Stepping back.

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Despite being an incurable introvert, I have a tendency to talk too much.

I'm not sure I've ever left a party and not wondered why I talk so darn much.

Too much.

In some ways I've transferred that habit here, to the blog. I have a captive audience and I can come and share my thoughts whenever the spirit moves me.

And the fact that what I say might inspire you somehow? Whoa. Now I might never shut up.

But the truth is thought, I also crave silence.

Crave it.

I need lots of quiet time to be lost in the day-to-day work of my life, to soak of the magic of my family, and to be in my own head.

There is mindfulness in the silence.

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But you and I have an unspoken agreement.

You know that if you come here during the week, there's a pretty good chance you'll find a new post. Most days during the week.

And I feel a little sorry if I don't share something with you.

So I come here and share.

Day after day.

Even – sometimes – when I really just need quiet.

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Like today.

Today I'm feeling still.

I'm feeling present.

I'm feeling the need for peaceful down time with my family.

I'm feeling like powering down my laptop and going outside.

And yet I don't want to let you down.

Because I really like you.

It's like we have a Monday Morning Coffee Date that I should either show up for or call and cancel.

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I doubt that most of you know how much it means to me that you come here and read what I write. What a gift that is! And I don't want to disrespect that by disappearing on you.

But sometimes I need to.

I need to disappear now and then and get lost in my own head.

And get lost in the quiet.

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So I'm here this morning to share a new plan with you. (Not unlike I shared here but never followed through on.)

I won't be showing up here everyday.

Maybe sometimes I won't be here all week.

And when that happens you can assume I'm in the woods with my kids or canning the last of the tomatoes. If I'm away, it's probably a good thing.

Perhaps it will inspire you to power off your computer and head out into the world for an adventure of your own.

I'll still be here, but I want to allow myself the freedom to write only when I have something to truly worth sharing.

How does that sound?

With that, I'm out of here. For today anyway.

I do hope you understand.

So. Much. Love.
Rachel

P.S. To keep up with me you can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. I'll still pop into those three places now and again, too.

27 thoughts on “Stepping back.

  1. Val says:

    Good for you Rachel! We all need time to just be in the moment. And in the last year your life has exploded with new things. It’s very important to take the time to slow down and really see and experience all of these new things. It’s a good reminder to us your readers also to step back and slow down and really experience our own reality. And for those of us who need a LuSa Clean experience on any particular day we can go to your archives and bring up any topic that fits our need. With as full as your life is you need to be sure you have time for you especially since you are probably still getting your energy back after having lyme disease.

  2. Ginny says:

    We’re thinking the same things(as usual.) I’ve been having these exact thoughts. And yes, how is it that introverts can talk too much? I do that too. I think for me it’s nerves.

  3. Christa says:

    You inspire me.
    You amaze me.
    And you are delightfully human.

    I love reading your post, but I also understand that need to be in your own head, because I feel like that too, crave that too.

    So, no need for apologizing, you are excused but you don’t need our approval. Be your wonderful self, because you are a wonderful person.

  4. Little Mountain Haven says:

    I’m an introvert too. I feel like more and more people are coming out as an introvert, which I think is great for a better understanding.

    I put my blog on the back burner the past couple of months. When you have kids, land, a garden, animals, it’s hard enough to find the time for yourself never mind blogging. Yet blogging can also give a mama some ‘her’ time. Some accomplishment outside the home.

    You are very inspiring. I will always look forward to your words and photographs no matter how frequent or in frequent.

    I’ve left facebook 4 times and often for 7 months or so at a time. I have a love/hate thing with the online world/inner peaceful silence of the real world.

    Enjoy your quiet family days. Canning. Whatever your inspired to do on a day to day basis.

  5. Jackie says:

    A few comments have expressed what I’m thinking–no need to apologize, sometimes we take a break from reading blogs without telling you, your life has been riding a wave of huge events and of course you need down time. You have no duty to look after our souls more than your own.

    Preserve yourself and rethink your blogging schedule. Maybe keeping a personal journal would satisfy your need to write and process thoughts, without worrying about the audience.

    Your blog is one of my faves. My frame of mind may be enhanced by your posts, but my life won’t be worse without it. My hope is that you come back when you feel inspired, after a long, relaxing and refreshing breath. If you don’t come back, I’m still blessed for what you have shared already!

  6. vada wetzel says:

    You are intelligent.funny. wise and sensitive..and real.I will be watching for your posts and hoping life is good for you as you enjoy your family and your awesome farm!

  7. Emily Daly Ferguson says:

    thanks for sharing bits of yourselves with us all, even me down here in little ole Aotearoa(New Zealand)I will appreciate the nuggets when they come all the more.
    Emily

  8. Xan says:

    Hurray for more silence 🙂 I over-talk too and crave space where I don’t hear the sound of my own voice. Although I have pondered many times whether to create a blog, it is the maintenance and self-imposed pressure to post on a regular basis that has always made me hesitant. I love your honesty and although I will miss my daily updates (which coincide with my babes bedtime and my “Mumma unwind time”), I have been in awe of your commitment thus far. Enjoy the quiet space between posts and know that you are supported and loved by a full community of readers xx

  9. Joy @ JoyfullyGreen.com says:

    Rachel, not only do I understand, but I am living this situation at my own blog. The more blogs I read, the more I find this is an inherent problem with blogging, especially for blogs that cultivate mindfulness and minimalism. We’re writing about getting “out there” and appreciating what matters, while we’re “in here” at the computer.(The irony!) I delved into this issue in my own post, which is here:

    http://www.joyfullygreen.com/2013/08/my-blog-or-my-life-the-slippery-slope-of-balancing-work-and-family.html/

    What I realized is that a post once a week is what I can handle at this point in my life, while my children are still small (but growing bigger every day). It may not be the best possible scenario for my blog, but my family comes first–always. And the readers I value will understand, as I’m sure yours will as well. Do what YOU need to do, always.

  10. Sharilyn says:

    Love it! Silence is good and there is nothing wrong with powering down and stepping away- you are so inspiring to recognize the need in yourself and then share it with us because you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by not being here- too thoughtful!

  11. Erica L says:

    You’re not letting us down at all. I read your blog & others when it works out for my schedule…you should feel free to write when it suits you. Take care! I’ll be reading when you next post!

  12. Charli Mills says:

    You have to fill up before you can spill out onto the page. It is a wise woman who recognizes her needs and takes time for the quiet. Beautiful blog post…and when you are not on the page, I’ll know you are in that holy space in between words.

  13. Patricia says:

    Good plan Rachel.
    I´ll keep enjoying your posts even more!
    Thanks for being a source of inspiration and reflections.

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