Tuesday, October 18, 2011

the girl in the blog

In the past few years I've had a number of strangers approach me and tell me that they read my blog. My reaction is one of complete surprise, closely followed by gratitude. Then I get thinking about why you're actually reading my words - who are you? where do you come from? and why do you keep returning to this space I call Che and Fidel?

Being 'the girl in the blog' is strange. I am very honest with my stories here, I write from my heart about my personal life. But while what I write is the truth, it has never been the whole truth and it never will be. Living my life is one thing and blogging about it is, well, a story in itself.

There are times when I feel guilty for not commenting on your blog when you comment on mine. And then I realise that I've got blog-guilt and I laugh at the absurdity of it all. Reading blogs can be inspiring, heart-warming and comforting. But it's a big, deep world in here and there are plenty of times when I have, as a reader, been left with feelings of inadequacy, jealousy and self-doubt. It's silly and fickle, but it's real.

Many of you have commented or emailed me recently, expressing your thanks for the calm in this space.

And so it's with a coy smile and perhaps a giggle that I say: you can't have the calm without first experiencing the chaos.
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42 comments:

  1. jkdOctober 18, 2011 at 2:02 AM

    we should always write for ourselves and no one else.

    love the picture, so precious.

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  2. jkdOctober 18, 2011 at 2:02 AM

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  3. tilemaOctober 18, 2011 at 2:06 AM

    Hello Jodi,
    I'm Lena from Germany. I check on your blog quite regularly and I love it! It's just SO peaceful. And most important I love your writing very, very much. So this is me, Lena- reading your blog :-)

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  4. Down that Little LaneOctober 18, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    Your right it is calming, your family seem calming to me and that is just the escape I look for when I read blogs...that or simalarity..or a laugh..

    Well that sums it up.. its about all being different and enjoying what all styles can bring.

    I don't comment often enough xx

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  5. jayOctober 18, 2011 at 2:12 AM

    hi jodi, i love the calm and the inspiration that blogs provide but it always fills me with joy when the blogger lifts the veil a bit and shows us, the readers, a bit of chaos. Chaos that must exist in all homes, chaos, as you say, that is necessary for the calm. some friends and i often cannot quite believe that soule mama, for example, is actually real, i mean, come on, how can she possibly manage to stay so ethereal and awesome with five kids, but then, just occasionally, she lets slip about the chaos in her life and we all breathe a sigh of relief. argh what a rant, thanks for your post.xxx

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  6. louOctober 18, 2011 at 2:12 AM

    Funny, I made a comment over on Emily's blog about you and how calm you are in your blog. I asked her to fess up whether you are calm in real life. IN actual fact I dont care if you are or if this is just a blog persona... all I know is I love coming to your space.. I breathe deeper as a result. xx

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  7. CatherineOctober 18, 2011 at 2:12 AM

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  8. kit and nancy.October 18, 2011 at 2:15 AM

    i don't really know how to put into words how i feel about blogging. i love to share positive, inspiring snippets of my life, knowing that my readers will know that sometimes(although not shared) there will be tears, loss and jealously going on in my world. i find your blog completely charming, which is how i feel about emily and claire's too. you three beautiful mothers are giving me invaluable knowledge without really knowing it, and i am grateful for and charmed by your lovely ways. x

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  9. Cherie @ 'a baby called Max'October 18, 2011 at 2:23 AM

    Long time reader, first time commenter. And I think this is the perfect opportunity for me to comment :)

    I ab-so-lutely LOVE your blog.

    It is calm. It is {a snippet} of your real.

    And every post, I walk away happy that I've read what you have to say.

    You've never once left me with feelings of inadequacy, or jealousy, because you have the most amazing way with words.

    So, thank you for sharing them xx

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  10. joannaOctober 18, 2011 at 2:27 AM

    I love you your blog not only because it is calm and peaceful but it also reminds me what is important in life and I really like and am aligned with your parenting philosophy (the bits you share)...

