Hello......this little space is very important to me, not more important than 'real' life, but it's up there as one of the good things.
Recently I've read a few posts from bloggers who've been questioning their blogs, and where they are going with them, it's made very interesting reading and got me thinking.
It's important this is a 'stress-free' zone. I have plenty of real life stresses, so this little space has to be as calm and as colourful as can be!
There's no plan here, no ultimate goal, I'm not wishing to become anything other than Ada Bea, who loves her vintage sheets. Who enjoys picking up her hook every now and again....and who's wanting to get her living room finished, then put those paint brushes away for another 10 years!!!
(We've a picture rail up now, there's holes in the walls where pictures and mirrors were once hung......the paints been ordered, and I've got a some lovely things being commissioned too, but more about that another time.....)
Yes, my stress free place, where I don't have to plan a blog post or think too much about what I'm writing (which is why it's a bit ad hoc!)....I go with the flow, or not, depending on how I feel.
Most of these photos have just been taken, I've not staged anything although the Instagram ones have been edited. (I'm hoping to do a photography course with my sister later in the year so this may, or may not, change!)
It's not that I'm lazy, and it's certainly not that I don't care, it's just how it has to be for me that's all, nothing too difficult, laid back....
This post has taken me all of 20 minutes to put together (yes I can see that, some of you may be thinking!) I do love those blogs that look fabulous, beautifully photographed, clean cut and swish, but I wouldn't know where to start.....and I'm not sure it's really me!l
Yes, I need stress free blogging, how about you? I'd love to here your thoughts on your blog.....how much time goes in....how much, or how little stress is experienced!
The only thing I do stress about is that I don't visit you all enough....have a lovely week everyone!
Bye for now,
Ada :) xxx
Posted with Blogsy
Ada - I'm totally with you. I don't have the time or know how to post staged photos, although I enjoy looking at them. I also don't really go looking for many followers as I quite like that its a personal space and I can generally reply and get round the blogs I like to follow. I love (Attic 24) Lucy's blog, but all those followers and the responsibility must be huge. Not for me - but I'm glad of the people who do.
ReplyDeleteI hope that makes sense, and I look forward to seeing your lounge once finished xx
Yes Lucy's blog is great, and it's a perfect mix of craft, home life but with depth too! But yes a responsibility! :) x
DeleteMy blog is unpolished too as it were - no time for staged photos I'm afraid, too much going on! X
ReplyDeleteIt's better to have too much going on dont you?! Wil pop by to see you soon! :) x
DeleteMy blog is incredibly UN staged, the photos are taken wherever I can gt good light, which isn't always easy. I don't think ahead about posts, I just tend to write about what I've made and what we've been up to, its more a diary for me to look back over, if people want to join me for the ride, I'm over joyed that they like what they read.
ReplyDeleteI love the last photo. I need this in my life!
They Re brill aren't they! My eldest daughter has vowed never to bring any friends home she's so embarrassed! :) x
DeleteI would soooooooo much rather read a post like this! It is normal and real, and beautiful, in words, pictures and thought. Sometimes if I have time and lots of photos to sort, say from a day out, I will schedule a post ahead just because I sorted it out so it seems sensible to do that than just save it as a draft, but I don't plan them, or do lots of work doing this just to blog about. I blog about what I do, I don't do things to blog about. Do it as you like to, I love what you do, and although I cannot speak for anyone else, I am pretty sure that all of your readers love what you do as well!!! Take care. xx
ReplyDeleteI much prefer reading real life blogs, warts and all...the 'show offs' are boring. My 'studio' is the kitchen table. Keep it real! Eco Ethel xx
ReplyDeletePS: Love the mouse.
My blog writing is pretty spontaneous. I just write about my crafts and books that I'm reading. I do edit my pictures for the best look, but it doesn't take much time. Right now I'm blogging a lot about gardening because it's a success after several years of failure. The gardening posts are mostly for my own knowledge to refer back to in the future and if others are interested I'm honored. I like your blog, and I agree it should be an escape from the daily grind and stress of life.
