Why a Blog?

“Why are you starting a blog?” This is the question I am currently asking myself. Along with…”Does anyone even read blogs anymore?” “Who am I hoping reads mine?” “What am I even going to write about?!”

Honestly, most of the those questions have pretty depressing answers. No one reads blogs - including me. At best, my husband, mom and best friend will be reading this. And I still have no idea what I am going to be writing about. But my true and honest goal with this blog is to find and pursue passions that are solely my own.

The majority of my married life I have been the cheerleader to my husband’s dreams and passions. I’m really good at that! I have always been a dreamer but I married the biggest dreamer of all. If I don't have to personally take the risk - I am all in! I have loved supporting Ben start businesses, change his career a couple of times, and move across the country twice. Ben also has a garage full of hobbies. He falls in love with something and goes all in. I admire that about him. He is unafraid to try something new, to fail, to not like it, to quit if needed. He just tries!

So along with my very inspiring husband, and that something that’s in the air at the start of the new year, I decided it’s time for me to try some new things. And I am kickstarting it with this blog. So I guess that’s the long answer for “Why are you starting a blog?”. Because it’s long over due that I turn all of my saved reels and pins into real life, hands on, messy and impractical projects and recipes. And then, I’m going to write it all down and decide what I love and practice what I already love - writing. I have a long list that has been compiling for years and I am excited to see what happens when I just try.

Last New Years, I was already on this train of thought and didn’t even know where I was going with it. I called it my “just do it” year. My goal was to say “yes” to as many things as I could! And I really did! I learned how to ski- after 2 days of literal crying on the bunny hill - but I pushed though, and can actually make it down a (small) mountain in one piece. I went on trips and explored new cities. I moved to a new town and started a new job. I said “yes” to new foods and countless other small decisions in my everyday life.

So in contrast to that, I’m calling 2024 my “just try it” year. I don't have to be the best, which is a pressure I frequently put on myself, I don’t have to do it perfectly, and I don’t think I even have to like every part of it. I just have to try. I have to pursue things. And that only requires that I honestly write and document my highs and lows on this journey - and no one has to read it for that to be authentically so.

I want to write about the things I already love, like reading and writing, and the way I want to full heartedly pursue those things. And If I’m really going to be honest here, then that includes my desire to make that my full time career. It’s scary to say the things that are deep in your heart aloud, but I think that’s the only way to see those dreams become realities. I want to write about the things I have tried but failed in - but want to to try again! Like baking and gardening. I want to write about the new things I want to try, like sewing and candle making.

I already know the big things this year will hold. I will have my 4th baby (woah!). I will turn 30. I will quit my teaching job. Those are really big things by themselves, but I have hopes for even bigger things that are still unknown. Since I was a little girl, all I ever wanted was to be a mom, write for magazine (think Jenna in 13 going on 30), and my heart’s cry has been 1 Corinthians 10:31 - “Whether you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all for the glory of God”.

So here’s to the risks and the “trys” and all of the unknowns - all for the glory of God. Here’s to pursuing the loveliest things.