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  11. MarttaOctober 18, 2011 at 2:32 AM

    I often feel inadequacy, jealousy and self doubt when I've been reading blogs (on a bad day) too. I feel intimidated and want to distance myself from reading blogs and writing my own (Not been writing for long though. Took me a long time to built up the courage.), but then I remember how much joy, entertainment, inspiration and food for thought I have gotten from reading blogs. And I do get a sense of calm reading yours. But (in a completely nice way) it is nice to know that chaos is familiar to you too. Anyway also wanted to say that there is something very magnetic about the way you write.

    Take care.

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  12. ::The Beetle Shack::October 18, 2011 at 2:36 AM

    I like every part of your life that you allow me to be part of. Both the (very infrequent) chaos and the calm, the wardrobe and the pantry, it's all good.

    Blogs are not 'real life', life is 'real life' and you live it well.

    em xo

    p.s you ARE calm (and a little bit wise).

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  13. SallyOctober 18, 2011 at 2:47 AM

    Too true.

    Life is best when it is a mixed bag.

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  14. ecoMILFOctober 18, 2011 at 2:53 AM

    took the words right out of my mouth sister. xx m.

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  15. CatherineOctober 18, 2011 at 3:21 AM

    Your blog is inspiring, welcoming and calming, it's something I enjoy reading very much. Thank you for sharing your family and your life with us. xox

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  16. kristiOctober 18, 2011 at 3:35 AM

    you girls look gorgeous in the photo. and calm. smile.

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  17. StaceyOctober 18, 2011 at 3:43 AM

    Girl. You are gold. As is this beautiful blog of your.
    The girl in the blog...LOVE.
    x

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  18. BungalowgirlOctober 18, 2011 at 4:00 AM

    I love the positivity of your blog and how much you enjoy your children, plus your man takes some pretty good photos. My blog is my gratitude journal which has helped me focus on the positives in an often difficult day raising a boy who is complicated. I like to assume that most other bloggers are doing the same. melxx

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  19. Mrs Bok - The Bok FlockOctober 18, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    I love your blog too - and I don't need you to read mine for me to enjoy yours! Reading blogs is a special pleasure although since I've found blogs I love to read, I haven't read as many books! Hrmm...

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  20. ElishevaOctober 18, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    : )

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  21. TammiOctober 18, 2011 at 4:26 AM

    I love visiting our space Jodi..you have such a beautiful way with words and I always leave feeling inspired and happy.

    x

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  22. tea with lucyOctober 18, 2011 at 4:59 AM

    i like the girl in the blog. i know i'd like the girl in real life too. xoxo

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  23. Megan.K.October 18, 2011 at 5:01 AM

    It's a brave new world, this blogging caper.
    As long as you are happy, Jodi, it needn't matter what anyone else thinks of you (online or off).

    Thank you for sharing the girl in the blog with us. She's a beautiful writer ;)

    x
    Megan

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  24. Mama of 2 boysOctober 18, 2011 at 5:26 AM

    And THIS is why I keep coming back to your blog Jodi. You simply have a way with words, a true writer and your honesty and warmth comes across.
    Of course we all withhold parts of our life from our blogs, but I certainly don't see that as being dishonest. I steer clear of many topics and don't make mention of many people on my blog. Whilst mine is also rather personal, I never get TOO personal about the people in my life or the relationships I have with them.
    As for the calm, I have no problem with the concept of the tranquil little duck on the pond, who's feet are churning away madly underneath. I get the impression that this is the norm for Mama's all over the world and it makes me feel better knowing that we've all been that duck at some point :o) xo

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  25. nicoleOctober 18, 2011 at 5:33 AM

    Hi Jodi

    I think like real life, it's totally pointless to compare. We're all human. Good days. Not so good days. Calm. Chaos. I suppose the lovely thing about blogging and "real" life is that we can share all of this - or parts of it - with other people. And that's a natural and comforting thing to do. You do it well cause your words flow so effortlessly.

    PS. don't care at all if you don't respond to this :-)

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  26. ShelleyOctober 18, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    Hi Jodi, i started reading your blog a few months back, before you had you sweet baby :) I love your blog for a lot of reasons, your writing, the beautiful photos. I guess i like to read about other mothers lives. I have a 4 yo boy too so i like to see what little Che is up to too :)

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  27. one claire dayOctober 18, 2011 at 5:45 AM

    I think most of us (bloggers) probably tend to put our best foot forward when it comes to this little online word. Of course, there's a lot more to all of us. And perhaps there's just as much to love about the chaos as there is the calm.

    beautiful post.

    x

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  28. KateOctober 18, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    This is exactly why I keep coming back.