ReplyDeleteHi Ada, this is such an interesting point.There are a lot of blogs out there which look incredibly staged but they leave me cold. I know I have posted tips on taking better photos and said it''s O.K. to stage your photos, but too much just leaves it feeling soulless.....like reading a glossy mag. I just aim to take nicely composed photos.
ReplyDeleteAlso about it being stress free.....yes that's what I need. I probably have lost loads of followers by flitting through so many crafts and days out....but I write about what interests me, and what photos I have on my camera, nothing is planned....that keeps it fun.
I love your blogging style and hope you don't change.
Jacquie x
Hi Ada, I'm similar to you. I like to post about where I've been and what I've been up to, as well as vintage finds but it all happens quite haphazardly. If I have time, I like arranging the finds, it's fun to put them together, and often I get ideas for pics for the local magazine that I'm editing or patterns and colours for my quilt. All part of the fun. I don't edit much, but I do crop out my fingers or my feet where necessary!
ReplyDeleteI think a blog should be exactly what you want it to be...planned...unplanned.....staged photos......unstaged photos. It represents who you are. I think blogging has changed a lot in the last couple of years with the onset of instagram. Many have left completely for the ease of micro-blogging, and I see that many bloggers are leaving too as they are not getting many comments, and feel it's wasted time for little results. But I guess different people get different things out of blogging. I do love the blogging community. I always wish I could have more time to visit more bloggers and leave comments, but I'd never be off here! I just look at it that i'm blogging for myself, so whatever goes, goes and no pressure.
ReplyDeleteKeep doing what you're doing as you have a wonderful blog!
Have a super week
Vanessa x
Ada I agree with you totally::: I try to write pretty spontaneous and find my way to be creative. Editing photo is just a way to make things a little bit cute to enjoy your visit. If people want to join me for this adventure, I'm honoured to share idea and inspiration and I really appreciate every word. :::Have a nice week!:::Silvia
ReplyDeleteGreat philosophy. I often wonder 'why do I blog'? And like you and Vanessa think it bet to just go with the flow! I love connecting with the community, I'll never be a power blogger or someone who makes money from it. So it should be a reflection of you and what you love. Looking forward to your living room makeover! (As are you, no doubt) xxx
ReplyDeleteI could not agree with you more x
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you! Blog should be pleasure to write and be the place for us and if someone like it that way is fine and much appreciated but writing post for someone else never sound good to me. And to be honest I don't like blogs which are full of sponsors and pretend to be real life blogs.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and your colourful pictures :)
I totally agree with you! Blog should be pleasure to write and be the place for us and if someone like it that way is fine and much appreciated but writing post for someone else never sound good to me. And to be honest I don't like blogs which are full of sponsors and pretend to be real life blogs.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and your colourful pictures :)
Totally agree. My 'snaps' are just that ... no editing, filters or special effects. I don't have the time and I don't wish to be something I am not. I love your blog just as it is!
ReplyDeleteM x
I'm just glad anybody bothers to stop by my blog. I love to write and take pictures and it's nice to think that people are interested in it. My life is simple and quiet and I don't do a lot of exciting things, but I'm contented and I like to think it shows on my blog. I don't think that having a massively popular or heavily sponsored blog looks like much fun at all, personally. I think it would be stressful to feel like you needed to answer to others about the way you used your blog space.
ReplyDeleteGo with the flow. That's a great philosophy. I love that you post the right this very minute stuff because it really is beautiful and there is just so much artifice in life, isn't there?
