Ahhh what a week it has been! The past few days I have been doing a lot of reflecting, I have observed a number of things on social media that has reminded me of what I posted back on January 16, 2018, and how it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made in quite some time. The paragraph below is a snipped from that blog post.
"Due to life getting in the way, we have been doing some serious reflection (that's always a dangerous thing for us). As a result, we have thrown worrying about stats/numbers to the wind, we don't have a plan, a goal, have no desire to promote ourselves, we are simply here when we are here to share whatever flips our switches! Our "plan", (if you can call it one), is to return to the reason that we began blogging to begin with. We are returning to our roots, we want to blog simply because we LOVE CATS....THAT'S IT plain and simple. No more chasing our tails, and feeling as if we are on a perpetual hamster wheel. Just articulating it makes us feel as if a choke collar has been removed from our necks! Our new mantra? "Let the kibble fall where it may!"
Watching The Wheels
People say I'm crazy
Doing what I'm doing
Well, they give me all kinds of warnings
To save me from ruin
When I say that I'm okay, well they look at me kinda strange
"Surely, you're not happy now, you no longer play the game"
Doing what I'm doing
Well, they give me all kinds of warnings
To save me from ruin
When I say that I'm okay, well they look at me kinda strange
"Surely, you're not happy now, you no longer play the game"
People say I'm lazy
Dreaming my life away
Well they give me all kinds of advice
Designed to enlighten me
When I tell them that I'm doing fine watching shadows on the wall
"Don't you miss the big time boy, you're no longer on the ball?"
Dreaming my life away
Well they give me all kinds of advice
Designed to enlighten me
When I tell them that I'm doing fine watching shadows on the wall
"Don't you miss the big time boy, you're no longer on the ball?"
I'm just sitting here
watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it go
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it go
Ah, people ask me
questions
Lost in confusion
Well, I tell them there's no problem
Only solutions
Well, they shake their heads and they look at me, as if I've lost my mind
I tell them there's no hurry, I'm just sitting here doing time
Lost in confusion
Well, I tell them there's no problem
Only solutions
Well, they shake their heads and they look at me, as if I've lost my mind
I tell them there's no hurry, I'm just sitting here doing time
I'm just sitting here
watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it
go
I just had to let it go
I just had to let it go
I just had to let it go
I just had to let it go
Songwriters: John
Lennon
Watching The Wheels
lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Guess what??? As a result of my new mantra I could NOT be happier!! Stopping the "merry-go-round" was the BEST DECISION EVER!! Sometimes you have to remove yourself from all of the "noise" around you, (primarily on social media). You have to focus on YOURSELF and just BE. That my dear friends, has been a breath of fresh air.......smooches!!
Just do what makes you happy. If you can do that, you are a success to yourself.
ReplyDelete(felinecafe.net)
purrfectly stated and I couldn't agree more!
DeleteThat is really awesome that you made a decision to put your happiness first and prioritized things accordingly. A lot of people don't even know how to do that.
ReplyDeletethank you sooo much Summer! Only took me over 8 years to realize that!
DeleteJust as long as da kibble falls in MY bowl. MOL!
ReplyDeleteMOL!!! MOL!! MOL!!
DeleteHow wonderful to reach a decision that makes you happy :)
ReplyDeletePurrs Georgia,Julie and JJ
We don't like statistics, so we try not to look much at numbers. Despite all the pressures to blog about this and that, and do things to increase numbers, we continue to do what we want to do. It makes us happy, and our fans are happy too. We will never make a living from the blog, and that is fine because it is what we love and enjoy. That is why we blog and post on social media. Glad it works for you too.
ReplyDeleteYep! Exactly! And...you have one of the BEST dog blogs out there (I have often wondered why your blog hasn't won, it's crazy) Your photos are to die for, you provide entertainment, information, fabulous reviews. I also have never been one to do what is preached and that has always worked for me. Financially I make dribs and drabs with the blogs and that's fine, actually I am planning on writing a book (NOT FEATURING CATS OR DOGS), but a humor book (paws crossed)........keep on doing what you are doing because your blog is incredible!
DeleteNumbers and statistics? Who cares! Not us....we blog for fun not followers and we do the same in the brief moments we are on Facebook. Other social media - forget about it. I really don't want to spend my life on a computer/iPhone/ipad/etc. I want to spend it MY WAY in my own time.
ReplyDeleteLove to you!
