When blogging becomes an obsession.

Why do we blog?

What did we do before blogging?

When I first started blogging, I thought of it as a way to journal my thoughts.

Then I started sharing pictures of my home.

I gleaned ideas from other bloggers to use in my own home.

It was like a subscription to an Internet decorating magazine!

I was loving it! Until "it" became an obsession.

For a while, I lost my identity.

I got really busy trying to keep up with what was popular, and forgot what MY style was....which has always been a collection of vintage clutter.

I LOVE the shabby, romantic style...kind of beachy, with a little French thrown in.

I've never had just one "theme" going on at a time.

Collecting vintage linens, dishes, frames, and mirrors has always been "me".

But I had to find a balance.

Blogging was what I did every minute that I had free time. I kept my computer on from the time I woke up,until the time I went to bed.

Instead of relaxing with my husband, and visiting with him, I would sit next to him on the sofa while our favorite shows were on, and I'd blog hop.

Then came the etsy shops.

Not only did I read the other blogs, comment on the other blogs, and email other bloggers, I started visiting their shops!!!

It was a whole new world out their!

I also got caught up in "collecting" followers. I thought to have a "successful" blog, I needed as many followers as I could get. That meant visiting even more blogs, which meant more reading, and more commenting.

Hellooooooooooooooo.....what about keeping it humble, and sharing my thoughts?

What was I doing?!!!

After a long conversation with Mr. Lakehouse, I decided to omit my followers section.

Who was I trying to impress?

I was happy just reading "A Beach Cottage" for the longest time...Sarah kept me entertained with her humor and decorating tips.

It kind of came to a head just last week.

I found myself "wanting" too much.

I felt like blogging was becoming a burden, instead of a blessing.

I actually thought that turning off my comment section was a good idea.

It wasn't.

So now I hope to get back to being happy floofing what I already have.

Since I'm such a clutter bug, I have plenty to pack away for a while, and switch things out with all the other stuff I have stored in closets.

After all, I must have liked everything at one time...right? So why not keep changing things out when I get bored....instead of buying more stuff!!!

I'm sorry, this has turned into a book.

Now, for today's post.

I visited Debra at Common Ground and read her post about Leola's Christmas Open House.

She took some wonderful pictures of great ideas for your holiday decorating.

I saw the chalkboard in the second post, and since I needed to change mine for the holidays, I borrowed the idea from Leola, or one of her helpers???

Autumn at the lake was my idea for Fall.

The next picture shows the board with Leola's idea.

It's perfect! and I didn't have to buy a thing!!!!
Thank you Debra for the inspiration.
Sorry I blabbed my head off today.
Happy blogging to y'all.