ReplyDeleteAda I love you're blog and you have a great laid back way of doing things, as for mine it's simular, I'm limited due to low energy levels and having to pace so I never edit photo's just write my posts over a few days, the most I do is sometimes make a picmonkey mosiac, keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteClare x
I don't stress at all over my blog. I've always had to create and this is simply my current creative outlet. It's for me, no one else, and I don't have any blogging goals. If people enjoy it, great, but if no one visited I'd still blog!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, I love visiting your blog. Have a great week! :)
Well said A B! But what about that mini Smeg - is it a half fridge? And as for the little mouse peeping out of his mousehole - I love it ! Love your blog just as it is x Jane
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more! (Although, I do confess to clearing away just the teensiest amount of chaos before I take a picture in the house!). It is usually only the technology that stresses me out - when it won't work properly... E xx
ReplyDeleteHi Ada, love that mouse! Is it painted or a sticker? Re blogging, I get stressed if I don't do a post and think it's time I should do one, but then have to relax and stop over-committing to everything! Even an ad hoc post of mine still takes time : -)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely space, just to BE!
ReplyDeleteJacqui xx
I so enjoy the way you do your blog, feels as though I am there with you as you share all your lovely colourful things, don`t change it please.
ReplyDeleteHi, thank you for your visit ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm like you, my blog is a free zone. At first, I spent a lot of time and I asked for myself many questions. When I saw the perfect blogs, I wanted to do the same ... but it wasn't me!
Lovely post my little blog will always be completely upstaged & my just aim & click style of taking a photo will also stay the same. I do stress about replying to comments though. You have a lovely natural blog!
ReplyDeleteI think your blog, or my blog, or any blog, should be just what the blogger wants it to be, whether that's unplanned, planned, highly glossed, even heavily sponsored or monetised. We all blog for different reasons and the fact that folk still blog at all in these days of multiple social media experiences is surely a good thing. Of course some blogs are business shop windows and thus project a carefully constructed persona, but mostly I'm drawn to those where the individual behind the blog can be heard in what's written. I don't have a problem with people writing for their audience though ... in fact I find myself wondering why the folk who say they write only for themselves make their blogs public. I think most of us write to be part of a community. And never forget that some of us are photographers so the glossy images we share are as much us showing folk what we're doing as those who post pics of their crochet projects or their veg patches. I guess I'm saying that in blogging, as in anything else, variety is the spice of life :)
ReplyDeleteI think you're so right Annie, that sense of community is so important to me, the thing that keeps me here and coming back for more! I'd find it difficult if I didn't get any feedback or interaction. Our blogs should be what we want them to be, variety is good! :) x
Delete~ Hi Ada..
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anne above very much...Each to his own..
For me visual counts and I adore pretty, i know you quite possibly 'feel' this about me..The blog corners i visit are usually visual too..Not structured, just honest , pretty and colourful.. ( like you)...
My blog was my 'healing' with Mum..I had to put down pretty, because like you the things I had seen on Mum's journey were anything but this...
I wanted to read and see and be in touch with like minded folks like my self, who lifted me when I most certainly forgot to fly....
In the earlier days I cannot describe the comfort, pleasure and friendships I found on here...I will always be grateful for this...
At the moment 'words' are few, so IG is my visual treat....
I'm going to sit down later and try and catch up with my blog buddies (they mean an awful lot)...We are kindred spirits brought together for all sorts of reasons..
Thinking of you Ada as always...( Journeys with Mama's who have Alzheimers have to be walked fully to truly understand the pain..)
Be well..
Hugs Maria x
I love my visits here dearest Ada B xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm am very new to blogging but have been reading other peoples blogs for about 4 years. I really like your blog and found this post interesting. I also agree with Annie about a blog should be whatever you want it to be. For me I needed to start a blog as my head was feeling like it could explode. Writing a blog post for me is like going to a yoga class. (something I have not managed to do for ages) I feel so calm and energised after I have played around with some words and sorted through some pictures. Blogging is a complete stress free zone for me. I hope that blogging is a good way of recording moments with my baby. I feel it allow me to grow and develop new skills and meet new friends but who knows what it will mean to me in the future. I connect with all sorts of blogs some slick and some that have a more shabby chic feel.