Pam
Exactly!! When it is done for the reasons you mentioned you are authentic and that comes shining through!! You love your readers as much as you love kitties and we love you!
DeleteThat's fabulous, Caren.
ReplyDeleteI recently read an article (online) about work, about over-extending ourselves, the constant insistence for "perfection" from ourselves (not quite my issue, but I have lunch regularly with someone at work who IS that way). The author of the article put it this way (paraphrasing): It's not that we care less about our work, it's that we make the choice to care about ourselves MORE.
That did strike me in my own way, because while I'm not as driven as my work friend, I do spend most of my time focuses on what needs to be done, deadlines, etc.
As for social media...well, I don't do much of that, haven't a need to. And I think backing away from the superficiality of it all, and the general insanity, is a healthy choice.
Peace.
Kim
Kim there are two things that I LOVE that you mentioned in your comment and I could NOT agree more: "It's not that we care less about our work, it's that we make the choice to care about ourselves MORE. " For many, many years I was consumed by it all, completely consumed. Last year it began making me physically ill.....that is when I decided enough is enough.......no more.......to say I was burned out was an understatement and for what? Wasn't worth it. I also loved this that you said "backing away from the superficiality of it all, and the general insanity, is a healthy choice." Sadly I have experienced the "superficiality" of it a few times......there are people that only want to ask certain things to benefit themselves....I finally became hip to that.
DeleteI certainly understand the blogging burn-out, and I wasn't doing it for extra money, which adds another level of stress altogether. But trying to keep up the Fuzzy Tales blog and be a "good" cat community member burned me out in a few years. I got to hate it, the feeling of obligation I put on myself to participate, visit, comment, etc. It's madness. Maybe if someone is retired and that is their main hobby it's different, but trying to juggle full-time work, cat health issues, Annie's death, more cat health issues, other personal and work issues...it just wasn't feasible. So I'm glad you're finding your Balance. :-)
DeleteOk, I DON'T work full time outside of the home and what you said (which I am going to quote) is EXACTLY what was happening to me for a looooong time........here is the quote you said that I LOVE " be a "good" cat community member burned me out in a few years. I got to hate it, the feeling of obligation I put on myself to participate, visit, comment, etc. It's madness. "
DeleteYep!!!! Exactly!
I admit to being a little perplexed by some of the posts & comments I saw on FB. I can definitely understand wanting recognition, and I'm very happy for those that received that. It's well deserved. However, some of the comments sound like they're only doing it for that. I saw comments that say they're ready to quit blogging because they didn't get a nomination. It's really not my place to say anything since I have a small blog and I'm not interested in it being a business, but just because they didn't receive a nomination doesn't make them any less. I think your perspective here is great as well as the above comments.
ReplyDeleteAnnie you are spot on. 100% spot on. When I began blogging in 2009 it wasn't like that. Now, it seems that (sadly) many feel that if they aren't nominated, well, they aren't "worthy" I was guilty of that too up until about 2 years ago. People have to realize that awards are subjective (that goes for the Oscars, Golden Globes, etc), there are ALWAYS those who are equally as worthy who get passed over. When I began blogging it was NEVER for accolades, never. Then, the "competition" gets to you......I decided to jump off that "crazy train" and blog for the reason I started, because I love cats. BTW your blog is equally as worthy, doesn't matter how "large" the blog is. You make myself and many others happy, and ultimately that is what it is about. xoxo
DeleteThank you so much. I also wanted to come back because I got so engrossed in the topic that I completely missed Cody's awesome pictures!
DeleteSometimes it is so helpful to take a step back and remember what is important and why you do this.
ReplyDeleteI have been blogging for years without a plan. :)
ReplyDeleteand I LOVE your blog! It ALWAYS conveys your love (as well as frustrations that we all can relate to) pertaining to your adorable kitties!
DeleteWe don't worry about those things either, we just do what we do to have fun! Wise AND happy you are!
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY!! And you do an unbelievably PAWESOME JOB and YOUR love of cats shines through and look at all you do to help them!
DeleteCarpe diem, dear friend, and have fun blogging ! Purrs
ReplyDeleteohhhh trust me I am!!!!
Deletedood....can we say thiz iz one oh de BEST fotoz we haz seen oh ewe; troo lee...it getz like a double tripull dawg dare ya 984 pawz UP.....yur mom kneadz ta like frame it .....ya noe ~~~~ ☺☺☺♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteyou are hilarious! The first one is my fave!
