Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Keepin' Up

Right now, my two little children (ages 2 and 4) are up from their "nap"... the 4 year old never even fell asleep. It is approximately 2:30 in the afternoon, and after I finish typing this up, we'll go to the beach. Or the playground. Or the farm. Somewhere, other than in front of my computer screen.

Which brings up a very interesting point... I don't have a lot of free time in my daily life (I am NOT complaining), but I wonder... how does everyone manage to keep up with everything?

Jubilee at Staples this morning... happily eating munchkins...

I mean, there is so much to do in the virtual world. There are groups that you are a part of... Etsy groups or Flickr groups. People are always posting things for you to check out. And, of course, it's imperative for you to check them out if you'd like them to check yours out. Seems the rules of the proverbial game. Then there's Twitter... don't get me started on Twitter. How on earth are you supposed to keep up with everything that everyone posts? It'd take forever.

Stand advertising Sharpies at Staples. I like how everyone's decorated it :)

I don't even know what Tumblr is. Nor Instagram. I haven't touched Pintrest in a long time. But, it seems that all of these sites are almost... dare I say, "mandatory" to being someone online. To getting your work seen. To getting "noticed" or "appreciated".

A Staples set up for Post It notes that I thought was cool.

I simply haven't the time to do everything. I will not hinder my real life in favor of my virtual one, for lack of a better way to say it. My children want to go outside. I am not going to say, "wait until later, I've got to do such and such on the computer first." But it does seem that many have to do that. Am I alone, or is that the direction we seem to be spiraling in?

10 comments:

Handiworkin' Girls said...

Yay for you! We try to keep our virtual activities to a minimum, and it is definitely worth. Watching the falling rain or baking fresh bread is quite a bit better than just repinning or faving images of the same. (Nothing against Pinterest, though.)

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

You have chosen the important things to do...not choosing the computer over your kids! I have a few places that I visit daily on the computer....my emails, my etsy shop and my blog (which is getting a little out of hand with all the blog hops to join!). I don't get involved with Facebook and Twitter and Instagram, etc., etc. Either I don't get them or I don't like them or I don't have time! I know what you mean though about feeling that you should be part of all that to get yourself ahead. Nah! You can only do what you can do each day and it sounds like you are doing it fine!

Kim said...

Well said Jen!!! I usely get on the internet in the morning and then again in the evening. I certainly don't have time to be on the computer all day. Last year I took a week off from all computer activities other then checking my occaisional email for orders. I stayed away from facebook and pinterest and to be honest I really didn't miss it. I like the fact that I can visit with my friends (since most of them are far away) and that is what I basically use facebook far :)
I grew up without any electronical gadgets. I mean, we had a TV but my brother and I didn't watch it much . . .we were always outside playing. We didn't even get a VCR until I was in highschool and I never owned a computer till after I gradutated from college. Heaven forbid . . .how did I survive? Very well thank you . . .lol I liked that EXTRA time I had to actually go places and do things!

I'm proud of you for shutting off that virtual world and spending time on adventures with your little ones . .they'll thank you for it when they are older. Enjoy those moments and enjoy your adventures!! :)

Kelly Bermudez said...

You are so amazing Jen!!! I love your heart!!!

Unknown said...

Definitely well said Jen!

Mechelle said...

Jen you definitely have to target only a few sites. Heck, you have very small children so that is understandable. I only use Twitter and Flickr once in a blue moon. Pinterest is easy since Etsy has the link button. I want to get back to making videos to make more traffic. I will not get into Instagram. It seems like this takes up most of your time, with few time to really create. We each need to balance out how much time we spend. Each of us will have different schedules than the other.

sammysgrammy said...

Jen, I'm proud of you because I agree with your choice of priorities. Kids are only young once and you know how fast that flies by. This time investment you are making has eternal rewards. There will be tons and tons of time for involvement in other things when this precious training time winds down.

LoisLeigh's Anderson's Creations said...

Fantastic post. I totally agree. Children grow up and will be gone before we realize it. They are the priority.

Christine Linton said...

Making choices - they're all personal. Make the most of your kids.

Pam of alwaysartistic said...

Jen, there is so much to do, don't ware yourself out trying to do it all, pick a few things that you can manage and that you enjoy. Your right your kids come first!