I never know who is reading my blog, but the behind-the-scenes author's page gives me some information about which posts folks view. The longer I keep this blog, the more I notice readers are using the selected categories at the bottom of each blog post or listed as links (in the dark tan information column on the right side of the blog page).
I knew some of the JourneyLeaf categories were a little confusing or vague, so I've been re-doing them bit by bit. It took some work, yet it was a pleasant end-of-the-day task allowing me to stroll down memory lane. With the help of the categories, I use my blog to jog my memory about the past few years. I loop back to find a recipe, repeat a fun craft, or figure out a good kiddo gift by remembering what Eli was like at various ages. I can tell some of my readers are doing this too. I'm even finding folks wandering in from Pinterest. So nice to share information!
Here are the changes...
--The "Seasons and Holidays" category is now broken into specific seasons. This allows me to easily remember activities our family did in the past that can become seasonal traditions if we repeat them. And at the start of a new season, looking at the nature and holidays photos I took inspires me. Click on one of these categories to find timely crafts, recipes, events, etc.
--The "Simple Pleasures" category is now broken up. It used to be a hodge-podge of blog posts I especially liked. Now the category is dedicated to highlighting places, products, and pastimes that I love and want to share.
--Some of the previous "Simple Pleasures" posts were moved to a new category, "Peace & Joy." Quite simply, these are blog entries that evoke happiness. After a frustrating or disappointing day, sometimes I click on that category and slide through the entries while sipping a cup of tea. I find them restorative.
--A similar new category, but one that sometimes contains more substanitive entries, is "Favorite Posts." On occasion somebody asks me about which posts I enjoy or return to the most, so this is a handy way for me to answer that question (or simply remind myself during busy or dry periods just why I love blogging so much).
Last, but not least, I added a couple of categories to reflect our new lives back in Georgia...
--The "Kid Fun" category held blog entries sharing local places to visit, but since Northern California and Georgia are so far apart geographically, I knew friends/readers wouldn't need information for both. Now this section is separated. Friends in one of those locations or visiting one of those places can get ideas for venues and nature spots to explore. I also renamed the main heading as "Local Fun" because grownups would enjoy most of the places.
--I love my native South and thus created a "Southern Life" category to celebrate my region.
Thanks so much, readers! This blog started as a way to share my life with friends and family left behind when I moved to California in 2008. It served that purpose beautifully but has also become a way to hear my own voice during the crazy days of motherhood, to record Eli's early years to share with him later, and to practice writing/photography. Perhaps most of all, it has become a great springboard for sharing life experiences with friends both old and new. I'm so grateful for this modern-day outlet and appreciate the folks who visit.
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