DeleteThis is beautiful! I'm working to get to where you are. My perfectionism and urge to compare myself to everyone is really dragging me down. I almost don't enjoy blogging anymore. I wrote today's post from that place.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh how I can sooooo relate (and THANK YOU!!!) I am not a perfectionist by any stretch of the imagination, but I was CONSTANTLY comparing myself to others.....(be it good or bad I was doing it)....yepper it TOTALLY dragged me down. I also began to not enjoy blogging. Once I removed myself from a number of "triggers" I felt the pressure completely ease. Now, do I care if I post a photo that was used before? HELL NO.....do I feel I have to blog 5 days a week? HELL NO.........(before, when I was obsessed with being desirable to a brand) I was obsessed with that, why? Because I felt you have to be to work with a brand. NOT TRUE.....authenticity is most important...and...to be honest? I didn't want my blog looking like a giant commercial (which frankly I am seeing much too much of) will I still do reviews? Sure! Will I be paid? Yepper! But......if I never got another review again I would be happy with that too. I will have to check your post out today (((hugs))). You summed up exactly how I had been feeling!
DeleteI came back to read the comments, Caren. It's a really good topic. I can empathize with Momma Cat's comment, above.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I like a blog that's *real*. Not someone pretending their life is anything other than what it is. And I don't mean someone posting doom and gloom, not at all. Just that life is messy, and for most of us, it certainly doesn't turn out quite like we'd hoped or expected or even planned for. Just be real, no pretense, drop the superficiality. (Not you, that's a general comment. LOL.)
And to Momma Kat I would say, keep in mind what you want your headstone or marker to say when you die. I don't think anyone wants their legacy to be that they spent their lives in front of a computer trying to keep up with the proverbial Joneses (who don't really exist anyway).
Peace!
Your happy decision shines through every post!
ReplyDeletexxoo
Maggie
Muah!! xxoxo
DeleteNumbers? Stats? SEO? We seriously don’t care about any of that stuff. If we did, we woudn’t be around anymore. We just wanna have fun and enjoy what we’re doing.
ReplyDeleteRight on to all you say. Balance is everything. It's why I only blog once a week most weeks down from 14 xoxo
ReplyDeleteBalance exactly! And...you KNOW how important that is to a Libra! xoxo
DeleteI read this last night and almost come back to comment. I watch I could watch the wheels. Right now blogging is like an evil addiction. I want to stop but feel I have no other place in life.
ReplyDeleteI can relate because I started this blog 2 years after I lost my job in Michigan due to downsizing. In Cleveland I worked at one place for 21 and a half years, moved here and had a ton of jobs...when I was let go in 2007 (with 14 others) it was the first time since I was like 12 years old that I WASN'T working. Blogging gave me a purpose. It still does..........that being said, with your talents (you are an INCREDIBLE WRITER), you could get some freelance gigs and just blog when you want to. You would STILL have a purpose (and you have a place in life anyway because you are a SPECIAL and talented person!) Do NOT sell yourself short!!! I don't think you should stop, I am not stopping, but there are times (I mostly do it on Dakota's blog), where I might not post for a week or so. His blog sits idle quite a bit. Cody's blog has always been my main blog (it is my first blog and the reason I started blogging)........I doubt his would sit idle as long as Dakota's but if it were to happen, so be it! (((hugs)))
DeleteWe totally agree! We blog when we want to, not when we feel we have to and it's been so freeing! Kitties only need food and nap schedules, not blog schedules too! Our mommy is a lot less stressed which is good too.
ReplyDeleteamen sweet furiends!!!!!! xoxo
DeleteIt is great that this is working for you. There is too much trying to please the wheel of society and expectation. It is so de-stressing to be free of such things. Be yourself and be free and enjoy life. Social media is a true curse at times, and there are a few articles out there that now point out how to make everything fit in. Frankly I think we will see a lot of folk burning out and getting lost in the mix of it all, and end up selling their souls to it.
ReplyDeleteKeep on being you and enjoying your new way
Toodle pips and purrs
Erin
thank you! Ohhh you are preaching to the choir about burn out lol. I have been blogging since late 2009 and have had two blogs since 2011........burn out is EXACTLY what was happening mostly last year!
