why i blog


in 2013, i am choosing to spend more time blogging. this was a big step for me because for some time, i wondered if i had anything to add to this blog community & if my time was best spent writing here. 


i finally decided to take a chance, believe in my story & share it with you regularly. i am choosing to write to you every monday, wednesday, and friday. this little routine has inspired my creative life & opened many doors to deep friendships & new opportunities.


i am not sure where this little blog will take me, but i do know that the time i spend writing here is valuable. it allows me to record our lives in such precious detail. this space also reminds me to seek beauty in even the simplest of moments. it has also taught me to find joy & share it with you. this space, i hope, is a safe place for us to share our ideas & find comradery along our own life journeys. 


a friend once told me that my blog wasn't real life & seemed too perfect. that's maybe true; i'm not quite sure. what i do know & can promise you, though, is that our house is dirty most of the time & i often rush around without taking a moment's breath to notice the quiet around me. luke & i disagree, sometimes we spend money we don't have & we struggle in too many ways than i care to count. 

when i do allow myself a few minutes to sit down to share my story here, i remember the goodness in my one wild & crazy life. it might be just part of our story, but i believe it's the most precious.

i blog because i want to find beauty in the everyday. thank you so, so much for following along.

love,
natalie

37 comments:

isabelle said...

that's very moving Natalie and i can totally relate to what you wrote.
people often find my photos peaceful, my life don't feel peaceful at all, but the time I take to take photos and write a very few words, I am trying to find calm.

Denise said...

and thank you Natalie for blogging - because I enjoy what you do share :)

summerlily said...

Hi Natalie, I really enjoy your blog! You pictures are beautiful :)

Kelton said...

i've enjoyed your blog for over a year now. i think you strike the right balance between beauty and reality. thanks so much for sharing.

Roller Mill Farms said...

So simply stated and so true. You have a great blend of reality and beauty and that's what keeps me coming back. We ALL know for certain that life is hard and we get to choose what to focus on. I appreciate your pursuit of beauty and good things. It increases my joy to share the journey with inspiring people like you.

shanna said...

Natalie, Oh my goodness, this resonates with me so much. My husband and I were just talking last night about whether or not I should keep blogging and all the points you hit here were the same ones we saw as blogging's best gifts. Glad to have your voice here, for my own sake, and I hope for yours too. May the coming year bring gift after gift through this medium to you!

also PS I am meal-planning this week (two days down and loving it!) because of your post! thank you!

Vanessa said...

I always feel calmer after seeing your blog. That's an amazing statement since you know me so well :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Natalie! Even though I've been following your blog for around 2 years this is my first comment...and today I just wanted yo say thank you: thank you for having such a beautiful and heart-warming blog and for sharing your little joys & struggles with us. I'm so happy you have decided to blog more often because each and every one of your posts is a dear present to me. Hugs from a reader in Spain xx

amy said...

so well put nat! i love love love your blog and the little snippets of your beautiful life that you share with us all. i have been thoroughly enjoying your regular posts and you have inspired me in so many ways. xo

Jacqui said...

"i blog because i want to find beauty in the every day." me too.

Kaylan said...

amen, and amen. your blog feels very "real" to me though- the small moments you capture, especially in your house are warming, comforting, and authentic. keep it up!

Confessions of a Wanna Be Yogini. said...

How come I can't follow your blog anywhere? *sadface*

Anonymous said...

I stumbled on to your blog and I'm just tickled with it and you guys! It is inspiring to see that as you two are starting out in life, that you are following a path that seems to be true to what you are passionate about! The simple sweet moments that you share are just what we all need to stop and take a moment to appreciate. As for blogs glorifying the beauty in our lives and not showing the down-side...well why not celebrate beauty, and inspiration, and creativity, and whimsy? The world is full of enough of the dark side!
Anyway - keep it up - your words and pictures are lovely!

MammaNatura said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MammaNatura said...

I agree with your ideas, I also live looking for the beauty of life every day, at least I try!
Good luck!

Donna said...

I am the anonymous commenter above- somehow I must have hit the wrong button! Cheers,Donna :)

Daniela B. said...

I love this blog because I find it simple and creative, with lots of little joyful details.Sometimes readers say my blog is too perfect, but I dont't like to talk about our problems, I prefer to focus on the good things,so I understand what you write here.
Thanks for blogging Natalie!!

trinity8419 said...

