Hello everyone! It feels like forever since I’ve posted!! You know how it is, between Thanksgiving and Christmas it’s all a blur, even more so after Christmas! There were a couple of days there where I literally had no idea what day it was! Monday felt like Saturday, Tuesday felt like Sunday, etc, etc, etc. And now it’s very hard to get back into the rhythm of routine, my house still has Christmas wrapping strewn all around it, boxes where my Christmas decorations need to be put back into and put away, and here all I want to do is stay in bed and catch up on YouTube videos LOL. Hasn’t helped that I’ve still been a bit sick, although I’m finally starting to feel like myself again!
But I did want to get on here to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and to kind of just talk to you all (if you can really consider this platform talking LOL). I think I may need some motivation and encouragement as I’m feeling a bit mopey.
I know my blog has gone through some changes, and I know I promised I would get back to reviews and regular posting, (and that hasn’t changed!) I remember when my blogging schedule was to post every Monday and Thursday without fail, and I think I was able to keep it up for awhile, but life happens, and now I’m lucky if I post once a week! Thank you to all of you who still hang in there, who comment, who keep me motivated with your kind words, I really, really appreciate it! Anyway, getting back to my original thought, I just wanted to let you know that I haven’t thrown in the towel yet, and I still plan to give you news on any promos, sales, reviews, or anything that I think is pertinent. I can’t remember the last time I did a review, and I will redouble my efforts on that. I think what is happening is that sometimes I feel like my blog isn’t all that relevant. But that could be my fault for not posting more regularly, so for 2019 I will try harder!
My blog is also coming up on its fourth anniversary. That’s right, I’ve been around since 2015, it feels a little surreal LOL. I had always wanted to start a blog, and I did it, but now I feel like it’s a bit aimless, I don’t know how to explain it. I usually hold my annual giveaway in order to celebrate it, but again I feel like what’s the point? I’ve never really had a huge participation with them in the past, so I’m really considering not hosting one this year. I don’t know, I’m just not feeling it. Usually every year I get excited over what prize to pick, what social platform I should use, but then when I look at how many entries (or lack of) there are I get discouraged. I know it’s not fair for all of you who do enter, and then I feel bad for those who entered and didn’t win, I just feel like it’s a lose-lose.
Or maybe I should switch it up, I’ve been thinking of maybe instead of just your regular giveaway where I ask people to like a post, or post a comment; maybe I should ask participants to tell me why they should be the winner and I just pick from those? I don’t know. Or maybe just not have one at all.
I’m sorry if I’m being a bit down, but it’s how I’ve been feeling lately. I’ll give myself a couple of days to think about it, and then we shall see. Perhaps I should work on my blog a bit more in order to grow it and then maybe do a giveaway then?
In other more happy news, (since I just completely depressed myself just now) I held a poll on my Instagram stories about how I was thinking of starting a podcast, and many of you really liked the idea! I will continue to do research and maybe one day in 2019 I will be able to surprise you all with my first podcast!
I also have other things I’m working on, but I will keep them to myself for now as I don’t know if my plans will come to fruition, let’s just say it will take some creativity and it will involve working with my hands! I might even have to branch out away from my blog, but I’m getting way, way too ahead of myself!
And so I hope everyone had a great New Year’s Eve, a great New Year’s Day, and here’s to a year full of health, hope, and happiness!!
Hi there! It’s a post holiday blues you are suffering I think. Being a bit under the weather on top of everything else is the blue cherry on top, so to speak.
Those of us who read your blog and follow you on YouTube would be really disappointed if you stopped. And for every one of us that comments, there are at least 10 other people who read it but didn’t comment. I know several ladies in my Pandora community read your posts religiously. They almost never write back because they’ve never participated in a blog conversation before. (I’m telling you my age, huh?).
So that being said, do what you have to do to be your best self. I would certainly watch any podcast you chose to do if that is the direction you move toward. I would advise that you pick one lane instead of trying to do it all. Pick the one you are most passionate about and do it well. The rest of us will follow. Or if you find your passion for talking about charm collecting waning, we will understand.
Happy New Year. May you and yours find much happiness and peace in 2019.
Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it! Maybe you’re right, maybe it’s just the end of the holiday blues, I do find myself really having to push hard to do something as simple as doing the dishes or going out for groceries as everything in my house is turned upside down right now. But don’t worry, I’m not going to do anything rash like take my blog down or anything like that, I just assumed because no one comments that no one is reading. I have google analytics that lets me know how much traffic I’m getting but I have no idea how to read all the numbers or what is considered a good number.
Add to that that I feel like I’ve neglected my blog a little because I’ve been so busy, that I worry that any readers I do have will think it’s a dead blog and stop visiting. All in all, I think you are right, it’s just me being silly! As for the podcast, it’s just an idea, but I like your philosophy, pick something and be good at it, but at this point I want to try and have my cake and eat it too 😉 so if I can do it all and be good at it, then I’ll keep everything! And if not, I can give up on the podcast and stay with my blog and YouTube channel.
