Lately I've been in a re-evaluative state. I'm thinking about where I spend my time and wondering if I want to make some changes. We're coming up on our 2 year anniversary of My Dear Trash, the blog, and I'm finding that the passion I once had is not there. Why? I think I've come to the conclusion that I don't like being defined. Since I retired from teaching I've discovered a freedom that allows me to try different hobbies, different jobs, and different passions. Some of these passions have included; teaching theatre, being a special effects make-up artist, thrifting, selling on ebay, decorating, refinishing furniture, party planning, having space in a retail store, crafting, blog reading, estate sale planning, painting, and the list goes on and on. When we started My Dear Trash we had no idea this blog would actually help others, that our hobbies would educate and inspire others. We are so grateful to our readers who write and tell us of their success with earning financial freedom. The glitch? We've been defined- labeled-imprisoned. Because I do have so many different passions I want to share them with our blog readers- I don't want to just talk about my ebay sales, or my craigslist flips. I want to share ALL that I have to offer. I want to show you pictures of how excited my little 2 year old was to get a big girl bed and sleep in it for the first time
I want to talk about the ups and downs of running a business out of my home, The crap-ty craft I made for the latest holiday, my fears, my goals and my REAL life. So what's stopping me? Why has my passion diminished? COMMENTS! About once a week- usually after Laura or I have posted about something other than ebay and craigslist- we receive a comment or an email, reminding us of the brand, or label we carry. "I wish both of you would go back to telling us what you paid for items, then what you sold them for. It's a thrill to read, an inspiration!! Please?" Was one of the latest- but it's one of many. I feel like yelling, "Hey, There's more to me than the $50 bucks I made off a piece of furniture. Did you know I was in people magazine, named as one of 100 extraordinary women by the Nabisco company, or that I've been taking care of my husband's 92 year old grandmother for the past 2 1/2 years, or that I used to write for the Arizona Republic newspaper?" There's more to me than ebay and craigslist. So, what's next? I'm not sure. For now, I'm taking a little break from the weekly sameness in my posts. I'm going to post about what I'm passionate about right now- which usually changes on a monthly basis, so it shouldn't get boring. We are so grateful for our readers and I hate to sound so disappointed, I think I've done this to myself- but I'm ready for change. No matter which direction I go, it seems trash always plays a significant role- so I'm not worried about the title of our blog, because It really is about finding value where others don't see it, especially in ourselves. As I continue to find new value in myself, I hope you'll stay along for the ride- and do us a favor- leave a comment once in a while- we all like to know someone's listening. Love, Kelly.
I want to talk about the ups and downs of running a business out of my home, The crap-ty craft I made for the latest holiday, my fears, my goals and my REAL life. So what's stopping me? Why has my passion diminished? COMMENTS! About once a week- usually after Laura or I have posted about something other than ebay and craigslist- we receive a comment or an email, reminding us of the brand, or label we carry. "I wish both of you would go back to telling us what you paid for items, then what you sold them for. It's a thrill to read, an inspiration!! Please?" Was one of the latest- but it's one of many. I feel like yelling, "Hey, There's more to me than the $50 bucks I made off a piece of furniture. Did you know I was in people magazine, named as one of 100 extraordinary women by the Nabisco company, or that I've been taking care of my husband's 92 year old grandmother for the past 2 1/2 years, or that I used to write for the Arizona Republic newspaper?" There's more to me than ebay and craigslist. So, what's next? I'm not sure. For now, I'm taking a little break from the weekly sameness in my posts. I'm going to post about what I'm passionate about right now- which usually changes on a monthly basis, so it shouldn't get boring. We are so grateful for our readers and I hate to sound so disappointed, I think I've done this to myself- but I'm ready for change. No matter which direction I go, it seems trash always plays a significant role- so I'm not worried about the title of our blog, because It really is about finding value where others don't see it, especially in ourselves. As I continue to find new value in myself, I hope you'll stay along for the ride- and do us a favor- leave a comment once in a while- we all like to know someone's listening. Love, Kelly.
The picture of your daughter in her new bed is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually follow a blog unless I feel like I have things in common with the blog poster. I do not (ONLY) follow for 1 certain topic. I am happy with My Dear Trash on whatever topics you two write about.
Family, Revamps, Flips whatever it is this is a great blog.
