Life Update- Moving and Finding Balance
I’m baaack! Whew, I feel like I’ve been gone forever even though I was only absent from the blog for two weeks. I am, however, excited to be back today sharing the latest update on our move and what’s been happening in my world.
Life Update- Moving and Finding Balance
First off, we’re officially moved into our new home in Georgia and excited to be settling into the area quite nicely. Going from living in a super rural area where you had to drive an hour or more to get to anything, to having everything you could ever want and more within a 15 minute drive is ah-mazing!
It could also end up being dangerous for my wallet though, as I’m not used to having Hobby Lobby, Ulta, and Target at the tip of my fingers- haha.
Anyways, after going through our 6th move in the past 7 years, I think we can safely say, we’ve about had our fill for moving. Packing is horrendous, the actual drive/move is worse, and unpacking is such a chore. But all in all, I would say it was worth it because I’m absolutely in love with our new home.
Here’s just a few of my favorite spots in our home!
My walk-in closet is the size of a bedroom and my shoe shelf is seriously a dream come true.
I’m a tub girl through and through and I foresee this gal spending so many relaxing nights soaking in this.
Last but certainly not least, we now have a fireplace and I’m loving the fact I can decorate it each season and it adds such a cozy feel to our home.
Taking a Break and Finding Balance
In other news, I felt like I needed to be honest with you regarding my two-week break from the blog. At first I was going to try to be a crazy superwoman and keep posting as normal, but really that was just unrealistic. And if I’m being completely real, even beyond the fact that we’ve been super busy packing, moving, and running around like crazy for the last two weeks, I was starting to feel a little burnt out with blogging.
You see the absolute very second I announced that I was going to go full-time with my blog, I had this immense pressure fall on my head like a ton of bricks. So to try to compensate for the fact that was a “full-time blogger” I deemed it necessary to dedicate practically every waking hour to blogging.
Quite literally I would wake up, drop the kids off at school, come home and immediately dive into 6 hours straight of being on a computer, followed by a couple hours of break in the evenings for dinner and homework with the kids, to going right back at it for several hours before bed. Oh and when I wasn’t blogging, I was packing up our house and trying to sell.
And while the first couple of days were fine, by day 3 I was absolutely exhausted. I can remember crawling into my bed and asking myself “Is this really what I want to do every.single.day?” Is this what it’s going to take to make all my blogging dreams come true? (To never do anything but blog and barely eat, sleep, and have a life?) And of course the answer is a resounding NO.
Look I love blogging. I love writing, taking photos, creating fun content, and connecting with all you amazing peeps out there. It’s something I’ve truly grown to love over the past two years and I can’t really imagine life without blogging in it, nor do I want to.
But I also REALLY love my family- my husband who I just saw last week for the first time in a month and a half, my two precious kiddos who are getting older every single second, and sometimes I love just being plain ol’ me, makeup-less in the comfort of my pajamas in my home, minus the need to share anything on social media. (I know, I know it’s practically blasphemy to not want to share every moment with the world nowadays.)
I guess the point I’m trying to get at is that you can be passionate about something without dedicating every waking moment to it. It’s also completely 100% okay to take breaks.
I frequently have to remind myself that while I can do anything that I put my mind to do, I can’t do all the things, all the time. And it’s crazy to even try to.
I’m ready to get back at it with blogging and to put all my plans into motion that I talked about in this post, but this time I’m going to do it the right way. I’m not going to kill myself to try to get a month’s worth of tasks done in a couple of days, nor am I going to spend my time doing things that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. (More on this to come in a later post)
When you are passionate about something, it’s important to keep after it and not give up on the goals inside your head. But equally important is keeping yourself both mentally and physically focused and strong, which means taking breaks and living life!
I’m so happy to be in a new place with my family and excited for all the precious memories we’ll make together. I’m also excited to continue blogging and bringing great content that all of you will hopefully love and find valuable.
If you have ever struggled with finding balance and feeling overwhelmed, I hope you find this post encouraging and know that it’s okay to take breaks when needed. That doesn’t make you a sell-out and it most certainly doesn’t make you any less amazing.
