Image via Pinterest...If you know original artist, please let me know for credit. I couldn't find it.
I am not sure where this post will go or how much I will a ramble, but know that it's from the heart and been a long time coming. It's refreshing to write again....even if my words may not be the most poetic or grammatically correct. To be back on my own "little" Blogger account and feel somewhat safe in a community of women that have supported me for so many years, friends/family both on and offline, is an answered prayer from God.
It's been almost two months since I have opened my Blogger account (yes, I still use Blogger), looked at my "stats", scrolled through Instagram, read my favorite blogs, pinned images or shopped for clothes.
Who am I? What happened? Why did I suddenly decide to walk away? Wasn't this my most beloved hobby? Why did I stop caring about a "business" and passion that I grew and built on my own (along with my husband's photography grace)? Why would someone work so incredibly hard for 3 1/2 years for something they believed in and then abandon it without a second thought?
I took several weeks off from posting and limited my time on social media. I realized I was spending entirely too many hours on the computer and on my phone. I was neglecting the most important parts of my life, missing out on moments and not focusing on what mattered most.
If you're not careful the online world can suck you in, change you, turn you into something that is false and twist notions of what's "really" real. You begin to second guess yourself and feel as though you're not good enough, young enough, pretty enough, wealthy enough, popular enough and the list goes on. You watch others become crazy successful, witness those same people going on exotic sponsored "work trips" via Instagram posts and then new social media outlets become the "latest" thing like Scapchat or Periscope. You're head starts to spin and you finally stop and wonder...what the HELL am I doing? What happened to YOU? Where did YOU go? Why did you put what REALLY matters on the back burner just to try and prove yourself to people that you've never met? How come you've put so much pressure on yourself that you lost all self confidence, motivation, drive and can't seem to find the "fun" in the very thing that used to make you so happy and was a saving grace in the darkest time in your life?
Yes, all these questions, feelings and thoughts came from me...maybe you've asked yourself the same ones too...whether you blog or not. Maybe you have been feeling the same pressures, going through the same scenarios or experiencing the same emotions in your own life.
That's okay. Actually it's better than okay...these questions that you ask yourself prove that you are human and that you care...care for yourself, your loved ones, the influence you have on others and what you really want to focus on during your time here on earth.
I am not sure what I will feel tomorrow or the next, but one thing is for sure, I will find my fire again...
Thank you with every ounce of my being if you have stuck around, commented on recent social media posts and for not "unfollowing" me. This hasn't been easy and I apologize for not being as supportive and loyal to you has you have been to me.
I have a feeling I will be here again soon with my original intent....to share personal style and inspire... regardless of what the masses are doing these days. Trying to remind myself of that.
At the end of the day, "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
Even though I beat myself up about certain things and at times feel as though I lost my "Shanna" spark, memories we captured this summer remind that I am blessed regardless of my online presence and that I made the right choice to step back, "smell the roses" and embrace moments that have been so graciously given.