I am a reader from New Zealand who doesn't have craigslist and has never shopped e-bay because of the exchange rate. I am often inspired by your make overs but have never been game enough to try it myself. Mostly I read your blog and just feel like cheering you on for all your successes as you seem just like me - a mum raising her family and trying to make/save money for the extras in life. I do like reading about your respective families as well as your latest schemes and if you tell us how to do it- well even better. I also like you on facebook! Keep it up and let us know your latest passion! Catherine
ReplyDeleteSomeone once told me . . . it's your blog and your life. You can write about anything you want to. Those who do not like it may move on to the next of the three million kajillion blogs that are out there.
ReplyDeleteSo true.
I want to start a blog, but I am having trouble because I want to write about different things and I don't want to be stuck into writing one thing either.
ReplyDeleteI think that as long as you are following your heart, your writing will reflect that and your blog 'followers' will continue to go along for the ride. No one wants to be seen as one dimensional. I look forward to seeing what comes next...
ReplyDeleteWell...I ALWAYS read your blog, I rarely commment, but you have inspired many / me.. like when your goal was to raise $5000 for your daughter's wedding, but then I more than loved seeing pics of the wedding & the rest of your life. It's all about balance.... We love to see what is happening behind the trash...& what motivates both of you....
ReplyDeleteWrite what is on your heart...It's your blog... we'll be here... : )
I am a new follower of yours and went through this myself last year. I made the mistake of changing my blog name (don't do that) but felt it was something that I needed to do at the time. I also decided there was more to me then I was putting out, even if others did not want to see it. I won't lie I'm pretty sure I lost a lot of followers but I feel much more satisfied with how I blog now. I gave myself an outline to follow to help me get off to a good start and to let others know what they could expect but even with that I find I sometimes follow it and sometimes do not. Now I have no problems posting as I want and feel very liberated to blog as I see fit. It's your blog and I too think you should share all that you want. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteWhen I started reading I was afraid you were going to say you were done with blogging, I'm so glad you are sticking around! I love seeing pictures from the wedding and bedroom makeovers, and family trips. Love you guys and your blog :) Write what makes you happy & don't stress about the rest!
ReplyDeleteThe modern society has divided jobs into very specific categories - teacher being a teacher only, mechanician being a mechanician only. But if we zoom out thousands of miles away, and then ask ourselves this: who says that you can only do one thing in your life? Kelly, what I love about you is not because of eBay or Craiglist. It is because you dare to think outside the box and dare actually do it! I am sure many people have a second though cross their mind from now and then but very little people can actually take into action. You did! And again, who says a person can not switch his/her passion from one thing to another? It is a gift Kelly! It is a gift of a combination of skills, passion, energy, compassion, and more! Not many people have them all. I was a CPA for years and was very good at it, but lately I found out my real passion was not numbers. I love business, I love freedom, I love doing something different. Your blog inspired me at the right time - I started reading your blog at the end of June this year. I finally realize that I should be the one design my own life instead of letting life run my life. There is no other better words to describe how much I appreciate you and your blog because it helps me to discover the real me that I did not realize before. Thank you so much Kelly. Please keep this blog, keep this passion going because we need them! Best, Niki
ReplyDeleteKelly--
ReplyDeleteI was wondering where this would go after our discussion last week. You came to the right conclusion! And it's not about followers--it's about reality. Remember my post about baby poop all over my dress before the family photo? You were the one who told me that THAT was real and to keep it that way.
Frankly, as your friend, you are one of the most driven, interesting, fun people I know, someone always up to learn something or challenge yourself. THAT is real. That is what I love about you.
Keep blogging.
And keep learning and growing.
And screw the followers. It's not what matters anyway, right?
That's what I try to tell myself at any rate.
Keep it real, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteWe are with you Kelly. Take us along on your tour of life. You are doing a spectacular job and I look forward to whatever you have to say. The same goes for Laura. Continue to inspire, motivate, educate and entertain us with what YOU want to post! We will still be here!
ReplyDeleteI've read you for quite a while. I could care less what you made on any one item on eBay. I just like reading. I stopped commenting though because I really feel blogging is this give and take and I got sick of commenting on blogs that don't seem to take the time to learn anything about their readership. The blogs I value the most are one's that seem to make a genuine effort to reach out to people not just do a mememememem meeeeeeeeee blog all the time 24/7. And I realize that's what blogging is but you must have a desire to have people read or you would keep it private. So its not a big jump to think you have to foster relationships on the internet just like the real world or you end up with people who only comment that they want something from you. Not the type of readers who genuinely enjoy the give and take that a blog can foster.