Hope each of you have had a great last two weeks and I’ll catch you back on here on Wednesday!
Thanks for stopping by! -Cara
Glad to hear that you’re settling down in Georgia WITH YOUR HUSBAND!!! You’ve gotta take care of you, lady. 🙂 Blogging breaks are more than okay. Love that tub – I’m a tub girl too!
Thank-you! It was so nice to be reunited together as a family again!
Ahhh the house is so pretty! I love it! Glad you’re finding your groove with the new balance. I know it takes some time…plus the move…it’s a lot. If you ever need to vent, let me know!
Thank you so much! Balance is hard but it’s worth striving for!
I am glad you guys are getting settled in! It is nice to have places to go fairly convenient to you! Your shoe area is a dream!!! And that fireplace is so awesome and cozy looking.
Thank-you! I’m looking forward to decorate it each season!
I’m glad you are all settled now! I think rural areas are pretty but I need to be near civilization! I’m not a city girl but def suburbs close to everything. I def feel you on being burnt out from blogging. I have felt so inspired after going to Gen Beauty that I have been going non stop and with work related stuff and family stuff going on as well, I’m just really tired! I’m trying so hard to get up more and more content, videos, IG videos etc and it’s just really taking a toll. I have a wedding this weekend and I’m really looking forward to having a break from it all!
It is hard! It’s also hard to learn when enough is enough, because with blogging it almost feels like there’s always “more” you could be doing, ya know. Trying really hard to find that perfect balance nowadays.
Girl that shoe closet!!! #goals Yes, it’s okay to take breaks! I always try to take a break in the summer to unwind and enjoy life.
Thank-you! It’s my favorite part of my closet! 🙂
I love those new spot in your home! Can’t beat a pretty fireplace 🙂 Good luck figuring out the perfect balance for your family/work life. It’s tricky and I think it’s something I’m always reevaluating to make it work for me.
Thank-you! Balance is never easy, but it’s something worth striving for!
My favorite part about this post – “Drop kick the kids to school” … haha… I love real life.
You take your breaks – enjoy life & family – what else is the point of a blog if you’re not living a life to share?
Great advice and so true! If you’re not living a life, what’s the point really?
That bathtub! That fireplace! That shoe collection! GIRL. I’m so happy for you!!! It sounds like your head is on so straight, too…have no doubt you’ll be doing everything you want to be doing!
Coming Up Roses
Thanks so much! I’m definitely giving it my best! 🙂
I love your house. Looks stunning 🙂
Thank-you! Slowly but surely we’re getting settled in! 🙂
Your new home is lovely! A break is sometimes the best thing. It is good to recharge the blogger batteries.
Thanks Stephanie! It was much needed and really helped. 🙂
Your new home looks so nice! A fireplace is so perfect and makes it feel nice and cozy. I hope your blogging break re-energized you but it happens and a break is so necessary sometimes to get the inspiration back.
Thanks Krystal! I just love our new fireplace! 🙂
Your house is gorgeous! Congratulations on the move. Where in Georgia did you move? Would love to invite you to some blogger meet ups!
Thank-you! And that’d be awesome! We’re in Leesburg (part of the Albany metro)
I literally just went through the same thing. I was living in my single lady apartment for 4 years and just moved out. It was really hard, a week before the move my boyfriend went into the hospital with a collapsed lung as if the stress of the move wasn’t enough. Needless to say, the past few weeks were a little crazy and really stressful but the beautiful thing is that everything has a tendency to go back to normal and balance itself out. You just have to go through the crappy feelings and let it all right itself. Or at least that was my tactic this time around.
I think that’s great advice. So sorry to hear you had a hard time going through your move too, but I do think you’re right everything has a way of working itself out.
My fireplace is my favorite asset to my house – aside from the kitchen of course! I loooove decorating it for the holidays
I think it’s my favorite too! Looking forward to decorating it each season!
you space is beautiful!!
kisses from the sandpit ❤︎
http://www.mahryska.com
Thank-you!
