Thursday, September 25, 2014

A season of change

I have found that many bloggers stopped right around when I did.  Bloggers I read regularly when I was on the computer more.  Gardenmama, Waldorfmama, and more... so any more.  All around Jan 2013.  I wonder what shifted that made the urge to experience instead of the urge to share. 

There are many reasons why I stopped writing consistently.  But mostly, it was a strong need to simplify.  I quit doing a lot of things around then, and instead, turned my focus onto my family and my own self care.  I put my oldest child into public school, quit my volunteer work and all of my church groups, and quit blogging.  I'd like to say I became incredibly productive, but I didn't do much more than before.  I was just present more.  For a while, I was just recovering from the harried life I had created for myself that had quickly become a rushing crutch of things I had to do but didn't really enjoy or experience.  Like scarfing down a really good meal in a hurry... I was just missing the point.

I have also found this with pictures.  Photos could document amazing moments… or they were a filter I hid behind to only see the highlights of my existence.  Yet again.  I was missing the point! 

A lot has happened since I wrote consistently.  Alex has finished a year and a half in public high school.  And it didn’t kill anybody.  Which is amazing considering the choice to put him in was a choice between sanity and giving up a lot of things I believed in.  He has started counseling.  Yet another choice that was pushed into place by a necessity between sanity and survival. 

I lost three wonderful people in my extended family.  People I just assumed would always be there.  I am at that age right?  That middle place where people who you have known all your life start passing into their next life and you are raising children who don’t understand how much those people meant to you because they have their own people who they will grow up with… and you start to realize that they are not going to be the same people. 

A lot of grief and a lot of trying to push past the grief because someone needed a snack and the world keeps turning, even if it isn’t what you thought it was.

There was more too… car accidents (nothing horrible, thank God), illness, home improvements….  you know… the normal doings of life.  But for a while, all of this was completely overwhelming.  So I didn’t write.  I didn’t take many pictures.  I didn’t do much of anything.  And yet, I raised children, made food, moved forward….  I am not sure how, but I did. 

The school year has started again.  And I am not sure how this year will go.  The oldest is now a senior at the local high school.  We are taking a distinctively ‘hands-off’ approach with that one.  He will fail, or he will not fail.  We have fought for SO long over him doing his own work and I just can’t fight about it any more.  This is VERY hard for me to do in practice…  I am a saver and a teacher.  I want to save and teach.  We have given him the tools, now he gets to use them….. or not.

Cyan, Logan and Luke are still at home with me… 8th grade, 2nd grade, and preschool respectively.  Last year I can honestly say I didn’t formally teach much of anything.  Thank goodness Cyan and Logan are both self motivated learners.  They continue to move forward, even if all I do is make a space for them to do their work and leave them to it.  I am lucky in that respect.  I would like to be more involved this year.  I would like to continue to educate in ways that I feel are compelling and interesting.  I can plan and hope… but you know what they say about the best laid plans. 

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I know it’s September, but I can feel the winter crushing in.  Depression making it’s way to the surface and changing the way I see the world.  Where I have to shift my focus to the beautiful things.  This year, I am hopeful.  I have dedicated myself this summer to finding a ‘rain wardrobe’ for all of our family.  Rain boots, rain coats, warm sweaters, hats, etc.  We also have two amazing dogs now that will pull us from our shells and into the park with leashes and perky ears.  That will help me get outside every day and that always helps with depression.

I am anxious…. but I am also hopeful.  

I hope I start writing again.  It was such a great outlet for everything my introverted, yet loud, personality was craving.

Here’s hoping!

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5 comments

Laura said...

Welcome back!

Melynda@Scratch Made Food! said...

Good to see you again. With true friends, it is not how often but how heartfelt the visit. Don't stay away so long, it is as good for you as for the rest of us. Thank you.

SewPaula said...

I am glad to see you back. I've missed your blogging. I just restarted my own blog after quitting my job this summer. It feels good.

Val in the Rose Garden said...

Thank you so much guys! It feels good to be back and I am excited to say there are new things afoot and everything feels a little more on the road to healthy and writing again! <3

Paula - That's awesome! I can't wait to see what you have been up to. :)

Blessings,

Val

Unknown said...

Welcome back! I am one of the slackers off. I have been writing consistently but not blogging. It's weird. I think I might be ready, and I think instagram has had an impact on making me want to share more again.


Good to see you!

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