There I was, working on my annual outfit round up collage post for this past year. Scrolling through archives, copying, pasting, reflecting… and then I stopped. I just couldn’t finish it. It’s not that nothing interesting has happened on the blog this year. On the contrary: this year  I’ve had wonderful opportunities to travel, going to New York for Fashion Week and again for Harper’s Bazaar’s Fabulous for Every Age contest, and visiting the UK on whirlwind trip with some of my favourite blogger friends. I worked with some amazing companies, stretched out of my comfort zone many times, and received opportunities that I wouldn’t have even dared dreamed of a year ago. That has all been so incredible, and for all of it I am so thankful.

But this year my life has also profoundly changed in just about every single way outside of the blog, and I can’t lie: it’s transformed my perspectives on this little space here on the internet. Sometimes, as I scroll through my instagram feed, as visually beautiful as everything is on the surface… it just doesn’t seem to align with the rest of my life right now. And to tell you the truth, my heart hasn’t really been in the content that I’ve been putting out this year, because quite honestly… my priorities have been shifting. I’ve felt this tension inside me for many months now and never had the courage to share about it (or even write it out to myself, for that matter). But since the end of the year encourages introspection and reflection, it seemed like the perfect time to do so.

So, what does that mean and where do we go from here? Joyfully, I say that right now I am not so sure. But I do want to keep you posted. This year, I want to be intentional, honest, and purposeful about what goes on this space: no more posting for the sake of posting just to keep up with a blog schedule. I’m not going dark; I will still be putting out content when it fits, but I wanted to let you know where I am at. And right now it is to step back, re-evaluate and be open to where God leads.

If you want to find out more about what has happened this year, send me an email and I will be happy to share with you!

14 comments on “2013: Where My Heart Is

  1. Life is all about growing and changing…and quite often, that’s not all that easy to do. I wish you nothing but the best, wherever the future takes you!! Happy New Year, Jen!!

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com

  2. I just wanted to say that I am proud of you being honest with yourself about what you want out of the whole blogging experience. Sometimes we get caught up in what we think others want, or just churning out content.

    The truth is just like everything else, our blogging selves (or what we want to share in this space) will evolve over time and to be honest enough with ourselves to explore that is amazing.

    I wish you a wonderful 2014. You have a lovely blog and I hope to see more of your gorgeous photos and content, but in a way that fulfills you ;)

  3. That is what is all about sometimes, stepping back and reflecting on ourselves and our life.

    As a fellow blogger I can truly identify with keeping the personal things to ourselves, but part of the beauty of blogging is allowing those who follow us to truly get to know who we really are. Sometimes it’s the “putting it out there” that makes us realize how lucky we are to have such a great audience.

    Whatever you decide Jen, you truly are appreciated!

  4. Love this lady! I feel what you are writing. I can’t wait to see what your blog brings! Happy New Year!!
    <3 Kastles

  5. so so happy to hear you are following what’s really in your heart, jen! it’s hard to be so vulnerable… i always wish you nothing but happiness! x

  6. Be true to yourself and listen to that still small voice inside your heart, that’s God talking to you. I’ve love reading your blog and I see a girl who is trying to be true to herself, which makes me keep reading. If that means a change in how you blog or ceasing blogging all together, It’s OK, God has His hand on your life… God bless.

  7. As a follower of your blog and instagram, I could tell that this past year, something was a little off. And that isn’t a bad thing at all. Sometimes you love something and then sometimes when it stops being fun, then you know it’s time to start anew. As our careers change, as the people in our lives change… and in my case, blogging about fashion didn’t seem as fulfilling as it once was. I will always have an interest in fashion and look good studying it, but it doesn’t always have to be blogged about or shared with the world.

  8. I am a new reader to your blog, and I will be sad with the decrease in content but am so pleased that you are speaking your heart! I think too many bloggers post just to post. I love the way you layer clothing and have had some great outfit insporation! Will be checking back! Hope 2014 is going well this far!

  9. I nominated you for the Leibster Award. Find out more here: http://www.thedarlingdreamer.com/2014/01/leibster-award/

    You look beautiful in the picture above!

  10. Jen Tam, I say’Good for you!’- Introspection in one so young is rather startling but so edifying. We all need, in my opinion, time for meditation-time to think about what is important and what is superficial in our lives. How can one possibly live the best possible life without checking signposts along the way and see if we are living up to our ideals, whatever they may be. I look forward to reading your Blog-whenever that is.

  11. Pingback: Buy Less, Choose Well | Her Waise Choice

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