PORCH
A CHRIST-CENTERED
WEEKEND NEWSLETTER
gentle conversation & calming snapshots
uplifting linkage & occasional surprises
for those who delight in doing life
in the company of kindred spirits
📬
THIS WEEK
Good morning, Linda! This past weekend I took Molly to summer college orientation and visited a dear friend where we used to live in Arkansas. Still processing all the thoughts and feels from all of that! I love your photos ... for me, right now, they feel like a quiet invitation to find ways to lighten my own blogging load this summer. I hope you have a wonderful week, friend.
College orientation. Can you even ...?
I like how you framed the summer 'blogging load.' It's a loaded phrase, no pun intended. It's interesting to see the wide variety of responses ... drop out, pare down, forge ahead as usual. Or maybe do something completely different in these online spaces we call home.
It'd be refreshing NOT to do business as usual, wouldn't it ...
😉*
So dear blogging friends, what do you really want to do with summer? Do you feel an inner pressure to keep your tried and true routine going? Or maybe you've been dreaming up something completely out-of-the-box for your online presence?Are you craving a break from your posting schedule but fear losing your readers and that hard-won momentum in building community?
Feeling a bit crispy around the edges, at a loss when it comes to producing something fresh or innovative?
Are you bored with blogging? Or do you feel God stretching and growing you because of your time online?
And if you're not a blogger but you love FB or Insta or any kind of online social, are you considering any summertime choices, changes, or challenges?
Let's talk. Because there's no one size that fits all. Yet it's always good for us to know what we value and how we want to invest our
sometimeslimited time and energy, especially as we're barreling into a brand new season. I can't wait to hear what you're considering.
Linda
Would you take two minutes and tell me what you'd like to see around here the next few months? (And what you wouldn't). I think I know where we're headed but your needs are important to me, ok? It'd mean a lot to hear your thoughts. Thanks!
No, I'm not planning on changing up my blogging routine right at the moment, Linda. We are hoping to visit with the grands in August, but no plans are finalized. When/if that happens, there will definitely be a shakeup in my routines. Right now, I'm feeling so blessed with blogging friends, old and new.
ReplyDeleteI do love seeing your lovely photos and your book reviews always!
Blessings!
Yes, any and every visit with the grandkids requires clearing the decks, doesn't it. Because it happens so seldom, it's a treat that requires energy and all the focused joy we have. We've been fortunate in recent months, haven't we. I still remember how Covid stole that whole season of their lives and ours, so every minute is priceless.
DeleteI know you understand, friend ...
💞
The questions here are definitely in my head, too. I am throwing caution to the wind while I’m in Alaska with my sister because I plan to sit out a round or two. Right now I post twice weekly which is challenging but it’s keeping me caught up on reviews…
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll share whatever you are able about this precious time away. What a gift to have that time together ...
Delete🥰
Linda great conversation, and I love visiting you on the porch. I feel like I can kick back, and rest. I am struggling this summer with whether to put my head down and plow through as always. I do have trouble "letting go". I compromised and invited a few blogging friends to contribute guest posts which is going fabulously! But somehow it still doesn't feel quite enough of the break I need. It's almost like as a blogger you just can't seem to step away....
ReplyDelete'put my head down and plow through as always'
DeleteSounds like you know what you really want to do, friend! Having trusted friends bring their work to your table sounds like an excellent way to get to where you really want to be! Freed up yet still connected.
😉
I don't change much over summer but I have been blogging ahead a bit due to more travel so I don't have to worry about writing while I am gone. I do write "lighter" over some busy times of the year like the holidays at the end of the year. Thank you for asking. Your question made me pause and reflect!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to write ahead, Jean ... I sometimes write half a week ahead but that's all I can muster. Enjoy your travels, wherever they bring you!
Delete🚀
In summer I like to impersonate flamingoes. My wife asked me to stop. So I had to put my foot down.
ReplyDeleteI feel people should keep up their Christian Blogs if at all possible. There's too much negativity in the world and we need to provide some hope out there.
God bless.
