The Summer of Shannon
// 7.28.06 // Filed under: Thriving
When: Friday night
Where: My bed, watching the Disney Channel special “That’s So Suite Life of Hannah Montana.” Yeah, it’s that pathetic.
What: Drinking wine and blog-hopping.
I’ve been mulling over why I care so much about BlogHer. I’m not a superstar blogger. I’m not even “best blog buddies” with any bloggers. I’m a relatively unknown blogger with an eclectic focus and a need for attention. So why? Why am I voraciously searching for any BlogHer-related posts and photos?
These thoughts have led me to examine why I blog, what I want my blog to be, and what I want to pursue as I move forward in life. Stay with me here.
In my previous life (oh, about 6 years ago), I was a woman with purpose. I ran a health and fitness web magazine and I co-wrote a book. I was interviewed for many magazines. I was on TV. I spoke about fitness and the internet at conferences. I attended trade shows to network and chat up potential advertisers. I had a wonderful little boy and a good balance in my life. I was 20 pounds lighter, too.
I know that we often see the past through rose-colored glasses. It wasn’t all hearts and roses and tra-la-la. But it was pretty damn good. And now? Not so good.
But getting better.
I’ve taken very specific steps this summer to discover why I’ve been unhappy, unmotivated and, well, un-thin. And it’s mainly because I’m bored. I feel stuck in a rut that I’m really not stuck in. I have the amazing good fortune to be able to do pretty much whatever I want and have my family support me. So when I think about what I want to do, the answer is always: blogging.
But not just blogging as in hanging out my dirty laundry on PHATMommy.com. Blogging as in WRITING. Researching, writing, and passing on useful information. Blogging with a purpose. Marketing. Promoting. Attending conferences and trade shows and getting intoxicatingly motivated by others who share my purpose.
That’s why I’m so obsessed with BlogHer.
This blog is a way to preserve the stories that I want to share with future generations. A way that I can be seen as more than crazy old great-grandma. It’s also about me discovering myself. Parenting, homeschooling, thriving. Truly becoming PHAT Mommy.
And now the time has come for something more. Something to stir up the passions that have been dormant for the past several years. A business. A web site. Writing. Networking.
This summer, I’m formulating my new business plan. I’m losing weight. I’m learning to be more calm and patient. And next year, when BlogHer ‘07 is held on the east coast, I’ll be meeting tons of fabulous women so we can be fabulous together and get all kindsa silly drunk but still be all serious-like and, ya know, learn stuff about blogging so we can become more fabulous. And more PHAT.
This is the Summer of Shannon.
How Did I Get HERE? Part I
The BlogHer 5K Project
Chargers, Chargers Everywhere
6 Responses to “The Summer of Shannon”
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Summer of Shannon huh? The Summer of Love gave us the greatest rock concert ever. (Not that I was there, I was 2 years old). Think you can get a few 80s band to play your back yard? I’d make a road trip for that
I’m somewhat obsessed with BlogHer as well, and I’m far from a superstar blogger who would be missed. For me, blogging is all about two things which something exist simultaneously and sometimes separately. It’s about the creative writing process, and it’s about connections. When I write something I am proud of, I don’t always get the response I imagine. So the connection lacks. Then I might write something a little more “blog-friendly” like all about not going to BlogHer and I get more comments than ever before. Not exactly great American novel material, but lots of connecting. I do not want solely to connect — it’s the gravy, it’s the whipped cream and the cherry. This is like a whole flippin’ post in and of itself. Like I’ve just gone and hijacked the Summer of Shannon! OOPS!
The first step (and what I typically find the hardest) in any goal is a good plan. Sounds like you’ve got that squared away. Good luck!!
I just found you through Crazy Hip Blog Mamas and boy do I relate to what you’re saying here. I’m pretty much in the same place–former profesional writer, lucky enough to stay home, fighting weight issues and some health ones, feeling in a rut, etc. I’ll have to keep up with your blog for sure! Best of luck to you on your quest and I hope you do go to BlogHer next year!
That’s so Suite Life of Hannah Montana. I so totally watched that. Glad I’m not alone in my loserishness.
Hey Shannon!
Found you through ProBlogger’s post about BlogHer. Love your blog – we have a lot in common belief-wise – and I just adore your site design.
I, too, am going through a complete re-design of my career and have given myself the summer to figure out what I want to do next. I’ll keep reading Phat Mommy for inspiration.
Oh, and That’s So Suite Life of Hannah Montana was on my TV too. I was secretly looking forward to it all week. Can’t wait until my grown-up shows come back on so I can tell my friends what I’m watching. LOL.