It’s the heat, it’s the boys, it’s work…
It’s lack of discipline, it’s lack of motivation, it’s lack of sleep…
It’s sad, it’s too bad, it’s true nonetheless…
It’s writer’s block.
Posts will be fewer in the coming weeks. I’m sorry.
It’ll pass…
It’s the heat, it’s the boys, it’s work…
It’s lack of discipline, it’s lack of motivation, it’s lack of sleep…
It’s sad, it’s too bad, it’s true nonetheless…
It’s writer’s block.
Posts will be fewer in the coming weeks. I’m sorry.
It’ll pass…
Contact me: olfactoria at gmail dot com or use the form on the contact page
It is lack of cookies.
Of course it is!!! I need cookies asap! (When are you coming to Vienna?) π
Dear Birgit,
It’s a hobby, it’s not a job. If it doesn’t bring you joy and requires to force yourself to do anything – don’t do it. We’ll be here whenever you feel like writing. Or posting pictures. Or… you’ll figure it out.
Enjoy the summer, enjoy your boys, get as much sleep as you need!
Thank you. xoxoxox
Undina said it perfectly. Thanks for all the enjoyment you provide every day; now relax and enjoy the summer and your family. Fragrant hugs π
Fragrant hugs back, my dear!
I agree with Undina in every word!
Have a wonderful summer and give you boys a hug from a virtual friend!
Cheers
Safran
So lovely, thank you! The boys say Hi! π
I agree with Undina 100%! Writer’s block is tough. I feel like we all go through it at some point and everyone understands when we do. Nothing wrong with resting, relaxing, and recharging your batteries! We will be here when you get back!
Thank you, Daisy.
I’m enjoying the lack of pressure right now. (It is creeping back stealthily of course, but I am relaxing (a bit) ). π
I know that passageway π
It will pass and we love you anyway !!!
β€
Enjoy your summer with the family! summer is always a time to slow down and relax. I am really looking forward to not lugging Little One to KG and back. Can’t wait until this week is over!
The week will be over soon! π
Thanks, S, I’ll try to just relax and not fret…
It’s life in all it’s fullness. And the fullness of time will return your words to the world.
How beautiful, thank you, Jordan!
I agree with Undina. Take some time and enjoy your summer with your boys. Hope you get the rest you need. When inspiration comes again, we’ll be here to read your lovely blog. x x
That is very good to hear. Thank you!
oooh, don’t call it writer’s block, call it “off blogging duty” or “holiday from blogging”. the nose needs some rest, and the brain needs fresh input and a relaxation π enjoy the great and unexpected summer days we are given!
I will! Thanks. π
I used to have a fragrance blog (In Swedish, “A Commenced Gross”) and when that blog started to become popular and got some media recognition, I found that my joy of writing just disappeared. For some reason, when I knew people were following it closely, that writer’s block appeared more easily. When I was clueless about it, I never thought twice about it and kept on writing.
Relax and take it easy. I hope you’ll have a great summer!
Maybe it is something similar, maybe just a phase…
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Enjoy the summer with your family, dear B. Everyone else is slowing down too so please don’t worry. No one finds it easy to express themselves under the circumstances you’ve outlined above, so take the pressure off. We’ve all been there!
Gorgeous pic.
Thank you, my dear friend!
I agree with everything Undina said, too. No pressure from us lot – enjoy the summer and your boys, try not to pressure yourself, and we’ll be here when you feel like blogging again! Only do it when you feel like doing it! x
Thank you, Lindy Mop. I will take your words to heart.
It’s summer. Go out and have some fun. The perfume samples will be there when you get back. Go eat some good meals, take some pictures, enjoy yourself. It’ll be cold soon enough. As others have said, well be here to read whenever you feel like writing.
You are right, time is flying anyway, better enjoy it and seize the day!
Thanks!
Enjoy some free time with your gorgeous boys! And just write when the mood takes you! It will happen!
Jane x
It will eventually! Thank you! π
We’ve all been there…I have been there a lot lately. Instead I am just enjoying the summer. : ) Very cute photo!
That is very reassuring, thank you!!!
Just can second that. And you know my mantra: Stay Grounded. π
That’s a very good mantra!
Too true. There’s a reason you folks in Europe take a month off every year. Several reasons. Sometimes you need to change it up. Recharge the internal batteries, so to speak.
