My dear friend,
I cannot thank you enough. Every time I see a comment with your name or chat with you on social media, it brightens my day. Without you I know this space wouldn’t be here.
But now I have to share something with you. The last 6 weeks I’ve been struggling. I feel as though I’ve lost a bit of myself, and gained a huge new part. I’m so honoured and grateful to have been blessed with E joining our family but now that I’m coming out of the newborn haze, I’m trying to remain myself.
The tough part, I’ve come to realise, is that ‘myself’ is an evolving thing.
This is where you come into it. ‘The Life of Clare’ has been predominantly about our cooking, gardening, about living locally and Eco adventures, as this has been our life. As you know, things have changed a little, and on top of those things our life now involves parenting E and building a house.
I’ve been finding it tough to write for you, my dear reader, because the things I now want to write about (Eco friendly baby bags, cloth diapering and our struggles in getting the loan approved) don’t necessarily fit with what I think you want to read.
But I’ve come to a conclusion, I need to be true to myself. I’m going to write honestly and openly about my life, The Life of Clare and I sincerely hope you’ll stick around for the adventure.
Yours with tears of honesty in my eyes,
Clare.
I’m struggling with a similar predicament, but for different reasons. I say go for it, Clare. For every person you may lose because your content is no longer of interest to them, you’ll gain another three who are, I just know it.xx
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Well I say go for it to you too! Thanks Erin.
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Dear Clare,
I read your blog because I like you! And yes, the stuff you write too, but not just that. So write whatever it is you want to write about, because it’s still gonna be you writing, so I will still read π
Becs xo
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Thanks so much Bec.
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Do it! Your blog is called The Life of Clare. It’s not the same thing if you omit to talk about things that are important in your life! Besides, I love talk of baby bags, cloth nappies and eco friendly living with baby! Good luck to you, friend!
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Thanks Lisa, it’s so lovely to feel the amazing support!
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lovely, first and foremost you have to be true to your heart. we will still be here, reading, because you sparkle and shine and are just all round lovely. there is no point slaving away and labouring to produce words which then becomes a struggle and you resent your space and the time it takes from you. forge new paths lovely xx
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Thanks so much Lyndal!
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Awesome! You have a whole new world of things to write about and share here… it’s your life, it’s a changing feast… do it! We’ll be here : )
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Thanks Lizzy, it’s so lovely to feel supported by you wonderful people!
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Gosh! For a second there I thought you were going to tell me you weren’t going to write at all. This is the Life of Clare (and J & E) so I am more than happy to read about your life and whatever tickles your fancy. More power to you sister. Fiona xx
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No I can’t not write. But it is going to be different.
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as a non-mum i may skip the posts about eco-nappies – but i’ll still drop in! i’m sure there’ll be a cake or a chicken story every now and then … as others have said, life evolves and you need to reflect that, to be true to you! (and me too, i was worried you were closing up shop for goo, and that made me sad!)
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That’s absolutely fair enough! I don’t read every post some bloggers write either!
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Beautifully written Clare – which makes me love your blog even more. I’m on the other side of the journey you’re embarking on but I remember the intensity of those baby years all too well and will very happily continue follow your stories/recipes/learnings. xx
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Thanks Tracey!
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I want to read whatever you write xx
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Thanks Lana!
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I agree with and support you 100%! I felt badly talking about Ollie so much when he was first born then I thought about it and at the end of the day it’s my blog and a lot of personal stuff so really it should be about our life and whatever we make of it. Can’t wait to follow your next instalment.
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It’s tough trying to find the balance! I’m going to try and find a blend and balance between all the things that are part of my life.
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At the end of the day its your blog. Your life has changed and will continue to, and I will still happily read about eco baby bags and nappies and all sorts despite not having my own kids yet, because I still share an interest in these things anyway (I’m actually thinking on making the reusable eco nappies as a business but its very much an idea right now). If you have some comments about them that would be really helpful in my research, plus I enjoy general eco living, and can use your experiences to help me prepare when I do eventually get around to parenting.
Go for it! π
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Thanks Rosie! I’m loving using cloth nappies, and will write about that adventure soon!
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Write for yourself first and foremost, Clare. π xxx
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Thanks Celia, I will!
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While your journey changes, so too does mine so I’ll be more than happy to continue reading your lovely blog – whatever the topic of your choosing!
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Thanks Jeannie! Good luck with your changing journey.
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Life is a journey, and the best part is that we are adaptable creatures.
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Oh Clare, I think it would be so lovely to hear about ALL of your adventures. That really would be true to you and I think it fits in perfectly with your blog and where you’re evolving to. Looking forward to reading about your adventures… xx
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Thanks so much Tarah. I’m getting there slowly!
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A beautifully written post Clare.
The Life of Clare now includes Master E and if you want to write about/for him then you absolutely should.
It’s you and your story that brings us here and that includes the adventure of raising a son, building a house, finding time to yourself and still baking and living the life you want.
Looking forward to reading more the including eco nappies posts.
Dee x
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Dee, you’re so lovely! Thanks so much! I can’t wait to share our adventures!
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I`ve only just stumbled upon your blog and love your style, we all evolve in life, and think that’s just natural. Go with what suits you, as the name states ‘Life of Clare’ π
Ps would love to hear about cloth nappies, becoming a mum myself soon, your post on reuseable wipes was great, would love an update on how you find them.
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Hi Kate, thanks so much for your comment! I’m now really looking forward to writing about our cloth nappy adventure.
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I giggled when I read this – because your blog heading says it all “the life of Clare”. The beauty of blogging is that you can choose to write about whatever you are passionate about. if I looked back over my early posts I’d see posts about nappies and sewing – things I don’t write about at all anymore. I suspect I’ve lost some readers as my interests have changed, but have picked up others as I write about what interests me now. Good luck finding your current voice.
p.s. I hope you do find time to make a bee hotel. We love popping by ours each day to see if there are any new tenants.
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Thanks so much for your lovely comment Tricia! I really do hope we make a bee hotel too!
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I feel the same about my blog. Life has changed a lot since it started and it has definitely progressed and grown and morphed into me talking about non-food things I want to write about. I figure that it’s my blog, so I can write what I like! And hopefully people will still want to read it. Or at least some of it. Be assured I’ll still read yours π
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I love that our blog changes and evolves as we do.
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Meant to comment on this ages ago… Good for you! Share what you want and stay true (I’m struggling with that every day). xx
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Thanks JJ. It’s been a roller coaster!
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