Hello and Happy Thanksgiving, sweet friends!
Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday- that's one of the reasons why Trav and I got married in November😍
I love the food.
I love being with family.
I love having seconds of the food (I said I loved the food! LOL!).
I remember looking through the newspaper for the Black Friday ads and planning my shopping spree for the next day- oh how fun the good ol' days were!
Thanksgiving is also my FAVORITE holiday because I have so much to be thankful for--- my life, my husband, my marriage, my dog, my church, my friends... I have loads to be thankful for.
Another thing I'm thankful for is YOU! This card is for YOU!
And while I'm thankful for YOU.... I still struggle😞
Recently I've been pretty down. I have struggled to find the joy in creating because it's no longer about just creating... it's about social media.
For the past seven years [possibly more] I've struggled with my blog and social media. I hate how it's changed over the years. It used to be fun writing blog posts, adding all the details and sharing your heart for creating or sharing more about your life. Social media was a way to connect with other crafters and friends. It was real (or at least that was how I shared my stuff).
Now... everything is based on likes, comments, or shares that you have. It's all about an algorithm.
I started a hashtag #washeduphasbeencrafter and #washeduphasbeen because I'm washed up; I'm a has been. I'm no longer seen because I don't fit the algorithm.
I struggle to get my creations seen. I struggle to create "trending" reels or posts. I struggle to keep my views up and this jeopardizes the design teams that I am currently on. How can I possibly keep a job on a team if I get ONE "like" per creation? How could a company want me on a team if no one sees my project or buys from the link I share (which I also hate- I hate those affiliate links! I don't think companies should have to pay us for how many clicks we get on a link... maybe it's because I don't get any clicks... but either way- I've never liked these affiliate programs!)?
Social media and all the demands of "likes"/etc. have caused me to question and not be thankful. It's easier to see the negative than the blessings. I see a small number of "likes" or comments... but it is a blessing that even ONE person would want to leave a comment or share my projects!
I see the threat of being fired from my teams... but it's been a true blessing to be considered a part of a team and work with companies for over 10 years.
I see how low I get when I compare myself on social media... but I need to remind myself that I create for the joy of it... for the smile that is found on recipients' faces when they open an envelope to find a handmade card... for the gift of giving cards... I need to remind myself that I am a child of God- loved, creative, gifted, blessed.
I'm thankful for YOU because you continue to show up despite my blogging breaks... despite my "likes" or trending posts... YOU continue to love, encourage, and support me despite social media algorithms.
(sigh)
Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday--- I'm thankful, truly I am. I'm just struggling a bit this year (and for several years). THANKS for everything!
I guess that's it for me today. Thanks for listening to my rant and reflection.
THANKS so much for stopping by! MORE to come 💌
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