This morning I was sitting at my kitchen table, reading the newspaper and drinking my made at home latte, mulling over in my mind what I am going to say during my talk at the upcoming Chopped Conference. The topic of my talk is something I am really passionate about in the blogging world, which is basically blogging beyond your stats. My unofficial mantra has always been “what kind of blog will you have if you don’t have a life to blog about”. Meaning, we need to stop sitting behind our computers all day, refreshing our stats, scheduling our posts, trying to get ahead or at least how I feel, not get completely left behind.
I’ll admit that I came back from a really refreshing retreat with friends in Tahoe recently and was pumped to get organized and get working. Dine & Dish has and always will be a space I love and treasure, but over the past year or so I admit to not putting my whole heart into it. I got tired of the blogging games that we are all doing to “get more traffic!!”, “grow your readership!!”, “get more likes!!!”. So instead of doing something about it, I just kind of threw in the towel and said “oh, well…”.
And so you’d think when I threw in the towel and just started phoning it in, my life would have been richer and more fulfilled. Not so. I’ve slowed down on reading books, which you know reading brings me happiness. My office is an absolute mess, which for a former FlyLady group leader, is unthinkable (my desk, right now above…ugh). My mind seems to be in a more chaotic state than ever before. Without some structure in my blog, my life had no structure. Phoning it in is harder than it seems… you see, I’m a motivated, hard working person. Even though I don’t like stats and the race to be the best, I still need my work to be good and meaningful. I’m not a sit on the curb and watch the rest of the world go by kind of person.
With all that being said, I still don’t have my talk ready for the Chopped Conference, but I do have some good ideas for what I want to say. And, thanks to getting some of my thoughts together on the topic, I have some motivation to getting back to doing what I love (I know I sound like a broken record, don’t I… how many times have I said that?). What I really love doing is sharing my Happiness Reports, photographing things just because, reading great books and sharing them with you, and cooking recipes that I want to cook, not necessarily what Pinterest wants me to cook. All in all, I need to have the best life I can in order to have the best blog I can…and although I can’t do that sitting behind my computer 24/7, I can motivate myself to experience more, live more and therefore be better at my job because of it.
With all that said, I’m ready to share some happy things with you!
Here’s what’s bringing me happiness lately…
I bought myself this entry level espresso machine for my birthday and LOVE it. My goal this year is to learn how to do latte art, which I know sounds random, but I think it would really bring me happiness! If you have any latte art tips, let me know!
My desk above is something that is out of control in my life. My closet and nightstand are the same way right now. I hate it and it’s not typical of me, at all. One of my favorite authors wrote “Outer Order Contributes To Inner Calm”, which I absolutely believe to be true. Anyway, I found this website when I was looking for some kind of organizational guidance this weekend and just from the few posts I’ve read, I think I’m going to find a goldmine of info there.
As much as I LOVE my friend Scott Foley, this season of Scandal isn’t thrilling me yet… how about you? But I am totally loving (and crying through) each episode of Parenthood! And I’m binge watching old seasons of Grey’s and am in a really great season! What shows are you loving so far this season?
I have a tendency to overcomplicate things and feel like I need certain pre-made systems to organize my life. I had a little “ah-ha” moment when Lori showed me a handmade calendar she uses to organize her work. I LOVE my Erin Condren planner and started using it this month for blogging in a way I haven’t before. My system may look chaotic above, but it is really working for me and that brings me happiness, for sure!
Finally, I finished a really great book this past week. Whistling Through the Graveyard…if you liked The Help I bet you’ll love this book! I’ve started reading this book and am loving it and laughing all the way through it. Also, my friend Gina recommended (and indicated it was a factor in her dreams coming true) this book, which I downloaded yesterday!
That’s it for this Happiness Report, friends. Thanks so much for reading! Now…
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I would love to see you blog about the random stuff, when you want to and for reasons that you’re choosing. What’s making me happy is a weekend visit from friends, the corn maize just around the corner from our house and weekend football.
(also? Not impressed with Scandal at ALL, however agree on Parenthood and am loving How to Get Away With Murder)
Are you? I was so annoyed about the first two episodes of Scandal that I stopped watching HTGAWM and decided to record it and binge at the end of the season. Now I’m glad I have something to look forward to! I hope Scandal turns itself around, fast!
