Monday, November 7, 2016

That Post That Every Blogger Writes Eventually

The trajectory of a blog is rather knowable, as it happens. One senses the ebb and flow. As a serious reader - and a pretty conscientious contributor, for a decade, give or take - I'm rarely surprised when the light dims in one of our metaphoric spaces. And it's rarely without a considerable degree of regret that I say good bye to one of my long-time blog friends.

I'm not much of a mover-on. I've managed to invest myself in every loss I've ever felt, at terrible personal cost, I might add. I hold fast. I do not give up. And, damn, I love to talk. Good conversation is my drug of choice. It's the thrum that underpins everything for me. And writing is its right-hand man. To those of you who also write, I don't need to speak of its delicious pleasures. What is more wonderful than words that hang together?

Which is why I find myself in the most absurd of situations - about to draw the curtain on a decade of community. I've hesitated to commit to this for weeks. I knew, when I took the new job, that my responsibilities would be upended for a period of time. But I've also felt for months that my life has called upon me, ever more, to Be Here Now. My kid needs me, my job needs me, my house needs me. My husband needs me. And I need space. The truth is that I have as much to say as ever (for which I am so grateful), but I have no time to say it (when I have energy) and no energy to say it (when I have time). At at some point, one needs to recognize that the virtual - though as real as anything real - cannot be prioritized.

I want to say - and this is not a platitude - that I care tremendously about you. Not "you", as in a spectrum of generalized readers. I mean you. You have heard me. You've commiserated when things have been truly hard. You've shared my joy and successes so many times over. You've taught me lessons - metaphoric and practical - and you know I love to learn. You've shown me wisdom when I've been at my wits' end. You've indulged my ego. You've kindly set me straight.

You are not an abstraction. My husband probably knows you by name - well by blog name, that is. Your feedback shows itself in the clothing I wear daily, in the crafting that comes a close creative second only to my writing and communicating here.

It seems likely that I'll reclaim this space again. Lord knows I intend to when the opportunity presents itself. But it won't be what it has been - it never is. It won't be the thing I've dedicated myself to, multiple times a week, for a decade, unceasingly. So I want to acknowledge this loss. I want to acknowledge what this place has meant to me and what it will always mean to me - a sign of  commitment and creativity which brings community - my greatest joy. It's the place where I have come to know you and to be your friend. So thank you very much and much love. I mean this sincerely.

31 comments:

  1. Did you hear my huge sigh... I was seriously looking forward to some pictures of the reno! As a former working mom of three, with a husband that was often away, and someone that also has a home business ( yes it overlapped with my 30 year banking career- I can relate to your conundrum...somethings gotta give from time to time. All the best and hope you come back when you are able. Barb from Prince George

    ReplyDelete
  2. NOOOOOOOO! (Is what I was yelling in my head from the first line!) I will accept this end ONLY with the hope that you will pick up blogging again some day, and in the mean time, we can catch up in person from time to time. I get that life is crazy busy and demanding right now, and you are smart to prioritize... but I'll miss you online!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Even though we're in different stages (I'm currently in the Kraft dinner era of home ownership) I've always enjoyed this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You will be missed!! I enjoy your bra reviews and your strategies to manage pain (among other topics!). I wish you much love and success in whatever comes next for you!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'll miss reading your thoughts on so many different subjects.

    I had so been hoping for your thoughts on Vogue's 'boobs are so OUT of fashion now' pronouncement.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good luck as you enter this new phase of your life...you will be missed. Hopefully you will return here...with more things to say that we can all nod our head yes to!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you for the thought you have put into your blog. I wait with hope for your return