Victor, I hadn't thought of it that way, seeing the need to bring hope amidst all the stuff. An excellent point.
DeleteMeanwhile, is there really a Mrs. Victor?
🦩
Oh ... and another thing. Don't forget your umbrella this summer. Not many Blogs about umbrellas!
ReplyDelete☂️ or ⛱️?
DeleteThere are no people that I see
ReplyDelete(aside from my dear wife),
so blogging is community
that brings depth to my life.
I'll admit that I get tired,
and sometimes don't know what to say,
but I trust I'll be inspired
if I let God show me the way.
And yes, the way is often dark;
a new hard tumour's come to call,
but this is how I leave my mark,
graffiti on the midnight wall
against which I'm lucky to stand
having hold of Jesus' hand.
Some of the most meaningful posts I've read (and probably written!) were when there was not a whole lot to say, but in the process of writing, a whole bunch of surprising words flowed freely.
DeleteYou, too?
🤷♀️
Oh my gosh, I haven't posted for two months! Getting married and now getting ready to fully move, look for a new job...these life transitions have moved blogging lower on the list. So, a new rhythm will be established as I get "settled" and I am trusting I am exactly where I am suppose to be. I do post more on Instagram over the summer generally. During your summer blogging, I love seeing your Cape Cod pictures showing your summer adventures!
ReplyDeleteGetting married! A new man, a new home, a new job, WOW. Congratulations, Lynn. I am so happy for you. God bless you both during all the joyful changes. Your writing will be rich indeed when you return ...
Delete🥰
I have no plans to take a break this summer, but when a week turns out to be super busy, I usually revise and reblog an old post. This is a last-resort solution that I try to use rarely. Long-term followers might recognize the post (and they can always click away if they do), but it will be fresh for the newbies. No one has ever complained when I've reblogged.
ReplyDeleteYep, I feel the same way, Nancy. I don't see it as a last resort though! I love digging something out of the archives, dusting it off, making some changes here and there, maybe adding a new picture, and hitting the PUBLISH button. I put the link to the original at the bottom of the page and hope old words will touch whoever discovers them, even for the 2nd time.
DeleteNo apologies!
😄
I don't feel pressure to do anything, but I'm honestly a little burned out with my normal routine and seeking something different.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a very good thing to discern that little bit of burn out before it becomes a great big fizzle? I love that God cares about these things. Trusting that you'll hear His Spirit whisper, 'this is the way, walk ye in it' (Isaiah 30:21).
DeleteCan't wait to hear what you discover! Please feel free to share ...
👣
What a fun surprise to see my comment at the top of your blog, Linda! I wrote a bunch of posts in April for use in the coming busy weeks, and I have one of those left. Not sure what I'm going to do next ... probably use pieces of old posts as starting point here and there, and also perhaps write some fresh posts that are coming to mind as I clean out a very, very, VERY crowded email inbox. As for what I'd like to see here, whatever you feel led to write is what I want to see, truly. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou really got me thinking with that 'blogging load' ... what that might look like for each of us. And yes, I hear you about the email. I just closed down my old account. Thousands and thousands of emails gone. The relief is palpable!
Delete💼
I loved reading through the other comments here. I have been following your lead for awhile now, Linda. I write as God leads me and post when He says "now." It works for me in this season of life. I find I crave being present with family and friends and if that doesn't lend itself to writing that is okay. Thanks for the probing questions.
ReplyDelete'Now' is a very good place to be, isn't it, friend. Kind of light and free. I love the way you put it, craving time to be present with those around us ... and writing becomes secondary. This is working for me these days, too. You put it so well.
DeleteThe gift of presence is priceless, isn't it ...
💞
I'm debating posting once a week instead of twice a week over the summer. But I haven't decided yet.
ReplyDeleteThe nice thing is that we can decide what we want to decide when we want to decide! No pressure. Love the freedom of blogging. And I'm glad you're here, Heather.
Delete👍
This post is timely for me since I'm struggling with a bit of burnout now and deciding how to proceed this summer. I'd rather not take a big break, but as everyone's comments have reminded me, there are other things we can do. Maybe I'll refresh some older posts. Thanks for the sweet encouragement, Linda.
