I’m being drawn toward the draft folder, so I’ve dedicated the month of December to cleaning out drafts. If you see a random post that doesn’t quite go with the flow, you’ll know Barb finished a draft. 🙂
A full draft folder used to feel overwhelming. There are no stacks of paper piled up on my desk because it feels like clutter, but the draft folder felt like stacks of paper, so once it piled up, it was sorted through.
Some were trashed, but most were published. There were posts sitting in there for years, but that’s when the old rule that works in all areas of my life came into play. “If it hasn’t been used in a year, it’s probably not gonna be used.” December is a good month to declutter.
Think of drafts as stories waiting for their Writer to return. There are six drafts in my draft folder, but if you’re reading this, it went down to five.
Sitting in the corner of the room at my desk, I raised my weary head and asked, “Is it time for chocolate cold brew yet?” She said, “Heck yeah!”, and disappeared into the kitchen. My attitude was instantly uplifted.
This new email platform for work is eating my breakfast, lunch and dinner, but you know what? I’m gonna win.
There’s no other option for me personally.
I don’t even think about defeat, or worry that it’s too much to absorb and learn. Every hour or so, I leave my corner and walk around the house to clear my mind and refocus. Sometimes I read something positive to reinforce my outlook. It’s important what you take in because that is what you’re going to hand out to people around you.
I posted this meme on Facebook this week and it had mixed views. Some have been taking in sadness for so long, it’s rubbed off on them and become a part of who they are.
You have to be careful with sad if you want to remain happy. I’ve followed some pretty sad Bloggers in the past, and I had to unfollow them. I can make a note of their Blogsite to check on them down the road, but I cannot read sad throughout the day and remain true to who I am. Barb is happy and wants to stay that way.
There was a saying used years ago that stuck with me. “Fake it till you make it.” No matter how I was feeling, if someone asked, “How are you?”, I’d respond, “I’m doing great!” It took years of saying ‘great’, to actually believe life is great, but every time I said it out loud, it became more ingrained until it became my first choice.
I respond in the same manner today, but I usually receive a skeptical look, or that ‘you must be crazy’ look. It’s like it’s unusual to be in a good place. If they continue to prod deeper about my upbeat attitude, I confuse them even more when I say, “Because, I’m happy.”
A friend once told me, “It’s okay to grieve and you’ll feel sad, but don’t unpack your bag and set up camp.”
Once you find your happy be willing to fiercely protect it from outside influences. Sad can overtake happy, quickly and easily. Protect your happy.
I read a post in my Reader this morning by Mama’s Empty Nest. She doesn’t know this, but she inspires me. She’s been Blogging for 10 years, but doesn’t have a huge amount of followers. (2,000ish) To me, that’s inspiring.
I’ve been Blogging for 6 years, but didn’t get serious about it until 2019. That was the year my views doubled. Today, it’s not about the likes, even though they are nice to see, it’s about the reader. It took years to come to that realization and some days I still struggle with it.
I was thinking of the Fearless Warrior program I joined in July. I’m already fearless because of my trust in God. I trust Him with my life, and He instilled a warrior in me, but there’s one thing in this life I won’t fight. Algorithms.
If you love your Blog, the best thing to do is suit up and show up and give God something to use. Mama’s Empty Nest inspires me by just showing up. She enjoys the simplicity in life and we share the same big God.
Think of your Blog as your own corner of the world.
Once you publish a post, you may see the same readers give you likes and the same writers make comments, but my darling…that is called a faithful following.
Thank you for requesting a handwritten note. (You know who you are) They’ve all been mailed.
I don’t know one of the people very well that requested a note, so I just sat down and shared my morning. Each word written was like she was sitting at the table with me. I hope she can sense it as she reads it.
Or, she’ll think it’s quite odd. 🙂
Either way, I feel quite accomplished with making the offer and following through in a timely manner. A good part of life entails doing your part and watching where that leads.
I received a handwritten note from my friend Paula. Just like her, it’s beautiful inside and out.
Yesterday, I found a card from a friend written a couple of years ago. I’d forgotten how close we once were and reached out to her on Facebook to reconnect. She responded to my message and it was clear, we’re still traveling different paths.
There’s nothing wrong with that. She’s going her way and I’m going mine, but there was no connection. This is the year for community. WordPress is the only online community I’m active in at the moment. The rest is all real.
I’ve been pondering the idea of posting a Blog everyday the month of December. I know Bloggers who post everyday and they have it all planned.
I don’t plan my posts. They form from a piece of inspiration I spotted within my day and grow from there. I ponder that little nugget until it has words swirling around it and then find a quiet moment to let them fall to the page.
December is a busy month. A lot of writers take the month off completely. There’s something I’ve learned from taking a break from something I love. When I leave, it ends.
There’s a struggle in the re-starting.
There’s no growth in the not doing.
I asked a friend what she thought about me Blogging everyday this month and she reminded me how busy people are in December. That’s a valid point, but I don’t write for the the masses. This Blog has evolved into a haven of sorts. Readers know it’s going to be peaceful and calm.
Writing isn’t a task for me, or on my to-do list for the day. It’s a gift and an honor to be used by God in this way. Flaws and all.
The house is still and quiet. The dogs just came in from a full day of playing next door. They come home around the same time each day. I appreciate how they know they’ve had enough for one day.
Watch and learn from the doggos.
Yesterday, I found myself physically tired.
This weekend I’m going to take care of me. This month I’ve been giving away more of myself than usual, but cannot pour from an empty cup.
Yesterday, my daughter noticed I was being quiet and she knew. Mom is tapped out for a bit.
I changed my theme for this site and forgot about it. When I typed in the address to come here and write, I didn’t recognize the site as mine, but thought, ‘Wow. That’s so pretty.’ 🙂
That is what we call dog tired.
Self-care weekend in full pursuit my lovelies. Looking at my dogs in this moment, I see rest.
I have an old pair of jeans full of holes. I wear them on Sunday and call them my holy jeans. 🙂
My favorite thing to do on Sunday mornings is hop in my truck, roll the windows down, and take a drive. The air coming through the windows feels good this time of year. I heard this song during my drive this morning and want to share.
Keep writing and planting seeds my darlins.
God can use what’s published here on WordPress to reach exactly who needs to hear it. Those words can change their life and yes lovely, even save it.