    ReplyDelete
  8. Life takes precedence, and that's how it should be. Don't be a stranger though!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ahhhhh, a huge sigh from France, a sigh of sadness (I will miss your voice tremendously), and also a sigh of recognition. I flirt with closing the curtain -- for different, yet not so very, reasons -- and I keep it open, for the time being, for similar reasons.
    I hope very much that you will return to this space occasionally, but whether you do or not, I hope you know that you have influenced decisions I've made, that you've amused, inspired, reassured and informed me, provoked my thinking on a variety of issues. I will miss you! And I wish you every success as you move further along the trajectory of your career and every happiness as you take more time with family and friends. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. I understand why but will miss this blog. Good luck to you and yours. I hope to see you again some time.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Will miss your voice, but certainly understand your need to prioritize your time and energy. Bravo for 10 years of hard work on the blog and best of luck with current responsibilities and the dreaded reno. Will be listening for your voice when/if time allows.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good-bye for now Kristen, K-Line of TO. I will miss your brilliant, unique and often moving observations. Please begin again when it is feasible. And thank you for not just fading away without word or reason. SanMarie, across the lake from you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Well, I will miss your thoughts, you bra reviews,pain talk and of course yoga. I was looking forward to the reno talk too.. I hope this clears space for "be here now" nothing more important than that. I hope you pop in at times.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sorry to see you go. I'm a lurker, and neither a crafter nor a yogi but love your keen observations on so many things. Good luck with your reno and your health.

    ReplyDelete
  15. All the best to you as you pay attention to the important things for now. Looking forward to seeing you in the future!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you for sharing parts of your life with us. As someone who only blogged for a short time ages ago (it wasn't for me), I appreciate your openness and willingness to share. Al the best to you and your family. Will you instagram your reno?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh boo. Drat. Darn. You are so intelligent. I am hating the idea of doing without your voice. But, your life, your blog, your time.<3

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a day for me to read this. :-( But I know you will be back and I'll see you the next time I am in TO. Big hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lots of losses today. I will miss your writing and your virtual presence in my life! I know you have great things ahead of you, though, and understand why you need the change. Best of luck.

    ReplyDelete
  20. So sorry to see you sign off, but I totally understand! Best wishes with all you've got going on. xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sad to see you go but glad you're putting yourself and your family first. Wishing you happy times xxx

    ReplyDelete
  22. Miss you already! Love your voice, your variety of topics, your photos, your pithiness; and totally understand how life's demands can require hard choices! Hope to hear your voice again!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh, K, I will miss your words and thoughts and discoveries too. I hope perhaps you'll keep doing something with Instagram and Twitter now and again.

    I've discovered a lot through your blog, including MELT and online yoga. I really appreciate your sharing over the years, and hope that some day I will have the wherewithal to blog as you have, and be even a fraction as helpful to others. <3

    ReplyDelete
  24. Aww!!! Well, this is sad but you also need to do what you need to do, for YOU. Hopefully life will slow down and you'll be back... Or at least still posting from time to time on Instagram? I find its quickness a lot easier to keep up with than a hefty blog post. Anyway, I hope you'll still be around, in one way or another---and if not, well, I have definitely enjoyed reading you! 😘

    ReplyDelete
  25. Another deeply felt loss; yet I can empathize with your need to prioritize your energies (real word?)and time. Reading all your diverse topics has been a pleasure. There are not too many long time bloggers of your demographic left on the Internet it seems and I will miss your presence. You have made this US parent of a high school senior not so intimidated by her choice of applying to Canadian university. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh swell! I discover you for the first time on your last post. Started reading your post having been referred through Bloglovin' from another blog. Brilliant writing, I thought, how nice to 'meet' a fellow Canuck with such talent and skill. What?!, last one? Noooo. But alas, yes.
    I will wish you much joy and success with your future endeavours and I will read some of your older posts for my own pleasure.
    Not having the benefit of history with you (yet) I will state what may already be the case and hope that you continue to write in some capacity.
    Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I will miss you! While I didn't often comment, I appreciated your insightful comments and your rational, fact-seeking approach to life. Best wishes for the future and I hope you find your way back to this or another similar space and community.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Well, darn!!
    I have commented very seldom, but always enjoyed your take on different subjects.
    Thanks so much for your info on pain relief. It was really helpful.
    Best wishes.
    rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wishing you all the best in this new stage. I have so thoroughly enjoyed your writing and your genuine and open nature. Thank-you! With gratitude.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sorry to see you go. I have enjoyed your blog immensely, and I appreciate you taking the time to say bye. Best wishes, pearls in your oysters, all that.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh, I'm sad too! but take some time and and please do write when you feel invigorated again, and ready. The space will always be here, as will your readers. Wishing you the best of luck in your future xx :)

    ReplyDelete