{image by samlovesherdog}
Change is in the wind! Or in the magical digital interwebs, anyway.
You see, I’ve decided to ‘retire’ my Crafting a Business blog over on JessicaVanDen.com, and incorporate any crafty biz posts back into this blog.
Honestly, I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with that site at the moment, because I’m shaking things up over here on Epheriell Designs, too.
You see, I have recently (and by recently, I mean in the past few months) found a nifty little label for myself – I’m what’s called a Renaissance Soul. For those of you not familiar with the term, it was coined by Margaret Lobenstine, and it describes a person who has many different passions throughout their lifetime.
I’ve always been someone who discovered a new passion and then became OBSESSIVE about it for a period of time, before moving on to something else. I used to think that I just couldn’t stick to any one thing, and that this made me a ‘bad’ or ‘flighty’ person.
Now I see it as a strength.
And while my main business at this moment in my life revolves around craft and making, I have many other passions that make their way into my life.
I’ve refrained from talking about them here because I’ve always stuck to the blogging rule – niche, niche, niche! That your blog should be narrowly focussed on one specific topic to be ‘successful’.
Well, to be frank – stuff that.
This is my blog, and it’s about my life. Craft, handmade, and vintage are a big part of my life, but I want to share all the other passions that draw me in, too. And, really, when you think about it, this blog is all about living a creative life – but it’s also about living creatively.
I want to talk more about what it’s like to live the life I’ve chosen – because really, it’s a pretty unusual path, and one I want to share the joys of!
I want to share the little details – and I want to share the big philosophies.
I want to be free to share my new passions with you as they burst into being – no matter what they might be.
I want to let go of constraints, and be my authentic self.
On the practical side of things, I have a LOT going on in my business, and trying to keep two blogs running well (as well as maintain the news blog on the *bespoke* website) was just doing my head in. I needed to simplify.
So this is me simultaneously simplifying and expanding!
If there’s one thing I’m aiming for in my life, it’s individuality. I have never wanted to be like ‘everyone else’, so why should I try to do that with my blog?
I guess the last month or two has been a bit of an introspective time for me. As most of you know, my Granny passed away in late April, and while I don’t feel like I’m in any sort of deep grief any more, I guess it has had an impact on me, and ‘took the wind out of my sails’ a little bit.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the last month just keeping the status quo going, reading FAR too many novels on my kindle (and discovering a passion for a new genre, but more on that in another post!). It’s been a bit of a quiet time, but I can feel myself coming out of that now.
Ironically, I have just shut all my jewellery shops in preparation for our big trip to the UK and France (6 weeks! Leaving Sunday!) so the next few months will no doubt be full of stories from the road (and a photo of me standing in front of the Eiffel Tower – cheesy but necessary, non?).
I’m really hoping you’ll love the changes, and keep me company on my journey. Some of you might move on if what I talk about doesn’t interest you, and that’s cool 🙂 But for those who remain, I hope you enjoy the little snippets into my life. In fact, I hope you fall more in love with the stories and thoughts (and still PLENTY of awesome inspirational goodness) that I’ll be sharing.
Of course, I’ll still be posting about groovy handmade goodies, vintage, art, and more – because that’s still a big part of my life. I’m just going to be talking about MORE.
With you…we like you because you are you 😉
Thanks Anika 🙂 xx
With you and looking forward to it! Good for you!
Deb
Frankly , my dear ,I DO give a damn ! 😉 I’m all about change too. And I believe we should change things if it’s not working for us . Good luck ! Enjoy 6 weeks of travel !
Awesome ;D I agree. I’m a firm believer in the mantra “the only constant in life is change!”
I’m with you! xox
( I didn’t know it but I must be a Renaissance Soul too. )
Good for you! Change is good for the soul 🙂
You know, I don’t think of it as being flighty when we do that thing where we obsess about a new passion and then move on. I think it’s more about finding the next challenge. We must be challenged to have our creative fires stoked. Something comes along and it’s so exciting, we have to know it all, learn it, conquer it, and some of us, ahem, not looking at anyone here JESS! teach it 😉 And then, it’s time for the next mountain to climb.
Michelle – EXACTLY!
So with you!
I completely get the whole ‘niche’ blog thing, and there is clearly a place for focussed blogs – the places you turn to for advice and information on specific topics. But most of my favourite, read every day blogs are not like that, they are instead full reflections of a life, a person, and they stand out because of that. Hurrah for change!
Love that top image and I’m totally with you on the change thing. Life is an adventure after all and deserves exploring – I’m all for developing new passions and interests! By the way Jess, I love your hair that length – it’s very pretty!
Yep, I’m certainly still with you 🙂
I like that term a “Renaissance Soul”. I’m not sure if you’ve read any of Barbara Sher’s books (specifically Refuse to Choose) but she uses the term “scanner”. It’s a great book, was life changing for me, she talks about how no, you’re not flighty and how to make the most of this (fabulous if you ask me) personality trait.
