That’s right, I said it.
I Quit!
Two weeks ago I took a step back to figure out what reality was. In the midst of my raging hormonal episode I couldn’t figure out what the purpose was of everything I had going in my life. Was I wasting time? Was I doing too much? What was I actually doing?
I seriously wanted to know what the crap was happening!
I needed to take a break to get my head together. Over the last couple weeks, God and I have been chatting a bit. He’s shown me some great things, and some not-so-great things.
I’ve been busy doing things for me and less for Him
I’ve been worried about pleasing others more than Him
I have questioned what others think
I’ve been comparing myself to others
The expectations I’ve had on myself are ridiculous
The list goes on…
I’m happy to announce I’m back to swimming in the reality pool. But there are still a few things God and I are getting in check.
I don’t want to write or blog if I’m not doing it for God. Therefore, this blog won’t be what it once was. There may be five posts/week, there may be one. I don’t know. To others this is blogging suicide and I’m ok with that. (That’s where the questioning what others think comes in) I’m done making it about numbers and more about connection. I’m done writing just to fill empty space. I’m done posting for the sake of “posting something.”
Writing and speaking is what I’m meant to do. God has confirmed that time and time again. But my priorites have to be straight and lately they haven’t been. He doesn’t have time for people pleasing and though I had no idea I was even doing it, God gracefully showed me it comes in all forms and fashions. He doesn’t have time for me to be comparing myself to others. How others do it isn’t how I have to do it. I’m learning.
During my unplanned break great things have happened. I haven’t sat in front of the laptop at midnight creating a post because it’s Thursday night and there isn’t a blog scheduled for Friday. I’ve gone to lunch with friends I haven’t seen in a while. I’ve fallen in love with the show “Chopped.” I’ve played UNO in the middle of the afternoon with family. I finally finished reading a book on Stillness that has taken way too long to finish. I went to the zoo.
So, with that said, you can now call me a quitter.
What do you need to quit today? Comment below…
Sundi,
You’re not a quitter; you’re just learning how to better prioritize so that you don’t make a schedule for yourself that is far too demanding (as so many of us tend to do).
I’m constantly re-prioritizing my own life, and as I get older I’m learning more and more how to say “no” to people and “yes” to God, and believe it or not, I say “yes” to myself more and more. I think we forget the importance of physical, mental, and spiritual replenishment that is so needed in our lives. We cannot give if we’re running on empty.
Thank you for today’s thoughts. Beautiful, heartfelt, and so “Sundi Jo” — special!
I hope you continue to make time for those tons of special moments in life that far too often we allow to pass us by.
Love,
Clara
Clara,
Thanks for the encouraging words. Saying yes to myself – getting better everyday.
P.S. – You’re awesome!
Proud of you!
🙂
I have always said my blog is for God to use me if he wants to send those needing something maybe that he gave me for their need. Thus I don’t have the big numbers of stats, no advertisers, etc. If I want to review a book it benefits(or not) me and the author. I just started a new one yesterday to sort of take a new route. Stay true to yourself. I just said to myself the other day, “Wouldn’t this be a much better world without jealousy and envy?” We are here to please God for his glory and not man. Of course many times easier said than done especially for some of us who have been people pleasers. Blessings!!!!
Thanks Charmaine for the kind and encouraging words. Hoping you’re blog does great things for God!
Pretty much where I’ve been lately – with my own personal twists and turns. Good for you for taking time to figure it out! It takes courage to shake up the status quo.
LOVE “Chopped” by the way. One of these days I’ll be a fantastic cook … probably in heaven. : )
I’m there with you too. That show makes me think I can be a great chef though 🙂
I’m not one to share my feelings or thoughts on posts but, I am.
What do I need to quit today? I might have a long list; one thing is I do worry about what people think of me; I do find that I compare myself to others. I worry about what they are thinking, that they are staring for some reason. I know that sounds strange. Even when I’m in church I have that thought instead of worshiping. I have been questioning if God really loves me, not matter what.
That doesn’t sound strange at all Betty. I used to think that too, and sometimes still do. But I’ve learned that half those people that I think are thinking about me aren’t at all. Believe it or not, all attention isn’t on me 🙂
God totally loves you! Don’t ever think differently. He says it a gajillion times in His Word. Study Who You are in Christ.
Thanks for being open and sharing. 🙂
follow your heart………………….g
Thanks Georgette.
Good for you and great for God! So glad you are wise enough to listen and not fight back!
I blog when God gives me something to blog about … I love the example you are setting.
I pray for you and will continue to do so! 😀 So glad to see you resting in Him!!Melissa
Thanks so much. Loving the encouraging words!
