Coffee Break #59
Hello, hello? Anybody out there? Anyone still here? Oh friends…when I hit “publish” on my March 20th post about my North Carolina family room, I really didn’t intend to disappear for 5+ months. What started as, “I think I’m going to take the rest of the month off,” some how turned into five months away from my camera, my computer, my To Do List, and you my readers. It wasn’t planned, it wasn’t calculated. But it did feel really right. In that time, I chopped off my hair, got back in shape, lost 20 pounds, read a lot of books, crafted for fun, hiked a lot of trails, got a job, and oh…moved my family back to California (for the third time!) So, what now? If there is one thing I’ve learned over the last two years, it’s that I really shouldn’t make big bold proclamations like “I’m back!” unless I truly mean it. So I won’t. But for today, I’m here; and I can’t wait to catch you up on all the life that’s happened behind the blog and what (I think) is coming next for me in this space!
Facing The Truth
I hope you believe me when I say that I really didn’t mean to stop blogging without explanation. Over the last 14 years of being in this space, I have (mostly) alerted you when I was taking a break, moving, etc. I did this because I recognize the loyalty, time, and support you extend to me as readers/followers, and I always wanted you to feel like that loyalty was respected, reciprocated, and (most importantly) appreciated. As a blog reader myself, I have watched soooo many creators just disappear without any explanation. “How can they do that?” I would think. “How does someone just walk away, without a word, from a community that showed up for them day after day, week after week, year after year?”
I certainly can’t speak for every content creator that has either hit pause or walked away entirely. But I can say, for myself, I didn’t publish any new posts or address my absence because I quite literally couldn’t get myself to type a single word. Burn out had been simmering under the surface for a few years now; but boy did I, rather suddenly, slam into a solid brick wall. And much to my frustration and alarm, no amount of pep talks, work flows, goal planners, mini breaks, pivoting, or sheer will was getting me through it.
After about three weeks of sitting (for hours) at the computer with nothing to show for it, I reluctantly gave myself permission to step away with no strings attached, no deadline for return. And once I shed the guilt and got used to not being here, there was a palpable sense of relief and freedom.
There’s a lot to unpack here, and I’m not going to bore you with the months of soul searching, brainstorming, journaling, drawing, conversing, and reflecting I’ve done on my own and with others. What I can say, somewhat surely now, is that at the heart of my “writer’s block” (if that’s what we want to call it, although that term seems wholly insufficient) is an intense lack of desire to do all the things that are now required in order to maintain and grow a successful, thriving online platform.
It took 5 months away to finally acknowledge and accept a truth that I think I’ve quietly known for a long time now: the online content world is (rapidly) evolving and speeding ahead, and I just don’t want to keep up with it anymore.
So…Is This Goodbye?
Over the past few months, I’ve attempted to write several different “farewell posts” of sorts. But they never felt right. Saying goodbye didn’t feel like what I truly wanted either.
While I’m pretty sure I no longer want to blog, regularly, as my full-time job, I also know that I really do want to keep sharing the things I’m doing to our homes. (Because…friends…we just moved into home #11 and there are things I’m dying for you to see!)
I’m such an “all or nothing” kind of gal. In the initial stages of my break, all I could see was returning 100% or not at all. But as the months passed and I continued to toil over “what’s next,” I realized that maybe there can be an in between after all. A place between full time job and not posting at all. Kind of like…a hobby. Like how it all started. When it was fun.
Instead of planning my exit, I began to consider a different way forward…
Can I really go back to writing blog posts in a real, easy, casual way and just ignore all the soul-sucking tasks that got me bogged down in the first place?
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Yes, I think I can.
So…I am not quite ready to make that big “I’m back” proclamation. Because, even assembling this post showed me how rusty I’ve become in the months I’ve been away.
But I am ready to say, “I’m going to keep being here,” sharing what feels good and right (not strategic, calculated, optimized, or good for business). I don’t have a timeframe, and I don’t plan to make a schedule. But I am going to try to carve out a few hours a week to be here chatting about the things I think you mostly want to see. I hope you’ll be here too.
Quick 5 Month Recap
A lot of life has happened in the last 5 months. Here are some quick highlights!
- I chopped my hair off to chin length so that I can no longer pull it back. It’s been quite the adjustment since I now actually have to do my hair. I’ve gotten so many compliments, and I really do love looking a bit more pulled together every day.
- I’ve spent some of my newly-found free time crafting just for me (not to document or post) – doodling, coloring, candle pouring, helping with a local florist. Once you’ve spent so long crafting for work, it’s hard to re-frame it as leisure. That knee-jerk reaction to document and/or monetize was strong the first few months, but I’m starting to get the hang of it now!
- We just moved back to California for the third time. This time, we are living on Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California. I realize a huge cross-country move, just 10 months after our last move, warrants more than a quick bullet point. Once I’m emotionally and physically recovered, I’ll elaborate more 😉
- Hiking continues to be our family’s happy place. Back in PA and now here in CA, we’ve been able to get in some great family hiking, and I’m continually amazed at what kind of mileage these little boys can handle!