Thank you for your advice, it’s really helped put a couple of things into perspective!
Hello 🙂
I love to read your blog and am always excited when you post something new. I have only commented a couple of times, but this is due to my not being blog and social media savvy.
I get excited when you share details of new upcoming releases and promos, and items you’ve purchased. I really appreciate your finding out all these newsy bits for us charm lovers so we can keep up to date.
I have also been suffering very badly from the blues. 2018 seemed to be the worst year imaginable in every way, including work, home and health. And December and New Year went by so quickly in such a blur.
So I can totally empathise with you about lacking in motivation, time, and being depressed.
I hope you continue with your blog in 2019, as well as sneak peeks of the new releases etc.
I also love your giveaway. Perhaps this year I can figure out how to enter and maybe even turn my luck around.
Xxx
Thank you very much for your comment! I’m sorry 2018 wasn’t that great for you. 2018 didn’t start too good for me either but it turned around! Perhaps 2019 will be a better year!
Also thank you for being a loyal reader, I do try to stay on top of the latest news, especially when it comes to the retiring stuff, hopefully I will be able keep you all updated! As for my giveaway, I still haven’t decided if I should hold it, I will let you know through the blog if I do.
Keep your chin up! 2019 will be better!
Hello
I haven’t been reading your blog long, but I stumbled across it when I looked for reviews on essence beads and found it to be very helpful, since I had to order online (I much prefer selecting genstones in person too). So thank you.
I’ve never quite understood why some blogs seem extemely popular and others seem to have barely any conments despite very similiar content – but then I’m terrible at commenting on blogs myself. And I don’t usually enter give-aways.
However, I can see how not getting feedback can be very discouraging. Ultimately, you’re doing this in your free time, so you should do whatever makes you happy.
Happy new years 🙂
That’s very true! This is a hobby for me (an expensive one unfortunately!) but receiving feedback once in awhile is nice. I also don’t understand what makes one blog more popular than another, but I do know that the people that follow me are loyal followers, so maybe I should remember that. THank you so much for commenting nonetheless, I really appreciate it. xoxo
Please don’t stop blogging!!! I have learned so much about the ‘beadworld’ from you. I really appreciate your videos as it gives me a chance to see beads in real life not just some stock pictures. I enjoy your haul videos, especially when your husband gives you surprise beads! Anyway, I know it is a lot to keep up with so do what is best for you. Have a blessed and Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for your comment! It really means a lot to me…but don’t worry, I’m not going to stop! I realize the fault is my own for not being more regular here. I’ve realized that I don’t do reviews as much as I used to because I feel like other people beat me to the punch, or there’s nothing that calls my attention. I used to review things directly from the store, but I stopped doing that as certain managers in the concept store are cool with me taking pictures and others are not LOL, so I’ve also slowed down a lot because of that!
But don’t worry, I’ll still be around, I’ll work on whatever reviews I still can, and thank you so much for watching! That’s the biggest reason why I started this blog, in order to be able to showcase the beads up close, because the stock photos in my opinion don’t really show the beads well! Happy New Year’s to you too! xoxo
Hi Jahndra,
I read your recent post and felt I should comment. I am one of those who surf around Pandora blogs and social media and rarely post. One I am not on any of the social media platforms and two sometimes I just like to read others opinions and look at the photos. I did participate at Mora Pandora’s blog, but now that seems “dead”. I guess the reason I posted there was because it was the first blog I found – which lead me to others – and it seemed like a conversation they way she had it set up.
I have enjoyed your blog for the photos and information you provide about sales and particularly retired/retiring Pandora jewelry. I can’t thank you enough for the time you take to compile such a list! You have also saved me alot of money or have pushed an item to the head of my wish list because of your list.
I agree with the other poster, pick one thing and focus on that. And if you decide to end any “site” say goodbye, I wish Mora Pandora would do that (if that is the case) and the other ended blogs I have come across. You have put so much time and effort into everything at least put an ending on it or I’ll return in a bit.
I hear you on the winter blues. My tree and decorations are still up and will remain so. I have no idea what day or time it is. I am on the east coast and it keeps raining or being cloudy. I have been focused on catching charms on sale between the US site and Jared.com and when Ruelala runs its sales.
And Happy New Year!
Aw thank you so much for that!!! Our tree is down unfortunately, and most of our outside Christmas lights have also been taken down so that’s depressing lol. But I get it, I’m not sure what’s going on with Ellie, but I’ll try to contact her to see what’s going on. The same thing happened with charms addict, there was no explanation, no good bye, nothing.
I think that is why I try to stay in contact with you all through here or my Facebook page so that my readers don’t just assume the blog died. I’m still hanging in there! And I do have some other projects in the works, stuff that will hopefully compliment my blog and not take away from it. It’s just a matter of materializing it somehow. I hope I’m successful, but I know no matter what I have the best readers and followers!