Saturday, April 17, 2010

Semi-retirement

I was trying to think of a clever title, but I'm not feeling so clever tonite.

I think it's time. I've been known to change my mind on something like this before, but I think I need to do something pretty significant, to draw a line in my sand for myself and see how it feels. I need to simplify my life, and I think the way to do that is to back off from participating in the 'nacle. (Whatever the 'nacle actually is these days...I'm thinking MA 'nacle, big blogs kind of 'nacle.)

Done blogging? Yeah, right, no, not. But I'm going to start fresh, at a new blog. I think I need a change. I think a lot of people need a change from having me out there commenting, too. :)

Being involved in the bloggernacle has changed my life in very real ways. I have found cherished, lifetime friends. (Just thinking about that alone takes my breath away...how much poorer I would be without some of the friends I have made through blogging. Whoa.) I have spent hours mulling and musing about what matters to me most. (I think it's helped keep me from going insane while dealing with health struggles.) I've come to appreciate the gospel and my testimony all the more. I've learned from others, and about others.

I'd like to think I've grown a little through it all and become a little better. I know, too, that I've also made some mistakes along the way. But that's part of this messy, messy life. Thank heaven for the Atonement. I feel the reality of the Atonement perhaps more strongly in my life than I ever have. That's a good thing, because I feel like I realize how much I need it -- need the Savior -- more than I ever have.

Yes. The more I live, the older I get, the more I experience, the more I realize how very, very much I need Christ.

To those who have respectfully engaged and listened, thank you. To those I have offended, it may not sound like much, but I'm sorry. To those who know me well, you know how to find me. :)

Thanks for the ride.

m&m

p.s. Archives will probably stay up. We'll see. Email above will still stay active.

20 comments:

Deborah said...

Be sure to link to your new site when time comes! I enjoy hearing your voice in the mix.

Annette Lyon said...

Be sure to give us the link to your new place. I'll miss ya.

Julie said...

You have to do what's best for you at the time, so good for you. I do think the absence of your voice on the big blogs will be a real loss.

Eric Nielson said...

Thank you for all you have contributed.

Tracy M said...

Will you still be at Segullah?

Thank you for your contributions and the kind words you've shared with me on occasion. Best wishes.

Tracy

m_and_m said...

Thanks, friends. Not sure I will be linking here to my new blog...still mulling over that.

Tracy, no, my plan is to really pull back all around on big blogs. (BTW, you've been in my prayers.)

Dane said...

I've never engaged with you before, but I wanted to let you know that I appreciate the moderating influence you provide. You're willing to take unpopular stands, and I think that's a great asset to all of us. Thank you for being awesome :)

Lucy said...

i will miss you, too, and would like to know where to find you when you start writing again.

Anonymous said...

I'll find you wherever you fly to!

Scott B. said...

Best of luck to you.

djinn said...

Your comments are always welcome, at least in my insignificant point of view. In fact, they're beyond welcome in that they advance the discussion in ways it wouldn't otherwise go. Sorry to see you leave. Best of luck and all that. Glad to hear that you're not giving up writing (you know how much I love your prose style) altogether,

I remain,

yr something or other

djinn

m_and_m said...

Dane, thanks for stopping by and for your kind words.

Marta, email me in a couple of weeks. I should have things figured out by then. Thank you also for stopping by.

Michelle, Scott, thanks.

m_and_m said...

Hey, djinn, our comments crossed. Yeah, I don't know that I could ever give up writing altogether. ;)

m_and_m said...

BTW, I should explain a little why I did this post. I'm feeling a little sheepish that I didn't turn off comments, even though I appreciate the kind words.

First of all, I needed to do something public like this to hold my feet to the fire. :)

I also didn't want to fade into the shadows w/o at least saying something because I have felt enough of a connection along the way that there has been a sense of community and real friendship I have felt with many people. There will be aspects of this decision that will be hard for me because of that. But if I don't draw some clear lines, I don't know that I'll draw any, so....

Edje said...

Best wishes.

Grandma Honey said...

I will miss you for sure. Maybe you just need a break and will be back?

Melissa said...

Best to you--I hope your simplifying efforts bring peace.

Matt W. said...

Sorry to hear this, but I understand getting worn out. Shoot me an email if you ever want to chat.

Emily M. said...

I so understand the need to simplify, but wanted you to know that your voice is an important one, and I have appreciated your wisdom and insights.

hugs,
Emily

amber_mtmc said...

Wow. This is new. I understand, M. Sometimes being a lone voice is just that--a lone voice. It is wearisome. I know your voice will be missed.