Letting go of a dream.
My former blog. Don’t you love the name?
Two years ago, I started a blog called The Well Nested Life; this month, I’ll close that site down. I’ve moved all my blogs over to this current site, so I’ve retained my words, but I have to say goodbye to the dream.
Closing my blog feels like I’m losing an old friend.
With some brainstorming help from family members, I had arrived at the term well nested. It describes my life. Homebody. Introvert. Feeling most at home, at home. My plan was to blog about humorous and poignant and touching stories of my simple life. My hope was to gather followers—my flock—who would then someday buy my memoir, in progress.
That part of the dream—let’s call it Phase I— is intact. I’ve established my online presence as a writer, attracted loyal followers, and I’m closing in on the final chapter of my memoir.
In Phase II, my follower base would grow to scores of thousands. An editor at a “Big Five” publishing house would discover my writing and be impressed with my platform. She would pay me big bucks for the honor of publishing my book.
I’d be a best selling author!
(Please don’t think I’m delusional. Most writers share this dream.)
However, it’s Phase III where I got carried away (as I have been known to do). In this phase, I’d use my big bucks from my memoir to help others become well nested.
First, my husband and I would remodel our basement into an apartment to house immigrant families short term until they secured more permanent housing.
Then, we’d buy and renovate houses in our community, and sell them at cost to families in need. Or maybe we’d partner with Habitat for Humanity, one of my favorite charities.
Finally, I’d create a cooperative of gardeners to provide gardening and simple landscaping help to homeowners moving into and out of our community. This would help homeowners to become well nested, as well as maximize the curb appeal of their homes, increase their home values, and increase the tax base for the community.
Sigh. It was a lovely and honorable dream.
But here’s the reality: as a writer, if I really want to build my flock, if I really want to be found by an agent or editor, I need a website under my name. “The Well Nested Life” was a mouthful of a blog, and hard to remember. So now I write, and you read, at www.karendebonis.com.
I don’t have the time, energy, or money to maintain two websites, and not nearly enough of those resources to accomplish Phase III. Something had to give; The Well Nested Life blog had to go. I have no regrets; it connected me to new friends, taught me that I’m not a complete computer simpleton, and gave me joy that (mostly) outweighed the headaches. My heart is heavy, but full.
I’m glad you’re here to help me say goodbye, and to celebrate as I write the next chapter of this journey. I’ll let you in on a secret: I’m letting go of the website, but keeping the domain. Www.thewellnestedlife.com is mine for as long as I want it. You never know when I’ll get big bucks for my memoir.
You never know when another dream will hatch.
I’m open to the possibility. You in?
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Karen, I still *love* “The Well Nested Life” as a title. It was what made me start following you before I’d really gotten into reading you. (The logo helped too. Just so you know.) And while I don’t remember hearing about Phase III before, I am impressed but not surprised. You have an open- and soft-hearted nature that is wonderful to behold. Even if not everything comes to pass right away, it’s a beautiful dream. I plan to be here for it… and to buy your book (in hardcover!) of course!
I was hoping I’d hear from you, Jack, as I had you in mind when I wrote this post! You were probably my biggest fan of the concept of The Well Nested Life, next to me, of course. I knew you “got it,” even when I had trouble defining “it.” I’m very sad to see it go. Maybe in Round 2*, I’ll return to it, y’know, for something to do after my best-selling memoir. I’m happy to know I’ll sell 1 book at least! (“Round” as opposed to”Phase,” which was a title I slapped on this morning to explain the progression of my well nested dream. After I finished, I thought it sounded like a business plan. LOL.)
I agree with Jack. Loved the Well-Nested Life title–it hooked me. (In addition to knowing you from St. Francis). also, I think your dreams are great, and who knows, maybe they will come to pass. Mine are similar. Just have more work to do to even get toward them. Thanks for “A Well-Nested Life.”
Aw Deb, that’s so nice of you to say! Now I’m really tearing up. I’m glad it hooked you. I think if I had the experience then that I have now, I might have made a bigger splash with it, maybe gotten more followers. Who knows. But I gave it my best shot, and it led me to where I am now, which is a good place. Thanks so much for your support!
We all enjoy reading your articles – no matter what “heading” the thoughts are under. You always inspire me and what you write often cause me to pause in a hectic day. That means a lot. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to more.
Ruth, that’s so nice of you to say! It’s funny you say “pause.” I used that word in a tagline here and there: “Put a pause in your day.” How about that – it worked! Thanks for reading and commenting!
I too am sad to see the Well Nested Life go. We (you with my listening) had a lot of fun brainstorming the name and concepts. It is like losing an old friend. But maybe they will return? — Once we return from our round the world cruse after the book’s a best seller!
OK Dear – sounds good to me- I’ll get the champagne chilled! Even though I know so much more about websites now than you (in fact, I leave you in the dust, don’t I babe?) – a day we never could have imagined two short years ago, I am so glad you were there to help us both be well nested. As we always will be.
It’s good to have dreams. You are on your way, just not where you thought.
You’re so right! Thanks Catherine.
I will miss your blog but I know you will be back! I am excited for you and your well nested future!!
Well, I’ll still be here as a writer who occasionally blogs! LOL. But I’ll miss my old blog, too. Thanks for your support Judi!
I LOVE your dream. Don’t ever stop dreaming.
I won’t, Debbie. Promise!