Everyone deals with the messier parts of life every day, & sometimes it's too easy to focus on those. If blogging serves you in finding & seeing the small beauties & positives in every day, then it's definitely worth it. I'm heartened to see a young couple just starting out & finding their path. That you choose to share your personal journey with the wider public is lovely, & thank you ;-)

abby said...

I look forward to each new post here, Natalie. I have also gone back and forth with the if to blog and how to blog thoughts... it brings me joy to share though. It does indeed inspire creativity and provides a place to record things we find meaningful. I use my own blog sometimes, as a place to look back on recipes, ideas I had, and to re-inspire me in my work. I especially appreciate having had the opportunity to share with beautiful people like you. Glad to know you will be here on a regular basis!

Lynn said...

I think people need to remember that a lot of blogs are about the good stuff, the pretty stuff, and in your case, the simple stuff. The truth is, everyone has the hard stuff but just because you don't blog it, doesn't make it less real. I love ideas and inspiration.

Marta said...

Thank you for sharing your words, pictures and thinking. I find your blog very inspiring even if I live and chose differently from you : )

Jael said...

I just found your blog via shindig paperie on instagram and I love it! Your photos are lovely and your blog is so cute. And I am so jealous of your chickens! Anyway, I am usually more of a stalker than a commenter, but just wanted to comment and say "hello!" because I live in Fville too!

Rachel B said...

Hey Natalie,
I just thought I'd take a moment to let you know that even though I'm halfway around the world, your words bring encouragement and a balm of peace to my soul! I am heartened by the fact that I am not alone in some of my struggles... so thank you for sharing yours :)
When you doubt that you have anything to add, think of a girl sitting in her office all the way in Singapore visiting your blog (between the administrative tasks that she hates) because it brings her so much life!
Blessings,
Rachel xx

Lizzie Robinson said...

I follow many blogs, but I can honestly say that I look forward to your posts the most. Your photographs are absolutely stunning!

Luke Freeman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Natalie Freeman said...

thank you all so, so much for your sweet words & encouragement. i did not expect such response & i am truly humbled. thank you for inspiring me everyday! love to you all.

anoushkasofia said...

Your blog does not display a fake kind of perfect life. On the contrary, it shows your readers that simplicity, beauty & peacefulness can be found in our everyday lives & in the most common things of these lives such as a ray of light on an antique piece of furniture, some perfectly round eggs from the handmade coop or a funny look on your dog's face because you've been talking to yourself without noticing it.

Nathalie, your blog is part of my "happy therapy" morning (or evening) routine to surround myself with positive & arty energy! Don't change anything & please carry on blogging.

Kayleigh said...

I would say optimistic instead of unrealistic. Every needs optimism these days. Keep on bloggin' girl we love it!

danika said...

I am so happy that you choose to share your life with us, Natalie; visiting your blog is one of the highlights of my days, for I always leave inspired to do & create more with what I have. I love it, and am so excited every time there's a new post. :) Keep on keeping on, girl, your blog is so refreshing. <3

Ida/FarEastLogbook said...

Hi! Just found your blog - what a wonderful place! :-)

Cindy said...

Hi there--I just found your blog and I would love to subscribe by email....is there a way to do that?

I'm looking forward to reading more of your posts...

Jess said...

you have a GIFT in finding the everyday beauty and we are so blessed that you share it with us. thank YOU Natalie for your work here, it does not go unnoticed, instead you inspire us all! I love you girl.

Ping's Nom Fiction Life said...

I'm so glad that I found your blog!! Thank you for sharing what blogging is all about. I feel and think the same way about blogging. But then I want to document our precious moments if not everyday.

Always Rooney said...

Thanks for sharing why you blog, you are so inspiring and I just came across your blog.

-Courtney

Rachel said...

Thank you for sharing, Natalie! I love taking the time to see your beautiful photography and creations and to be reminded to admire the simple beauty in my life in the midst of the busy. Thank you!

Kady said...

I just found your blog, via instagram. I think I am obsessed! I love your home and your photos. You are a "blogspiration" for my little blog. Glad I found you!

http://pinkgerberdaisies-kady.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

This post really speaks to me. I feel exactly the same about blogging, but probably couldn't have put it better myself. Blogging helps to motivate me into trying new things, getting projects completed and challenging myself. It's true that what you share tends to be the most positive parts of your life, but it also helps you to appreciate them and take the time to remember and record them.

Thanks for sharing, Lois.

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