Your house is gorgeous love them a shoes you have. Moving is very tiring at time, it’s takes time to really unpack everything because you are not sure where you really want to put other things. Taking a break from blog is perfectly okay I did it few times and I love it. It gives me a peace of mind.
Thanks Anna! Definitely makes me feel better that other bloggers can understand where I’m coming from. 🙂
Your new home is lovely. And it’s so nice to read words from someone who has been in the same place in regards to blogging. This past while, it seems that every waking moment there is something that ‘needs’ to be done for my blog. Last night I was up way too late trying to repair a broken page on my blog, and with very little sleep I am getting thru the day. I made the decision today, after reading your post that I am going to have to set some boundaries that include time allotments for blogging and take some breaks during the other times!
Thank-you! I think as bloggers, we’re so passionate about it because it’s ours that we sometimes forget that like everything we need to set boundaries and find a balance. Otherwise, you’ll spend way too many late nights, lunch breaks, and time away from family which isn’t good for anyone. Plus you honestly have to ask yourself “Will this really matter a week from now?” That’s at least what I ask myself lol
I want that tub! Congrats on being all moved in!
Thank-you! It’s such a great soaker tub!
I hear ya on the blogging thing. IDK what I am doing half the time. I moved four years ago and still need to decorate my house etc! There are only so many hours in a day
Haha, my husband and I were just joking the other day that after 3 years we finally felt like we had fully moved into our other house and then we moved again lol
No one can do it all!!! You were smart to take a break. Your new home look beautiful and I’m so excited about your immediate access to Hobby Lobby!!!
Thank-you! This hobby lobby is seriously amazing too lol I could spend hours in there.
I took my entire summer off from blogging so yes a break is always needed! Especially, if blogging isn’t your full time job. I love your fireplace and that tub girl omg!!
I would love for you to stop by and say hi!
xo, Jessica || The Petite Diaries
Thanks Jessica! Glad to see you’re back blogging again! 🙂
Love you Cara, So glad you are getting settled in. We love your blog.
Thanks love you all too!
So glad you guys are reunited and settling into your new home, and yay for shopping close by! And a blog break is definitely necessary and refreshing, I’m sure you’ll find that perfect balance <3
Green Fashionista
Thank-you! I feel like I’m starting to get into a good groove, which is nice. 🙂
Totally totally okay to take a break. From anything and everything.
So glad you guys are settled – peeks into the new house look great but even nicer that you’re all back together under one roof!
Thanks Steph! It’s been amazing just to all be together again. 🙂
I love the new home; looking fwd to seeing more pics.
Taking a blogging break is what everyone does once in a while; I know I have on many occasions but I find myself coming back to it after a long hiatus rearing to go!
Thank-you! I don’t know why we all kill ourselves when we have to take a breaks, because I think it’s very much necessary sometimes.
Your new home is fabulous, I love your shoe shelf! In the house we are building, I have a huge walk in and I am so excited. Family does come first. No need to explain, just glad you’re back girl! xo Hope your week gets off to a great start!
Thank-you! That will be so nice! I used to have a tiny closet and I’d always have to store off season clothing in our garage. I can now have it all in one place with even extra room, so it’s amazing! 🙂
Ugh. Moving is rough. I’m sorry about that. But I am glad you are settling in well. And it’s so true. It’s okay to take a break- and sometimes necessary!
Thank-you! The older I get the more I’ve learned breaks are very much needed in life. 🙂
Your home is beautiful! (I would love that bathtub!) You are so right about needing to step back and take a break. It’s important to have balance in life! 🙂
Thank-you! It’s been amazing to soak in after a long week! 😉
Your house is gorgeous! I hope you get settled and can enjoy it as much as you’re able! Also, treat yo’self! Moving is NOT for the weak!
I took some time off, felt so very guilty but got over it quickly because I need to be healthy and take care of myself in order to help every one else. So I am taking a break when I need and jumping back in when I can. Good words to read this Monday morning!
Thank-you! I’ve definitely been pacing myself in realizing it doesn’t all have to be done in a day’s time. Happy Sunday!