I am loving it HOWEVER, I would rather binge watch it than wait (impatiently) for next week’s episode. I also have loved The Honorable Women (8 part series) and am making up my mind about Madam Secretary.
i loved reading this! i did the oh well thing and didn’t renew my domain name. and then when i was ready to blog the way i wanted to it cost me over $600 to get my domain name back.
Oh crap, Carrie!! Well, you had a lot going on in your life, so I totally understand, but that stinks about your domain. Did you keep all of your old content or get rid of that too?
I know I backed it up but I haven’t been able to find exactly where on my hard drive that backup is…
Loving your Happiness Report! For the past month, I have been getting up early (like way early, 5am early which is reallly early for me! 🙂 ) and I get my alone time to read and plan the day. I also do most of my blog work then and by the time the kids get up I do not feel rushed anymore. It makes me happy to have that time!
The latte machine is a brilliant idea! I am making homemade lattes for my Hubby and I and I would love to learn the latte art as well. I tried the basic and run out of space in my mug! lol Gotta keep trying! I think it’s super fun!
I need to get the book you mentioned!
Have a beautiful weekend!
These are my favorite posts of yours. Love this, and relate to so many of the things you’ve said. Looking forward to hearing your talk at Chopped Con.
And whenever you conquer latte art, I would LOVE a lesson!!! That’s been on my foodie bucket list for years! 🙂
I love reading this- it’s so important to remember what makes, and keeps, us happy. I just got an espresso maker as well and, although I’ve yet to take it out of the box out of intimidation, it will be happening soon!
As for Parenthood, I am in denial that it’s almost over forever. There hasn’t been a show this good in … ever?? At least there’s still Grey’s Anatomy for now!
And I would love to hear more about what all these X’s and whatnot mean on your blogging calendar. I too use an E.C. calender, but I’m always looking for new systems that make more sense than what I’m currently doing (ie, flying by the seat of my pants).
Love happiness reports and SO wish I was going to Chopped Con! Dang homecoming. 😉 Love your thoughts on throwing in the towel too. After the move, I feel like I’m finally starting to get my blogging mojo back. Sort of. Still looking for those extra 8 hours each day. 😉
I love this! I’ve so been there with the frustration of not seeing results as quick as I would like and feeling like throwing in the towel.
I pushed this week and got 3 posts up which I’ve never managed to do. And my house is still relatively in order. It’s amazing to me how when I let the blog go to crap so does the house, my exercise routine, my kids attitudes etc.
Balance. It’s a hard gig. Thanks for making me feel like I’m not alone in figuring it out.
xoxo,
Dani
Pretty sure you need to come out to Seattle to learn latte art Kristen….just saying!
You always make me feel less alone 😉 I feel like I was on verge of throwing in the towel…but like you I realized without my blog I felt a little lost. I need my blog, but I need to live too. So…I’m happy to say I’m in a happy place with blogging right now, and that makes me happy. 🙂
I’m reading “Whistling…” thanks to your recommendation. Bookmarked your other two.
I read Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner recently and liked it. I’m reading The Best Yes and am learning from it. I have been in the mood to read something different – like Stephen King or something “scary” lol – but not sure what.
One thing that has made me happy lately is working on crafty stuff for Micah’s bday party which was yesterday. I’m the most uncradty person but with a little guidance from my niece and some blog posts I pulled together a couple of hand made banners and a pretty fun Curious George themed party…Working on those banners made me realize I needed a new hobby. 🙂 I may actually have to pull out a fun blog post about the party. Because I think that would make me happy too 🙂
I’m behind on scandal! And parenthood! And Greys (I binge watched during summer and caught up). I need some time with my DVR apparently.
I always love your “Happiness Report,” Kristen! I really look forward to it! Nicole and I are always talking about just posting what makes us happy. I’m with you… I can’t get enough of the photography of real life moments, and even posting about the random stuff that just makes me smile. Thanks for sharing your world with the rest of us! xoxo
I’m totally with you on Scandal this season. And completely agree on the outer order contributes to inner calm thing. It’s amazing how much a simple desk cleanup can turn your productivity and outlook around. Adding that book to my list because I adored The Help.