ReplyDeleteH x
Hi Ada, I haven't been here or in blogland for ages so its nice to pop here and see that all is well with you and lovely colourful blog always made me smile. Blogging does take up a lot of time which is why I stopped but I think its a place that will always be here and its nice to pop in from time to time. I have a new project which I wanted to share and thought people might like to see so I am back for I don't know how long I will just hop in and out as that's what suits me and my life at present. dee x
ReplyDeleteFor me blogging is somewhere between a creative journal and a form of expression. Sometimes I make it a bit more complicated than I perhaps need to! sometimes that can hold me up longer than I want to, but once I've pressed publish I'm usually quite a happy bunny. I like the relaxed approach you have here, it feels a bit like wearing a loose flowing flowery garment, quite freeing! Heather X
ReplyDeleteHere here for stress-free blogging! My blog (and the ones I love to read the most) is my little creative oasis, where I pop in for a boost, to record my creativity, which boosts my spirits, because sometimes I feel overwhelmed with all the stuff of life...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you stress free blogging is the way to go! Don't feel guilty about leaving comments with every one it is meant to be fun not hard work! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteI love to visit here lovely Ada and also seeing you on IG ... always so much colour and cheer ... Bee xx
ReplyDeleteI love how you blog Ada, don't ever feel like you need to change! You're cheery, colourful and honest. You always seem to find the positives in life which is good to read for a natural pessimist like myself! I don't think it matters whether posts are very planned or sporadic, it's up to each individual as it's their "space". If your blog is your stress-free zone from life (which is suspect it is for most people) then the focus should always be on having fun!
ReplyDeleteI think that's the best way to think about these things and I love how your blog has evolved.
ReplyDeleteNina x
Well Ada I think you have the right idea, frankly. Blogging for me is about making connections first and foremost, and look how many people love your blog and IG feed!! I always try to see my blog as a hobby, a place to share and celebrate the things I love to do. It's good to remember why we started to do it in the first place. Anyway, keep doing what you're doing lovely lady!! x
ReplyDeleteps I bet the really slick ones would give their right arm for your readership and stats.... ;-)
I enjoy popping in for a visit here to see what's happening in the colour-filled world of Ada Bea :)
ReplyDeleteI started my blog to connect with family and friends when I first lived abroad. It's funny that I made new friends through it whilst original friends and my family didn't use it as much. Though it's fair to say that none of them are bloggers. So maybe it's a certain type of person that blogs. I agree with many of the comments here that we like to connect with the blogging community. Having said that, my blog is sorely neglected these days, and I feel guilty when I don't keep up with friend's blogs and comments. I was finding that my time was being taken over by the computer, and I didn't like that. So I've yet to find a happy medium.
ReplyDeleteI like all types of blogs, the staged and the natural. I tend to flit around to what I fancy at the time, though I do still have the 'friends' I like to visit and keep in touch with.
I'll finish rambling , just to say I like visiting your blog, it's a nice place.
I'm definitely about stress free blogging too! My blog's been a lot quieter this year - I just blog when I have time and I feel like it. It's important to me that I'm not accountable to anyone else for it. It's my way of sharing pretty things I like and curating my photos really. I always love dropping by your colourful blog. Although IG has taken over as my main source of connecting, I do still think there's room for blogging too - more of a chance to tell a story. Keep enjoying xxx
ReplyDeleteHi A, I like blogs that are "real" like yours and have moved away in recent times from the business blogs and heavily sponsored, pristine blogs. I find it more rewarding on so many levels to partake in blogs that come from the heart. Keep up the good work and I hope you have a restful sun filled weekend xx
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Life can be stressful enough without worrying about blogging too. I always love your colourful posts. xx
ReplyDeleteDear Ada Bea
ReplyDeleteLife is certainly too busy and too important to spend an eternity on blogging! I do like to reply to everyone's kind comments and that takes a bit of time. Go with the flow and do you what you will - that's the best way. I don't blog very much - just when I get round to it...I don't think that the world is waiting!!!!
