Why Did I Start A Blog?

If you know me in real life, you know I'm an introvert, pretty quiet, and take a long time to open up to others. I'm not a big talker and hate to be vulnerable unless I've known you for a long time and we have built a relationship. So, why start a blog?

I have wanted to start a blog for approximately 4 years now. It always seemed like a fun, creative outlet, that gave others a peek into people's lives. In blogs you can find great ideas, a sense of camaraderie, inspiration, great resources, different perspective, and just a better sense of what someone is like. I feel like people know me as the serious, logical, perfectionist, nurse, who sometimes sings at church. But, honestly, there is so much more to me. While I certainly am very type A, quiet around new people, and take the time to think through things logically to achieve the best outcome, I also have a creative side that has been itching to get out.

I have a handful of influencers that I love following on Instagram and reading their blogs. One of my favorites is Erin from @cottonstem (seriously go follow her, she is the sweetest!). Erin talks about the "Nudge." When you feel the nudge to take a risk, try something new, and put your true self out there. Like I said before, I have felt this "Nudge" to start a blog for the past 4 years. I have yearned for a creative outlet where I can completely be myself.

People know I sing and help lead worship at church. What people don't know is how much I love to sing. It just feels right. Does that sound weird? Well, it does. It took a long time for me to feel comfortable singing in front of others. It is vulnerable, and nerve-wracking at times because I'm a perfectionist and don't want to mess up. But over the years, thanks to dear friends from worship teams I've led with, I have learned to enjoy singing, use this gift God has given me, and mainly, to be authentic in singing and leading worship. Don't get me wrong, I still get nervous, but I'm not so concerned about it being perfect anymore. I just want to be authentic in what I'm doing and enjoy it.

Authenticity is another reason I wanted to start a blog. One of my most treasured traits I look for in people is authenticity. A definition of authenticity describes it as truly being what something is said to be, genuine, sincere. That is the type of blog I want this to be. I want to be able to portray myself and my life as authentically as possible in hopes that I can be completely be myself and maybe others will be inspired to do the same, or maybe others can identify with my life.

Another thing people may not know about me is that I love making gifts for friends. Before our son was born I made him a mobile and matching banner for his nursery. His nursery theme is outdoors and I absolutely loved designing his nursery, (more on that to come). I had seen so many beautiful mobiles on Etsy, but they were so expensive. So, I decided to make one. I cut mountains, trees, a bear, and a moose out of felt, sewed them together, stuffed them, and strung them onto a mobile and banner for his room. They were a couple of my favorite details of his room. Of course, now he's standing up in his crib when he wakes up and pulled one of the mountains off, so the mobile has now come down, but it hung above his crib for 10 months. And now, I have taken to making mobiles for my friends' babies. I recently spent hours cutting out petals and leaves for a friend's baby girl's nursery who was just born! I have another friend due in September who I will be starting another one for soon as well! They may take a lot of time and might not be perfect, they certainly are a labor of love.

I think this blog will be another labor of love. So far I have thoroughly enjoyed thinking of content and topics to write about, taking photos, choosing different fonts and colors. I truly want to make this not only an aesthetically pleasing place to come, but one that is full of interesting, useful, inspirational, and authentic information. I want this to be a bright spot on an internet that can be full of overly flawless feeds that can lead to a game of comparison and leave you feeling less than. I certainly hope this blog or anything accompanying it never makes anyone feel that way, and hope it will be as authentic as possible.

What are some other creative things I enjoy? I love cooking, baking, style, doing my hair and makeup, taking and editing photos, decorating a home, creating warm, inviting spaces to live in and to invite family and friends into, and so much more.

So, yes, I certainly am type A, and can be quite serious, quiet, logical, and come across as boring, but I have this whole other side that I want others to see. I am not the most verbally gifted person, meaning I have a difficult time opening up and talking about things, including myself, in person. So finally, after putting aside this blog title and Instagram handle over 4 years ago, I'm finally following that "Nudge" and taking the plunge.

Finally, why "The Many Blessings Blog?" One of my late Grammy Joyce's favorite hymns was Count Your Many Blessings, which in the chorus says, "Count your many blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done." While my life certainly is not perfect in any way, nor is it how I ever expected or planned for it to be, I know God has a plan for me and my family and we are exactly where we are supposed to be right now. He has truly blessed us over and over again. We have a roof over our heads, we live in our dream state, we have the sweetest baby boy and puppy, we have wonderful, supportive friends and family, we are healthy, the list goes on and on. So I am certainly counting my many blessings, seeing what God has done, and am excited to share that with all of you.