Welcome to my brand new space! Coffees & Commutes has finally grown up and I’m excited to share it. This is a space to be proud of, a space to delight in.
Just a few weeks ago I went to BlogHer ’10 in a simple quest to find inspiration and a renewed enthusiasm for blogging. I hadn’t lost my desire to write, it was that I needed a little boost, fresh motivation to continue sharing my innermost thoughts, joys, worries, and insecurities. As cathartic as my writing is, sometimes I hesitate. I hesitate because I’m sharing myself in such a public way. It’s hard to write how I want to write, to come clean about my hopes, desires and fears, without losing sight of the bigger picture. Sometimes I worry that I’m sharing too much.
It’s hard because I must be careful to not lose myself with too much honesty.
I came home from New York feeling somewhat disengaged. I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue. And I was sad. I was sad because this place has been an oasis for me, and the impetus for so much change in my life. Good change. I was sad because it is me. This is who I am, full of self doubt but open, honest and deliberate. It seemed odd that I could feel disengaged from myself.
I’ve struggled to make my peace with it, whatever it really was. I thought about it often and kept writing without making any real decision. I spoke with fellow bloggers and began to reconnect. But more importantly Sarah, sweet and kind Sarah from Momalom started to put this incredible space together for me.
It’s perfect don’t you agree? It feels like the refuge I need in my turbulent, winding life.
So I found it, the inspiration I needed to keep going. Thank you to those who have helped and especially to Sarah for designing such a sophisticated home for me and for caring that it be perfect. You made a difference when I needed it. I’m grateful.
I’m moving foward and starting fresh. It’s appropriate don’t you think at this time of year so full of new beginnings? I hope you all feel as welcome and comfortable here as I do.
Now let’s blog!
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
LOVE it!
I just found your blog and only read this one post, but I will come back to this space. You hooked me. I have felt (and currently do feel) the same way about blogging. Am I being too honest? Am I sharing too much? Am I too insecure and pessimistic? I’ve been tormented at times and grateful to have a space to let it out at other times. It’s amazing this little community. I’ve found great blogs only to find that they follow other blogs I follow and it’s a little circle. I sort of feel like the new dorky kid amongst the cool kids, but it’s just part of my process I suppose. I am hoping to have Sarah design my blog, I got in it for the writing, but am sooooo ready to move on from the free blogger template I’ve been using. Love the look AND the content.
Tessa, if there is anything I’ve learned about blogging it’s that we are all learning and growing together. It’s also remarkable how many of us have insecurities about the value of what we write. But I remind myself frequently that my writing ultimately is for me. If I make friendships and surround myself with supportive community along the way it’s just the icing on the cake.
Looking forward to getting to know you better!
It’s fabulous! I’m so happy for you! (And of course, Sarah has done a fabulous job once again!)
The blog looks fabulous, Christine. I have been in the same space you were – and this summer have found it hard to get motivated to blog. But you in turn have inspired me, and hey, Spetember is always full of promise. I’ll have to update my blogroll with your new address and look forward to more of your thoughtful, witty posts.
As an aside, I just read your motorcycle post…when I was 17, my dad bought me a bike to get ot work (cheap gas) and I loved it. When I was in my 20′s I toured the US and Canada on the back of my boyfriend’s Harley and I loved it. Now…I won’t go near one. It’s like I hit my 30′s (and incidentally had kids) and got all cautious and “sensible.” But oh, I remember well the feel of the wind in my hair and how good it felt on a warm summer day with an empty road in front of you. And I think an experienced motorcycle driver is perhaps even safer than in a car because they tend to be even more aware of what is going on around them. That’s my experience, anyway. Happy riding. Cheers.
September certainly is full of promise. And if you are like me, a renewed energy for so many things.And thank you for your thoughts about the bike. It’s been quite the evolution for me. I’m still not entirely comfortable with it, but I’m coming around.
Welcome home, Christine!
Yay! I absolutely love the new design. It’s perfect, just perfect. I’m glad you’re feeling comfortable in your new space and moving forward. I absolutely love how open, honest and vulnerable you are in your writing, but only you know how much is *too much* before you feel uncomfortable. Keep doing what feels right for you… We’ll be right here with you on this winding road of life. xo
So happy you found a way to keep going. Lovely space and quite inspirational.
I LOVE this. Clean. Serene. Perfect.
Looks great! I need to do the same, but am still in the hesitating place…
It’s fabulous! And very YOU which is how it should be.
