Friday, January 03, 2014
welcome
Mid last year I decided that I needed to change the name of my blog. Che was my baby and Fidel was his teddy; but the baby grew into a long-limbed school boy and the teddy made its way to the back of the wardrobe, only uncovered around spring cleaning time.
Che & Fidel no longer resonated with me, I didn’t feel like it represented my blog or my intention. My days of sharing notable milestones and tales of sleepless nights were over. Instead I was using my blog as a means of exploring ideas and seeking inspiration. It was more about my experience as a woman than just my experience as a mother.
I took the better part of a month away from the blog whilst in Bali. I needed to find some perspective, to decide whether it was something I wanted to continue. There were a few times when I thought it best to give it all up, to write a final farewell and bid you good luck. But my doubts were short lived and so I set about planning a new name, a fresh design and a second beginning.
Changing the name of your blog is a funny experience; it’s strange to delete a name you’ve had for six years and come up with something that aptly describes who you are and what you believe in. I spent a fair few weeks brainstorming ideas, checking domain name availability and always going straight back to the drawing board. It was becoming a bit of a struggle and there was more than one occasion where I wondered - was it even worth it? But there was a good lesson in the challenge: the name was staring me in the face the entire time.
Practising Simplicity was a series I created in June and one that has become a favourite to write (and a favourite to read, as so many of you have told me). Over the years I have discovered that simplicity is good for anxious little me; it helps me to see what's important and hence it enhances my everyday. It’s what I practise but not what I have perfected, apt considering this blog is an ever-changing, always evolving story.
There’s a sweet irony to the launch of Practising Simplicity because it’s happening at, what may be, the most complicated time in my life so far. In ten days time Daniel will embark on a three-month journey around the world. He’s been asked to shoot a travel television series and will be jetsetting to 12 countries in 12 weeks. We found out on Christmas Day and have spent the past week adjusting to the idea (as surreal as it may be) whilst frantically running around trying to organise everything. The flipside to this adventure is the reality of 12 weeks of solo parenting (whilst working) for me. Breathe.
Breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe.
The first few months of 2014 will be the ultimate lesson in letting go of fear and finding strength. Simplicity will be vital (as will be doting grandparents, coffee, skype and patience).
......................................................................................................................................
Practising Simplicity only came about because of three incredibly talented people.
Kate designed the template, based on my very vague brief of “I trust you to come up with something I’ll like”. And guess what? When she sent through the first draft I was delighted. She got it right in one go. Simple, clean and refined - just what I didn’t know I wanted.
When I approached Jessie from Supply Paper Co about designing my logo she prompted me to think about what design aesthetic I preferred. Indeed, simplicity is an aesthetic in itself, but I also wanted a touch of the feminine and the organic. She came up with six logos and it was easy to choose a favourite: the semi-circle that hints at the mark a teacup leaves on the table; naturally imperfect.
Finally, my fabulous tech guy, Graeme. Thank goodness for him! He’s a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the behind-the-scenes of the web and managed to explain it all to me in lay terms (because I have no idea). I basically handed the job over to him and he’s done it all without fuss or bother. Genius!
And so begins a new year and a new chapter.
posted by:
Jodi
Jodi, I love the new look annnnd blog name! Practicing simplicity is something I think all of us could use a little more of :) Happy New Year to you and your family.
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Jodi, I am so thrilled for you and this (ad)venture of yours. I have read through your blog from start to today several times now and have a noticed a natural progression and growth of you and what/how you write. I think you have chosen the perfect name and your new design looks beautiful...clean and simple. I am even more excited to follow along, to learn from you and gather all your inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI was forced to start a new blog after three years due to some technical issues and at first found it very strange to write under a new look and a new name, but it has also been very energizing. It's been a wonderful opportunity that has led me to new friends, new experiences and new avenue to write about things that represent me now. I hope Practicing Simplicity does the very same for you.
Happy New Year and I hope it's a prosperous and beautiful one for you. ♥
Sarah
Happy New Year Jodi! I think your new name choice suits perfectly. Life should be much simpler. Congratulations on being brave enough to show a true reflection of yourself and your core beliefs. This new step will be an awakening one. Blessings to you & your family.
ReplyDeleteSherisa
happy new year! I wondered what the change would be! Looking forward to it x
ReplyDeleteJumping up and down!!! It's here!!! Jodi, words can't express how grateful and happy I am. You are such an inspiration and I can't wait for all of the wonderful things you will create in 2014. Upwards and onwards! X
ReplyDeleteI love it and your new direction. Looking forward to reading more of your posts in 2014. x
ReplyDeleteHappy new year! You are a true inspiration, Jodi :x
ReplyDeletehappy new year Jodi. i think the new name suits the blog and you so well. i am looking forward to coming here this year as i have in the past. xx
ReplyDeleteAs sad as I am to see CheandFidel go (I'm a relatively new reader, in the past year and missed out on all the sleepless night mothering stuff) :) this new name and site is just beautiful and seemingly perfect. I'm excited to come to Practicing Simplicity every week. Happy New Year Jodi! And good luck with your 12 weeks! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family. I love the new look and name of your blog. I will follow you as allays.
