I started this little space on the internet in 2015 as a way to share my journey towards living more simply. From there, it grew into a business that helps people declutter and simplify their lives.
It has taught me so much about myself and the internet world. It’s expanded my horizons much farther than I have ever traveled and I will always be grateful for the years I spent nurturing this community and website.
It’s been nine months since my last blog post, and to be honest, I was actually shocked that I was okay with that. I felt a huge sense of peace wash over me to know that I had taken such a long break to explore new endeavors.
If you’re not on my email list, this may come as a shock to you, but my blog business sent me into a deep burnout that I’m still struggling with today. I’m not as exhausted, but the patterns leading into it are part of my daily struggles.
To be honest, right when I needed to say, “goodbye,” I did what many passionate entrepreneurs do. I took on a huge project that included several brand collaborations that I had to see through. [super smart, I know…]
But the great thing is that through doing that, once my commitments were complete, I actually took a step back, figured out why I felt so disconnected from my work, and did something about it.
My blog business gave me so many skills, including email marketing, that are helping me build the most fulfilling business I’ve ever had, but more on that in a little bit.
I’m so grateful for this experience, but I’m also happy to finally complete this chapter in my life, even if it took me nine months after my last blog post to do it.
While this post is to share with you that I’m no longer publishing content, I do want to share with you some valuable lessons that I’ve learned that I know may help you, too.
Before I get into the lessons, I do want to say a huge THANK YOU to every one that has supported me and this blog over the years. I would have never been able to do and learn all the things that I have without you! I really do mean it. Thank you!
[keep reading past the lessons to see what I’m up to now]
Lesson #1 – Trust yourself
When you feel your gut tell you that it is time to make a change, lean into it. Trust it.
I thought if I kept trying and forcing myself to do all-the-right-things and things would change. But that is literally the definition of insanity.
Things didn’t change, including my gut telling me to stop.
Lesson #2 – Letting go is hard, but peaceful
When you feel tormented by a decision, it is likely due to fear of the unknown or disappointing people in your life. I know I wouldn’t let go because of the people who read my blog posts.
I knew it was time to let go and I couldn’t bring myself to it.
However, when I finally surrendered and trusted God with my next step, a HUGE wave of peace swept over me and I started to heal.
Lesson #3 – Lead by internal direction, not external
As a recovering people-pleaser, I’ve learned the hard way that in order to live out all that God has for us, we cannot allow other people to dictate how we navigate life.
It’s hard to let people down and disappoint their expectations of us, but at the end of the day, it’s their expectations, not our own.
Yes, disappointment happens. Yes, feelings get hurt. But I promise that was never the intention for this decision. I think that is why it took me so long to decide to publish this post.
I’ve seen too many people just walk away and leave people wondering what happened, and I don’t want that for you. I want you to know that I finally leaned into my internal direction and decided to change my life.
Lesson #4 – Nothing changes unless you change
This is going to be some tough love, but I need to say it.
If you have been feeding excuse after excuse to people for your life being stagnant, it is because you refuse to get out of your way and change.
An excuse is simply allowing fear to rule your life because staying the same is more comfortable.
If you’re comfortable with where you are, that’s great. But if you want to change and haven’t because it is uncomfortable, you have got to let go of the excuses and do something about it. Take action!
Growth isn’t comfortable, but that’s okay. Grow it anyway.
This blog is full of valuable action-based resources for you to take action, so utilize it!
That’s really all I have to share. I could talk forever about this decision, but the simplest way to say it is that my time here is complete.
For now, everything will remain for you to be able to utilize in your simple living journey. Be sure to check out the totally free, no-access granting needed Resource Library for all the bonus pieces to several blog posts, as well as some challenges and other fun things.
>> check out the totally free, no-access granting needed Resource Library <<
So what now? What’s next?
For now, I am focusing on building my new business, Erin Tannehill LLC, as a Flodesk Email Marketing Specialist helping mompreneurs make money while spending time with family.
You see, I believe that we all have too much on our plates, so I want to focus my business around helping women – moms in particular – work less and have a little more life/work balance.
I am enjoying it a lot and really love my clients! It honestly feels like the piece I’ve been missing for far too long.
If you’ve been looking for help with your email marketing, please be sure to check out my website. I currently have a couple of openings and would love to help you!
Final Thoughts
It’s never easy to change paths, but sometimes it is necessary to make your dreams come true. My hope is that if you’ve felt the pull to do something different you’ll take action on it right here, right now!
I promise it is not worth it to hold yourself back from all that God has to offer you. Step out into faith and allow Him to guide you.
I want to finish this off with a scripture:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV
Erin, I have read your blog for probably close to as long as you have had it. And as I think you may already know, I moved to Missouri in June of 2020. All change is hard at times. Our first year went pretty well, although we put up with hot water and mold problems that I know now we should not have. In July of 2021, my son and I made the mistake of taking on jobs that were not clearly defined in terms of pay or hours or what was expected. It was like living as slaves and not being able to run away because you had no place to go. Finally, in September of 2021 afte 3 months of living hell on earth, we found a way to get out of our lease. We lost about 7 thousand dollars of rent money that we were owed and deposit money and moving was very hard. We had no furniture because the place we first rented was furnished. We had dishes and pots and pans and some books and crates and our personal belongings like clothes etc. First we were told we had to be out by the 30 th but on the 27th we were told we had to be out by midnight. I lost 1/3 of the remaining items I had (some irreplaceable). My son got some unexpected money from his school and comined with my social security and alimony we managed to buy a few furniture basics and get a decent place to live. The Lord goes before you and He does have good plans for all of us; better than we could ever imagine. By Christmas we had the necessities… I had a part-time job and we had our first Merry Christmas in a long time (despite having mild cases of Covid and no money… we had fettucine alfredo, italian beans and brownies for Christmas Dinner)… but we learned so much and are also learning how to wait on the Lord and let Him help us decide what we really need in our lives. We are continuing to declutter as we had been doing since before the move in June of 2020… because hard times often show you what is really valuable and/meaningful. My youngest son will graduate from trade school soon and has a job lined up. My oldest son graduated from college in SC and found a job and is living and working there for the time being. God has plans for all of us. It is hard to deal with the expectations of others at times… but I live for an audience of One… and He is the only one who matters in terms of expectations. He is gracious and loving and forgiving… and He is always there for us. I know you know that. I pray for His blessing on you and your husband and your new work that you have been led to. I am still saving for our own little farm in the country somewhere and in another year… I hope to be living there !!!
I have truly enjoyed this time with you and have learned and put to use some very important lessons.
I’m going through some really hard things with my husbands illness, just dealing with issues.
I’m thinking of backing away from social media. I feel like a God is telling me this.
Will be watching and keeping up with your goals. Wishing you blessings as you grow. May God Bless!