Today we welcome Kelle Hampton from Enjoying the Small Things. And Kelle truly does that, enjoy the small things in her life. Her blog is a testimony to living a life full of love and joy.
The title of my blog really does sum up the subject matter as my blog is about taking time to enjoy the simple things. I write about my kids and this precious fleeting time while they’re little, but my blog isn’t just about my kids as I write about a lot of other things too—challenges, inspirations, happenings in our home and life. Over the years, my blog will probably change a bit in events and happenings because life shifts and changes as we get older, but I hope the focus will always remain the same…as Mary Oliver says, to “pay attention, be astonished,” and “tell about it.”
I’ve been blogging since December of 2007. I started when my daughter Lainey was seven months old.
I started the blog on a whim. My sister had been blogging as well as a couple of friends, and I thought it might be a rewarding creative outlet for me as well as a great way to document these amazing moments of happiness I was feeling during motherhood. I literally just sat down at the computer one night, opened up Blogger, typed in a name and waited to see if it was available, and then published my first short post.
Where do I not find inspiration? I really try and be inspired everywhere I go–by people I meet, by the landscape of where we live, by stories and music and things I see. Inspiration is a two-way street; you have to be inspired to be capable of inspiring someone else, and I find so much happiness in being open to inspiration in even the most unlikely of places. My favorite go-to sources for inspiration? Well, I’m obviously inspired so much by my children and their wonder and innocence, but I am also continually moved by meaningful relationships with my family and friends, deep life conversations with my sister and brother, the words and art of talented people I admire, the ocean, the potential of a quiet morning, the change of seasons, fashion and color, and a good run with one of those songs on my I-pod that makes me feel like I can do anything.
I used to say I blog for my kids—to keep a time capsule for them, and that’s a noble answer, but that’s more of a bi-product of blogging and not really the reason I do it. The bottom line is, I blog for me. I blog because I enjoy it—because over these last three years of doing it, I realize I am more aware of myself and surroundings, I am more grateful, and I am more creatively motivated. Artists paint and sculpt because they love it, explorers climb and hike because it thrills them, and I string words and pictures together in a blog post because it makes me happy and pushes me to grow. And then there’s all these amazing bi-products like, as I said, having this beautiful documentation for my kids of how much I love them and what life was like when they were little, or “meeting” other voices in the blog world and being inspired by them (I met one of my best friends through blogging and spent a week with her family in Montana last year). My blog took a turn last January when we welcomed our second daughter and learned, upon her delivery, that she had Down syndrome. Now, blogging includes the reward of spreading awareness for the abilities of individuals with Down syndrome and supporting others on this new road of special needs. One of the best perks of blogging for me is hearing from others that have been inspired—e-mails from mamas who just welcomed a baby with an unexpected diagnosis, someone who’s going through a difficult time—and reading that they found peace and inspiration by visiting the blog. It always makes my day to know that doing what I love might be helping someone else too.
I think it would come back to time. We all wish there were more hours in a day, right? And blogging takes time. However, I’ve fallen into a nice routine of Monday, Wednesday and Friday posts, and now it’s just a normal part of our week. I usually blog at night, after the kids are asleep, and it’s my little time to sit at my desk, go through pictures, type out some thoughts…no different than someone else’s downtime of hitting the couch for a movie. Just as women who love to exercise or need time with their girlfriends make time for it, I make time for blogging because it’s a meaningful part of my life. And I don’t pressure myself…if I’m not feeling it, I’m not going to force it.
The greatest blogging incentive comes from a combination of my own growth emotionally, creatively and professionally and the opportunity to help others. As I said, it’s an incredible feeling to get an e-mail from a mama who’s at that devastating point in the beginning of the special needs journey and to know that the blog has been a meaningful part of her healing process. I’ve cried so many times reading the beautiful stories of others, and I am humbled/thankful/motivated by the opportunity to inspire someone else who might need it.
Putting yourself out there takes a bit of courage, not everyone is comfortable with it, and blogging certainly doesn’t jive with everyone’s personality, but if you really want to do it, go for it. There are so many different ways and styles of blogging as well as different privacy levels (maybe start out with a private blog and go from there). Most importantly though, stay true to your own voice. Blog about whatever it is that inspires you, what motivates you, what makes you happy, and stick to that. As Shakespeare said…”to thine own self be true.”
I read blogs of my friends and family because it makes me feel more connected. I have a nice handful of blogs in my Google reader that range from design, home inspirations, crafty things, good writing, good photography, or things that make me laugh. One of my favorites is Color Me Katie (http://colormekatie.blogspot.com), a blog of an incredibly creative photographer who performs these elaborate stunts around New York City just to make people smile. I can relate to her in that making people smile—even over silly things—is rewarding. Her blog is simply a happy place to be.
I’d like to incorporate more opportunities for readers to share their voice, and I have a few ideas how to do it. It will just take a little bit of time. Although I write primarily for me and my family, it is nice to know what readers enjoy most about the blog and what topics they find useful. I’d like to find more ways to give readers what they want as well…more crafty things, photography tips, kid/home ideas, etc. Most of my ideas come from being inspired by others, and so I like to pass it on to complete the cycle.
Blogger
I use Photobucket to host all my photos, and I love the LinkWithin plugin that offers a handful of posts readers might enjoy at the end of every post. It’s a great way to quickly look back at a blast from the past.
While I don’t personally offer a product, my blog hosts a variety of sponsors—mostly small businesses offering products that fit into our life and style. I personally work with each vendor and choose to accept sponsorships based on products that reflect things I like and that work for my family. It’s beneficial for everyone as sponsors get some exposure to help promote their businesses (a lot of them mom entrepreneurs) and increase their sales, I get to help support my family, and readers get to discover some great businesses offering unique products for families.
Nella Cordelia Birth Story
Feed Wolf Also Known as Happy Birthday
To Thine Own Self Be True
