Thank you, thank you, a million times thank you for all the thoughtful responses I received to last week’s post about feeling lost. I can’t tell you how much every single message meant to me. It’s gratifying, of course, to know that my words touch people, even a few.
While I feel heartened and touched and deeply grateful, I’m still a little lost. I feel like I’m repeating myself. That argues for a break, clearly. At the same time, I know that the near-daily ritual of sitting down and writing something has become hugely important to me. I worry that stopping will be catastrophic because I’m so aware of the benefits of the practice. That argues against a break.
I’m going to split the difference which is either a happy hybrid or a total cop-out. I’m going to take the month of March off, with a plan to return in early April. The month of March also includes a week of family travel and some other stuff that is going on which I’ll write about soon. So the timing is good.
I’ll be reading and watching the sky and I look forward to returning here. Please know how much every single message means to me – both last week and in general. I mean that. Thank you.
See you soon.
That sounds like a great way to start. All the best to you and your family, in anything you do! Thinking of you. xox
March is an excellent month for clearing one’s mind. Looking forward to seeing where this break takes you.
Sounds like an excellent plan, Lindsey. Can’t wait to hear what you learn from this break.
Enjoy our break. I will miss your musings and wisdom.
That sounds like a nice compromise/balance. Count me in as one who would miss your beautiful, insightful writing. Have a lovely break!
I’ve seen so many writers and bloggers taking a break recently. You are not alone. I hope you have a lovely, relaxing break.
I’ve been meaning to write you a note on your post from last week for days. I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that you keep writing. Here, somewhere, with the same schedule, or with a modified one. You say you keep repeating yourself; I see a stunning consistency in the way you see the world. And as much as the themes persist, the content shifts, even subtly, because your subject is nothing less and nothing more than ever-changing everyday life. And the gloss you put on it, your specific lens, is always, always relevant and riveting. I also love the glimpse it gives me as I parent my young children—a window into what lies ahead. Your writing, this site, is like a port in the storm for so many of us. One month off, to take a break, to take stock makes good sense. Maybe when you return, you can adjust the schedule a bit: maybe 2 posts a week? One content, one quote. Just a small suggestion that might ease things a bit and give you more material to play with from week to week. Sending love to you…thank you for being out there, for putting your words and yourself into the world for all of us.
That sounds like a good plan and I like Dina’s addition, too.
Best wishes to you! Looking forward to hearing from you in April.
lindsay, I am a faithful follower of your blog and have used several posts as inspiration for my own. Ever since reading the obit of Amy Krouse Rosenthal earlier in the week, I’ve kept thinking, “oh, I hope Lindsay is familiar with her.” If not, Google and also watch a couple of her presentations on YouTube. I have been totally captivated by her book “encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life” and I am sure it would resonate with you as well. Yet another beautiful soul.
I’m late to the discussion on this topic, but I thought I’d still weigh in.
In a way, I agree with you. There is certainly a common refrain to your posts. However, I still love reading them. You and your kids are a handful of years ahead of me and I greatly appreciate the foretaste, of sorts, that reading your posts provides. I find a certain kinship in finding myself in situations and experiences that parallel something you’ve written about, and feeling the universality of parenting truths. (You one wrote about the particular intimacy of lacing the skates of another woman’s child at every hockey practice, and I thought of it this winter as I combed the chlorine-soaked hair of a friend’s daughter who carpooled with us to swimming practice.)
I love knowing what you’re reading. I really enjoy the posts where you answer long lists of questions – I love little glimpses into the lives of other people. I appreciate the stories you tell of family traditions (Sunday dinners with candles, summer trips to Marion, etc.) And I also appreciate your insights on the various transition points in life (Whit putting his Legos in storage), and how you reflect on slippery passage of time in such moments.
All this said, I quit blogging myself. So I’m a fine one to say, “Please don’t.” I understand that living life and reflecting on it don’t always go hand in hand. I hope that your middle-ground approach serves you well and I will keep reading for as long as you keep writing.
I hope you’re enjoying your travels. And I’ll look forward to hearing from you in April.
Thinking of you as I linger a bit too long by the fire as rain falls. I should get going to work, but I want to sit. Rest, ponder.
Hope you’ve been enjoying your break.