We too have taken 10 years to get round to our kitchen! Finally made a start but I think that it will take a year (on and off!) to complete.....never mind it will be done eventually and the way I see it I am a lucky to have a kitchen in the first place - my poor old mum cooked on a Primus for years and there were seven of us.
Your house looks gawjus!
Best wishes
Jenny
Absolutely - don't ever feel pressurised when blogging!
ReplyDeleteHelenxx
My dear Ada, coming to read your blog is like popping over to the neighbours for a cuppa. How I love to gaze at all the pretties in your place. And today's little house tour made it more personal than ever.
ReplyDeleteIt is the personal touch that makes your blog so special. You are able to share your struggles and your triumph, strengths and vulnerabilities, with integrity.
Life has become super stained here and blogging got put off and now it stresses me to try to think, how to pick it up again. I worry that repetition of the minutia becomes mundane.
Anyways, as I poured my first cuppa this morning, my thoughts turned to you and here I am for my little visit. How nice it is to know you.
I totally agree with Sassy Bee, Ada, it's like popping into a friend's house! While they are lovely, some of the very pretty blogs are style over substance ... I like real life and a bit of a tale too ... Simplicity, kick your shoes off and relax ... That's my type of blog ... And yours fits the bill completely xxx
ReplyDeleteThe trouble is everyone copies everyone else. One person does heart skippy happy stuff then everyone else tries to emulate. One person does a 'I feel miserable' post and everyone tells them how refreshing it is and what they wanted to hear all along, and that we are fed up of all these 'perfect' lives. (Why we feel they are escapes me, pretty things means nothing except just that but people get envious anyway.) So then you get everyone trying to engage with their ordinary lives and telling us just how rubbish they are at housework, their children are nightmares etc. They change over at least for a post or two and follow that route because they have just read other people saying that is what they want. Trouble is, a lot of from either camp just seem inauthentic and it seems a bit of a contrivance. The best blogs are those that just do what they want, whatever that is. A lot of jollity and happiness masks a lot of pain and depression yet what is perceived as extreme positivity and happiness is conversely often what makes other people feel bad when they read it. They feel their own lives and personalities lack in comparison, which is a shame. The person who writes the blog doesn't feel quite as marvellous as everyone thinks and is somehow seen as responsible for the reader not living up to the dream they apparently represent. All very fraught with difficulty I think.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I like blogs that do their own thing. As we are herd animals that isn't easy to do or easy to find.
Dear Ada
ReplyDeleteVery interesting to read all comments here. I think it is all about finding your style and that can take a while for some and for others it just works out immediately. I prefer honest blogs, and blogs where I can identify and relate to what is written. It all depends on everyone's interest. I'm not that interested in looking at travel pictures but I would love to see a lace curtain in someones window. For me blogs are very visual. It doesn't all have to be pretty in the aspect of "pinks, flowers and hearts", a great shot does it for me. Like over at Posie Gets Cozy. I stage some of my photos, absolutely. It is time consuming but also fun. I mix it up with snap shots and that is the way I like it. I think, to stop rambling and loosing the subject, I agree with Vanessa over at Coco Rose. We are all different individuals and we all do it our own way. there is nothing wrong or right. Having a blog can absolutely be stressful, especially when your audience grow. But the rewards of connecting with a wonderful community makes you work it through and continue. I wouldn't want to loose my space in Blogland. It has taught me more than I ever could have imagined when I first started in 2009. I created something. From my passion. from my heart. from what I believe in. And people like it. That is fantastic. We are all very lucky come planned blogging, staged photos, impulsive blog posts or IG snap shots... We all do it our won way. As long as we stay true to ourselves and what we are aiming for it is all good in my opinion.
Xxx
Annette
My Rose Valley
Annette
I really appreciate your blog and have gained so much neede information. A sincere thanks to you.
ReplyDeleteGet Relief from Stress