- This school year, my oldest started High School and my youngest is in Kindergarten. Having a foot in both ends of the education spectrum definately takes some logistical and emotional balancing, but we’re getting the hang of this new normal.
- I got a part-time job with a local professional organizing company. I know…I kinda can’t believe it either. But I’m loving being outside my house, interacting with teammates and clients, and helping people reclaim their homes in a very real, concrete way.
Finally, one more thing… In full disclosure, I didn’t take any pictures of our Pennsylvania home before we moved out OR any “before” shots of our new California home upon moving in. Plus, there are still some spaces in our North Carolina home I haven’t showed you. 🤦♀️ Putting posts together going forward will be a bit awkward and imperfect by my usual standards, but we’re rolling with it.
Onward, friends! Onward!
Megan
41 Comments on “Coffee Break #59”
I was just thinking of you the other day…as I searched through a drawer I organized with your drawer dividers! Glad all is well! Keep posting when you are able- such clever, inspiring ideas!
THANK YOU!
Megan, it’s so good to hear from you! I’ve checked your blog frequently over these past several months for updates, and I’m sure others have done the same. It’s good to hear that you’re okay and busy. As someone who also creates content for a living, I totally understand burnout. Your idea to take this back to an occasional hobby sounds like a good solution.
This all sounds _wonderful_ and I am so happy for you. <3
I have missed you. I checked almost daily to see a new post. So glad I saw one today. Take whatever time you need for YOU and your family. I will be here when/if you decide to write a post!
I’m so happy to read this Coffee Break, Megan! Your time away sounds healing, and I hope it really was. I’ve missed you, and as I read this post, I thought about a type of post you used to do awhile ago – hit and miss. The reflection on past projects and the reality of how they actually worked out for you was so authentic – and that authenticity and warmth are why I keep reading you. I just want to encourage you to keep being you, and I will show up to read whatever version of you is on the page. Thanks for the update, and I’ll read whatever is next whenever it goes up!
Megan, thank’s for the update, i loved it. You look fablous. My oldest is also in 9th grade, special time. Best wishes from Switzerland, Lena
So happy to have you back! And totally understandable reasons to step away. I can’t imagine the pressure of everything having to be JUST RIGHT and so optimized before sharing. It would suck the joy out of anything.
(and the hair looks great!)
So glad for the update! Life changes, everything changes and I’m just happy to have you here, sharing whatever, whenever and in any format you want. I’m in for the messy versions and what works for YOU. and Camp Pendleton? Wow. I lived there when I was 6-7 years old and went to San Onofre elementary… whale watching from the schoolyard! Enjoy the beach!
You are in a busy season of life and must do what is best for you and your family. Anything you share will be loved. Extending you Grace to be what you need to be now, and hope you give yourself that Grace also.
Not to brag, but I did have exclusive backstage access to Megan over the past 5 months. I also experienced a requisite increase in my honey do list…weird.
Love this husbandly input! I’m another one who is rooting for you and here for whatever you want to and feel right posting. I love your clever decorating and organizing hacks as well as the family updates.
Best of luck to both of you and thank you for your service!
LOL!
Just glad you are all safe and well.
LOL! Always love your input, Greg! I can’t imagine why your honey do list expanded?? 🙂 I’d say ‘try to keep her from burning herself out’ but I think herding cats would be an easier job than that.
Oh Greg! LOL!
I love hearing from you when and how you are ready. Way to go checking in and prioritizing things. I am excited to read more about your adventures when you are ready. With lots of love from Minnesota!
So lovely to hear from you. Do whatever feels right for you and your family in the warm knowledge that there are people out there who don’t know you but wish you all the very best. You are a rare honest voice, and I for one love reading whatever you post.
I also loved Greg’s comment about having special access but a growing to do list! My own husband (poor thing) has a never ending one as well.
Hugs from Spain!
I am so glad you are doing good. Love your post and will look forward to reading them whenever you want to write one. Need to take time to enjoy what you do and not always make it about the blog. Have fun!
So glad to see you, please keep posting as often as you feel able. Your room posts and moving around was what caught me to begin with and I have regularly checked this blog over the last five months. Today to see a post made me smile sooo much.
So excited to see this update! Glad you’re heading in a direction that feels better for you. Bring us along for what fits and if it’s not much, well, that’s okay. But, honestly, Henry’s a freshman???? How can that possibly be?? Good luck in CA and hope you enjoy yourself!
I’m so glad to see you back…as back as you are comfortable being. I’ve really missed you! And I’m glad about the pivot…I like you just sharing, and it need not be Pinterest perfect projects at all. I enjoyed (and have missed) some of your little smaller life moments. YHL has done a good job with their return…just a pop in once or twice a month, whatever they feel like, no real schedule, with whatever random thing they might want to share. I think all of us will be satisfied with that.
