 2010 off with a mugging
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Way to get all emo… jk
I just killed ChiTweets, so I sort of know the feeling. Sort of. Good seeing ya this weekend, kiddo.
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Jenn Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Way to be supportive… jk
Sorry about ChiTweets. He was a good man. A well-respected man about town. Don’t ask…
It was great seeing you and the lady friend!
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I hope you figure things out. Yours was one of the first blogs I started reading so I’ll definitely be sad to see a lack of posts from you in my reader. I can relate though. I just took a month long hiatus and it doesn’t feel like long enough.
Maggie´s last blog ..Two Years.
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enjoy your blogging break and i’ll be right here waiting to read when you decide to come back
katelin´s last blog ..Why hello there 2010.
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Time-outs are always useful (just ask Zach Morris). I essentially had one over a winter break and it’s done wonders.
But you should know that us loyal readers aren’t going anywhere until you tell us to.
nicopolitan´s last blog ..Resolution
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Breaks are good. You do whatcha have to. We’ll wait. Doesn’t mean we won’t miss you awfully while you’re gone.
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Awww that makes me sad.
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Breaks are good and healthy. I’m looking forward to hearing about your break and what your next move is. Kisses!
Jessica´s last blog ..Back in the routine
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Jenn? Jenn?!?! JJJEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously this is a bummer =(
Alex Roda´s last blog ..Happy New Year!
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Just don’t leave us for too long Jenn – but I FULLY understand needing to take a step back to re-evaluate your blogging goals and direction. Bet of luck my friend!
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I am very new here, but after reading just a couple of posts I already want to know who the lucky boy is that you’re crushing on and what’s happening with your life.
No pressure
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As the infamous song goes, “I’m taking the time for a number of things that weren’t important yesterday.” I’m quite proud of you for that! =)
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Good for you for listening to your needs and taking a step back. I particularly appreciate you letting people know of your plans rather than just disappearing. Whatever you decide, trust that you are doing the right thing and do it for you, not for us. That being said, I’ll repeat what others have expressed by commenting that no matter how you started this blog, you can reimagine it however you choose.
Will stay tuned to discover what happens next!
emma´s last blog ..Sudoku
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I thought I told you to stop calling me Bueller?
Regardless, if I actually believed this it would probably upset me.
Jay Ferris´s last blog ..Obligatory New Year Post
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Three years is a long time, and we all deserve a break. It won’t make you any happier to be forcing something. But we’ll be here!
LiLu´s last blog ..TMI Thursday: Sharing is Caring… Albeit a Little “Rocky” At Times.
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I COMPLETELY understand what you’re saying. More than I care to admit. But sometimes a break is well deserved and definitely well needed.
deutlich´s last blog ..I’m Not Ready
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Hey you. I don’t comment nearly enough, but you’re on my top skip-the-reader-to-read list, so if you’re gonna up and leave, please keep me in the know.
inkpuddle´s last blog ..THIS is why, dammit (warm fuzzies, look away, look away now)
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I’m actually excited for you! A blog hiatus can be so freeing. I’ve taken a number of them and it was amazing how much easier it was to evaluate myself when I wasn’t trying to promote myself at the same time.
And focusing on your own writing is huge, and hard to do when blogging.
Love you and wish you all the best, and I hope you do decide to come back soon.
Rebekah´s last blog ..Me and My (blog) Gang
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I took a hiatus for about 4 months and I came back even better. Do what you need to do, hun, and we’ll see you then. I refuse to take you up on that bet, I know how bad the itch to blog can be.
Kendall´s last blog ..This? This Is My Heart. See How It Breaks.
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hope you’re enjoying the break
michelle´s last blog ..it’s bad enough we get along so well…
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