I’m going to have to check out Margaret Lobenstine’s book now 🙂
Oh, and have a fabulous trip!
I have heard of that book, Mel, but I have yet to read it! Must put it in my kindle wishlist 🙂
what an inspirational young woman you are!!!…grabbing life as every chance and so you should!
I am off to check out the aforementioned books. Thsi is exactly me and I have always thought of it as a lack of attnetion span.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a change – infact I’m glad to see that other people do change! I sometimes wonder if what I am doing is what I actually want to do but keep at it, a bit half-heartedly because I think, now that I’ve put the effort into starting it, I should just stick to it. But I have been wanting to do all sorts of other things and feel guilty for not concentrating on the one I am doing now. Good luck with all your new ventures, I shall read on with anticipation!
I can definitely relate to that! Sometimes even the things we love can become a chore, especially if we’re doing them for money 🙂
Good on you Jess!
This sentence really struck home with me…”I’ve always been someone who discovered a new passion and then became OBSESSIVE about it for a period of time, before moving on to something else.”
That was always me too…I can’t tell you how many things I’ve been passionate about.
Except this obsession I have with glass has really surprised me and has lasted far far longer than I thought it would. I keep waiting for it to wear off but it hasn’t yet. Maybe it’s an age thing ? Passions slow down as you get older?
Don’t know… Just enjoy your passion and youth and life as much as you can!
That’s a really interesting point, Deb! I’d love to hear from some others with more life experience to see what they think!
well done you … simplify and enjoy x
Well I totally understand, because I’m a Renaissance Soul too! I can’t wait to see the changes! Hope you have a wonderful trip & can’t wait to see the pics & hear the stories. I’m actually a little jealous, because I’ve always wanted to go to France. Maybe someday…
You’ll get there, Kell!
I’m totally the same with shifting passions, my mum recently sent me an article about people called ‘Scanners,’ but I think renaissance soul sounds a lot nicer! I’ve half completed two sciencey degrees and now I sew all day! It wasn’t until I read the article that mum sent that I realised it was a strength not a weakness. Yay for changes!
You are inspirational! Congrats on the courage to change! Have a beautiful time during your trip and look forward to your new posts.
With you, and excited.
I’m a lot like some of the other commenters, I’m surprised my latest thing has stuck for so long. I also tend to jump from one passion to the next.
Love following your creative journey, can’t wait to hear more about your passions in life. …And YAY for doing what is right for you.
Yeah – go, Jess! With you all the way. Change and growth are all part of the journey.
I’ve always been a fan of blogs that share the person as well as the product. After all, that is one of the joys of dealing with micro-businesses and handmade goods isn’t it? Having a real connection with the person. Can’t wait to see your new blog.
I’m pretty much in the exact same boat you are so I support this 1000% percent. Good for you for sticking true to who you are and ensuring it’s a regular part of you.
Wow, I soooo identify with this! In fact, I just posted on another blog about how my weakness is having too many interests and so forth – but I love how you’re taking it like a strength! Way to go 🙂
I’m excited! I’m all over the place with my interests, but I’d rather have more than less. : O )
Thank you everyone – can’t keep the grin off my face as I read all your comments!
Looks like there are plenty of fellow Renaissance Souls here!
You have great clarity of mind Jess. Cant wait to see what exciting adventures happen next in your life… Life is all about change, without i think we just stagnate. I too have had great changes in the last 12 months,stopping ventures, starting new ones and well quite frankly it makes life EXCITING !! rolling the rollercoaster of emotions that go with it is all part of the journey (i think)
Good luck with your new ventures, and yep ill be here; cheering you on from the sidelines 🙂
Danx
Oh Jess! You’ve just hit the nail on the head for me. After all these years i couldn’t figure out why i would go from one thing to another all the time.
Thanks also for making it positive. I had no idea there was term for people like this.
Thought there must be something wrong that i would do this all the time and questioned myself constantly about it.
As i have gotten older i have actually disciplined myself into finishing things that i have started. Except my afghan rug. And now i have started on a granny square rug. lol
With my jewellery it is the longest i have stayed at doing something. I just can’t get bored with it because i learn something new everyday. Even doing my history theme jewellery takes me on a history lesson.
Wishing you a great time on your trip and look forward to ready more of you life journey.
I enjoy reading your blog posts Jess. Yes do whatever you want whichever direction you take. At the end of the day if you are not happy nothing you do will be worth it.
Have fun on your holidays
xx
Validation is a wonderful feeling.
Thank you! I’m along for the ride!
Were in the same boat =) well, its your business so that makes rather similar instead of the same =O Good on you for integrating. It gets hard to manage multiple sites, and you have other good reason for doing so. I have difficulty with the self-barrier thing too, its brave of you to do this =) keep it up.
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