Did you know that this month will see the 2nd anniversary of my blog? It started as Lives Less Ordinary on the 22nd August 2007 before becoming Less Ordinary on 12th June 2008, when the blog moved from Wordpress to self-hosted. It was a rather steep learning curve, but a move that I don’t regret for one minute.
Now, that it’s been almost 2 years since I began sharing my words and my photos online, I thought it was time for a bit of a change. I am looking to revamp and relaunch Less Ordinary this month as a way of celebrating the blog’s birthday.
I have always loved posting to Less Ordinary, but lately I have felt that I have lost my way somewhat. I’m hoping that you can help me to find my way again. To this end, I am requesting feedback. What is it that you like about Less Ordinary, and what would you like to see more of? Is there something that you think I should be including here and is absent at present?
In a couple of days, I’ll put together a post highlighting some responses & suggestions with a few ideas for how I’m going to move things forward. Your input is very much welcomed and the time that you spend helping me out is, as ever, extremely appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Amy
xx
Given that so many blogs out there are all words words words, the posts I like most of yours at the ones with photos with only a few lines that ask us to somehow see the world in a different way.
That to me is Less Ordinary and a whole lot More Interesting!
I think your blog is wonderful. You say that you feel like you have lost your way, but I feel like I should encourage you to keep writing, snapping photos and sharing your thoughts! xx
Amy, where on earth did the last 12 months go???!!
I’ll love your blog whatever you do and wherever you go with it…
Thoughts….
What your eye sees (always interesting… and see Alex’s comment above)
Quirkiness
You could lead more strongly on the Scottish dimension of Less Ordinariness, always gets a wow factor from your fans
Or…
Whatever turns you on
I am smiling a bit at the timing of this. Feeling we’ve lost our way can be the feeling that transition is. It is very hard to hold that feeling for long, uncomfortable, uncertain, not quite sure which is the next step. I have found that any step at that point is the next step. Really. The importance becomes taking it. Even if that step is to stand still for a moment and just let it be. Just be. Be present. and then take another step in the direction that appears. I can’t imagine an Amy blog called Less Ordinary without your lovely photos. Always zeroing in on something quite fantastic, or marvelous, something that’s crossed your path, or something you’ve gone seeking. And the “just so” words you choose to go with them. Being aware and mindful of your world, your life at that moment. I can think of nothing more delightful. And isn’t that enough?
I can imagine that having your treacherously grueling Phd task organize things for you for this last bit of time, you must by rights feel somewhat adrift. Somewhat, well now what? Where am I now? So in my mind’s eye I am thinking well, Amy, you still have this gorgeous world around you, and you have an uncanny and extraordinary eye, a gift for words and I am thinking mischief isn’t a foreign thing to you. So look maybe for some surprises. Or let some come to you.
I agree with Janice even tho I’ve just found both of your blogs you obviously have wide and varying passions. As a photographer myself I love your use imagery to challenge viewers to think and see more deeply. As a blogger and writer I love reading insightful well written work that takes me to depths I hadn’t explored and opens my mind to yet more intriguing surprises. So, while I think it would be interesting to mix both of your blogs together I know that it often doesn’t mix well.
As to being adrift it is a natural consequence of transitions from completing one step, whether in life or simply a photo or writing project, and moving onto the next. One of the things that our culture tries to teach us is that life is “supposed” to be a certain way however to be truly engaged means letting go of any particular attachments while paying attention to our instincts and intuition. It is not easy and it has taken me the better part of my life to learn it but it sure makes living much more fun than trying to fit oneself into something that doesn’t feel right.
Waiting for the “right thing” is like perfection…a lot of life gets missed in the waiting.
Glad I found you I’ll be adding you to my list of subscribed blogs.
Remember the old Gestalt saying”don’t push the river.”
Oh I love that “don’t push the river”….
Here’s my thing about this:
You can ask people what they want you to do, and you can get 500 different responses and then run around and around trying to figure out how to contort to all of them. (I know that’s not EXACTLY what you’re doing here – but there’s the hint of that, if i’m seeing it clearly.) And you will make yourself more crazy.