Love this post….thanks so much for sharing your heart ~ I am a new blogger and have taken off for the week to be with family. I have realized that if I am blogging just to “blog”…. I am not not helping me or anyone else. It needs to be from the heart when & where God leads. You are awesome…appreciate you and your stepping up! ♥ paula
Thanks Paula. Appreciate the encouragement and blessings to your blogging journey.
I am so proud of you for this one! and for this choice! Precisely why I no longer set an expectation on my blogging either…even just the “once a week” blog was hindering my John 10:10 efforts, you know? I mean, am I really honoring God when I stress out, miss out on time with the hubster, and then in that stress choose other bad habits, just because I am “supposed” to get that blog out? nope. So, some months there are 4 blogs, some months 2, etc…and I have more peace and can hear God’s voice much easier…=-) love you, girl!
🙂 Love you too!
This may be your best blog yet.–tons of great advice for people of any faith persuasion or none at all. I quit blogging before I started realizing that I would not have the time or energy or inspiration to pursue daily or even weekly blogging, I determined that I would make notes as I am moved to do so, and then write when the time is available. I don’t have the biggest followership or even close, but the people who read respond that they are helped to new insights or reminded of important things they would have missed. That achieves my purpose. People blog for all kinds of reasons and therefore follow their various routes to achieve their purpose. Your purpose and your plan resonate with me. Blessings. My periodic blogs appear at http://www.UCOMgr.org Director’s blog and http://www.brucerollersermons.wordpress.com.
Bruce, thanks for the encouragement. I’ll check out your blogs. Happy Friday!
Early this year, I read Michael E Perkins’ (of thehandwritten blog) e-book “Starting over – A manifesto on being yourself”.
It took me right back to the basics of why I do what I do, including blogging.
Awesome perspective Sundi. Am with you on this 🙂
Thanks so much. Do you have a link to that book?
You’ll find the link here – I did a review of the e-book
http://nginaotiende.blogspot.com/2012/01/starting-over-manifesto-on-being.html
Happy reading 🙂
Awesome decision, Sundi Jo. I choose to blog only when I really have something to say, either verbally or visually. And while I post it to a few different sites, I don’t go crazy trying to get everyone to read it. Instead, I simply let it be what it is – writing in obscurity. I’m glad you’re willing to trade fame for obedience.
Fame for Obedience. I like that Diane! 🙂
sundi jo … i don’t know you but linked to you from someone i do know on FB — just want you to know that i, too, have felt called away from my blog (a bit differently … ) but none the less, i hear the Lord saying BE still. best to you as you seek His face. i am certain He will show you a lot about Himself … God bless …
Thanks so much Andrea. God bless you too!
I was just asking myself today, while reading posts by those I subscribe to via email, who made the rule that bloggers had to post every day (or a certain number of days). They need to be corrected. Most of the posts in my inbox today (Friday) were fluff. And I’m not being critical. It is just so obvious, as a reader, when a person has something to say and when they don’t. And it makes all the difference to me.
I’ve never had a successful blog. I’m not an expert. And one of the reasons that I don’t blog much is because of all of the rules. I find them to be discouraging instead of helpful. And they tend to send the message that if you don’t reach “the masses” that your words don’t matter.
None of that lines up with the Word of God or the ministry of Jesus.
Almost 25 years ago I began writing and speaking because I felt compelled. Whether sick or well, in hospitals or out, I’ve done my best to be faithful to what I felt God wanted me to do. He confirmed it and used me in ways that I never dreamed. Those were great times.
But then came social media. And the comparison trap. And mounting obligations as a “caregiver.” In the past year or so I’ve rarely written or spoken. I’m constantly distracted and often feel overwhelmed.
So, I can totally understand where you are coming from. And, I respect your decision. You’ll be a better blogger for it. And, you’ll be much happier. I look forward to your posts on the day that you have something to share.
I’m making changes, too. I’m beginning to write again but only as led. Also trying to find a new church home. Keep following Jesus, Sundi Jo. He’ll never mislead you!
God bless.
I have just joined your Blog now, and reading this first post, you taught me your first lesson. I only started a Blog 2 months ago. i am not committed to have a new post everyday or every week, but I just write what I feel when I feel it. The thing is that I realized how true what you said is: I Blog to escape from real life, but the difference is that I need to have that escape 🙁
RESPECT! i love this post and it’s helped me to keep myself in check and why i blog and do what i do.
this is great.
I’m thinking of quitting blogging also, I get no traffic anymore I might as well be one of the crazy people taking to myself. Also I find that my lack of web traffic gets me seriously angry and can ruin my day. it is humiliating, so who needs it? what a waste of time. anyhow I watch Chopped all the time too.
-robert
http://paintorange.blogspot.com/
Robert, I encourage you not to make it all about the traffic. Write for the sake of writing, not growing your audience. It takes time and patience to grow a platform.
If you allow something like that to ruin your day, you’re in for a long ride.