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If you've been to this blog before July 2012, you may have known it as Indie Pretty Projects. I'd like to let you know that Indie Pretty Projects has gone quietly into the night, but only to make room for something better.
I am now almost 5 years older than I was when I started my first public blog.
When I started Indie Pretty Projects, I was:
- 22 years old
- a college student
- a part-time office assistant
- a science major dabbling in crafting
- a newlywed, with no children
- feeling fancy-free to do whatever I wanted at all times
we were free to have fun at all times...
Now, almost 5 years later, I am:
- 27 years old
- a college grad
- a mother of 2
- a homeowner
- owner of my own paper goods shop
- home every night to watch over my kids
My life and attitude have changed in so many ways - it had to be reflected on this blog in order for me to be authentic. My kids are a substantial part of my life now, but so is my work. My girls will always be my top priority, but I cannot give up my own passions and pursuits.
Not only will I not give up, but I will expand my knowledge. I will take every opportunity to be better - I will listen to podcasts, read books, learn new skills, and maybe even find a mentor.
I will not feel guilty about baskets of laundry that wait a day or two to be folded, or dishes that wait in the sink until the girls are in bed. I might half-ass a dinner, perhaps forgetting to plan ahead some days - but I promise it will still taste good. I will also plan my chores for the whole week, ahead of time - but it will be okay if it doesn't all get done.
I will stop staying up later than 1:30 AM. I will start taking better care of myself. I will get some form of exercise every day, and reserve the right to eat anything I want... one day a week.
I will be better for my girls. I will always set aside time to read books to the girls. I will listen when they talk to me, and look them in the eyes. I will do my best not to lose my patience, and I will put my own sense of introversion aside to give my girls new experiences and new friends.
Finally, I will do what I love, whenever there is time. I might take 3 weeks to paint one living room wall, and I might take a year to read a book; but, I will be present, in the moment, and give myself a break when it is due. I will not be hard on myself, but I will still hold myself to the highest standards.
There will be love. There will be creativity. There will be laughter. There will be cupcakes. This is how I make a home.
Welcome to She Makes a Home.
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Yours truly at 1:39 AM,
Ashley
That was beautiful AND encouraging!! I am so glad we are blog friends!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Ashley! Blog friends make blogging so much better :)
ReplyDeleteLove your manifesto! I pretty much felt like you had written it about me! :) I'm sooooo trying to go to bed at midnight, but I just can't seem to get there! There's always too much to do!! :) And that folded laundry... Sometimes Ileave it just to see if someone else will do, but it always seems to sit there until.... :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, sounds like we're leading pretty similar lives! And I know what you mean about the laundry ;-) Ideally I'd love to start going to bed by midnight, but I'm starting realistically with 1:30 AM. Maybe I'll have it moved back to midnight by Christmas?
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