Photo from Mount Royal, Frisco, Colorado.

"That is happiness; to be disolved into something complete and great. When it comes to one, it comes as naturally as sleep." - Willa Cather

Sunday 8 March 2009

taking a break

I started this blog because I wanted to write about being in love. About life turning completely upside down because of a love so strong that nothing else mattered.

I wanted readers to see that they shouldn't be afraid of letting go of everything "safe" in their life. Because of SR, I went from a lonely person in a marriage that shouldn't have happened to a happy person with bright eyes and optimism. I experienced running, camping and nature with a soul mate in many beautiful landscapes in the US. I left my residency program in a state far away so I could live with SR and give birth to and raise our child in happy and loving conditions. I became a step mom which has humbled me and brought a wonderful type of love into my life that few get to experience.

I also wrote about my pregnancy experience. I believe that many of the lay beliefs about what is healthy for women in pregnancy are dangerous and outdated. Women should exercise during pregnancy, they shouldn't gain too much weight, they should be sure to eat enough fish to prevent premature birth, and when the baby is born, they should breastfeed if possible.

This is my blog, it's not a newspaper. It's personal stories and personal beliefs. I want people to be able to read it and draw their own conclusions. I appreciate all of the comments people have made.

But now there is another task at hand. We live in a new country and have new jobs and are far away from two kids we love. It's harder than we thought. My task now is do everything I can to keep this a loving and happy family. And that starts with taking time to show my husband I love him. The whole reason I started this blog in the first place.

So, I'm taking a break from the blog. The stress it is starting to create in my life is not worth it. It takes too much out of me. It is emotionally exhausting sometimes to write an honest blog about my life and include suggestions and stories that I think will benefit my readers and then have to deal with so many negative and accusatory comments in return.

I hope you have enjoyed the blog. And if it has affected some peoples' lives in a positive way, then it's all been worth it.

8 comments:

Olga said...

Mow your email makes more sense too:) Enjoy real life, and so will I!

Danni said...

You're dead to me now SLG!

j/k but I'm bummed you won't be blogging. Seems like a very reasonable decision tho.

green light said...

I know I worded my comments harshly (hey, I'm a New Yorker, blunt is how we roll), but it comes from a place of genuine concern. I hope that taking yourself out of the public helps you, if that's what's happening.

I worry for you. I spent most of my 20s as an expatriate, including in cultures where the native language was a second one to me, and it's really hard. Even if you've got every reason to be happy and are surrounded by people you love, it's still lonely and isolating, especially in the beginning. To me the return of your weight obsession seems so clearly linked to needing control over your life during a difficult time. I do worry if you end the blog, that you'll lose an outlet, and will only end up deeper in your own destructive tendencies. You're a talented athlete, and a committed mom who has been brave enough to be honest about posting about your challenges. That takes guts. I hope you also have enough guts to reach out and turn your eating disorder around. Paula Radcliffe does not subsist on oatmeal and gum. Good luck to you.

Anonymous said...

Sea Legs, I'm glad you are focusing on yourself and doing what's right for you. You took a lot of thoughtless comments (including many couched in a false language of "concern"), and responded to them all with grace and logic. In additional to taking courage, this also probably took a lot out of you. I would have folded a long time ago!

I was one of the women runners who were helped by your blog, am subsequently having a healthy and low-weight gain pregnancy, and I wish you the best. Your blog did help others.

sea legs girl said...

Thanks for all of your thoughtful comments. Our plan right now is that SR and I start a blog together about ultras and triathlons in Denmark. I'll let you know if/when it starts.

SteveQ said...

I decided to stop blogging and the decision lasted only a week; I'm hoping your decision's the same - the hint of a new blog with SR is enticing.

Hope the break's exactly as long as you need it to be.

Michelle said...

Well, SLG, if you decide to blog again, you could always turn the comments off. I did that with my blog a while ago, although I eventually turned them back on. But I don't blog much anymore, as I've found that it became a chore when it felt like I had to update every day.

Hope a break is what you need. I do think that the people who voice their opinions do have concern for you. Sometimes it's hard to come up with the right words without coming across as harsh.

Take care. I'll miss getting new pics of the Bois!

Ingrid said...

SLG, I'll miss reading your posts and seeing your family updates. I hope that you and SR decide to start the new blog. I look forward to reading it!