In a recent conversation with friends, David and I remarked that part of what made our time in London special was that our only obligations were to each other. Even though we regretted missing weddings, birthdays and other gatherings, it did allow us to design our own weekends in whatever way we wanted. We could choose to take a weekend trip, or more often than not, we could enjoy a nice meal, walk around Chelsea and spend time reading/internet-wandering/blogging.
Which brings me in a round-about way to my point. This blog.
I generally knew keeping up with this blog would be a lot harder once we returned. Maybe I’m just missing the extra hour of daylight in London’s summer evenings – or I’m distracted by the bottomless amount of “Say Yes to the Dress” marathons – but my free time seems less and less free for blogging.
Perhaps my irregularity is a sign I am missing a little inspiration. What does a former expat blogger write about after re-expatriating? I’ve been flirting with the idea of starting a new blog since I’m no longer Jumping the Pond with any regularity. I certainly don’t want to live in a space where I’m constantly making comparisons between then and now as what I have always wanted from this blog is to provide an honest, thoughtful catalogue of daily life.
My new writing chair, perhaps?
So, I want to keep blogging, but with new direction. Before I jump head first and buy a new domain, I’m going to give it a whirl to keep up this blog, writing about our adjustment back in our affectionately named “old-new condo”, the pros and cons of working from home, and whatever other adventures are on our horizon. What do you want to read about? My progress through physical therapy for my hip? More about my relationship – past and present? My quest to maintain a healthy outlook in the light of US-sized portions and temptations? Our attempts at home design? What’s this blogger to blog about?
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Your query sounds not dissimilar to how I felt after probably year 2 of Bloody Brilliant: expat life was turning into regular life and there weren’t many visa/accent/redtape/different type of life things to blog about. It was just becoming my real life and I felt like no one would want to read about that sort of thing. Plus, other bloggers who were newer to England were going through all of the same things I had, but writing about them from a different perspective. So I suppose I just started blogging about things I liked and using my blog as a way to work out how I felt about things in my life. Maybe you can do the same? Maybe just use Jumped the Pond to be a vehicle for exploring all the things you think about and then never record? I dont think it has to be only one thing – it should be everything you find interesting and unique to you. Good luck defining (not finding, it’s too passive) your blogging niche! x
I think this is a huge dilemma for anyone who was once an expat and then repatriates and wants to keep blogging. I know it happened to me, and then when I added in having kids it seemed to start focusing on them, even though I don’t want it to be a baby/mom blog. It is tough. I finally decided I just have to write about what I want to write about, if people want to read it then that is a bonus :) I still compare stuff to London from time to time but try not to do it too much!
UVa sports? (Just kidding.)
Only if you are ready to start doing a lot more guest posts!
I totally agree with Danielle and Andrea – I do hope you keep blogging! It’s such a wonderful window to all that you’re willing to share. Besides, “jumping the pond” can mean much more than just moving to England!