We have it good over here, I couldn’t survive with only 10 vacation days a year… Thanks for reminding me to see the bright side, it doesn’t come naturally…
It must be hard to keep blogging, in addition to every other aspect of your life!
We love to read you and will be back when you are.
Thank you very much, jackie b!
I agree with all of the above comments. I think of your words as a gift that is always a surprise in it’s generosity. I have never expected any regularity or time schedule. When it appears, I revel in reading your words, no expectations. I think what Martin said about popularity and expectations and pressure, is probably true.
Heck Girl, It’s SUMMERTIME!!!!!!! Your kids are out of school, you aren’t stuck inside cause of snow, there is so much fun stuff to do!! So have a blast, kick up your heels, play with the boys and never for one second feel bad about not writing for us. Love to you and yours!!!
Oh, how beautifully you said that, thanks Tora! I’ll treasure your words.
You need…… ice cream, long cool drinks, to sit and read a book under a tree, evening walks, pampering ….. anything but blogging, for just a little while! Have a good summer.
I’m all for that! π
Thank you!
That’s a good picture of your boys. Stay cool; get some rest; enjoy Summer. When you are ready to write again, we’ll be here. Lots of love.
Thank you, dear Jim. Lots of love right back atcha! π
π
It’s a lovely picture of a lovely life. Enjoy and find your hidden beauty. Certainly you reveal found beauty to your readers in your posts. I expect we will be the beneficiaries of your respite.
What a lovely comment, many thanks, dear Mridula!
I saw the temperature in Vienna today actually…..
Blogging all the time is spiritually exhausting.
It is hot indeed. π
I know you understand, Neil. Thanks.
Go have some fun and I agree with the first poster, eat some cookies!!!
π
As soon as that first poster bakes me some! (Her cookies are seriously addictive, her screen name is no joke!)
Take some well deserved rest and time with your beautiful family. Writing about perfume should be, above all, pleasurable. We are happy to read you, whether you post every day or once a month.
xoxo
Caro
It should indeed and every perfume deserves me full attention. So I’ll be back with reviews ince I can give that attention again.
Thanks dear Caro!
It sounds a little like the blues, if you’ll forgive me for saying so and being presumptuous. It’s just that I’ve been there and, often, it’s from exhaustion (especially mental fatigue) but sometimes, it’s just…. *there.* You can’t put your finger on it, and it almost makes it seem worse and heavier in a way as a result. I end up judging myself, if that makes any sense. To fix it, I usually retreat into a cocoon of all my favorite, comforting, small things, especially things that can be a little bit escapist. It often helps.
I hope something similar will help you because it’s no fun at all. I know you love to read, so perhaps a few more frivolously light, fun books can work some of their magic? Either way, putting expectations on yourself is often the worse thing you can do, so I’m glad you’re taking some time to recharge. I think the most important thing is to be kind to yourself and to give yourself a break. It’s actually a LOT harder than it seems — or, at least, it is for me. I hope none of this was too presumptuous as it was not my intent. If I’m off base with any of this, please accept my apologies. I truly hope you feel better soon.
No need to apologize, thank you for your kind thoughts, Kafka.
A little escapism is just what I need…
When I am there (and I was not once) I log off and take a break from the family about half a day, and then I am going to a place with no expectations and do just nothing. Works wonders for me. Maybe worth a try.
Sounds like a very good idea! Thank you Vanessa!
It will pass. In the meantime get your mind off of it, go jewelry shopping!
Holly Golightly: You know those days when you get the mean reds?
Paul Varjak: The mean reds, you mean like the blues?
Holly Golightly: No. The blues are because you’re getting fat and maybe it’s been raining too long, you’re just sad that’s all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you’re afraid and you don’t know what you’re afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?
Paul Varjak: Sure.
Holly Golightly: Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany’s. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that’d make me feel like Tiffany’s, then – then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name!
Hugs and lots of love
Lanier
Perfect. Perfect. Thank you, dear Lanier!
I know your boys are lovely but I have to repeat it each time I see their pictures. They are just too cute for words. π
I can relate to your state. I can’t wait for the end of the month and my vacation, it’s the highlight of the whole year.
(plus, Asali is coming for a visit!) π
I should start giving the boys treats for every compliment they receive, just like Undina does with Rusty! π
Asali is coming? How great! I wish you two a great time and hope to hear all about it!