When I launched BeMyRecordLabel.com, it was with this same kind of intention. But when it came down to it, I had to recognize that no matter how many opinions I got, I had to make the record I wanted to make. Otherwise, the whole project would be doomed. Some people got upset with me for this. but ultimately my full happy energy went into my new CD with more power than I ever knew I had. (And yes, I was “lost” for a little while. My producer and I kept looking at each other in fear and asking, “What are we DOING?”
)
It’s the same thing with ANYTHING. Blogs included. When you feel that slight dip or that feeling of “something needs to change” – can you “live for a time empty” (advice from the runes) and see what it is in YOU that needs to be born here to make it exciting to you? Cuz THAT is what will ultimately attract your peeps to you.
People love to be led. Especially audiences. I always advise upcoming songwriters not to ask things from the stage like, “Do you want a slow song? Or a fast song?” cuz that puts the audience into a leadership role. Most of them just want you to lead them! So, as for your blog — I would love ANY direction you went in, as long as it’s a clear voice coming from your oh-so beautiful self, Amy.
Amy, some of the things that attracted me most here were the photos of those often overlooked, yet profoundly simple things you see around you. Whether during one of your walks around town, the countryside, or whatever, your thoughts, along with the truly wonderful images, never fails to cheer me up. (I’m also one who likes to find those things most folks might simply walk right by, so I understand the point of view.)
I’d love to see you continue that. Along with pretty much every other commenter above. But hey, choose your own path; wherever it leads, all we ask is that we get to tag along now and then.
Hi Amy. Happy Blogiversary! I have really enjoyed your posts over the last 2 years, especially your ability to create poetry from your world through your photos and words. Like Robert says above. I’m not surprised that you ask, because some days I wonder what my blog is about and there is so much information out there on “how to write a great blog”. I’ve decided to use Wonderwebby to simply express myself and write about ways words and pictures can connect us. After all, blogging should be something we enjoy, right? I also recently decided it would be an ad free blog.
I do hope that you continue to share your view of the world around you, through your colourful photos and favourite poems. But whatever you choose, I hope that it’s fun for you!
Amy, I’m with Christine on this.
We all love your photos, your writing – and I have a feeling you’ve found a bit of the spark in the writing you’ve been doing for us at The Calm Space, Nature Space is so inspirational and beautiful… (and I could add another dozen flowery words as well:)).
But what Less Ordinary is… ahh… it’s a space waiting to be filled with Amy. And sometimes we need to sit with that space for a time, as long as it takes, and let it evolve. First and foremost, imho, be kind to yourself. Don’t push the metamorphosis. The butterfly will erupt from her cocoon in her own good time, resplendent, glorious and ready to soar…
And we’ll all be here, waiting
Ah, Amy. It took me a day to get round to writing this – and I’m glad because it allowed me to read the other comments first.
And reading those comments left me with the same feelings I get when I read your blogs and look at your pictures – inspired and calm and really in touch with the bigger universe.
You have a wonderful gift to make connections, Amy – in real life, amongst actual people – and with images and thoughts. There’s such a sense of the metaphysical about you and your work…
Wherever you go with it, you’ll take us all into a good place with you
)
First of all, Happy 2nd Blog Birthday! I am still a baby blogger, taking baby steps so whenever I look at your blog, I am inspired and uplifted and filled with admiration!
So all I can think of to say is Continue… Doing what you do, Being who you Are, Sharing your Joy, Following your Heart – and the Way will surely appear.
All the very best!
Happy Anniversary!
As a writer and photographer myself, I continue to be amazed by how you combine both crafts to make meaning. Most of us can only wear one hat at a time…
I hope you continue blogging, in whatever form appeals to you…
Naveen
Amy,
Listen to Christine. ( And get her CD if you don’t have it already, it’s AMAZING…)
OK…back to you…the gift you have with photography and words, the ability to take the most simple subject or moment and transform it into art of breathless beauty- into something that reminds us to stop and look closer at how precious life and the world around us is…
Well Amy, that gift is inspired.
Share it with us how ever the inspiration leads you. We will follow.
Photos, photos and photos. With words of course
Otherwise, I don’t want to tell you what to do, be yourself as usual.