So perhaps you’ve noticed I’ve been much quieter than usual. Way back in June I mentioned that I would be making changes like rebranding without changing names. As you may have seen, that still hasn’t yet happened. In an effort to try to fix some of my medical issues, I was trying different things. Unfortunately, we still haven’t yet found a solution that has helped long-term (particularly for the cervicogenic headaches). Some solutions helped temporarily, but often things got worse before they got better. Throw in my amazing trip to Blogger Bash, fun trips to Cedar Point and my health issues, and I had been spending far less time on the computer.
Unfortunately, the past couple of months have proven to be even more difficult. Now is not the time for details, but I can say many things are changing right now as I’m walking through the hardest trial of my life. God is so good, and I truly feel Him and see Him walking with me through this trial. He is my rock and my strength and He will make beauty from this mess. And so, I forge ahead in faith. Faith that I can still offer something through this ministry that is my blog. Faith that I will now have something more to add to my book.
I called my blog Pea of Sweetness because it was a nickname I gave to my daughter. The rebrand is still going to happen in a way to make things look less “babyish,” and I will be embracing that *I* am Pea of Sweetness. I am the daughter of the King. He is blessing me in ways that make it more real to me what a loving Father he truly is. I still plan to use the tagline I didn’t mention in the previous post. It is “Growing with my family on God’s vine.” It’s still very relevant. Just as God is a loving Father to me, He is a loving Father to my kids as well.
The next few months will continue to bring challenges, but I will continue to move forward in confidence. God is lending me strength I never knew I could have. I am trusting God. He loves me, and He won’t let me fall. I’m his Pea of Sweetness.
Making Changes – Revisiting Purpose
My Word for 2015 is Purpose. I wrote about how I really need to find purpose this year with both my life and blog. My health issues flaring up have definitely added some unexpected challenges. I have even less time now to work on my blogs and less time with my family – who still remains to be my priority. The house is a mess and we still have many unpacked boxes. I feel like my purpose of being better organized is an unattainable dream at the moment, but I’m praying and hopeful my health will start to improve again soon.
I decided to no longer take medication that was really making me feel awful – tired, depressed, etc. That will make a big difference I’m sure, but right now I’m dealing with muscle and pain problems. I just keep reminding myself I’ll get through it like I always do, but I do need to take it easy so I can recover more easily! Oh the life of having a chronic condition!
So I need to make some changes, and my husband and I have been in prayer about it as well. After I initially wrote my purpose for Pea of Sweetness is to really narrow down my niche, the changes I’ve decided must be made will probably be a little surprising. Let me first explain that I don’t think narrowing down my niche to just homeschooling, homemaking, and parenting was something I was doing to pursue purpose. I think I was doing it because I want to grow my blog and connect with others. I often felt shunned in those areas because Pea of Sweetness was being viewed as a “review and giveaway blog.” I cringe just writing those words because that perception has held me back.
I can’t provide as much content right now as others because of my health, but I do want to offer more content and, yes, balance out the number of reviews. Here is what I don’t want, though – I don’t want to make changes because of comparisons or others’ opinions. That being said, as my readers I absolutely care what you feel and love your feedback. That’s not what I was going on. I was making changes based on my own insecurities, and I’m not OK with that.
So, new changes are coming. In order to continue to grow Pea of Sweetness and really (finally) get Sweetness Sisters Media off the ground, which is a project to which I definitely feel called because I like love helping other bloggers as well as start our gaming blog, which is going to be a combined effort with my husband and something we’re really excited about, I have to cut down on some things. So, I will be selling Deals of Sweetness.
I went back and forth on this idea because then where will I post the other things I love that I moved over there to narrow my niche here? You have probably guessed – I’m bringing it back here. Natural health and Eco-friendly living are part of my lifestyle (an important part), and Pea of Sweetness is a lifestyle blog – MY lifestyle, and I’m at peace with the idea of representing all of my lifestyle on here because this is my blog.
After much prayer I do feel this is the best answer. I won’t be doing the number of reviews and giveaways that I do on Deals of Sweetness and will definitely be selective, but this will definitely help me manage my time better and devote more to Pea of Sweetness, which hopefully will mean more content, too! It may not fit in a neat little box – not just a homeschool blog, or just a Christian blog, or just an Eco-friendly blog, but guess what? I don’t fit in a nice little box either! And so, Pea of Sweetness will be a lifestyle blog – my lifestyle.
If people want to label it as a “review and giveaway blog” because they don’t understand living with a chronic condition or having special needs children and a disabled husband and how that affects my ability to write, so be it. The only thing that matters is that I’m walking in God’s purpose, and I think even the reviews and giveaways have a purpose because they help people! This is me. Sharing my lifestyle – all of it – is my purpose.