DeleteYES YES AND MORE YESES, What others think of you is none of your business! Love that❤️💕
ReplyDeleteI don't care about all those stats either. Gave that up long ago. Years ago.
ReplyDeleteI linked Cody to Feline Friday. Have a purrfect weekend. ♥
I enjoy Cody's take on life =)
ReplyDeleteIt's good to take a step back and consider the what and why of things sometimes.
Let the Kibble fall where it may!! I love it - wise words indeed!
ReplyDeleteI agree! I have never worried about statistics, but obviously it is nice to have people come and visit. I started the blog to let everyone know about the lives my boys had exploring the fields with me. I continue it to keep their memories alive, but also to stay in touch with the many friends I have made through blogging.
ReplyDeleteYou chose the perfect song to express your feelings for your decision.
I am sooo happy you continue to share memories of the boys with us! Having followed you for a LONG time, they are still a "constant" and I adore seeing them! As for the song, thank you so much....I Just love that song, always have. You know I am a HUGE Lennon freak and have been since I was 7!! xoxo
DeleteExcellent post. It is most important to do something for the love of it and I can't thing of anything better than cats :) XO
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful blog post. It seems the doing what you want to do, when you want to do it, suits you.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
hugs, Bugsy, Knuckles and Lou
thank you!! I think it stems from having to be beyond regimented for at least 26 years of my life! lol
DeleteBeen doing that all along and totally respect all who do it! Also, thanks for the little shot of Lennon; it always comes in handy and does the job. xoxo
ReplyDeleteaww thank you!!! I admire that you have been doing it ALL ALONG!! YAY!! xoxo
DeletePerfectly stated, Caren and Cody! As long as we have our beloved friends like you, and we give the cats at PAWS a voice and the exposure they need, it's all good. :)
ReplyDeleteLove you!
What a wonderful post! I couldn’t agree with you more. Sometimes you just have to let go to get ahead! Purrfectly logical!
ReplyDeleteWe don't pay attention to numbers or stats....we just blog because we have fun and we love our friends.
ReplyDeleteThe Florida Furkids
Good for you Caren and Cody. The stats vary but if you truly enjoy what you're doing.....who cares? To give peeps a chuckle or downright belly laugh is our goal besides telling others about Shoko's triumphs and misdeeds.elax and go for it. Life can be rough and we don't live in a bubble so life creeps up on us and must be dealt with.
ReplyDeleteJean
I did not get into statistics. Blogging for me has been a way of staying sane in the crazy world that I live in. Caren, You ROCK and you always have.
ReplyDeleteKudos!
Love Barb
Well I thank you but YOU ROCK waaaay more than I do! Love you too! Always and forever! xoxo
DeleteJohn Lennon was quite a human being, wasn't he? "All you need is love!"
ReplyDeleteAt first when I started blogging in 2014, I had one blog...then I had two, one for MJF and one for the kitties...which became way too much of a burden...so I started posting less, but each time I felt obliged to do a post on each one...so after a while I combined them into one blog. And cut back the number of posting I do. Mostly only once a week...and a few other times if I feel the need or urge. And I blog just for the fun of it and as a way to document the lives of my furry ones sort of like a diary...not at all to get numbers & stats and accolades, etc. My little blog is just that...and if I get friends and visitors so much the better...but I would be posting even if it was just for me and my furs...
ReplyDeleteMy issue is not the weekly post I do, its getting the pictures I want/need...sometimes I too, just do not feel like it, because with limited time, I would rather 'go visiting in other blogs...like yours...but then things get put on the back burner, and peeps must wonder if I forgot about them or have decided to not like them any more. Nothing is farther from the truth, I love all my blogging pals and love to read about their 'doings' and see their pets as well.
So sometimes I just visit one blog and its posts I have missed...like I am doing tonight!
Phew! What a lot of unloading I just did! It was interesting to read all the others' comments, too. We are not alone, what a good feeling:)
((((( ♥ )))))
Yay for happiness! Your authenticity shines through with every post, Caren (and Cody). Blogging for fun is why we started. We'll never have big numbers and I'm fine with that. Blogging is truly a hobby for me and something I enjoy doing -- and I'll keep doing it until it feels like a chore. Learning from pros like you makes it easier for relative newbies like me. Thank you for always imparting your wisdom!
ReplyDeleteYou are the sweetest and I deeply thank you!! Thanks for your kind words, actually YOU are a PRO!! I ADORE your blog and YOU! xoxo
Delete