I feel like I am at a bit of a crossroads with my blog. My readership has been declining over the past year or so, which in and of itself isn't a problem, but the decline has got me thinking about the future of this space. I never really got to do what I wanted to with the blog, which was to chronicle various DIY projects I had taken on. With Kate's Stage IV breast cancer diagnosis and my ongoing struggle with depression and anxiety, I have had little time and even less energy to take on these kinds of projects.
So, when I decided to take the blog in another direction, I thought I'd write about "issues", whatever that may mean. I figured with 15+ years of experience as a federal policy analyst and a Masters degree in Public Policy and Public Administration, this would be a natural fit. Then I realized, that direction would be just as much a daunting task as retiling my shower stall and writing about it My cognitive functioning just wasn't, and still isn't, up to the task. The problem is compounded by not having the research resources I would have at work, or at school for that matter.
What I have ended up with is a blog full of not terribly interesting snippets from my life, and an airing of little brain farts. I really like some of my posts, especially those about my family, but on the whole, they're a little fluffy and not terribly insightful. Plus, I'm feeling like maybe I'm sharing a little too much about my family's life. For all that I worry about how technology and social media is eroding our privacy, I have been perhaps too willing a participant.
On the other hand, I do enjoy the process of writing - which is definitely not to say that I am particularly good at it. I am perhaps not the best verbal communicator, because my brain and mouth work at decidedly different speeds. Writing, though, lets me slow things down, organize my thoughts, play with ideas a bit more. Writing also appeals to the frustrated journalist in me. After I completed my BA in Economics, I actually applied to a Masters of Journalism program, but wasn't accepted. I find people endlessly interesting and the prospect of earning a living (a very modest one, some journalists inform me) telling parts of the human story was appealing. But that's not what I do here, either.
All this to say that while I have enjoyed the process, I have not been terribly pleased with the product. So, while I don't think this will be my last post, I do think that I may be winding it down over the coming weeks. I hope that the Christmas holidays will give me time to think about whether to continue my blog in its current form, try changing its direction (or starting a new issue-specific blog), or just abandon it altogether. We'll see,
Til then, thanks for reading.