ReplyDeleteLove from Greece
I love this new place, LOVE it! It feels like an entirely natural progression and I'm so excited for the future of your blogging xx
ReplyDeleteI love this. Well-done.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping that 12-weeks is wonderful for you all.
Love it all! So glad you continued to blog - I really love reading your snippets. How exciting for Daniel for the opportunity - good luck, you will manage it all perfectly - positive affirmations :))
ReplyDeleteNx
Love the new look Jodi. As for the 12 weeks of solo parenting -I can say from experience that the fear of what lies ahead is often much more difficult to handle than the reality itself! You will be absolutely fine.
ReplyDeleteI strongly feel the "practicing simplicity" really better represents the way you've been blogging for the last year, your perspective and the "lens" through which you see things at.
ReplyDeleteAnd the look is fresh, very chic and ... simple. Just perfect Jody.
I love it! Congrats on a great decision. You have captured in a nutshell the essence that keeps drawing me back to your writings after giving up so many other "mum" blogs over the years. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting chapter in your journey! Ah and the irony of the timing - the universe has an absurd sense of humour at times, non? :)
ReplyDeleteOh and I just noticed that I can't click on the logo header to direct me to the homepage.
ReplyDeleteI just noticed that too, Casso. It's on the list of things to be fixed! x
ReplyDeleteYay! I love it. So you, so fresh, so simple and very beautiful. Especially loving the glimpse of Poet in her can can top! xx
ReplyDeleteI can never find the time to read blogs these days...but this will go right to the top of my priority list. Practicing simplicity is something I feel completely drawn to...looking forward to following on your journey and being inspired. Michelle x
ReplyDeleteyay! so you, Jodi. (so glad I can stop clicking every hour to see if it's here..!! haha) xx
ReplyDeleteIt looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteOh Jodi, I love it! As soon as I clicked on the link via Facebook I let out a long deep breath and felt calm. The name, logo, template, it's all wonderful. I am looking so forward to continuing to be a part of this online community and seeing how you grow as a writer, a mother and a woman. Luna. x
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you Jodi, for this exciting evolving chapter in your life...XxAmy
ReplyDeleteOh my heart lurched a little at the bigness of your next 12 weeks, obviously projecting myself into your position. Deep breaths indeed. Will be thinking of you. I too am excited about the new direction of your blog, simplicity, something that everyone, everyone needs. Daily, weekly reminders are a great way to stay focused and connected but yes my mind did somehow automatically light up the idea of you one day creating a most wonderful book based on this beautiful concept, no pressure of course, ;) xxx
ReplyDeleteoh goodness, a book! Imagine! For now I'm happy to write here. But what will be, will be. Yes, the next 12 weeks will definitely be big but as someone mentioned on fb today, the anticipation is often worse than the reality. Let's hope so x
DeleteIt is all wonderful Jodie! I love the new design xx
ReplyDeleteLovely choice and design, although I knew it would be you have a great touch with these things.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on this new space Jodie - I for one am so glad those moments of abandoning it entirely were fleeting for you, but I do agree with you that you had definitely outgrown the space of Ché and Fidel. Knowing what the name stood for and watching that wee bubba having grown into a young boy, it was obvious that your online space needed a new 'identity'! And I love it! It's so perfectly you and suits so well everything you bring to this space. Congratulations to yourself and your very talented design team! :)
ReplyDeleteGoodness, and as for Daniel's big project! WOW! Congratulations to you all, particularly him on such a wonderful assignment. I'm sure you'll be just fine - you always rise so gracefully to a challenge and with the beautiful support you have around you I know you'll be saying with astonishment "It's been 12 weeks already??" at the end! Not discounting how deeply missed Daniel will be in the daily lives of you all. That will obviously be huge.
All Blessings as you embark on this new path and I'm very much looking forward to watching this little space be nurtured and blossom under your ever amazing creative talent wing.
:) Elke xxxx
It's so you Jodi. Beautiful x
ReplyDeleteLOve it...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jodi! Will be thinking of you during your 12 weeks. Take care of yourself and don't forget about breakfast for dinner!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! Wondering more our of curiosity- have you left a majority of your archives out of this new space? I saw the "older posts" only go back a little ways. Perhaps to keep things simple? ; ) xx
No, all 800 or so posts are there! I just have to go back and reformat some of them. I'll add an archives tab to the side in the next few weeks x
Deleteplease! i refer to them often!!
