There is no denying that Venus Fitness and lifestyle has been having a Monster year……From the nomination as one of Vancouvermom.ca Top 30 Mom Bloggers of 2018, to the front page to the Richmond News, and topping it off with a 3rd place finish…..And let’s not forget being featured on Vancouvermom.ca as one of their “Mom’s to follow”.……it’s been a wild ride.
I have been a little MIA when it comes to my blogging and social media these past few weeks and there have been some good reasons why. My Step daughter graduated and there were many family milestones that need to be celebrated…..Plus we are in the middle of preparing for a world wind, 3 country, 6 city, European FAMILY Vacation (bucket list item CHECKED).
I need a break! Here are a few of the reasons for shutting down the blog for a hot minute so I can pick up the pieces of my frazzled brain. Blogger or not, I am sure you can relate.
First a little history……
Venus fitness has grown with me organically over the last 10 years, quite literally my alter-ego. As a former victim of domestic violence, Venus Fitness started out as a platform to inspire other women to embrace themselves on a journey of self-love through fitness. While also serving as a “secret identity” to hide behind.……Then I changed course and VF became a little more personal training, and instructor focused ……But then suddenly it seemed the market was saturated with FB fitness coach and inspiration. Around this time I became pregnant and was navigating motherhood so VF changed courses again……Focusing on blogging and Motherhood, with a secondary emphasis on family and Fun.
Venus Fitness is no longer something I hide behind, it’s become my platform…. I will say it again, .it’s been a wild ride…..It’s surreal to watch your dreams become reality. However it’s time for me to pause, catch my breath, and decide where I am headed next.
Motherhood (One Word Is All It Takes):
Motherhood is HARD. It’s harder when your little baby turns into a toddler and activity levels sky rocket (as do the tantrums). I work full-time, blog on the side, AND I am a Mama of a Little who still doesn’t always sleep through the night. Recently I noticed the time between cleaning, blogging, and chores, taking up precious moments I could be spending with my family. That is NOT why I signed up to blog. My original hope was that blogging would provide a creative outlet while supplementing my full-time income, but NOT at the expense of family time. I will never look back and regret that extra blog or social media post that I couldn’t get in, I will most definitely regret missing time with my family. I will shut this whole operation down before I ever see the precious time I have with them slipping away.
Self-Care Down The Drain:
Ok, Ladies… I discussed the importance of self-care HERE. Between motherhood, work, groceries, cleaning, making snacks, etc. When I noticed that I have NOT been taking my own advice I realized it was time for a break. I need to regain some of the time I spend blogging and redirect it towards myself and my family. Bloggers tend to do all their work during naps or when the kids go to bead. Basically, it’s utterly impossible to blog when my youngest child is conscious. To my own surprise when I first started this blog, it takes SO much work to write even just ONE post. Editing, formatting, coding, linking, photography, social media promotion and engagement. There’s just more to it than meets the eye. So when ALL my ME-time started to be taken over I realized I was time to hit the reset button for a well-deserved break.
Emotional Roller Coasters:
I have notice that all of my emotions have been feeling heavier than normal, and I have been constantly feeling frantic. I understand that this happens a lot when babies are involved, because motherhood is an emotional whirlwind in itself. Trust me, I really don’t need anything extra making my hair look dirtier, my eye circles darker, or my headaches more frequent. I have literally been developing an eye twitch. What would fix all this is an emotional reset button and generally that comes from self-care, and you can’t get that self-care without TIME…. so it’s TIME to give myself a well-deserved break!
Content Creativity:
Lately Venus Fitness has been a lot more about family and fun and not so much about fitness……and that is okay…..isn’t it???
I have started to have a harder time igniting the creativity in my writing and content, and I know I’m pushing myself too hard. Some time off will give my brain a much needed rest so I can go back to producing the same amazing content you are used to.
I am also not willing to go down the affiliated link road…… I have thought about it as it’s every bloggers goal, and what brings home the bacon……but I really don’t think I would be doing you, my reader, a service. I also don’t feel hopping on bandwagon and promoting the product of the month would support the integrity of my brand.
Every Job Gives Vacation Time:
I have worked my whole life, usually more than one job, and I took my vacation time every year. What makes this different? Motherhood in itself is a full time job (Well, 24/7 which should qualify for more time off but……) add blogging to that mess and you’re basically a hamster that never stops running the wheel. No one is meant to “work work work” all the time. Life is about having fun too!
What does this all mean??
I am taking a MONTH off… I am going to Europe this summers for some Fitness, Family, and Fun, European style.
Am I worried about losing momentum? Maybe. Am I worried about losing followers, page visits, and social media engagement? Absolutely! However in the big scheme of things those dips in stats will never outweigh the amazing experiences I will share with my family and the memories we will create. Nor will it beat the feeling of refreshment, after spending time with my family and myself, while chasing my bucket list.
So ward to the next great adventure, and whatever directions it takes Venus Fitness next…
XOXO
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