Numerous times, you all credit me with honesty. I have to come clean again with some thoughts I have experienced over the past few days. Writing gives me clarity and two posts I have recently written did just that. First, I wrote a guest post (check it out) for Chelsey’s blog. Then, I wrote yesterday’s post about 20 Things To Keep In Mind. Both of those had me questioning my current approach to blogging.

Before moving on, please note that I’m not segueing into an announcement of “I’m not blogging anymore”. Not by any means. I truly feel called to share myself in this crazy thing called blogging. I love blogging. I do not hesitate for a moment to call it a passion of mine. However, that passion can take a negative spin sometimes and I recently realized it had done so for me.

I will say it outright. I have goals for this blog. It provides a wonderful creative outlet and the flexibility to do something I love. It suits me perfectly right now as an adult outlet while staying at home and as a way to bring in a little extra side money for our family. I cannot deny my hopes that when the time comes for me to return to work in a few years, I can involve blogging in some way. By no means do I expect my blog to become my full-time income (& likely wouldn’t want it to). I still wouldn’t mind it working well alongside whatever other path I choose to take (personal training? wellness coaching? writing?).

However, in reaching that possible goal, I do not ever want to lose sight of why I blog. I fear I had started to do that. I emphasized developing my blog over the aspects of blogging that bring me true joy. I reflected. And reflected some more.

Why do I blog?

I feel an immense purpose in telling my story. With time, I knew the things I had experienced had some meaning. They weren’t simply to make me stronger or learn some important lessons. They did those things, most definitely. But I have no doubt in my mind that I lived through the depression, hurt, binges, self-hatred, tough relationships, and more to tell my story. God has a plan and something in my gut tells me this is part of it for me.

Nothing matters more than loving others. The innumerable connections and relationships possible through blogging matter to me. I don’t want to get so caught up in my own blog that I can’t make those true connections and friendships important in the blogging world.

I believe in being real. I share 100% openly and honestly about all things body image, balance, motherhood, fitness, weight loss, fears, etc because I think we too often put pressure on ourselves that is not realistic. Heck. It’s what I’m currently experiencing with blogging and something I believe not talked about nearly enough. I want to show the truth in all ways, so we can learn more to uplift one another in struggles and not hide behind false fronts.

And lastly, its fun! Its a great way to learn more about myself, share anecdotes of my family, capture life, and experience new things. I don’t want to lose the fun aspect!

Those are the reasons I blog and those are the things I do not want to forget. What does that mean? For myself personally, It means taking off the self-imposed pressure. It means keeping blogging a hobby and pleasurable pastime and trusting God to develop it as a part of my life in His own way.

And for FFF? The main difference you will notice is that I may blog less often (1x/day) so I can keep my focus on what I care about most in blogging. I hope I can more genuinely reflect why I blog, my mission and purpose in blogging, and who I am as a person – a busy mom/wife/friend working towards personal goals and loving life – in every post.

Who cares what it does to page views? Who cares if its not the standard for blogs trying to grow and develop? Who cares if it makes me slightly nervous as to how that will affect the styling of my posts and if they become too long for you to want to read? All I care about is that I stick to my reasons for blogging. I follow my gut. I do what I know is right. I continue to have fun so it remains a passion. Whatever path that ends up leading down…so be it. I will have blogged with purpose, dedication, and compassion. Yea…so be it.

With all of that being said, if you like what FFF stands for, I would be honored to have you nominate me for Women’s Health Magazines “Blogs We Love”. Pretty please?? 🙂 Just click HERE and take a short moment to enter my site.

Question of the Day – Why do you blog? Have you ever lost sight of that? What caused you to do so and how do you keep focused?

You know how I said yesterday ended up being a good day? Well, I left two little moments out that had this look of joyful surprise on my face…

First up, I got an exciting email from Roni (the head coordinator of the FitBloggin’ Conference). I have been chosen to volunteer at the conference as a live blogger! That basically means I will serve as a note taker during one of the conference sessions that weekend. Why is that exciting? Well, I’m thrilled to involve myself deeper in this conference and help out. PLUS it means I get a refund on the conference fee I paid. I will happily put that money to use in two other trips I have my eyes on for later this year. 😀

Then, I found out something even more fabulous. Remember when I wrote this post about two months ago? It served as my “try out” to have the chance to work with the fitness apparel company 4all by JoFit as one of their featured bloggers for 2011. Well, as my Facebook friends found out earlier today…

Out of all the entries they chose me to help represent them along with 9 other fabulous bloggers! What a fun opportunity! Some great bloggers on the list, so check it out.

I celebrated all of this by watching the new episode of Glee. A little sweet included. We had care meals brought to us on Sunday and Monday night, both with a dessert. I like to save them and have one portion after dinner. Last night was a tough decision…mini peanut butter pie or a German chocolate bar?

Yea I could have had both, but I didn’t need both to celebrate. Food doesn’t equate to the giddy feeling I already had going on inside. I know the desserts aren’t going anywhere and I can fit some into my balanced eating just fine. So, mini peanut butter pie for last night…

….and one German chocolate bar saved for tonight. I’ll catch you later!

Question of the Day – Which dessert would you have chosen?

Also, if interested you can find a response from PB&Co in the comments (or my summation at the bottom) of my last post.