ReplyDeleteAshley, I'm glad you found some encouragement here to be flexible and maybe try something a bit different. Keep us posted!
Delete📌
I was working on a blog post and feeling so road-blocked when I stopped to read this, and I sighed with relief. Thank you for reminding me again of putting less pressure on myself, Linda. There's a lot of food for thought here. I need to go easier on myself. With my limited energy I find myself more and more needing to reserve what energy I have for those around me. Lately, there has been graduations, weddings, and other events and so much going on in this world that sometimes I feel like my head is spinning in a fast world that my body and mind can't keep up with. The older I get, the faster time flies, it seems. I wouldn't change anything you share here. God always uses what you're led to write, so thank you for following His lead. Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, friend. This has been A MONTH! Blogging's taken a back seat and rightfully so. I wouldn't have done it any other way. And you know I absolutely agree with your statement, 'I find myself more and more needing to reserve what energy I have for those around me.'
DeleteYou're a wise one, girl. Let's give our best to those real life people right in front of our noses. Our blogging friends understand ... and if they don't, well ...
😉
Now that I've had my dose of the beach, I just want to spend the rest of my summer indoors reading. Lol! What are those colorful things on the table?
ReplyDeleteThose are little bits of sea glass collected along the shore, Lux! My favorite go-to hobby ...
Delete🔎
I've been struggling to keep to any kind of blogging routine lately. I do want to blog more often but sometimes I just feel so tired and overwhelmed and that I don't have much to say. I appreciate your encouragement not to let it become a burden, and, like others have said, I appreciate anything you post here. I always find your words encouraging.
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Lesley. Tired and overwhelmed is a lousy platform to write from. We give grace to each other, the freedom to say, 'no, thanks, I'll see you later.'
Delete💁♀️
Linda, you've got me thinking. I have a lot of transitions coming up in the next few months, including one possible big transition (still waiting for God to lead). I haven't taken a break in case one of those transitions requires my all, at which time I will. I find it easier to come up with blogging content (I've planned most of my themes for the year in pencil already, still need to write) than to come up with social posts, for sites like Instagram. I do tend to put a lot of pressure on myself to keep my schedule. I find comfort in the discipline. But at times, it feels like a lot. So, for now, I'm keeping with my schedule. But that, too, is written in pencil. :)
ReplyDeleteJeanne, I agree, there's always been a comfort in the routine and cadence of blogging. I've found that to be true during transitions when everything else is upside down and inside out.
DeleteThe good news is that every season is different. I just know you'll do the right thing for where you find yourself. And I trust that this possible transition you're waiting on will be one that will bring you joy and be a faith-strengthener.
Bless you, girl.
✏️
I plan on spending time with my grandchildren this summer. We are doing a family camping trip with both of my daughters in August and a visit with my sister in July.
ReplyDeleteCamping! Can't wait to hear your stories ...
Delete🏞️
Linda, I love connecting with my readers and will continue as long as I can. I understand needing a rest. I am spending time in my garden and with my three grands! Happy Summer!!
ReplyDeleteI always smile as I savor your posts, Pam ... it's like a little refreshing getaway.
Delete🌸
I always enjoy your lovely photos and book reviews, Linda.
ReplyDeleteI only post once a week, which is still a challenge for me. I love my bloggy pallies and I will continue to blog until the day I run out of photos to share.
Hugs and blessings
And then I'm guessing you'll capture more captivating images with your lens, friend!
Delete📸
Good questions Linda. Humm.... I have thought of taking a break at times. Last December (2022) I took about 2 weeks off. I scheduled posts and I responded to Link up participants. I usually post once a week (on occasion 2). I love your writings and the content you share it's such a treasure when you write about your dad, and makes me smile. I love hanging out on the porch with you. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your book recommendations. This may not have been any help for you, but I've got to tell you how much I treasure you being a part of "my" Sweet Tea & Friends Family.
ReplyDeleteThanks bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
So grateful when someone finds something worthwhile here. God is so good.
Delete🕯️