I’m glad you finally got the break you’ve been needing for years now. Have fun with your “new” hobby of crafting and blogging ;~)
LOVE THE HAIRCUT!!! It looks so good on you. And I cannot imagine doing it all yourself for this blog. I love having my out of the house part time job that lets me be mom when the kids are home. As someone else said, I love the authentic posting. It doesn’t have to be a lot, just what works for you and your amazing family. I was one of those who would click at least once a week on the link to your blog, just wondering. But I didn’t want to interrupt your time with your family. So do what works for you. And never feel that you have to schedule a blog. I love your tips and tricks, little things that help me to see potential where I didn’t see as much in my own house. As we keep working on our house remodel, I think we could hire someone and pay a lot, or just work around our busy jobs and life, and it will get done…one day. I cannot imagine trying to take pictures and write about it all as well. You are amazing. Enjoy your kiddos, cause they grow way too fast.
Thank you for the update! I love your blog and I’ll be excited to read anything you want to share!
So glad to see you’re here today! I’ve been one of the ones checking back regularly, and so happy to hear that it wasn’t anyone’s health issues that kept you away (that was my worry). Do WHATEVER YOU NEED to do: it’s your Life and your Family. I’m happy with irregular postings. And, also, my little two cents on high school (with my 3rd/youngest in 11th grade): take a deep breath and don’t blink, cos these 4 years fly by even faster than the previous years. Enjoy every moment, be there for every triumph and every frustration because he’s going to AMAZE you in these 4 years. XO
Megan, I’m so happy to hear from you! You have always been such an inspiration and role model to me, and it broke my heart when you disappeared. I went through something similar myself—two years ago, while grieving, I stepped away for a time—so I prayed that you were doing well.
Your new job sounds exciting—just what the doctor ordered, ha ha! Reading your coffee break, nodding at the screen like—yes, I can completely relate! The internet moves so fast, and I feel the same resistance to keeping up with it. I also miss the good old days of blogging simply for the joy of it.
I’m glad to hear you’ve chosen a middle path. All-or-nothing can feel too extreme and rigid. I love where you’re headed, and I’m here for the ride, too!
Wishing you the very best, always!!!!
So glad to hear you are back! I gave up on my blog years ago (plus I had a full-time job) because it was really difficult. I’m kind of sad – would’ve made great chat books, and I’m sure I’ve forgotten lots of really good/cute/funny/sad things in my life. But, we do the best we can, & I stayed present in my life.
Can’t wait to hear about your adventures now!
YAY! So happy to hear from you! Sounds like I’m not the only one who thinks of you often! Just last week I was so proud of myself for stopping the buy-cheap cycle on Amazon and bought a laminator that was a fancy used model on eBay — but when I was using it, I thought, “Wait, I have to check, does Megan use 3mm or 5mm pouches? What corner cutter does she use? I need to do what she does so I do things once & do them right!”
You are so inspiring to all of us! Can’t wait to hear about your new job, new place, old place in PA and NC, and anything else, even if it’s “nothing” and at random times! We love your content but we mostly love YOU 💕
Delighted to see a new post from you Megan and happy to hear that you’ll still be updating from time to time. Seeing someone who recognises that they need to make changes and is brave and bold enough to take steps to make that happen, it’s really inspiring. How happy you sound after taking steps, both big and small! With best wishes from Kerry in the UK
You just go ahead and do what feels right for you. So what if you don’t blog regularly. I always enjoy reading your blogs because things are so doable. So I’m ready to read when you are ready to share on your terms.
You make me feel that I can do and I don’t want and have to be a Martha Stewart!!
I t is such a relief to finally hear from you again. Last time a blogger I’d been following “dropped off the face of the earth”, she had MAJOR health issues (and recently died!)
So happy to hear from you… looking forward to what you care to share with us.
Kids do grow up, don’t they.
I missed you!
Megan, congratulations on your new found freedom. You deserve a break. We will all be waiting for you when we see future posts.
Time flies so quickly so enjoy your boys now. Cherish these moments and make plenty of memories to last a lifetime! Best of luck to you and your family.
Hi Megan, I just read your post and I’m so proud of you for focusing on the things that bring you joy rather than the “jobs” we drive ourselves to not feel quite right about anymore. I’ve loved your down to earth ideas and all of your renovations and tips. I’m excited you’re working for an organizer now because I’m one, too! I’m also excited that you are living in San Diego because I live here, too! I’d love to invite you to our San Diego Professional Organizing group. We meet every month and just share our latest projects and get advice from each other. Many of the members belong to NAPO and I often attend the local chapter meetings, although I’m not a NAPO member yet. If you’re ever interested in joining us or want more information, feel free to reach out. Welcome (back) to California, the sun is shining just do you!
This makes me so happy! I look forward to reading whatever you decide to share. Just had checked your website to remind myself of the tote label holders, so please know you have created a wonderful source of information, no matter when it’s used .Very glad to have you back, and look forward to hearing of your adventures!
Megan, taking a step back and analyzing your life has to be done on occasion. Life has a way of making you stop and smell the roses every now and then. I am glad to hear you had the opportunity to take that time. Your haircut looks great BTW!
Motivation seems to be a true issue for many individuals these past few months. I can honestly say it has been a struggle for me as well. Even though that military mindset tells me to get up and move, my mental energy cannot follow.
I applaud you for giving yourself grace and taking the time you need. As a follower, I am so happy for you and your family to enjoy life! Thank you for allowing us to share in the highs. Please know we encourage you always on the lows.