    Love your blog, your photos, your space.

    :)

    Keep up the great work. Always remember to stay true to you. Xo.

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  29. NellOctober 18, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    A beautiful, calm post. And picture. I agree with Claire, I think we all put only some of our lives out there into the blogosphere, and that's just fine. It's important to keep some stuff just for you.

    I love your space. It's always a lovely place to be xx

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  30. DanielaOctober 18, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    I read you from Italy, I love your pictures because I love photography and to be inspired by many others in this ar.I also like your family experience, with my husband we are in a bad economic moment (there is not a good job situation here in Italy), and so reading about your simple yet beautiful life is helping me, us, to fin beauty in our sourrondings too.I like yoga too, and I like finding beauty and pecae in nature.And I am almost your age, I am 26 and my husband is 26 too :-)

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  31. TelaOctober 18, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    i love this post. and i totally agree about blogging being a story. a selective one, where you get to chose what the world sees. you do an amazing job of staying calm, even when life is full of the crazy

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  32. Brave New FionaOctober 18, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    So true Jodi. I write my blog like no one is reading it whilst writing it like everyone is reading it! Like you, it's honest but not filled with all details. I don't want to feed anyone's voyeuristic tendencies. I like your 'calm' space too but am encouraged that you too get blog guilt and the other negative emotions that being part of this blog world can do to us. You are doing well to rise above it and continue posting such life-loving posts. I read your blog for this purpose, you don't project an air of boasting or imply your life is peachy-perfect and subsequently promote self-inadequacy. Take care and carry on! xx Fi

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  33. evie dearOctober 18, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Thank you for your blog, I love it :)

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  34. BridgetOctober 18, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    I'm with you - it's never quite the whole truth and that's the way it should be. I'm loving the "giggle" at the end of the post - made me laugh ;) x

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  35. Luisa BrimbleOctober 19, 2011 at 1:37 AM

    Jodi, I don't think I experience the simplicity and beauty of your words on any other blogs. It's the reason I come back and read your blog to get some perspective. I totally agree of the feelings of inadequacy, jealousy and self-doubt, I've been feeling that every time I read (actually I lied surf) blogs after blogs every night and see that there are just trillion photographers, graphic designers and or bloggers that are just amazing at what they do. Images after images... but one thing is when I visit your blog I find myself stopping. Stop and allow myself to read what you've just written. You have a way with words that is indeed calming. So thank you for posting that magnolia tree image in your blog for I have found 'the girl in the blog'!

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  36. frecklesOctober 19, 2011 at 3:25 AM

    After discovering this beautiful space early this year you inspired me to give yoga another try. I now go to class twice a week & practice at home. It has completely changed my life & i have you to thank for that. I am hoping to concieve my first baby soon & i am passionate about natural childbirth & love reading about it here & i am hoping to attend your workshop when the time comes. Thank you for sharing your words here.

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  37. DanaOctober 19, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    lovely blog girl you are, and boy, you sure can thread words together well. by the way, i´m dana from chile and I don´t remember how I first came to your blog, but I keep coming for the beauty of the words and images, inspiring to say the least.

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  38. GabyOctober 19, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    great post as always jodi! i just met someone through my blog for the very first time and it was a pretty surreal/awesome experience. xx

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  39. MaxabellaOctober 20, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    I love your calmness. That's why I read so regularly.

    I have never, not once been approached as that 'girl in the blog'. I have only ever published photos of myself once, though. So maybe that's it (or maybe not many read my blog!) x

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  40. Steph DOctober 24, 2011 at 12:08 PM

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  41. StephanieOctober 24, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    I can't remember how I found you but I'm so glad I did. I adore your words.
    Blogging can be heart opening and guilt inducing. It can bring up feelings of such joy and connection and also the uncomfortable "not enough" feelings.
    I can relate. I am so glad you share your voice. I know I am better for it. XO
    ~Stephanie from just south of Boston,MA USA

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  42. innerpickleOctober 25, 2011 at 1:43 AM

    That is a spectacular photo.

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