My Blog, My Journey
***Warning: Long and self-indulgent post ahead.***
January quietly marked the third anniversary of this blog. Without any set expectations, I started Urban Living Experiment with the hopes that it would help me take note of the world around me, write regularly and document my experience as a first-time urbanite.
Little did I know how much more it would do.
The first year and a half was no doubt the most intense with plenty to write about: I separated from my husband and moved from a bungalow in a ritzy neighbourhood to a funky apartment downtown; I took an 11-month sabbatical from my cube-bound government job; I rebuilt my social network from scratch; I volunteered, took solo trips, stumbled and swayed through music festivals; I played hostess, took writing classes and unearthed my sexy side by learning how to pole dance. I create a home. I cried, I laughed, I loved.
It was a time of intense connection to my Higher Power, my sense of self and my surroundings - a time for new experiences with much fodder for reflection and storytelling.
Somewhere in year two, post-sabbatical, the intensity of my writing went down significantly. Despite a full life with new experiences (a new job, backcountry camping, moving in with D), my energy was sapped by a return to full-time work. During the next year or so I would often feel tired and disconnected, and was very much aware that the previous year's zest for life was gone.
Fast forward to today. I continue to enjoy and expand the social network I started three years ago; I've re-discovered the part of me that craves creative expression and I'm finally taking steps to nurture it; I'm exploring ways to find or create meaningful work. Hell I'm even getting hitched again.
As I navigated the ebbs and flows of the past three years, Urban Living Experiment was my constant companion. Did it meet my original goals to take note, write and document? Absolutely. But it did so much more. It captured my moods, my interests and my headspace; it became a vehicle through which I could set - and meet - goals (NaBloPoMo 2007, Solstice Reflections); it enabled - and continues to enable - connections with an amazing network of women across North America.
For all of the above and for you, lovely readers, I am grateful. Thanks for sharing the ride.
January quietly marked the third anniversary of this blog. Without any set expectations, I started Urban Living Experiment with the hopes that it would help me take note of the world around me, write regularly and document my experience as a first-time urbanite.
Little did I know how much more it would do.
The first year and a half was no doubt the most intense with plenty to write about: I separated from my husband and moved from a bungalow in a ritzy neighbourhood to a funky apartment downtown; I took an 11-month sabbatical from my cube-bound government job; I rebuilt my social network from scratch; I volunteered, took solo trips, stumbled and swayed through music festivals; I played hostess, took writing classes and unearthed my sexy side by learning how to pole dance. I create a home. I cried, I laughed, I loved.
It was a time of intense connection to my Higher Power, my sense of self and my surroundings - a time for new experiences with much fodder for reflection and storytelling.
Somewhere in year two, post-sabbatical, the intensity of my writing went down significantly. Despite a full life with new experiences (a new job, backcountry camping, moving in with D), my energy was sapped by a return to full-time work. During the next year or so I would often feel tired and disconnected, and was very much aware that the previous year's zest for life was gone.
Fast forward to today. I continue to enjoy and expand the social network I started three years ago; I've re-discovered the part of me that craves creative expression and I'm finally taking steps to nurture it; I'm exploring ways to find or create meaningful work. Hell I'm even getting hitched again.
As I navigated the ebbs and flows of the past three years, Urban Living Experiment was my constant companion. Did it meet my original goals to take note, write and document? Absolutely. But it did so much more. It captured my moods, my interests and my headspace; it became a vehicle through which I could set - and meet - goals (NaBloPoMo 2007, Solstice Reflections); it enabled - and continues to enable - connections with an amazing network of women across North America.
For all of the above and for you, lovely readers, I am grateful. Thanks for sharing the ride.
Labels: Life's big questions, Writing
posted by Steph at 7:42 p.m.
4 Comments:
Are you kidding me?! Thanks for inviting us all along! Your growth has been profound and it's been beautiful to watch you flourish, both in person and on this blog... Onwards & upwards!
Love you! xox
Bravo, Stephanie. Here's to having the courage to take these next creative, fulfilling, interesting, beautiful steps and to seeing where they lead you. I hope you'll invite us along for the ride.... : )
Thank you for sharing the story of your creative journey! The blogging community has added so many wonderful dimensions to our lives -- I share the same feelings as you do.
Come check out my latest book giveaway.
xo
this is perfect hun. i'm so glad that you can see it as a journey, some times you'll be writing more, other times you'll be out living more.
xoxo
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