Last week I came upon this video. First I saw Joelle tweet about it, and then I saw it again on Tiny Twig. I watched it and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I’m definitely an introvert and although I’m not sure I totally agree with her definition of an introvert, this video totally resonated with me.
I also thought it was especially perfect timing, because all last week I’ve been wanting to write something, but I couldn’t figure out how to put it. You see, last weekend I spent a lot of time in the car by myself. Over the last couple of months, I’ve noticed a pattern. I come up with really good ideas any time I drive by myself. I just thought it was kind of funny at first, but this video made me realize that driving is my “going into the wilderness.” I’m unplugged, and I’m by myself, for a few hours. This is really the only occasion that I can think of where these quiet circumstances fall in to place at this point in my life. I need to figure out a way to unplug more often.
The video didn’t really solve my problem though, because what I want to do is tell you about my ideas and that change is coming some time over the next couple of months. This three blogs thing was not sustainable forever, and really happened as a result of poor planning on my part. Don’t worry, none of this is going away, I’m just going to try to figure out how to tweak it so that it can all come together cohesively. So that I don’t have to divide myself up so much. Does that make sense? I hope so. I’m not ready to share my plans just yet, so I hope you’ll stick around and see what’s coming, because I think it has a lot of potential. Sorry to be so vague!
Are you an introvert? When do you come up with your best ideas?
I'm definitely an introvert and I've started to see the positive sides of it. My greatest ideas come to me when I'm unplugging too, more and more often that is when I'm meditating. It's kind of cool, since I more easily can pick up the thread then for example when I'm in a car driving :)
Kate, whatever these three blogs will become, I'm sure it will be fabulous! Can't wait to see what changes you come up with. I do really know the problem you are describing. I also want to merge art + everyday life + inspiration + food + travels into one little space without making it too messy.
PS. I really wanted to put up a button of stripes and polka dots on my blog. Do you have one that is 180×70?
THIS VIDEO! Yes. I am an introvert, absolutely. I am not shy, I love talking to new people and hanging out and I don't lack courage. But I need alone time. I need to recharge and “unplug” everyday, other wise I get overwhelmed. My family was just like hers, we read books in silence at the dinner table, or in front of the fire. My mom, is an introvert, and is a top executive at a big company, because she knows how to listen. Yes. Yes. Yes. I loved this video!
I'm for sure an introvert. I definitely need time on my own to regroup–especially if I have been around a large group of people for any length of time. I don't know how you can keep up with three blogs–I seriously struggle with just one so m hat is off to you, friend! Looking forward to what comes out of this over the next few months. :)
TED videos are always so interesting. Thanks for sharing, and we look forward to your plans, when you're ready!
I didn't watch the video but had to comment on your reflection.
I would not consider myself an introvert, however I do enjoy spending time alone. One of my main worries in moving in with the boy almost 2 years ago was not having enough “me time”. What helps me clear my head now is taking the dog for a long walk. She keeps me from getting too into my thoughts, but the time we spend just strolling along has helped me organize my thoughts on more than one occasion. But I can definitely understand the car thing. I don't have a car now, but used to do that all the time in high school!
In terms of your three blogs, I wouldn't mind seeing some of your sketch & wash posts over here on a weekly basis. I'm sure whatever you come up with will help you manage everything well. Good luck! (Sorry this comment is so long…)
I just watched this over lunch, and Wow. She hit on so many excellent points. I even teared up at the end when she was giving her call to action. I think partly why teaching elementary school was so incredibly exhausting to me was because I'm not an extrovert. The constant noise of people (kids) and having to always be interacting with people made me exhausted by 4pm. I think I am much better suited to working from home and having interaction be on my terms. Anyways. Thank you for posting this! I look forward to seeing what you do with the 3 blogs.
I'm dying to get off work so I can go home and watch this video! I'm a hardcore introvert. Like, to the extreme. I thrive on my own and love it. I have to recharge by myself every day.
I am an introvert by definition, but I tend to think I'm not. My friends and family would probably agree that I am, but only in certain situations. I can't wait to see what changes you're making!
I have been writing a post about being married to an introvert for months, and I just recently mentioned on Twitter that I was going to be editing/publishing it soon! Joelle mentioned she had posted this video, and I had to go back and see it. I did a lot of my undergrad research in personality, especially introversion/extroversion.
Also, you have such a beautiful way of connecting with your readers – I so admire that! I hope that my blog can attain that one day soon :)
xoxo!
eliza
I definitely do some of my best thinking while driving — the shower is my other best thinking place. Too bad it's kind of difficult to write down those ideas in both places! But I think sometimes you need to let your mind wander without writing things down and planning them out, just consider the possibilities.
I don't know how you've managed three blogs at once! I tried starting a blog for my business, and I think I made it through three posts. I used to think you had to keep business and personal separate, but really, when you're a small business, people are investing in YOU.
Lately, a lot of my best thinking has been cropping up when I've been doing things offline, like reading, cooking, chatting with my boyfriend, or otherwise zoning out. Sometimes I think we try too hard to make ideas come and develop, especially when we see all the amazing things other bloggers and creators are doing. I definitely struggle with that.
I'm also rather introverted, or at least that's how I define myself. I can be very social, and people like to tell me that “I must not know any strangers,” but I also need a lot of alone time to relax and recover from social settings. It can be tiring, and I really love quiet time. I realized that I absolutely need to balance that, if only so I can give my all at work and volunteering and social life.
Good luck getting your blogs all figured out! It sounds really tough to be doing both, especially while trying to run your own business. Keep us posted, and we'll keep reading!
I saw this a few weeks ago and it totally spoke to me! I am an introvert and I've just started to try and embrace it. It seems that so many bloggers are introverted and I wonder if it's because we can feel safe and secure at home, alone, while making connections online. Very interesting…Anyways, I'm a new follower of yours and I think we are both doing the LA Family thing. So if you want to stop by and say hi, I'm over at huntingforbliss.wordpress.com :) xoxo
Just back-tracking on the blog and came across this post! It's funny because I'm actually planning a once a month unplug day for the summer and a few other blog friends are doing it with me! We are going to try to go the entire day with no email/internet/phone/TV and then blog about our experience being unplugged. Let me know if you want to join in the fun. :) I'm hoping it will spur my creativity and get me to do projects and crafts that have been sitting on the back burner!