Deletethanks so much
If you scroll to the bottom you'll notice "older posts" and yes, they're all there. But over the next few weeks I will be going through my past posts and adding them to the labels on the sidebar: "simple home" "simple food" etc .... so you'll be able to search through those categories quite easily. Slowly, slowly x
DeleteCongrats Jodi on the lovely new look and name. Fabulous. Looking forward to more. xx Jen
ReplyDeleteCongratulations jodi, This is such a beautiful step forward, I feel quite blessed to have been following along for so long, and now be here for the next phase. The next twelve weeks certainly are going to be big for you, definitely big breaths will be needed!
ReplyDeleteThank you for making the decision to continue this space, it has made me, just one of your many readers, very happy.
Rhi xxx
A new, fresh space. I love it. So glad you decided to stay x
ReplyDeleteI want to follow you in this new chapter. I really like how the change was made without losing anything. I should email you for more info.
ReplyDeletehappy new year
I will love to continue following you from here... you are my little reminder to slow down and breathe, a few times a week, thank you :-*)
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, and so perfect.
ReplyDeleteExcited for you Jodi!
Ronnie xo
Such a graceful transition to a utterly perfect new chapter. Epitomises the lovely writer xx
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! What a beautiful and refreshing new design... I'm excited to frequent this space in 2014 and beyond. Much love x
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Jodi. I agree with Stacey, so glad you decided to stay. Sounds like you will be needing all the support you can muster over the next 12 weeks both in real life and here from your online community. Well done with making such a smooth transition here's to a wonderful 2014 xx
ReplyDeletelike this very much..i love simple
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous, Jodi. And perfect. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful new BLOG Jodi. Congratulations on your new exciting journey, and best wishes on the next 12 challenging weeks for your family, without the mud there can be no lotus. I have to admit I've not be very diligent on reading or blogging myself, and I think I had to put my 52 project on hold, oh... around week 14... much to my dismay. Life can so very easily become too busy and so we forget to keep things simple. Thank you for the reminder. I'm only sorry I have not listened to it sooner.
ReplyDeleteLove it!!!! Simply beautiful and fresh for the New Year.
ReplyDeleteSending you lots of love and thinking of you both in the time packing, organizing and getting prepared for the weeks ahead.X
This all sounds like just my cup of tea. Looking forward to reading Jodi!
ReplyDeleteOh que c'est beau !!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Jodi ! I can't speak english very well, sorry.. I juste say M E R C I and sending you lots of love, peace and simplicity **
I love that new name, suits you very well! And sending you lots of coffee, chocolate and moments of calm those these tough weeks ahead!
ReplyDeleteLove it Jodi.
ReplyDeleteI've chosen "simplicity" as my word for the year - the grounding and guiding focus for me to return to to help focus my intentions, so was so pleased to see your blog has taken this focus as further inspiration.
Lots of love to you over the next few months!
Bec
Really nice, Jodi! I am following you. All the best for you and family in this new year and chapter of life..
ReplyDeleteso great! i love it! happy new blog :)
ReplyDeleteoolretaw.com/blog
Love the new look and I'm exited for the year to come. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteIt looks just so beautiful Jodie. Your space here has always resonated with me and I am excited to see what this renewed focus brings. Congratulations to Daniel, what a fantastic opportunity for him and good luck for the solo parenting.
ReplyDeleteKatexx
Love your new space. I've been visiting since Che was just wee, and I'm so glad you decided to keep going with your blog! Your words are always so simple and beautifully put.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love it Jodi - so pleased you're still planning on keeping the blog going. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts and seeing those lovely photos xx
ReplyDeleteI love this new space and practising simplicity sounds very fitting. I'm looking forward to reading here :)
ReplyDeleteSending you strength and support through this exciting and transitional time. The new blog looks wonderful and I'm sure will be successful and blessed x
ReplyDeleteWhat's this? I love it! It was definitely time and this suits you so well. Welcome right back at you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a FABULOUS opportunity for Daniel. I am so jealous, jealous, jealous that I nearly fell off my chair. It will be a most hard slog for you, Jodi (and Daniel too, I am well aware that this isn't a 12 week holiday - far from it, he's going to be exhausted and over it within a week, I reckon) anyway, I've actually forgotten what I was trying to say (must be 'cos I"m off my chair), but whatever happens, you will both manage it with your usual spirit and calm. Welcome 2014 indeed!!!! x
Massive congrats Jodi!! Love the name :-) I'm about to shift too, it's daunting but feels refreshing. These posts were some of my faves over the past 6 months, so I'm so glad there will be more xx
ReplyDeleteLove the change. The the concept, goal, heart. Life is short and I don't see the sense in clinging to things that aren't true to us anymore. Can't wait to read more. X
ReplyDeleteThankyou Jodi. I think you have made a great decision in choosing to honour yourself and it feels good to witness. Looking forward to enjoying your posts as I have for a while now :). Love and light, Jehni
ReplyDeleteit's so funny that i stumbled onto your blog via tim coulson's instagram feed and within moments found this post - i woke up this morning thinking that i would get up and delete my blog - or at least take some time away from it to see what happens. i'm inspired by your story, your photography AND this space which is beautiful!
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