ReplyDeleteKelly:
ReplyDeleteAgree with all posters--I'm glad to know that you will still be blogging and I always enjoy reading your posts on any topic.
Sure, some people really like posts where you redecorate on a dime (like me), but I also enjoy reading about your family and about Laura's family too.
I think what (some) people were perceiving is that you were less committed to blogging, but it makes sense to me now why you were posting less than in the past.
One reason I don't comment very often is because I post as anonymous and have to click through at least 3 times to finally get a comment to post. Don't always have time for that.
Take care and thanks for taking the time to blog.
Edie
About 2 years ago, I made a 'small' blog called My Frugal Family. I loved it, but I got bored with it. I felt like it was there for crafts, and the occasional good buy, not for me just being me.
ReplyDeleteI have since started a much different blog, where I'm free to say, do, and post whatever I want- whether it's a reminder to myself to call about a doctors appointment, or to complain, complain, complain about said doctor's appointment going horrifyingly, painfully wrong. Or, to post pictures of weird stuff I find, or hot guys I see.
I post pretty much everything. It's made it easier to blog, because there's no definition.
I kind of did the same thing. I started out as a "coupon mommy blogger", but I've expanded it to share so many other things about my life. The things I write now and so much more important to me and interesting, but most of the pageviews and comments go to giveaways and deals. I just want to scream "I'm so much more intersting!" Ultimately I've decided that unless I'm happy, it doesn't matter. Good luck in your bloggy journey!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard not to want to re-evaluate after a while considering that we usually stay with what's working and have people coming back. I must admit I am at that crossing point myself and I have been trying to post about everyday life, new project, and what' s exciting me and it can be a bit of a challenge because you wonder if anyone is listening when they don't comment. Well, take from me I am listening (reading) everything you do and I'm loving it! Wish you many years of success!
ReplyDeleteVariety is the spice of life. So go for it. I will continue to read.
ReplyDeleteI will read your blog whatever you write about - I absolutely loved the senterpieces you made for the wedding a while back, and I am a hobby - o- holic, so anything you create and blogg about will make me happy. And maybe I even will atempt to make something similar for myself?
ReplyDeleteBlogging is supposed to be fun - so go for it ! Do what makes YOU happy.
I love all of you and Laura's posts - the craigslist and ebay profits are more for me to get excited about what is possible, but that's not why I read your blog. I read it because you two are awesome! Your varied backgrounds and gifts are really fun to get to peek in on. Keep writing, whatever it is you write about!
ReplyDeleteKelly, I love you and all you do. I'm so happy to go on this journey with you once again. I couldn't have said it better myself.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, you should share whatever you want to share, not what others think you should share. I a new follower but look forward to your future posts no matter what the subject may be.
ReplyDeleteI'll be reading, regardless of what you write about. It's your blog - do whatever you want.
ReplyDeleteI love reading My Dear Trash, and while I love seeing what you guys find at garage sales and how much you guys can flip an item for, I will continue to read your blog because I love all the other things you guys include as well! I love seeing your makeovers and seeing pictures of Laura's kiddos. This blog is one of my regulars that I try to check every night and I am saddened when there isn't a new post for a while, so I am happy that you are willing to share even more of your life with us! :) Post whatever you feel like, we will still be here! :)
ReplyDeleteWow - how timely! I ' m in the same place with my blog. I blog about my mixed media crafting, but there 's so much more to share! I sometimes wonder of my (2 - HA!) readers think I'm bouncing from topic to topic, but that 's really what life is -one adventure after another. so I'm blogging about whatever moves me and hope you do as well. We'll keep reading because it's interesting.
ReplyDeleteI actually tried to reply to that poster last week, but for some reason my laptop wasn't cooperating so it never showed up. I pretty much wanted to say "there are a bazillion blogs that can tell you how much someone made on junk/trash they resold, so just STOP!". It infuriates me when someone is willingly reading your words but yapping about what you write. Really?
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and think both your and Laura are amazing women. Write whatever you want and I'll gladly read.
For what it's worth, my life and yours couldn't be more polar opposite, but I adore reading about your families. xoxox
Variety is the spice of life. I like seeing what you have found and then sold but I also like to see projects and hear about your life. I really liked when you shared about your tween room redo. Things like that are just as inspiring as making a buck or two on trash. Go with what feels right to you!
ReplyDeleteLove her bedding and kudos for changing it up!
ReplyDelete