I’m so looking forward to hearing you speak at Chopped Con. And I will definitely be checking out that book Gina recommended – one hidden perk to all this travel is that I finally have a kid-free moment to read. Which leads me to what’s making me happy: this weekend I went on a press trip and brought my family. It was the best of both worlds. <3 xo
This has been a hard blogging year for me too. I agree, the games of earning readers gets overwhelming and takes away the enjoyment of what I used to love to do.
So happy you loved Whistling Past the Graveyard & Big Little Lies! Those are two of my favorites this year! I wish I lived closer so I could experience one of your delicious lattes!!
Your happiness lists are my favorite!! Love you, friend!
This post really hits home for me, as I’ve been feeling a little “under the weather,” if you will, in my approach to blogging. I’m going to take some time today to focus on what truly makes me happy about it, and add those things to my to-do list for the month because I really need a fresh start. So thanks for the inspiration!
Also, I am totally with you on Scandal. Though I will keep watching as long as Scott Foley keeps showing up. 😉
Loved Whistling Through the Graveyard too. I’m off to check out the new recommendations. I’m roadtripping this week to Disneyland and can use some fun new reads.
You are just such an amazing spirit! I come from a much different lace from you, in that my blogging is my creative space, my hobby, my place to share what fills me. These are the very reasons I have always been drawn to you! Yes, you share amazing photos and recipes but what makes you so very different to me then other food bloggers is YOU!! YOU are so much more then just food and that, in all honesty, is what keeps me connected to you and your food! Reading this post, all can think is that you have written your conference session. You are are an amazing blogger and know the ins and outs of what it takes to be successful, but you are also human and I think your words here show so much about you and what your message is. This space and our lives are journeys. Just when we think we know and are happy, eb and flow come along to remind us about what we really want and make sure we are reminded how hard we want to work for it!! I am so happy you shared this piece and these words! I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday!! My happiness this week is finally having a low key weekend and having tons of family time, with new ideas and inspiration all wrapped up in it!!
I love you to pieces, Kristen!! I want to hear more about that calendar and how you organize, just like Laura said on facebook! Also, I’m totally downloading that book that Gina recommended on facebook too! I totally agree with her. I have some goals I wrote down a couple of years ago and they are on my corkboard that I see every day. Most of them I have accomplished! 🙂
Thanks for continuing to encourage me. I’m a few years ahead of you age and family wise…and I can only say that I have never gotten organized the way I want to be (even after building a bigger house with lots of built-in organization), I am finding out that drinking too much coffee (or wine) is just not good for the gut (fair warning), and now that the kids are all grown up and flown away, I miss my chaotic life! What’s making me happy these days? Well, I didn’t want to turn 60 but now that I have I am determined to OWN IT. Having some time to write makes me happy, and having a life to write about makes me happy too. I’m learning to plan for awesome experiences, take lots of photos and make sure I’m in some of those pics, don’t worry what the rest of the people are doing and keep on being ME…whatever that means today.
I love these types of posts too. It makes you seem so human which is an odd thing to say I know, but I can relate to so much of it. I can’t wait to hear what you have to say at Chopped Con.
YOU make me happy. So HAPPY to have spent 3 days with you last month! I learned a ton from you – inpsiring! XO
What makes me happy is the fall season. Its colors, its fragrant scent of leaves, crisp breezes and autumn rains. I love thinking about, planning and discussing Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday, and reading recipes for pies and learning various ways to make mashed potatoes. Autumn is filled with cool nights, blankets to cocoon inside and dark weekend mornings that whisper, “It’s ok to sleep a little longer.”
I’m looking for my happy but my happy is a slick and fast little critter. Sometimes I think I’ve caught him and then poof, he’s gone. It doesn’t help that I just got divorced. But it’s not like life hasn’t given me wonderful opportunities during this rough time. I need to choose to be happy. I know that. But I find myself wallowing when I really should be looking for happy. It’s an issue.