To make the changes smoothly, I will revamp my menu bar so categories are easy to find, so you can always find exactly what you’re looking for. I do have a drop down menu in my side bar as well. I think I may even update my look and tag line to celebrate the changes! If you’ve been a loyal reader, you may not see it as change but just going back to how things were. Regardless, I hope to bless you with all that I share.
Working on a few things
You probably already noticed my site doesn’t look the same. After my last recent incident with my site getting attacked again I have decided to go with a more secure theme. So, over the next week I may be trying out a few different themes. I think the one I have active now will be my final choice, but I have to play around with the settings and may even try a couple of different themes as well just to be sure I have the “right” one. I really love my pink polka dot background, though, and this is the only theme out of my choices that allows me to set my own background, which is why I will probably stick with it. I am definitely not finished, though, regardless, but please feel free to add any comments and thoughts along the way! 🙂 Thanks for your patience as I worked through that craziness (again) and work through these changes to make my site more secure! You are appreciated!! 🙂
Making Changes
Well, I’ve left some people in suspense as I made it clear that I will be making some changes to begin the New Year. I am not sure anybody that doesn’t know would suspect what these changes may be and others might have seen it coming as soon as I said I was going to be making changes. Obviously our family has some big changes coming up as well, but this is specifically regarding me and Pea of Sweetness.
Change #1
The first change is in regards to this website/blog. I originally started Pea of Sweetness to be more of a business blog, but it CLEARLY took a different turn. I LOVE what Pea of Sweetness has become! I love writing, and I feel like my writing can come through so much more now! So, instead of having a parenting, homeschooling, overall lifestyle blog plus small business and business tips I will no longer be including small business in my blogging. I WILL still have sponsor and advertising options and reviews and giveaways. What I will no longer have is my blog posts with business tips, business decisions, etc. I will be focusing my niche more as well on parenting, homeschooling, and Eco-friendly living. Of course, special needs will be incorporated as well! There will be one exception – mentioned in Change #3.
Change #2
I will slowly, but surely, be updating things like my “About Me,” my Facebook fan page and Google + cover to reflect the changes mentioned in Change #1. I will also be updating my PR information and including a Media Kit. I have revamped my advertising options already, so definitely check that out! I will also be changing the look and feel of the Small Business Directory as well as adjusting advertising rates for features in my Small Business Directory. (Those that are already in the small business directory WILL get information on these changes, so be looking out for it in your inboxes soon!)
Change #3
I will (finally) start focusing more on my personally made products like cloth diapers, nursing covers, and wall and car decals (these are the products I currently can take custom orders for), and I’ll be bringing some other stuff your way as well – to be determined! Because I feel my personally made products still fit the niche of my blog I may feature posts here and there and will have a link to my products for purchase or order as well as a link to my Etsy shop when I get it set up. I will be using the name Pea of Sweetness for my business because that IS why Pea of Sweetness was created! 🙂 I’m excited to get back into things I enjoy and sharing them with you! I will NOT overrun my blog in these type posts because it is not my intent to keep Pea of Sweetness as a business blog, but as I mentioned, I will make it easy to find these creations and share them in a way that fits with my niche!
Change #4
This is probably the hardest change for me, but probably the best change for me all the same. I will no longer be pursuing direct sales businesses as a mean to help support our family financially. Financially, it hasn’t been that beneficial for me, and if you ask the experts – it’s all my fault. I’m OK with admitting this isn’t the right path for me. There are a variety of reasons for this decision. Some are more specific to the company or companies I was representing. A lot has to do with time as direct sales do take A LOT of time to be successful, and I feel like it is taking from the things that are more important to me and our family. Some of the decision basis is more due to the industry in general. I really don’t feel the need to go into details (well, I did initially want to, but after praying I feel it is best not to), but I can say I have had some bad experiences over the past year. I can’t do things “half way,” and I’m finding that even if I try to keep a business “casually” or “for the discount” I am still getting slightly antsy and/or bothered by things. It really isn’t worth the time and stress for me. If I choose to keep any casually I will no longer advertise it. I cannot say I’ve made a decision 100%, though I do know FOR SURE that most will be gone by the end of December. If you are signed up for my newsletter for a specific business you will receive an announcement via e-mail specifically for that business to make you aware of the changes.
I’m really excited (and relieved – like a weight has been lifted) about the upcoming changes. As always, if you’d like more detailed information about any of my decisions, things to come, etc. I’m a friendly person, so feel free to contact me for more!