2023 came in with so much promise. And 37 days in that promise remains unrealized and likely impossible to achieve.
We moved to Montana just after the holiday. I needed to be closer to my family, and it allowed me to come back to work one, final legislative session in the job that I love. But it also means that I am apart from my husband for weeks at a time, and that our lives are in a constant state of disruption, verging on chaos.
Also, if you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that I love my miniature schnauzer, Avery, with my whole heart. Shortly before the holidays, she came down with a bladder issue. This turned into an infection, which led to the discovery that she has diabetes. The diabetes is manageable, but the infections could kill her. Add in that I hate needles with the fire of a thousand burning suns, and I am now thinking I may need to undergo hypnosis so I can help with her twice-daily injections.
Finally, having Sloane was the greatest blessing of my life. But children need your time and attention, which means that the energy that I used to pour into myself, into blogging, into side projects now goes into Sloane.
Plus, unlike many of the OG bloggers who came up with me, I still work a day job. To create the amount of content this blog requires with a demanding legal career is damn near impossible if I ever plan on sleeping. But I think I’ve come up with a solution, it will just take a little time to activate it.
Tomorrow, I’ll be diving back in with some Valentine’s Day Gifts and a business casual outfit that is sure to please. Stay tuned.
xo, aB
Thank you for whatever you can spare for this space. Please take care of you and your family first. I will be cheering for you whether you post here or not.
Second this comment! I’ve also noticed many bloggers move to a MWF or TTH type schedule once they have families, especially if they’re still employed. Maybe that’s an option for you that would alleviate some pressure while still allowing you to thrive in this space (and potentially enjoy it again because it will be less of an obligation and more of a hobby).
Your long-time readers love your content and want whatever is best for you and your family. Take care of yourselves. We support you!
Thank you for running the blog all these years, and I echo others in imploring you to take whatever time and space you need for yourself and your family!
You are an inspiration for the way that you have maintained your principles for well over a decade in this arena and it speaks volumes of your strength of character and resiliency.
One of the things I’ve loved about your blog over the years is posts like these that acknowledge that although the primary content isn’t about your personal life, you are still a person with a life. It’s a good lesson for any career- that life has many different phases and a job, career, relationship or anything else will look different at different points in time. You have modeled an incredible example in your thoughtful candor as you discussed moving cross-country, switching careers, going to law school, getting married, and having a child. I appreciate so much your respect and care for your readers and I admire you for your commitment to maintain multiple challenging endeavors while allowing for each to have its own natural ebb and flow.
Some of my favorite bloggers have had to hit pause or lighten up their posting – for their mental health, to better focus on their families, find better balance, etc. I think the reason they are my favorite bloggers is because they are so real. True fans will understand and be happy to get whatever we can get. You DO have a lot of balls in the air right now!
The book Drop The Ball was a godsend for me. You may like it! I hope you don’t feel any guilt about all this. We’ll be excited for your stuff when you’re able to post again, but your loyal readers just want the good for you 🙂
One step at a time, mama. This reader is not going anywhere. Just do what you need to do.
In Canada, you would likely be taking a year off work to spend with the baby. This blog is labour. We’ll still be here if/when you’re ready to post.
Your readers all get it. We’ve been there. Do what you can. I’m happy to consume the content to produce, but I completely understand that you may not be there every day.
I enjoy your content so much! But, I’d rather you took any time you needed, up to and including no longer posting ever again, if that’s what you need to be present for yourself or your family. I’ll still be here rooting for ya no matter what!
Based on all the commenters, I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels like you are a friend, even though we’ve never met. The faithful will still be here for you and your advice/style/musings whenever it’s do-able. It took me a solid 4 years to figure out the mom thing, so just do what feels right for you and your family. xoxo
I was just thinking the same thing! When there isn’t a new post, I feel like I didn’t get to talk to my friend that day (something I’ve done nearly daily since 2010). I also know when I don’t get to talk to my friend that day, it’s because she needs the break. I miss her, but I also want her to take care of herself and her family. We’ll talk again when she has time. In the meantime, I’m sending good thoughts her way.
I am so sorry to hear about your pup. We recently went through something similar, and it’s just awful. My heart goes out to you.
Yes, thank you for all that you do! I have been following you for years. You are one of the 2 blogs I check almost daily. We are here for you, whatever that looks like for you!
I’ve been reading this blog for more than a decade. I’m a 40 year old attorney, a mom to a 4 y.o. and and 8 m.o., and a recovering political staffer. I’m also a type 1 diabetic. All this to say, my sympathies to you and Avery on the needles front! This on top of everything else is a lot! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the excellent posts over the years–what a gift to your readers. Wishing you and yours well. Your readers will wait with patience while you sort through this very busy transition-filled time.
you’re doing an amazing job!
That’s a lot of stuff to be handling at once. Take care of yourself and your family (2 legged and 4 legged family), and we’ll be ready to read when you can post.
I saw a meme from Thirty Rock where Liz Lemon says “it’s been a year, huh?” and Alec Baldwin replies “Lemon, it’s February”. I felt seen. Please take whatever time you need to handle what’s most important to you, and give yourself heaping amounts of grace right now. Most of us will still be here whenever you’re ready. Seasons of life…
Echoing what everyone else has said — I totally get it, and I’m here for your content whenever you have the time and energy to create it. Priorities change throughout life, and especially with the addition of kiddos. I applaud you for doing what you need and want to do.
Echoing all the other comments – I’m a long time reader who loves your content, and also loves that you are honest about when you need to take breaks and that there are other demands on your time! Let this be an activity that brings you joy when you have time for it, not just another thing on the to do list. We will be here whenever you are ready!
Sending you lots of love. We’ll be here whenever you have the space for the blog, but fully support if that doesn’t look like it has in years past.
I can’t believe what you have accomplished. I feel so lazy! Please take care of yourself and your family. We’ll still be here for you and will take all the recommendations, advice and rants you have time for.