Not long until it’s August… π
I think they might start living on sweets then. I’m sure they get complimented a lot. π
Yes, she’s coming. π I can’t wait!
I’m hoping she’ll take some photos (she did promise after all)….
You’ll have a great time, I wish I could make a quick trip down south to join you two!
Hi B,
The ever wise Undina put it so well higher up the comments, and as the long trail of good wishes tells you, everyone wants you to do what you feel like doing when the muse strikes you, and not ever to feel stressed or obligated. Enjoy the weather, and time off with the kids. I am trying to practise what I preach, though I do worry I am not blogging enough myself, haha! This is due to a constant pipeline of jobs which I should be glad of really, as I need the money to support my burgeoning paint habit, but I do understand how you feel. All bloggers should unite and stop feeling they are on a gravy train of posting, or a fixed schedule. It is a hobby, as Undina says. π
PS xxxx
xxxxx right back! π
Hammock, now! π
Park bench! π
Very true, dear V. But it’s hard to escape the feeling of duty…
I’m glad you get so much work now, every new project you get has the potential to bring you on the road again and I adore your travelogues.
It is great to be earning again after such a dearth of work last year. And even though my projects seem to have switched to the phone, it is true that the money they generate could fund more travel, like the recent Paris trip. I do have Klopeiner See firmly in my sights for a return visit one day – I loved my hotel on the lake shore, mit Blick. Just hold the bendy clogs!
So many people are taking it slow right now, including me, it must be something in the water…or sunspots?? No worries, you’ve been so prolific lately, lots of great posts. I was feeling the guilts for not getting more work done, more speedily, when the Universe broke both my computer and my camera! And you know, I had a lovely week, and I took it as a sign to slow down before the onslaught of autumn and a new school year. Take time to percolate!
Thank you, dear Marla, I will!
Great to hear you’ve had a good week, sometimes a break from all that technology is bliss! π
Slightly off-topic but possibly related, there was an excellent – and rather scary – blog post on Facebook and Twitter rewiring our brains, and how they make us hooked on dopamine, ruin our attention spans, potentially even compromising our real life relationships and all sorts. I could relate to a rather worrying amount of it, it must be said, and how that kind of information overload in cyberspace may contribute to feelings of mild anxiety – I know it does with me, and I have all but withdrawn from Twitter for that very reason.
http://davidrainoshek.com/2013/06/how-facebook-fb-is-altering-your-mind-2/
How lovely it would be to meet there one day – in a hammock mit Seeblick!
That is indeed scary. Scary enough for me to take a goodish break from FB and Twitter. Thanks for sharing that (and yes, I’m aware of the irony here).
Birgit, I know that feeling – and I have to laugh at myself, because I feel like it’s a chronic condition that each week leaves me wondering, “Can I really keep this going? Will this be the last time I blog? I’m all out of ideas!” But the perfume blogging community is such a lovely place to be (most days) that I think about my friendships and it motivates me to keep on keeping on, albeit at a snail’s pace.
Enjoy your summer and take Undina’s wise words to heart. Whether you post often or not, we’ll be here for you. You’ve made this an absolutely charming and friendly place to be, and I personally have found your blog all the more interesting and intimate over the past six months. As much as I love perfume, I actually tire of reading about it sometimes. I want to be reeled in by the wider world, as well as by people’s other more intimate loves and experiences. Your blog does that for me. β€ β€
Oh, Suzanne, you have no idea how much this comment helps me. To hear that you have similar feelings on the one hand, and to hear that a wider scope is interesting for you is very reassuring. Thank you, my dear friend.
xoxox
Birgit, i don’t know everyone here on this board very well,but what i have read so far is pretty awsome to me. I am so challenged to branch out of my comfort zone and spread my wings a bit. See what you and the others here have done in such a short time reading this blog! I have alot of reading to catch-up on. You on the other hand need that break, we are all on our own journey. Your doing what your sappose to do-take a break when you need it!
Thank you, Patricia!
I’m glad you enjoy reading through the archives.
It is indeed an awesome community here, I’m so grateful to be part of it.
B! You brought so much joy and new perspectives in my/our lives through your whimsical and fresh reviews! Your audience and fans will certainly be there whenever you feel to write again, till then take a rest, breath, enjoy whatever seems enjoyable for yourself, and treat yourself like you would treat and advise your best friend!
Dear G, thank you for your lovely words. I really appreciate them. xo