Last week something amazing happened...Y'all know by now, I'm one who truly believes things happen in life for exact reasons & that timing is everything...


Take Happy Soul Project...


I honestly have poured my heart into this little thing...I've tried to capture exactly what I've felt so that you get a real & genuine look into my life...The good, bad, sad, frustrating & absolutely brilliant days, moments & pieces of what makes it mine...



And in doing so, in sharing it ALL, it comes at a price...Lately I've been feeling a lot of "Blog Guilt"- Not sure if this is even a real thing but here's what my twisted little mind has been thinking:


Not Good Enough- There is so much bloody talent out there...Sometimes I get right gutted that Happy Soul Project doesn't even come close to all the amazing blogs I find...Writers who already have books published, designers who create blog masterpieces....Business orientated folk who have sponsors, advertisers & such...Bloggers who HELP people by teaching them how to make something or give DIY advice...

Sometimes I get swept up in the beauty of all the other blogs that I feel Happy Soul Project doesn't measure up...I need to realize that it's okay...That it will never become that blog that post tutorials, does Oil of Olay giveaways or teaches y'all things like how to properly curl your hair or tint mason jars...



Not Doing Enough- I really don't know how some bloggers do it...They post all the time, enter contest, do giveaways, are part of networks, run online shops, etc....So the guilt comes when I feel like as a blogger I am not doing enough- I'm not getting Happy Soul Project out there like I should- It's not successful enough because of this or that...

Reality is I don't have the time right now to commit like others do...Period-I'm lucky if I can get 1-2 post out a week & I thank Sweet Jesus for my phone because that's the only possible way I am able to take & post pictures like I do...Maybe one day I will have the time it takes to make this thing what it can be but for now I need to realize I don't have the manpower- And that's okay..I need to let go of that & just let it be...




And lastly at times I get "blog guilt" about sharing too/so much...Obviously there is parts of our lives you don't, nor ever will see but those parts I do share, I share honestly...So regardless what I'm feeling whether that be frustrated, mad or jealous, I pour it all out there- And sometimes I feel it isn't really fair to my little family & how it effects them...



Not sure if other bloggers/writers have these feelings? Hoping they do, so it's not just me...But while I was in a bubble of "blog guilt" & pondering why I write & what Happy Soul Project really means to me, I got a message...A perfectly timed message that reminded me why I do this...



Someone {I would still like whomever it was to come forth so I can give ya a big smooch} nominated Happy Soul Project in Circle of Moms, Top 25 Canadian Blogs...



Just the nomination alone was humbling & I was honoured to be among such talented writers...But then the votes started pouring in & my wee little blog started to fly & then soar...



Within a day or two Happy Soul Project was in FIRST PLACE...The amazing support out there blew me away...Friends, strangers, even other writers all sent messages that made me realize why Happy Soul Project is indeed important & why I write...



I write because it's in me...Creatively it's something I feel I need to do...


I write because I want my children to know me...What I was thinking when they were little, who I was, what we did- This in essence is their "baby book" filled with letters, photos, memories & our lives together.




I write because although I'm not helping you or your home look better I may in some strange form or another be helping you to look at the world a wee bit differently...I realize both Pip & Noal make people smile & you don't know how happy it makes me to get a message that they helped someone who was having a bad day or hard time...But it's when I get messages from others that really needed some hope in their lives & found a wee bit of that in Happy Soul Project that really gives this thing purpose...



And If I'm being honest - I write because I'm selfish...I want to write a book, desperately...And blogging sometimes opens doors..And winning this contest will hopefully open more...


There is still a week left of the competition & I don't want to get my hopes up but regardless the outcome the support & love out there has been overwhelming...All that being said I am very thankful- Thankful the timing of this nomination...Thankful for all the love & support out there...And thankful for each & every message from someone giving Happy Soul Project purpose...


If anything getting nominated has taught me to stop beating myself up about what Happy Soul Project isn't & start celebrating what it is...