I have heard a lot of my fellow bloggers talking about their dreams and thoughts for their futures lately. And it has me thinking.
Sometimes I feel that blogging can be a detriment to following your dreams if you let it.
Yes, you are constantly inspired by other bloggers' creativity. You can spend hours and hours just hopping from one totally awe inspiring blog to another. Whether it is decorating, crafting or whatever floats your boat.
But the key word is "other". If you are being inspired by others are you going down their path of creativity? Being influenced by their style? Following their dream?
I have found that my dreams for the future have changed quite a bit since I began blogging. I see all sorts of new opportunities out there. But are they my dreams or someone else's?
I need to figure this out. Because, if you don't follow and nurture your own dreams you are living someone else's life.
I used Yesteryear texture at blending mode of Soft Light 100% Opacity and Yesteryear texture again at blending mode of Multiply 38% Opacity. Adjusted Saturation, adjusted Levels and removed some of the texture from the hydrangea. Yesteryear texture is from Kim Klassen Cafe
This totally awe inspiring post was influenced by Kim Klassen Cafe's Texture Tuesday!
Anonymous
Pam,
I used to have a quilting blog. I started to wonder if I was quilting to have something to blog about, or was I blogging because I had something creative to share. I quit blogging because I didn't like the answer I gave myself. Honestly, I haven't done much quilting since.
Be true to YOU.
But you can be sure that I will miss you if you go silent. I always enjoy checking in to see what you're up to.
A former blogger and current lurker,
Lois from Southwestern PA
My Little Home and Garden
I enjoyed reading your thoughtful post, Pam. I think if you're showing that degree of introspection then you are likely to become clear about what is your vision or expression of creativity, as opposed to that of others. That being said, I find that reading blogs can inspire me -of coure, right now I talking to you and not getting those cupboard doors spruced up! 🙂
-Karen
Debby
Your picture is beautiful. Your post coulnd't have come on a better day. I am still trying to decide what I want to do when I grow up.
August is near and not sure I want to go back to my job. hmmmmmmmmmmm
Thanks for making me think.
michelle
I can understand what you mean. There have been times where I got caught up the the latest trends and in the end did not like it because it was not me. I have learned to take things in on a creative level and just be inspired to maybe twist things that would fit me, not sure that that make sense. I love being inspired by all these wonderful blogs. They seem to bring out what was inside, I just need that little push but trying to be careful that they are mine, not someone elses.
Good luck!!
xo
Linda
This is very honest and insightful, Pam! I have always looked at blogging as a creative outlet. I am often inspired by others and hoped I have inspired other bloggers as well! It can be such a great give and take...but I agree it is important to stay true to what you want in your life and not what you think others want you to be!
Country Dreaming
I too have been in the same place you are now and I am sure all bloggers experience this too.
There is inspiration everywhere we look and because we spend a good amount of time reading blogs as we do, we see alot.
I came to the conclusion a long time ago(1 yr.) 🙂 to be ME--if my blog is read and people enjoy-great. If not, well I am not in charge of their opinion. Yes, I'd love a ton of followers and a ton of comments on each post but I don't have that and I don't think I ever will. I can't
let that rule my blogging. I do this for fun mostly and to meet new friends. Most of the time I find it fun and I have met a great number of people along the way. I too have learned new and interesting things and some things I did before I started blogging. I also started blogging to help my brain think of other things than some of the drama that was going on here at the time I started.
I'll stop now.....
Good Luck in your thoughts. I have enjoyed meeting you and I enjoy your blog.
Take Care.
melinda
A Rosy Note
You know I understand what you're saying, Pam. I think a person just has to be very self aware and always stay focused on being their true self. I love your photo. That's a wonderful quote too.
Tricia
La
I will be watching to see where your dreams lead...well, the ones you can share anyway. :o)
Kim K.
Beautiful post. Beautiful quote. Beautiful picture. Keep following those dreams.
Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes
I think blogging helps you by encouraging you to follow your dreams.
I use that quote in my e-mails! Love it!
Tete
Inspiration from others enhances your dreams. I had an Algebra teacher tell us one time that no one will ever have an original idea- it has already been thought about by someone long ago. I figure you can either color with a box of 8 crayons and be your own or buy the box of 64 and enjoy your creation more. We all feed each other. Embrace it, take it and make it your own. No one will ever do everything the exact same way. It doesn't matter if it comes from blogger, a magazine, seeing someone else's home, walking through a store. True art is inspired from everywhere. God inspires us by His beauty in nature. He made us creative. When you are handed a dream, and you carefully take it and mold it to fit your life, it becomes your own. You wouldn't be drawn to an idea if it wasn't already in your heart.
Hugs- Tete
⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜@ Debbiedoos blogging and blabbing
awww... Pam, I have thought your thoughts before in the past many times. A few times I was ready to throw in the towel, quit and just say I had it. Then I realized everything I do, I have done far before blogging...It was and still is my passion to create and decorate. I will say, I have learned to be a far greater photographer than I ever cared to be, and I still have a lot to learn along the way. What I stopped doing at that moment is thinking about everyone else, and how their blogs were big, they were successful, making money, blah blah blah...I came into blogging with nothing but a creative thought. The same thing I will always have and wherever it leads me, it would have anyhow. Does that make sense??? I have never really had any big dreams for myself in interior design...I just love what I do, and have fun with it. I am NO pro, and if you read my blog, you clearly know, I am NO perfectionist in design, nor do I aspire to be LOL! Only you can figure it out, you are right. What did you do before blogging? What inspired you to start a blog? And what did you expect to get out of blogging...ask yourself those questions, and see what you answer. OK my session is over for now, I wrote a book for you:) I like you Pam, I think you are really creative and have a fabulous eye too.