I’ve been feeling a bit down in the dumps this week.
A big reason for feeling like this is that I’ve been struggling to find inspiration for this blog. My thoughts have been dominated lately by my changing role now my children have started school. For weeks I’ve been trying to encapsulate this in a single blog post.
I’ve talked to lots of people, and re-written it many times. While this has been on my mind, other (more fun) ideas for the blog have been pushed out. Knowing I still hadn’t written what I wanted to say was weighing heavily on me.
But I’ve written it now, and published it here for you all to read. It’s rather long for a blog post – more of an essay, really. If you’re interested, then make yourself a large cup of tea, and settle down for a long read. I’d love to know what you think. Now it’s out there, I’m hoping to evict the dark clouds which have been squatting in my mind.
Now, here’s what else we’ve been up to:
On Sunday we went for our first ever full-family bike ride. Tom doesn’t have a bike yet, but we hired an adult bike with a child seat from Wicken Fen. It was his first time in a little seat (which, to be honest, he’s a little big for) but he enjoyed himself. We even saw the Konik ponies again!
Gabriel whizzed along on his Islabike like a real pro. Once children can ride a bike it’s such a leveler – he can pedal just as fast as us. Soon Tom will inherit his bike, and we’ll invest in bigger Islabike for Gabriel. They’re such great children’s bikes – I’ll have to tell you more about them another time.
After we’d cycled for a while on the Lodes Way, we returned to the visitor centre for some cake and hot chocolate. Whilst there we met an adorable Border Terrier which made me doubt my resolve to get a Labrador puppy – the indecision in our family is terrible!
Tuesday was morning was spent picking sloes. It’s a few weeks since I last walked down this route and I was struck by its beauty. Autumn, you really are the loveliest.
On Wednesday evening Gabriel was invested as a Beaver and received his neckerchief, woggle and lots of exciting badges.
What else have I been doing?
Watching…. Made in Chelsea. I’d managed to wean myself off this, but got sucked back in again this week and I’ve been catching up with the last few series. So lame, yet so addictive. I’m probably at least fifteen years older than their target audience, but I just can’t help myself. Anyway, moving swiftly on…
Reading… an old favourite, Wild Designs by Katie Fforde. I love Katie’s books and I always turn to them when I need a little comfort.
Hating… my hair. I wish it wasn’t so short – think I made a big mistake there. Not loving it curly anymore, either. The damp weather is making it look like a mushroom. Or a thatch. I’m longing for long hair to tie up on rainy days.
I’m sorry you’ve been down in the dumps Lizzie – inspiration can be so hard to come by when your brain is elsewhere. I have read your other post and will pop a comment on it a bit later (I’ve been meaning to do it since I read it but, you know, kids!).
As for Made in Chelsea – I have purposefully never watched it because I know I wold get sucked in BUT I do have to admit to a dirty little secret (and it’s probably worse than watching Made in Chelsea) and that is I have become quite addicted to Keeping Up With the Kardashians over the last few months. Oh the shame. Xxx
Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone!! x
Oh I know exactly what you mean on lack of inspiration; I’m often the same at the moment but I feel it’s more the weather and balance for me.
That bike ride looked lovely and the sloe walk heavenly – you’ve sure been to some pretty places 🙂 xx
Autumn does seem to be particularly pretty this year!
Those sloes look fab, hope there’s some gin on the way. Hugs x
Thanks Stephanie – there’s a big load on the go now!
I hope after the weekend you’re feeling a bit happier about things and am thinking of you and wondering if you’ve made any tentative decisions about what the future holds? I go through all kinds of phases of wondering what I’m doing with all these different projects I embark on. Your bike ride looks lovely. I’ve never seen Made in Chelsea but do have plenty of my own guilty pleasures 😉 X
Thank you Lins! Not much thinking has been done yet, but I am resolved to just keep taking small steps forward – I’m not sure anything can happen overnight. You should definitely try MIC – it’s completely vacuous but quite entertaining! x
How are you feeling now? Any better? Maybe a little bit because Made In Chelsea is on in an hour? I’ve been giving my blog more thought that usual this week. I’m not sure if it’s because the end of the year is looming and I always like to start a new year with some kind of plan. I’ve decided to take three/four weeks off over Christmas and New Year just to read, take photos and collect ideas. I think a break will be good … a chance to stop and think and reevaluate x
Thanks Rachel – yes, slightly better now, thanks…although still a bit rusty on the blogging front! I’m enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of half-term. I’m still about a series behind on MIC, so I’m not up to the latest ones yet! I love your idea of taking a few weeks off over Christmas. I hadn’t really thought about doing that, but I think it would be SUCH a great idea. xx
Hi Lizzie! Sometimes that frustration can be a good thing. Talk to as many people as you can about it, cast your net wide, do some blog reading in your field and around it, and before you know it inspiration will strike! And it might not be what you expected either.
I’m doing the same. My blog’s been pretty quiet because I am not sure how much or little to give to it while the rest of my life is in such flux. Things are coming together now though. Fingers crossed!
And, by the way, I’ve noticed over the last six months or so of reading your blog that you’re finding your voice and your style more and more, and that you’re coming across more ‘top blogger’ all the time (in a good way!). Just because you don’t know what direction you’re headed in doesn’t mean you’re not going places!! xxx
Thank you Katie, that last comment of yours is so nice and inspirational – I know I’ve been neglecting my blog lately, and I need to remember not to give up on it yet! I’m so glad things are coming together for you now – I’m looking forward to hearing more about it xx