some changes on in all honesty

Today is the first day of the last school term in Victoria. As the new term begins, so do some changes on in all honesty. I've been blogging for nearly 2 years now, and it's time for a rethink.

As you know, I've been feeling pretty overwhelmed by all the extra ministries in my life. Some of the joy has gone out of writing and teaching for me. One of my dear friends summed it up: "Things have been moving pretty fast for you over the past 18 months - maybe it is time to slow things down and take a breather."

These school holidays have been a peaceful opportunity to stop, pray, reflect, and ask some wise friends for advice. I've tried to keep nothing back from God as I've gone through this process. I seriously considered stopping blogging altogether.

But because writing is refreshing for me and (I hope!) encouraging for you, I've decided to keep blogging, but to blog more flexibly and less frequently.

I'm hoping this will free me up to give more undivided attention to my family, and to teach the occasional seminar. I don't want to come close to burnout again, but I also don't want to give up teaching women in person because of the relentless pace of blogging! Above all, I don't want to neglect my family, especially during Andy's last precious 2 years at home.

Here's what it means for in all honesty:

1. I may post a little less often. Don't worry about me (as some of you do!) when I miss a weekday. I'm just taking a mental health day or some time to spend with friends and family. I want to allow freedom to go with the natural ebb and flow of life.

2. I'll attempt less series at a time! :) Keeping up with the relentless pace of a series is one of the hardest things on a blog. Instead of chasing lots of topics at once, I'll try to stick to 1 or, at the most, 2! We'll see how I go.

3. I won't try to post weekly on a series. Instead, I'll throw up a topic, and post when I'm ready to write something new. So don't expect a post on the same topic every Monday, for example. You might be waiting a week, or even a month!

4. I may not post during school holidays. At the moment, I take 2 annual breaks from blogging in winter and summer, but I may extend this to include the other 2 school holidays, when I may post archives and a few holiday pics. I'm not sure about this yet! Feel free to tell me what you think.

5. I'll keep the current balance of serious and light, theological and topical. Lots of you have told me you enjoy the variety. So that won't change.

I'll try out these changes until the end of the year, then I'll stop and reassess how blogging is going for my family and me.

Thank so much for your support and encouragement. It's such a privilege to have such faithful and loving readers on in all honesty. I'm truly blessed to be able to encourage others and be encouraged by them while doing something I love!

image is from Will Lion at flickr