21.10.12

Blossoming



Last night, while browsing the recent posts of blogs I follow, I found myself drawn to reading and delving into the worlds of only a very select few. Not because the many on my list don't have incredible content; they very much do. But it is content that is no longer a correct fit for me... for where I'm at in life.

As the time to slip away and indulge in some 'me time' is an absolute luxury these days, the online community that I surround myself with needs to be filled with not only the like-minded and the inspirational, but also
    those who challenge my thoughts, ideals and perspectives on life and lead me to question my own inner values
    those who unveil a unique way of seeing the world and illustrate its beauty with incredible photography
    those who evoke delightful pictures in my mind with their seemingly simple, yet perfectly woven sentences
    those who provide such delicious food for thought and leave a most sweet, lingering aftertaste to ponder

So I politely excused myself from the following blog lists of many and afterwards felt utterly refreshed in the knowledge that my precious spare moments online will be spent with those who truly stir my spirit, not to mention, those who I simply like.

The blogging world is similar in so many ways to day-to-day life, where friendships are created through shared understandings and experiences. These friendships are then nurtured through regular contact and words filled with encouragement and thoughtful advice. These friendships are strengthened through moments of shared laughter {and occasionally} shed tears. These friendships, although formed with those whom you may never actually meet in the real world, can brighten both the heart and soul - as the essence of human existence is our innate desire for connection. Connection is encapsulated in this world of blogging in its most pure form - whether you have your own site where you reveal parts of your innermost self and disclose snippets of your daily life, or you simply enjoy sharing in the lives of others through reading their heartfelt thoughts and life's experiences.

Connection is at the heart of our shared experience in this journey through life. The online world, be it through Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or blogging, provides us with vast and multiple ways in which to connect with others. My small step in downgrading my blog list to those who will enhance and inspire my journey, needs to become representative in all other areas of my life; from examining my acceptance of Facebook "friends" to those people in my day-to-day life who claim we have a friendship, without any amount of effort, nurturing or support.

I need to begin asking myself the tough questions, as in the end, shouldn't our one life be filled with people who enhance and inspire us? Those who brighten rather than dampen? Those who assist us in bringing about the best versions of ourselves?



13 comments:

  1. Well said Anna :) I'm finding it the same way lately... I have so much I want to do but so little time and I can't miss what's going on in real life in front of me for the sake of keeping up with numbers - or in fact being a number!

    Life's too short...

    Sophie xo

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  2. so true, i just did a cull of my list as well. very freeing x

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  3. SPECTACULAR post! The photo..the words...the sentiment! I think that is part of me wanting to change my blog...a fresh start. I too have whittled down my list to those that really resonate with me. ANd you lovely girl are right up there at the top. Enjoy the magic that is the Coulson family and fill your brain with oodles of camera magic on the weekend. :) x

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    1. An honour to be on your list lovely lady. And that new space of yours? Pure gold, right there my love xxx

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  4. I found myself nodding along to your words. I've recently returned to blogging in a fresh new space with a clear vision of what I want that space to be (a catalogue of our kitchen's recipes and other snippets).. and while I do love and cherish those connections, I think the fact that this is not my first timid delve into the blog world, I'm a little wiser to the importance of making those blog connections true; just like real life friendships.

    While I've spent time over the past month creating my new space I've wondered how best to tackle my too-large "blogs I follow" list - I'd almost like to unfollow all of them and then re-find my favourites. However, this is my first time here - and what a perfect post to read on my first visit.

    x

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    1. True connections are so important G - so lovely of you to visit x

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  5. this is a really lovely post anna - and so true! I have found myself skipping over some of the blogs I follow because they have not been as interesting to me as perhaps they used to be. you are right, our time as mothers is so precious, it should only be filled with the good stuff x

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    1. I was skipping A LOT too Tahnee, my exact reason for the refresher! I think as we develop and grow, so to does our outlook on what we value. The good stuff should take precedence - you're absolutely right! x

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  6. Hi Anna - I'm a new reader - sent here via Tim Coulson! Would you be willing to share some of your favourite blogs? I agree totally with the above criteria - and have been enjoying reading back through your archives.

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  7. Ummm der fred- just noticed your list over on the side....whoopsie!

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by Megan! I'm hoping to do a post soon on my favourite blogs, even though they are listed on the side. Don't worry... we all have 'der fred' moments! Hehe :-)

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Your comments brighten my day, thank you!