this post is to let my readers know i've decided to take a leave of absence from my blog....for an undetermined amount of time.
there have been some comments and concerns recently from a section of my readers that my blog is too personal... that i share things on here that should be kept private... that i need to be more careful about what i put out there for anyone in the world to read.
so i've been doing some thinking.
when i started this blog back in 2005 i had no readers. i really joined blogger so that i could comment on other blogs that i loved, but then thought: "how cool would it be to have a blog of my own? i could have my own little chunk of space on the world-wide-web. it could be like an online diary; a place to keep my thoughts and pictures and adventures." that's what caused serendipity to come to be.
four years later my blog hasn't let me down, and its turned into even more that all of that. its become such an important part of who i am. its lead me to become friends with the most amazing people, who inspire and support. its enabled me to continue scrapbooking in this hard economy because i have designed blogs for others. its helped me keep track of life and the things i've learned. its been a place of solace.
i never would of thought i'd have 34 followers and others who read my blog on a regular basis. i never thought others would find inspiration in what i'd created or hope in the words i'd written.
so why am i going to stop?
it just feels like the right thing to do for now.
i think i need some time to re-evaluate what this blog is going to be about. time to focus on my creative endeavors and photography and expand myself that way. time to heal from other people's opinions.
for the record i would like to apologize to those readers who i seem to have offended or concerned. that was not my intention in any of my writing or posting.
i would like to thank those of you who have become my dear friends in the online world. you know who you are... your comments, your e-mails, your encouragement have meant so much to me, especially in this last year and a half. you've helped me grow so much!
thank you
i am not intending to disappear completely... i will still visit other blogs and remain active on Flickr. look there for future scrapbooking projects and photography from me.
until i return.... farewell.
love shaina
I see your point in offending readers and they get miffed, my advice to them is to not read if they cant see it and keep rude comments to themselves. I think many people use their blogs as an online journal, which at times may be too personal, but at the same time therapeutic for the author. I wish you all the best in your creative endeavors and life. And I will still stalk you on FB!!
ReplyDeleteThis is sad. I really enjoy your blog, and with that said, it's YOUR blog. Regardless, good luck, and hope you still visit my little bliggity. ;)
ReplyDeletemandie
aw, I am going to miss you! Hope to see you around Flickr and such.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me sad. I think it's a mistake. Just being honest because I love you. If people don't like what they read, they don't have to visit. I love your blog. I love your ideas. It's YOUR blog. Your space. Your life. A journal of sorts. You can write whatever you want and feel like sharing. If you don't feel like sharing, you don't have to. You're a great writer, an awesome scrapbooker and an amazing person. Follow your heart and do what's best for YOU. Not because somebody else tells you what they think. ;) You know i love you and i support you whatever you do. But if you don't blog, I'll miss you. (Just thought I'd throw that in there. lol) Smile, girl!!! You're beautiful!!! =)
ReplyDeleteDear Serendipity -
ReplyDeletePlease do not apologize for who you are {who God has made you to be}. Live boldly, take whatever time you need, but please be back. This blog-isphere is sometimes more real than "real life" and it should allow us all to be such.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, we don't share opinions all the time. You are not alone in your experience.
Again, don't apologize girl!
I will miss reading your blog sweet friend! Maybe you could pop in every once in a while and share the things you love...I always loved those and those are certainly safe grounds. hugs!
ReplyDeleteNo no!! I just fell in love with you!!! Aw!!
ReplyDeleteReaders will come and go. Anyone sending you hurtful comments has a problem- not you. How could you have offended them?
Please keep me in the loop of your online projects, and I hope you come back. I've been lucky to not receive a lot of hurtful feedback from the internet but whenever I do I just delete the comments immediately. But I know how much it hurts. <3
I also agree with what other commenters have said - it's YOUR blog and you should write and post whatever you want. That's the whole POINT of blogging, isn't it? I have never understood why people say negative things on/about someone's blog... it's YOUR space that you can do with however you please.
ReplyDeleteI think your blog is fantastic and inspiring and am sorry to see you go but wish you all the best!
Shaina... I'm so sorry that someone's personal attacks have pushed you to the point of wanting to stop blogging. I've been in your shoes before, and I can remember how hurt I felt. But, eventually I realized that it's my blog. If someone doesn't like it... they don't need to read it. Unfortunately, in life, there will always be those who feel the need to tear others down to make themselves feel better. And, it's much easier to tear people down when it's in such an impersonal manner as a blog comment. They're not looking you in the face. They don't know you in real life. It's easier to be nasty through a computer screen than it is face to face. Some people are just cowards like that, though. Anyhow... I'm sorry, and I hope you reconsider venturing back to blogland. I'll be here waiting when you do (and I'll se ya' on Facebook in the meantime).
ReplyDeletebummer dude! Don't be gone for long!
ReplyDeleteThis the first time I've been to your blog and the recurring thought comes to mind: you're too hard on yourself. This is your blog and no one has to read it unless they choose to. There's a lot of deep thought and emotion in your posts, and a lot of people just don't like to get that deep. Maybe a break is good, but I'd like to see you come back to it!
ReplyDeleteI support your choice to do what you feel is the right thing to do. BUT it makes me mad that people think that what you write on your blog is to personal. This is your own personal space(yes given its on the internet) but you have the right to post about whatever you want. And I think you should keep on expressing yourself, no matter what!
ReplyDeleteI am so saddened to read this post. I haven't been to your blog much, but I hate to thing that a few people made you feel this way. I understand how you feel, I would feel so discouraged too, but it's nobody else's business what you do or don't write on YOUR blog. The other thing is, you don't know where these people are coming from, what there agendas are or what. Sometimes when people feel threatened by other people's light, they retaliate, it is just that way. We will never be able to make everyone happy and we can't try to hold ourselves to that standard. Remember that when you are dealing with other people, how they feel about you has more to do with their own issues than your reality. Remember that.
ReplyDeleteI'm here from shimelle's blogging class and have to say, I hope you get excited about blogging again. You are a beautiful person and it's up to you and no one else how you choose to express that. Take care!
ReplyDelete