Kristen, I absolutely love your posts like this. You re-inspire me and affirm for me that it’s ok to keep doing the same – ignore Pinterest and the drive to grow, grow, grow, and blog instead about what I love, what we’re doing, and what we’re eating day to day (hint: it’s not pumpkin spice double stuff ghost shaped rice krispies :)). Keep up the amazing work.
Lots of great thoughts in your post! You’re so right about stats, etc. Sometimes the “keeping up” can be overwhelming. And I’m right there with you on Parenthood and Scandal 🙂 Thanks for sharing some of your ideas and thoughts!
So great and I’m over the moon excited to say hello at ChoppedCon! I saw a quote not all that long ago that said “Blog what you Live, Don’t Live for your Blog” and it really really sunk into my soul. I love blogging but I don’t have to be what I think is a typical food blog. Sharing more of life connects me to people and I need and love that. Great post friend. Thank you.
I love my hometown and it’s beauty. My grown children are healthy, happy and independent. I have many friends and feel very loved. I lost my husband to cancer 3 1/2 years ago. It’s a struggle financially but I’ve learned to keep moving forward. Worry takes me backwards. It is what it is and I try to make the most of it.
Thanks Kristen, for these bits of advice! I took a break this weekend from my blog. It feels nice. I commented to my husband yesterday that the less time I spend on the computer, the less time I want to spend on the computer. But I love blogging, so much. (I know you understand exactly what I’m saying. I feel like only bloggers do, right?) Thanks for the motivation to keep at it but keep at it the right way. This was great timing 🙂
Amen amen amen amen amen amen.
Amen.
I love your happiness reports! This one hits close to home. I truly believe that being organized and scheduled in my blog, helps me be a better mom and enjoy life. It allows me to step away from my computer with no guilt, because my tasks are done.
Latte art….I need to learn this too!
And Big Little Lies…finished it a couple weeks ago…SO FUNNY!!!
Have a great day 🙂
I had a similar conversation about blogging with a blogger friend just last week. We were lamenting the need to “keep up” and how nice it would be to blog like we used to – cook, post, photograph, have fun – without all the self-imposed pressure of tracking stats and social media. I don’t have the answer but I do know that I’m starting to look at the whole process differently.
Loved this happiness report! I am definitely looking forward to hearing you speak at Chopped Con, and loved how you mentioned that it’s not all about the stats, it’s very refreshing to hear 🙂 Also love that you linked the planner, because I was going to ask where you got it…finding a planner I like is such a process every year, honestly, just went into 4 stores and ended up giving up because I didn’t find one I liked last week, I’m a total pen and paper type girl, love seeing it written down. Anyway, looking forward to seeing you in a week and half!
This is why I love you. These happiness reports remind me to take stock, too. When you count your blessings they multiply, right? What’s making me happy these days? The cool fall weather and a resurgence in baking! Also -this may sound silly, but here goes anyway- I love that my youngest son is dancing in the Nutcracker and I love taking him to rehearsals. It’s something I never thought I’d have the chance to do since all my older boys were COMPLETELY uninterested in dance. Hearing the classical music and watching the concentration on his face as he’s trying to pick up new choreography (classical choreography at that! He’s usually a jazz/tap kid.) makes my heart just soar.
As always, wise words 🙂 I am a tad jealous of your espresso maker!
I love you for writing this post. That is all. <3
I need a little happiness check-in right now. I am really pushing myself too hard to keep doing the blog thing, keep it rolling along and growing, still work with sponsors, all the while trying to figure out the logistics of a cross-country move. My problem is that I don’t know HOW to relax right now! And sleep-deprivation isn’t helping.
I always considered myself someone who paid attention, and found value, in the little things. Moving upstate has heightened that sense of awareness. My happiness lately comes from the landscape nature paints this time of year. The trees flecked with gold, burnt orange, and red are the backdrop to mountains and the reservoir. I feel so blessed, and thankful, for it.
Yes! Everything about this post I agree with. You weren’t kidding that our ideas were in line! I am so comforted that there are bloggers out there that feel the same way that I do and that struggle with the same troubles and bouts of confusion and chaos. I’m still struggling with some inner ideas and decisions, but each day seems to be chipping away and the barriers and getting closer to what I hope that I can be. Thank you for sharing this post!