Letting Things Go and Making Changes
It’s very hard to say goodbye. Sometimes it is even harder to make and accept change.
I have poured years worth of blood, sweet and tears (literally) into this space.
But, sometimes good things DO have to come to an end, especially for the sake of sanity and good health.
My life and YUM eating have come to the crossroads of letting things go lane and making changes boulevard.
When I started my YUM journey, I had been blogging for at least 18 years. In the early days of the blogging world, it was just an online journal. It was fun. I wasn’t popular and I didn’t have a lot of readers, but I made life-long friends. The height of MySpace, I hit some notoriety and my life changed. Some good, some bad. I kept blogging. I landed on Blogger and started (and quit) quite a few blogs over the years. Even sold a few; which was nice. One of those was a weight loss blog for me, a friend and Mr. YUM. After a while , they stopped contributing and it turned into more food than anything.
I had been struggling to find a niche. I had the writing blog but I was growing out of that. All these years I had been told you had to have a niche. I thought food would be good for me given that was the most popular attraction on the weight loss blog.
So, I re-branded that old blog. Came up with YUM and moved those posts here and continued to grow. I felt like I had finally found my home, my voice, and my true place in this blogging world.
As you guys know I hit a wall a few months ago and really started to struggle.
Perhaps an all food blog wasn’t a good idea for me.
I took a step back.
And, while my real estate will always be here, I don’t want it to become the latest haunted attraction.
Realizing that one doesn’t have to have a niche (hello lifestyle bloggers) I started Nevermore Lane. I love that space. It isn’t where I want it to be, but it’s a space I can do whatever I want. It’s my lifestyle. I even started an Etsy store, named my Amazon store after it and even upped the game on eBay again.
But, there are other things which are changing.
Mr. YUM and I are divorcing. I know a lot of you never saw it coming, but its something that we’ve been dealing with a very long time. My posts became less and less, not only because I was struggling to find my way, but because I was struggling in life completely.
This week will mark the final chapter in the McConnell household. I’ll be packing up and moving and by the end of the week I’ll be hanging out with my mom. I do not know what life has in store for me now.
I’ll never leave food. I just can’t focus on it 24/7 and have my life revolve around it. I have so much more to share.
I’m not sure where this will leave YUM. I’ve been thinking about posting when I can. When I want. On my terms. I’ve been thinking about merging the two sites and rebranding/forwarding. Given everything that is going on, merging the two seems like the best option for me. A lifestyle blog where I can focus on all things good and wonderful.
I’m just not sure.
But just know, my tasty treats will never go away forever.
YUM eating will live on. Some way, some how.
I just wanted to keep you guys in the loop. I’ll be here for as long as I need to be. I still have plenty of recipes to share; just the stories around them will change a bit.
Sometimes in life we have to make changes, whether we want to or not.
Is there something in life you were forced to change recently? How did it work out for you?
I am sorry to hear about you and your hubby. I am divorced from my boys dad and it’s better to move on when you know it’s just not right.
Thank you Robin. You are very right. We tried for so long and it got to a point we were holding on for kiddo. In turn, that probably just made things worse. I think in the long run we’ll both be stronger and better people than we were before.
I have changed from a parenting blog to a lifestyle blog over time, and my blog is still evolving. I think it would be so hard to focus on one topic specifically. I hope you find out what works best for you.
Thank you Pam!
I’m so sorry to hear about your divorce. I hope that it’s what both of you need to be happy. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Yum.
I do think it was best for us both. It’s just hard to transition in life and the fear of the unknown.
Holding you in my thoughts. My something amazingly new and interesting be born from your adventure!
I certainly hope so!
I am sorry to hear about your divorce. Wishing you the best for the future!
Divorce is never easy, and finding your new path in life is a little scary, I’m sure. I went through it several years ago and I’m stronger on this side. I know you will be too. Hugs and best wishes for what’s ahead.
So sorry things didn’t work out with Mr. Yum. I hope your new changes bring you to a happier place. Wishing you all the best on the next leg of your journey!
Thank you so much Theresa.
I am very sorry to hear about your divorce. Thank you for your transparency. You are very courageous and I admire that.
Good luck with your lifestyl blog. My blog is a lifestyle /inspriational blog. I am currently trying to concieve so I imagine after I have a baby my blog will be evolving too. Best wishes with this new chapter in our life.
Thank you so much for your kind words!
I am so sorry to hear about you and your husband, I wish you the best on this new part of your life!
Thank you so much Ann.
I’m sorry to hear about your divorce!
I just rebranded my site not too long ago and it was such a freeing change for me. I hope you’ll enjoy your new site and your “fresh blogging start”.
I’m hoping for the same thing. I have never done well being tied into one category, but I really thought since food was such a big part of one of the other sites I had it would work for me. And, I have done quite well here, but thinking about food 24/7 for me just isn’t mentally healthy.
Life changes can be so scary, and I don’t doubt this time is full of the unknown. But I look forward to following along with your journey as much as you’re willing to share. I wish you the best of luck on the new road!
Thank you for your kind words Crystal!
This is exactly what I am doing with my life right now. I am not allowing myself to be negative or unhealthy anymore.
Love this1 I should be the poster child for change. I”m working on getting better!
You have so many things going on; I’m sure it must feel overwhelming and unsure about the future. Often when people undergo such a shift it’s a time of reinvention and you’ll emerge with a clear vision for your blog and your life.
I hope you are right! I am ready for the challenge.
Chrystal – Sending you a big ole hug across the web! I am so sorry to hear about the divorce! 🙁
As for outgrowing this space – it happens. We all change and grow and want to spread our wings, when you find your voice, we will all be here to support you. Take the time and space YOU need to figure things out, you will re-emerge, stronger and with the enthusiasm to sustain the next venture because you will be more passionate about it.
Thank you Tracy for the hugs! I really needed them!
OMG Chrystal I am so sorry to hear about your divorce. I didnt know and I am happy you share a piece of your personal life with you. Also I get the food world could be overwhelming and honestly oversaturated, and I think you would make a perfect lifestyle blogger! You have such personality so you can spill into the lifestyle world. I wish you the best and much love to your future you are going to thrive and sending you positive vibes my love!
Thank you Kiwi! It has been (how shall I say?) a work in process. I can’t say I didn’t see it coming. We just reached a point where things we should be working on, we weren’t and things that couples should be working on together, we didn’t. Even if I felt it coming, it doesn’t make the pain and heartache any easier. I didn’t just lose a husband and friend, but the kiddo as well.
Once I get things settled I think I am going to take the leap into the lifestyle world. I think it will be much better for me in the long run – much more fun too!
I love having a lifestyle blog because it means I can write about everything!!! As far as divorce, there will be times when it will be hard, but stay strong and never give up! You are worth it girl!
I do think lifestyle will suit me a lot better and thank you for your encouraging words!