Friday, February 28, 2014

What's in a (blog) Name?

As I referenced before, this isn't my first blog. My previous blog was designed to be a family blog (though I think my husband may have posted just once or twice, so not so much I guess). This time around it is all about me (muhahaha). Seriously though, it feels nice to have this be my space. To be able to choose the name, the layout, the fonts, etc. was pretty freeing (does that sound corny?)

I thought a lot about the name. What did I want this blog to be? What's a good name that can encompass me and all the different areas of my life? What name would represent my blog?

When I had first thought about starting a new blog, I was reading the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (a great read if you haven't read it). I was thinking a lot about what makes me happy - and what makes me unhappy. A big thing I learned about myself when reading the book, and reflecting was that I get unhappy when I 1) compare myself too much with others 2) have unrealistic expectations of myself 3) focus too much on the big, overwhelming parts of life rather than the awesome, day-to-day, happy little moments parts of life.

I am generally a pretty happy person. I'm optimistic by nature, and try to assume the best in people and situations. But as I've grown into adulthood, and taken on more responsibilities, it's harder to keep that going. In a conversation with my husband recently he said that it seems though sometimes I had lost my "spark." I will never forget that, and I want to do what I can to maintain that "spark," stay positive, find happiness, and live in today.

I thought about being "happy in today" - not worrying about the inevitably busy day at work the next day, or comparing myself to someone else, wishing I could have what they have right now, or being paralyzed by the day to day grind of being a full-time working mom and wife. I want to be happy in today. Every day.

The B a bit of a play on words. B is my very favorite nickname of mine and it's reserved just for Jeromy. It came about so naturally and effortlessly. That's just who I was with him - it just came out one day, and it stuck. I still get butterflies in my stomach when he calls me B. So it's me happy in today, and a reminder to BE happy in today.

Like success, I think happiness is a journey, not a destination. I'm excited to see how this blog fits in to the journey.

First Post

I'm going to start this first post off with a confession. Okay. Ready? Here it is.

I am a wanna-be blogger.

There. I said it.

This isn't my first blog (see http://thecarlsonschronicle.blogspot.com for previous blog attempt).

In the past I have SO wanted to be the person who posts regularly - that perfect mix of day-to-day, pictures, recipes, and witty repertoire. I would be good for a bit, posting fairly regularly, and had a good variety of posts. But then I'd fall off the bandwagon, and when I tried to get back at it, it felt so overwhelming to "catch up" that I just...didn't.

So I'm starting fresh. I actually started laying this blog out MONTHS ago, but am finally gathering the courage to start today.

I have spent those months silently reading other people's blogs - envying their beautiful formats, their creative blog ideas, and their many followers. I feel like I have a long way to go.

But a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step so here. I. GO!

I have goals for this blog in the coming year (nerd alert...ha ha). But more on that later.

For now, this is enough!