Dear lovely readers…when I began my gardening blog over three years ago, I set myself three rules for it. I’d not pretend to know something I didn’t. I’d share the disasters as well as the triumphs. And if the blog was to share my joy of gardening then writing the blog had to feel a joy too.
Well, since January, as I’ve sat down to write my blog on a Sunday morning, I’ve struggled. Not because I don’t love gardening any more, or haven’t got plenty of disasters (and the odd triumph) to share, but because I’ve lacked inspiration. I felt I ought to write the blog, rather than wanted to. I’ve fallen foul of rule number 3. It’s felt like a job rather than a joy. As a result, as you will have noticed I’ve not blogged lately. I think the problem has been that with lots of other stuff going on at the moment my heart just isn’t in it.
So I’m going to take a break. I’m not sure for how long. I’ll hope to come back in a month or so but I don’t want to make a promise and not keep it. So please treat this as a farewell for now. If you are there and ready to read my gardening goings-on when I return, then wonderful. If you aren’t, and have moved on, I’ll completely understand.
Happy gardening until we speak again – Louise x
p.s. I’ve loved your questions, comments and interactions and of course will still be gardening. So if you have questions or problems with your gardens or want to tell me about something wonderful that’s happened please do – my email address is Louise@energypr.co.uk I will respond to all of you – x
I’m also on social channels (details at the top of the page ) so do feel free to connect and interact there too.
Understand completely, I did the same, due to ongoing illness, and trying to write on our two Facebook groups was as you say a chore, and writing just to write, I did a column on a free online magazine, and stop writing on the column and one page for a few months, then the joy was back, number one is the most important, take time and look forward to your return
Thank you David…x
You’ve been so generous with your time and energy and knowledge. Even taking a step back you have kindly signposted – be very proud and know you are admired. Have a fabulous gardening year and kick back a bit!!
Thank you Joanna, you can’t know how grateful I am for such a lovely comment
Sending love, thank you for all you have shared with us♡
Thank you Jessica x
Thanks for all your blogs, they’re fun to read, so interesting and informative. 👍
Thank you for reading them Georgina…I do hope to be back x
Thank you for your blogs, in the face of personal problems, you’ve given me inspiration to carry on with my gardening
Ah thank you Kathleen, I’m so pleased you’ve felt inspired xxxx
Not all blogs are created equal – yours has been consistently generous in the sharing of your vast knowledge, each post not only useful but also a pleasure to read, written in your easy and accessible style. I’ve wondered how you’ve been able to do it! So thank you, and while we await your return, I will revisit the blogs from past years, and find much advice and inspiration. Something that might not have seemed relevant to me in March 2021 might be particularly relevant this time around as my situation has changed: I am getting rid of a section of lawn and will be planting a new border, and I just found out I got my 1/8 plot on an allotment!
Enjoy your time away – and your garden. Best wishes to you all 🙂
Marijana…thank you for your lovely comments. That’s so kind of you to say. Good luck planting a new border, I love a project like that! All the evenings thinking and planning – the best kind of fun. And then you bring that plan to life…bliss. I’m sure it will be brilliant and hope to be writing for you again soon. In the meantime happy gardening x
Lou – I have loved your blog and am sorry it’s done, but only you know when the time is right. Thank you! I’ll definitely be asking your advice from time to time.
Ginny xx
Thank you Ginny xxxxxx
Dear Louise,
Thank you for the amazing Blog you have been inspiring us with for so long. A joy to read, extremely helpful and lovely to see your beautiful garden. You write like you are in the room with us. ( not easy to do) and make us believe we know you, as a friend.
It is normal to feel as you do at present, because sometimes in order to inspire others you can end up tiring yourself out. My garden has thrived with your help. I moved here to Wales, having lived in France for 6 years having had very little gardening experience. In 3 years my garden is now the envy of others. A cottage garden, surrounded by mountains! ( I did not plant them!! ) Thank you for your inspiration and encouragement. You are simply the best! Enjoy your rest and your garden. Hazel Lucas.
Dear Louise,
Thank you for the amazing Blog you have been inspiring us with for so long. A joy to read, extremely helpful and lovely to see your beautiful garden. You write like you are in the room with us. ( not easy to do) and make us believe we know you, as a friend.
It is normal to feel as you do at present, because sometimes in order to inspire others you can end up tiring yourself out. My garden has thrived with your help. I moved here to Wales, having lived in France for 6 years having had very little gardening experience. In 3 years my garden is now the envy of others. A cottage garden, surrounded by mountains! ( I did not plant them!! ) Thank you for your inspiration and encouragement. You are simply the best! Enjoy your rest and your garden. Hazel Lucas.
Hazel – you almost made me cry! Thank you for your lovely comments. I do feel I know some of my readers too. I imagine us all in our gardens, turning our faces up to the sun (or rain) and then looking out across our plots and wondering what task to do next? Or perhaps glimpsing the bulbs coming through and thinking once again ‘isn’t gardening a wonderful, positive thing.’ I really do hope to be back…and if I do return, I do hope you’ll be there, poised in your lovely Welsh garden, ready to rejoin me. Until then…all the best Louise