What I learnt the day my blog broke.
As a mum of three you think I would be use to things being broken.(remember the broken Angel?) Once the baby Hurricane entered our lives it has been an endless stream of broken phones, label makers, calculators and vacuum cleaners. (Do you sense a pattern there? If it has buttons and makes noises this kid has to have it and “tinker” with it.)
I still remember so vividly in my own childhood the despair over my brother and sister constantly breaking “my” things. As the eldest of four, and a collector of random things, it often felt as if anything special to me ended up being destroyed by them.
And yet it still didn’t prepare me for the day my blog broke. Oh she was long suffering and since her last cosmetic makeover has succumbed to a series of glitches but nothing a quick google couldn’t fix. Then one day a reader sent me this…..
I see red, I see red, I see red. (Sing it with me)
I studied enough random theatre and literature subjects at university to know that red symbolises evil, danger, stop, BAD BAD BAD!
I sent out my problem into the hands of the blogging world in the hope someone could explain. Rather than an explanation I got lots of what seemed like dire predictions that this would not be pretty.
After much consulting, and swearing (which I never do) and googling and crying I wondered if it was all worth it. I am busy. Kids, work, house, husband, projects, a side job, social media, kids activities…Do I really need a blog as well. So I walked away. Itbwas hard but it had to be done. She sat abandoned whilst I continued running the social media channels.
Who needs a blog anyway! Well actually I do.
It’s cathartic, reflective, motivating and mine. My little pretty and positive pocket of the internet to unleash the random nature of my mind onto others. A place to indulge my varied loves of houses and organising and teaching and parenting. I suddenly realised that after nearly 5 years of blogging it has become a part of my identity. I can not go a day without seeing something that I want to share with others. I constantly format posts in my head. I talk, I ramble, I write. It’s just me.
But how much is that part of me worth? To fix it will cost money, time and patience none of which I have in an abundant supply. If this is just for me maybe I am best just to leave it be and keep a diary. Done. Decided. Walk away from the red screen now.
and then….. whilst the blog sat unattended it continued to be viewed and shared. The emails continued to come in, including this one…..
“After the birth of my little one (14 weeks ago) and his diagnosis you have inspired and helped me get everything sorted. From Mr E’s medical records and appointments to dinner planners and weekend ideas (I’m even recovering our couch and redoing our bookshelves)
When ever I feel out of it a little I have a look over your blogs. Thank you, you are helping me when I have those moments of feeling out of control of my life.”
Cue tears. Seriously? Someone is reading? It’s not just about me?
and like the world often does, signs appeared in the most random of places. A teacher on playground duty, the lady at Gloria Jeans waiting in line, the Mum in the school car park.
“Oh you should see my Quiet Critters!”
“Where do you buy the Borax from for the Christmas decorations?”
“Your blog is down and I need to print off your meal planning template!”
When did this happen? It was supposed to be my little secret. I actually went for two years before I even told anyone I had a blog. Turns out, it may be a part of me, but it’s not ABOUT me. Whilst I write about the musings in my head it’s relieving to know they are also the things in other peoples head. I would never have predicted that something I was selfishly doing for myself may be something that other people could use. Bingo. That’s what this blog is about. It’s about sharing, supporting, motivating and inspiring myself and others. I need my blog back.
and so I am back. After pondering and saving and spending and fixing and way too many conversations with someone techy on the other side of the world in the middle of the night as we try to get off the google blacklist (I didn’t even know such a thing existed!) and deleting 1 million spam comments and malware….
I am back. Well actually I was always here but The Organised Nest is back.
And she is her pretty Mint and Pink and glittery gold self with nor a trace of google blacklist or red to be seen.