following my musings [here] on simplifying and living a slower, more meaningful life, i’ve been thinking about how i can re-engage with this blog in a way that is more personally fulfilling and enriching. typically, i’ve gone with a “less is more” format- which i think works in many circumstances- sometimes, there are images i find beautiful, calming, inspiring, which don’t warrant further explanation. however, there is a lot that i haven’t i explored here. to start- writing, connecting, learning…
so, i’ve set some new goals for myself that i hope will support me in creating and sharing a space of meaning, comfort, and beauty.
1. develop original content. much of what i encounter on the internet, particularly as an image-drive person, is redundant- perhaps slightly repackaged from site to site, but in reality, without true differentiation. my original contribution has so far been through photography, and i’d like to build on this and share experiences and stories to go along. when i look back at the pictures i’ve posted from my travels, i wish i had a few notes on what it felt like to be in that location, some of the people i met, food i ate, feelings i had, what the lighting looked like… beyond this, i’d like to brainstorm 2-3 simple concepts that fit with my interests and beliefs, and created related content within these categories. initial thoughts- artisan stories, fresh juice recipes, architectural travelogue…more to come here.
2. find my written voice. at this point in my life, i might have forgotten how to truly sit down and write! putting together my simplicity post was cathartic and peaceful for me, although my writing is a bit rusty. i have spent all of my adult life in the design/visual realm after all. i tend towards the stream of consciousness and run on sentences, grammar and capitalization falling to the wayside (much to the chagrin of my dad when receiving my messy emails). regardless of correctness, this is the beginning of my written voice. i am surrounded by great writers; my mom can make a “how was your day” email flow with the cadence and story of a romantic poem; my bridesmaid sarah has begun to maker her career on artful online communication; i have friends that write well-followed and engaging blogs on food, politics, the well-lived life, business, and even the new york mets. i have spent the past few years working out my aesthetic and visual voice, and now, i am ready to write.
3. produce in a sustainable manner. in assessing my own media consumption, i’ve realized that (as an example) instead of spending my money on subscribing to generic american decor magazines that i flip through for a few minutes and toss out, i am happier and my life is more simple when i instead spend that money on a few content-rich or independent periodicals, such as kinfolk, selvedge, world of interiors, wilder quarterly. reading these titles requires carving out a quiet moment to focus on comprehension and thought. they are worth collecting on the bookshelf and referring back to months down the road. online, i’d like to create content that has longevity, in a way that enhances the common good and provides a moment of quiet amongst the internet “noise”.
4. grow comfortable sharing. although i am social and willing to share my opinions, naturally, i am a bit of an introvert. i spend a lot of time thinking and cherish my personal time. what this also means is that i am a bit hesitant to really open up to more than a core group of a few friends and family. recently, i’ve started to realize that it is freeing to me and beneficial to my relationships to share a bit more – as a new mom, i am finding a i have a lot to talk about with other mothers and women, and sharing is coming more naturally to me. online, i’ve always been very closely guarded- 10 word blog posts, twitter conversations peppered with exclamation points- probably out of fear of judgement. now that i’ve settled in, it feels right to let more of my personality, ideas, and opinions emerge.
5. create an environment that encourages conversation. i believe that the best media is that which elicits emotion, starts conversation, and builds community. my hope is that by working out all the above, this blog will become a natural and positive venue for all of this.
6. educate myself on html/css. i need to rely less on my brother to solve all my programming issues, he has enough to do!
[image credit] glen allsop
