I have been receiving some heartwarming thank-you emails, comments, and even actual notes (and gifts!) for this blog. Thank you for taking the time to let me know how the blog has inspired you. Thank you for simply coming here to see what I have to say.
I recently received an email from a reader who is loving the blog but also mentioned that my life and her life look very little alike. My life (a swirling blend of homeschooling/home business/obscene amounts of crafting/baking/other projects) isn't where she – or many others who visit here – is at. Her note was very sweet and it made me wonder what my world looks like from the other side of the monitor.
This is a peek into my life. It is the sparkly bits and none of the mess. I usually leave out the screaming, fighting, and crying, the icy sidewalk, and the recycling that didn't get taken out (again). I normally don't mention the dirty dishes (unless they seem relevant), nor the hideous brown shag carpeting in my family room or the plywood in the dining room (see both above). In most posts I will leave out tooth decay, stomach aches, fevers, and vomit pertaining to all members of our family.
Because, frankly, that isn't very fun to read about. It isn't what I am here to write about. But that doesn't mean it isn't going on.
Yes, I do allot of hands-on living here at home (baking, homeschooling, crafting, sewing), but I also don't work a 9-5 job. If you squeeze crafting into a weekend or two a year, rock on sister. You're making it happen!
I am here to bring a few simple ideas to light:
1. This life is brilliantly fun,
2. Family is (and children are) magical and to be cherished,
3. Making things is completely rad, and
4. There is always, always a bright spot in each day.
I love being present in this everyday of mine and writing here helps me do that.
So I hope that you come here to be inspired and I hope that inspiration arrives without any feelings of intimidation or inadequacy or "I don't live in that world so forget it". Because you do. We all do. It's just your version. And it should be – it is your life after all.
Thank you all for coming back day after day and week after week to see what I have to say. I appreciate your visits, your words, your support of LuSa Organics, and your inspiration. Thousands of visits every month. Thousands. That feels pretty good. (Who are you people anyway? Mom? Who else?)
I love your comments. I love your emails. I love seeing that you come here, day after day to join me on this journey. (And Sara, I love your "Gratitude Packages" of delicious organic fabric. Mwah!)
Find inspiration here, but don't look for the whole story. (That would ruin some of the magic, don't you think?) And I'm smiling through this blog at your own version of life, however different it may be from the one I'm in over here.
So. Much. Love.
I’m here. You make me smile. I know that there’s a dark side. I too, don’t think it’s fun to write about or necessarily read about. Stick to the positive…keep up the encouragement. I’m loving the magic you bring out to shine over the “real” life we all lead :-). Thanks!!!
Thank you Laura. And you inspire me as well! xo
Ok…now you’ve made me cry. Just stop that or I’ll never get anything done! I’m glad you appreciated the note as it was intended. I’ll be back for more inspiration regularly.
BTW, I too have a blog (two actually…one for home and for the business although the home one gets neglected a lot). Feel free to check me out if you’re curious who’s interested in you. 🙂 It’s only fair…
home:
johnsenwi.blogspot.com
business:
illustrationsphotos.blogspot.com
Kelly, Thanks for getting it as well. Your photos are stunning! Thanks for sharing who you are – and also for what you said in your email earlier this week. You clearly got me thinking…
Blessings,
Rachel
we are here enjoying your life, if only, sometimes, from a distance. You inspire me to be a better mama and remind me there is magic in our life already and if we want more, all we have to do is imagine it…thanks for the inspiration…nice to see you last night after your nia class…
Thanks, Robyn. Funny to connect with you this way, via such a big place as the web. How about in my kitchen soon? Glad you are here, in so many ways. Cant wait to hear how your visit goes with J.P. XO ~ Rachel
*sniff* Thanks Rach!
I really appreciated this post. Sometimes when I read this, and a few other similar blogs, I start feeling super bad about the fact that I have a corporate job and lifestyle I can’t seem to let go of. I miss my babies during the day and start thinking that my life isn’t all that it could be, etc., etc. I am trying to do the best that I can within my circle of influence and handmake as much as possible to wrap my kids in mommy love! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
Thanks for your post, Cassandra. We are all so different and our lives cannot possibly all look the same. (And how boring would it be if they did?) As long as your life feels resonant to who you are, stay on your course! And keep wrapping your little ones in your sweet mama made love!
Rachel
Hi Rachel, I am LOVING your blog!!! I found it on facebook under “Living Crafts Magazine” which I became a fan of. I have a 2.5 year old, AP mum, and am thinking about homeschooling but scary stuff and overwhelmed.
Just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful blog you have and I can’t wait to make the bread today! so many great ideas i forget about but reading your posts reminds me of fun things to do.
I just wonder how you find the time to do all the things you do.
Oh thank you for the sweet words. I was thinking over the how do you do it all? question yesterday and I think it looks like we do more than we do – because all you get of the story is a handful of sweet spots each week. What you see here is a few hours of our week. Not the laundry, dish washings, or other day-to-day business. Oh, and my house is messy most of the time. Its a trade off but worth it to me. There is time to clean on the weekend (and once the kids are grown). Thanks for visiting!
This is what I’ve known must be true, but it’s so comforting to here !
🙂 Glad it was good to hear. Its all true. Someone referred to our blog and photos as soothing, comforting, and relaxing.
Soothing?! My mom said. Relaxing?! This place is the Chaos Castle.
So there it is, in my moms opinion. 🙂
Rachel
This is kind of the raddest post ever. Thank you for sharing the not-so-shiny bits. When reading blog after blog after blog, it’s so easy to start feeling inadequate.
🙂 Thanks, Kimberly. Glad it was resonant for you. We all live knee-deep in our own stuff, dont we?
~ Rachel
Great post! It is true, that I look at the bloggers I like as something I could never obtain. Soulemama in particular. Do you ever read hers?
But I am a simple mama, and I am so inspired by your ideas and words. Most recently the post about unschooling reading, I shared that with many friends. And also I am loving that kitty hat, but confused how to make it for a toddler, any suggestions?
But I think I might have to post on my fridge the four simple ideas you have listed above. I have been a bit down lately, lack of sun or something. And these ideas are some that I want to remember every day.
thanks! keep up the good work
Molly,
Sometimes when weve had a hard week I scroll through my blog and wonder whos life that was. There is always a sweet spot, just sometimes we have to dig through some messy moments to find it. This week has been like that. Finding the joy them becomes our most important work.
Peace,
Rachel
….wow. i came for the no-gin fizz recipe today, but went a poking around and found this gem. thanks for this really. i have started writing about my hilariously awesome life but felt a sting or two for being told i wasn’t ‘telling the whole’ truth about the details and making people feel bad. i haven’t written in a while because of it….and haven’t been sure how to conquer that nagging feeling that i am making someone else feel bad. as its true our life is also full of fevers, bumps, bruises and bad flooring…as well as all the fun stuff. this is just what i needed to hear. and now off to make some tonic water.
much love
latisha
So glad, Latisha. Speak your truths – step up and inspire.
xo
Rachel
Beautiful post. I like what someone wrote – can’t remember who – Van Gogh didn’t paint his rubbish bin – so like that we/I like to blog about the good stuff. I feel it is a way of honouring the divive for all that we have been given. Thanks Rachel. Love Katie xxx
P.S I posted your natural toothpaste recipe on soulemama’s comments this morning – I love this recipe avd wanted to share it with her and a girl who asked. Hope this is okay with you? xxxxx
Wonderful. Thank you. And yes! I saw that someone had linked it because Ive gotten a lot of traffic from your comment. Many thanks! ~ Rachel