Today I just want to talk to you for a second.
About a year and a half ago when I really got serious about blogging, I made a promise to myself that I would blog three times a week. Period. I wanted to be consistent, to be taken seriously. And that’s what I did. I posted a new recipe on Mondays, “What I Ate Wednesday” on Wednesdays, and either something topical or another recipe on Thursdays. That’s just how it was.
Then last week came along and guess what? I didn’t post on Thursday. Then I didn’t post on Friday, either.
And then I realized something. I don’t want to be a slave to the internet.
I never wanted this space to be stressful. It’s supposed to be my creative outlet, my way of giving back. So why am I putting pressure on myself to meet some silly standard that doesn’t even exist?
Life HAPPENS. We get STRESSED. We get BUSY. We get EXCITED. We’re LIVING.
The second Alchemy is opening in less than two weeks. I’m stressed, I’m busy, I’m excited, and I’m sure as hell living!
Last Wednesday my friends asked me if I wanted to get dinner and drinks at Columbus’ new Guild House and my immediate thought was “shoot, I still haven’t done tomorrow’s blog post.” Then I stepped back. I realized how ridiculous I sounded, that I was about to turn down an invitation to drink good wine and eat great food with fabulous friends because I hadn’t photographed the freaking chickpea salad. What the hell is wrong with me?
Having a blog that doubles as a job really blurs the line sometimes. There’s pressure. People depend on you. It’s expected that you’ll post pretty food and write funny things each and every week. But it’s also your job to have a life, to keep some sliver of sanity, and to practice what you preach. I preach balance, and now I’m going to practice it.
I’m going to have a glass of wine even if tomorrow’s post isn’t finished.
I’m going to enjoy a long, lazy brunch even if I signed up for a workout class.
I’m going to stay out late drinking vodka sodas even if I haven’t responded to the last two hundred comments.
It can wait. All of it. At the end of the day, I love you all and this blog more than anything and we all know that. But if I’m spending all my “free” time working working working working and then working a little more, no one’s happy. Not me, not you, not the chickpeas.
So if I suddenly don’t post, don’t worry. I’ll always be here. This space is only going to get bigger and better. I can promise you that.
But if I’m gonna do this, if I’m gonna make Hummusapien all it can be, I want to do right. I want to do it with a smile on my face. I want to always have that warm and fuzzy feeling I get when l nail recipe that I know you’re gonna love or when I think of something hilarious to say on my way home from work. I don’t want it to be forced. I don’t want to blog just because it’s Thursday.
So on this beautiful Monday, I don’t have a recipe for you. All I have are some wise words.
Don’t push your passion over the edge. Don’t accidentally turn what you love into something you don’t. Do you and rock it. Embrace your inconsistencies. Anyone who matters will love you for it. I can promise you that.
Amen! But the next serious question……ANOTHER ALCHEMY??? Where?!?!?!! LOVE
Yes to all of this, Alexis! I want to add that you are young and single and you won’t get these “carefree” years back, so definitely don’t turn down the invitations to get drinks with friends. I look back at those years fondly because I definitely didn’t turn down those invites. 😉 Now I sound like an old lady! Ha! But now days my life happens, so live it moments are “I was up all night with my daughter who had a terrifying nightmare about dinosaurs, so….getting up at 5:30 am to write my blog post ain’t happening.” But those moments of laying in bed with my girl are precious, too. 🙂 Sorry for the rambling comment!
Yes to all of this, Alexis! I want to add that you are young and single and you won’t get these “carefree” years back, so definitely don’t turn down the invitations to get drinks with friends. I look back at those years fondly because I definitely didn’t turn down those invites. 😉 Now I sound like an old lady! Ha! But now days my life happens, so live it moments are “I was up all night with my daughter who had a terrifying nightmare about dinosaurs, so….getting up at 5:30 am to write my blog post ain’t happening.” But those moments of laying in bed with my girl are precious, too. 🙂 Sorry for the rambling comment!
Second Alchemy?? What?!
That’s so exciting! Amen to this post. Balance is so important and sometimes so hard to find or make time for!
Second Alchemy?? What?!
That’s so exciting! Amen to this post. Balance is so important and sometimes so hard to find or make time for!
I totally admire you having a rough schedule for posting- I try to post 3x/week but the days always fluctuate depending on my free time- I try not to put too much pressure on myself to make sure I get 3 good posts out but sometimes its tough. Good for you that you realized you needed some time to enjoy yourself and not be a slave to posting! Enjoy yourself 🙂
I totally admire you having a rough schedule for posting- I try to post 3x/week but the days always fluctuate depending on my free time- I try not to put too much pressure on myself to make sure I get 3 good posts out but sometimes its tough. Good for you that you realized you needed some time to enjoy yourself and not be a slave to posting! Enjoy yourself 🙂
AMEN TO THIS. I go back and forth with myself constantly, but I often find that if my post isn’t prepped by like 7 pm the night before, I opt for dinner/drinks/lots of TV watching instead. It just gets too stressful otherwise and it’s generally not worth it.
AMEN TO THIS. I go back and forth with myself constantly, but I often find that if my post isn’t prepped by like 7 pm the night before, I opt for dinner/drinks/lots of TV watching instead. It just gets too stressful otherwise and it’s generally not worth it.
AMEN! Live life so you enjoy this blog and space versus resenting it!
AMEN! Live life so you enjoy this blog and space versus resenting it!
A-BLOODY-MEN.
Although….did you actually ask the chickpeas if they are okay
A-BLOODY-MEN.
Although….did you actually ask the chickpeas if they are okay
Hang in there with the busyness, and just post whenever you can/want to! No worries! Your loyal readers will still be here 🙂
Hang in there with the busyness, and just post whenever you can/want to! No worries! Your loyal readers will still be here 🙂