When I said I was going to cut back on blogging, I didn’t intend to take such a long break, but something magical happened when I wrote down that I would stop posting daily. I finally made the switch to think of That Wife as a hobby, something I do for fun when I have spare time. Whereas before it was a priority, and other things were getting pushed off until I had my post written for the day, or had photos edited, or had emails responded to. This past week when That Husband walked through the door I watched Parks and Recreation with him (normally I just keep saying “one more minute!” over and over while I finish up yet another thing on the computer). T1 and I went for a walk and saw an old fat raccoon right outside our apartment building. He liked it.
Releasing myself from the pressure of posting daily has made my marriage better, my life better.
That Husband is going out of town from Thursday night through Saturday night to spend some time in California, my longest time on my own with T1 since he was born. I’m bummed that all three of us aren’t going, as the weather turns colder Chicago becomes a lot less fun. Maybe it’s time for us to visit the pool downstairs? This next week I think I’ll have some more time to write, I had some Jenna Cole orders that needed to be taken care of, and the TWLC2 clerical type stuff is just about done. Then I hope to be sharing more pictures like this with you.
Oh! And in less than 2 weeks my sister is coming. She’s going to babysit T1 while we go to Dallas for a Company X thing. It’s her first visit to Chicago, so I think I’ll end up hitting some of the cheesy tourist attractions here after all!
Back to Khan Academy for me. I’ve been answering some Formspring questions every now and again as well. Thank you for both your support, and your notes letting me know I’ve been missed. I really appreciate it!
Also:
I have missed your posts (always look forward to them showing up in my google reader) but am so glad for you that you have found a better balance. Hopefully you can continue to blog just for fun, and not put pressure on yourself to “perform” to a certain standard. I am sure in any case I will continue to enjoy reading!
Your sister’s visit (and your trip to Dallas without baby) sounds like a lot of fun! I wish my sister was coming to visit me but Singapore is a little far. Maybe someday…
Yeah! GO JENNA!
I didn’t know you were a Parks and Rec fan! I think it’s my favorite show right now… isn’t the Leslie-Ben love story adorable? They are definitely the new Jim and Pam.
I kept checking for a new post, then had to tell myself I better get used to less frequent updates since you told us you were planning on cutting back when you go abck to study.
While I’m sad that I won’t get to read new posts from you so often, I think it’s great you’ve found a better balance. In the past I’ve been caught up reading particular websites or posting on particular forums on a daily basis and i’ve always found when I step back and take a break that they weren’t as important to me as I thought. Sometimes I’ve stopped reading them all together and found something more productive to do, and I’m always happier for it.
I hope you find a better balance and that this leads to less stress for you
Erin Reply:
November 6th, 2011 at 10:18 am
I completely agree. The same has worked for me and my family as well.
Back when I blogged…yes, there are cobwebs growing there now, though I plan to get started up again soon…the most I could handle was every other day. I think that’s a nice schedule. Maybe it’s still more than you’d like to do right now, but it’s a good amount of posts, but cutting your effort in half.
Whatever you do though is great…it’s a blog after all! Not something you “owe” to the world - this is supposed to be fun and enrich your life in the way you want it to.
It’s a good thing you aren’t going to CA! If you were coming for a quick visit, and I wasn’t there to meet up with you since I’ve moved, I would just shake my fist at the sky!
Amen. A hobby should be enriching, not stressful or a chore that interferes with being truly present in the rest of our lives. Good on ya!
ThePinkSuperhero Reply:
November 7th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
I agree! Good on you!
you should do the tourist activities. i don’t think they are cheesy.
Sophia Reply:
November 6th, 2011 at 8:54 am
I agree! I had lots of fun in Chicago wandering around downtown and stumbling on the “must sees” as they came up. Free, laid back, and I saw so much of the city. Also, hopping on public transportation and seeing where the wind takes me is a favorite “tourist activity” of mine that has never failed me
I’m so glad that releasing yourself from the pressure of writing every day has helped you find balance. I also feel that pressure on most weekdays-and because I don’t have a family or a job here in Spain, I feel like if I don’t write, I’m obviously not doing ANYTHING with my time. It’s hardly true, I’ve never been more busy, but I definitely relate to that pressure you felt. Good luck on your own with T1-I hope you find some fun cool-weather activities!
I used to blog quite regularly, but then I gave myself a pass to blog when something exciting happened. And that’s all I do. I post in fits and spurts and it suits me. I hope you continue finding balance!
I lived in Chicago for 2 years and am not into cheesy tourist stuff at all. I highly recommend the architecture boat tour. I know you read it was $25/person but I’ve found tons of coupons online etc. for it half price. It’s so worth it and no touristy at all. The guide is incredibly educated, passionate and thoughtful. The Museum of Science and Industry and tons of stimulating activities for young kids and things of interest for adults. My daughter has a speech delay and I’d take her there every week or so when she was under 2, pre preschool age, to play with other kids around the museum. Great in the winters!!! A membership is worth it if you go more than 2x as a family. Did you know that the local public libraries rent out family passes that get your child and often you into activities around chicago for free: http://www.chipublib.org/eventsprog/programs/kids/grkids_museumpass.php. Take advantage of them, so awesome!
I’m a homebody too. Trust me. I really like my time at home but I found utilizing some of the cultural institutions to give my child a chance to socialize and engage in multimedia/multisensory experiences essential during long dark chicago winters.
cait Reply:
November 7th, 2011 at 11:25 am
I have to 2nd the free passes at the library. They’re awesome!
Miss your posts but glad you are doing what is best for you. I’m selfishly happy you are busy around the time I’m going to have a baby (early Dec) so I wont miss out on much…hehe!
good for you for disconnecting more! I’m on an ‘off-tv and off-computer while our toddler’s awake’ challenge too and very much see it as a positive thing for the whole family!
Cheering you on in this disconnect-more journey!
THIS is the best and wisest post you’ve written in a long, long time. Good for you, Jenna!
Sometimes you need to reorder priorities and it isn’t always for the worst. I am sure everyone will just be more excited to see posts from you if they are not so often!