Thank you for saying so! I think so too
Love, love, love it!! I new it was a WordPress move – welcome to your new space! You look amazing!
xo
Oh I LOVE it! I also love that when I opened the link from my i-phone it was automatically optimized to for mobile viewing!! LOVE!!! I like that it is mature looking, not comic bookish. Suits you perfectly!
Awesome! I love it. Well done, Sarah!
Now, I just need to get my head back in the game… glad you have found a space to keep you going!
I hope you do too! It feels good to feel motivated again.
Congrats! You’re going to love your new space! Nicely done, Sarah!
Yay! It looks great. I know the disengaged feeling and hope it will pass. I love reading your words.
It’s beautiful!
Love it!!
Congratulations!
I get this. I actually just wrote about this as my BPM for the week.
Gorgeous! (I am super impressed, Sarah!) I can relate to so much of what you say here about the gray areas of blogging. I am thrilled that you will continue to write and be you. In me, you have a friend and fan
I totally understand. I think a big part of the problem is that you (we) pour so much of ourselves into our posts and our relationship with others that it stings when you (we) feel a huge emotional let-down when things aren’t what they seem or people don’t appear to value us (and our honesty) as much as we thought they did. It hurts and requires a (needed) re-evaluation. I’m glad your re-evaluation led you to sit with your feelings for a while and find some organic motivation to continue (versus continuing for the sake of continuing).
I think I speak for everyone when I say I’m glad that you decided to stay and continue to share your vulnerable, honest, powerful authentic self with us.
What a lovely place you’ve got here! Welcome home!
This space is gorgeous, Christine, and I’m so glad it’s given you the boost you needed. Sarah did a fab job on your site!
I love what Sarah said about you on Momalom. It’s so true. You are such a lovely person, to put it too plainly due to a loss of words to describe you.
Love the new digs. Keep writing and winding.
Christine, the site look great. I think all of us that share have the same thoughts. I have some wonderful souls in my corner, thanks to them I continue to blog and share. I look forward to following you on this quest.
Always, Bumby
Congrats, Christine! Your new blog looks amazing. I love it!
And I’m glad you’re going to continue to blog. I know a lot of people, once returning from BlogHer, sort of (for some unknown reason!) lose the desire to blog, or feel uninspired. I’m glad you’re here!
everything looks great! keep writing for YOU–whatever brings you joy and truth and release:)
I think it looks fantastic! I love the look and the content. Congratulations. Will update my blogroll. Laura
Beautiful new site!!!
I love it!
What a beautiful new home for your beautiful musings, Christine! Sarah did a great job!
I don’t know what it looked like before, but it looks beautiful now! Can’t wait to start reading your blog.
Love the new space! (I’d know Sarah’s fab work anywhere!)
Ooh it sparkles with brand newness… yes, yes What a sharp & clean blog. I like it!
Couldn’t resist taking a break from my hiatus to congratulate you on your new space, to say three cheers for my beloved Sarah, and to welcome you home. I look forward to visiting often when I get back from vacation. xoxo
Congrats! I definitely felt renewed when I got my new space a couple months ago. It looks great – very clean! So nice job Sarah!
It looks fabulous and I can tell you love it which is all that really matters!
Keep on bloggin’, we love to follow you on your journey!
(I may need to talk to Sarah, I’m feeling the need for a makeover at my place soon too…)
Christine,
I could have written the first paragraph. I didn’t but I wish I had. I wouldn’t have been quite so eloquent, but we are definitely feeling the same blogging fears, frustrations. I related to your whole post. Yet I do not have a new site to find refuge in. I will come back more often to enjoy yours though.
Thank you for a heart felt post.
Dana
I knew it at first sight! I see Sarah’s handiwork here – and I see and hear you. Love the new digs – happy spacewarming! (If only it were this easy for a physical home, eh?)
Ahhhh…. it’s like walking into a serene coffee shop! I love it. And I hope it’s a place you’ll enjoy coming to day in and day out. I’ll be pulling up a couch as often as you’re here to “be” with you.
I miss you! xo
Oooh I was waiting for it and it is SO purty! It really looks awesome! I hope it is giving you some of the energy and boost you need to keep going because I love coming here! I totally get feeling a little out of it after BlogHer. I did / do too. I am working on a redesign myself to get me in the mood again!
Awesome!!!
Hooray for you and your new big girl blog!
Christine! It’s so perfect. Calm and inviting and lovely and you. (Well, how I imagine You. It seems just right!)
Love the new grown up look and I’m glad that you found your motivation/ inspiration/ mojoj. Thanks to for letting us know about your new home via email. My reader did NOT update your address! Glad to be back in the loop.
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