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Monday, September 24, 2018

Questions I Ask Myself When I'm In a Slump & The J. Crew Maxi

How is your week going, lovelies?  I'm hard charging the week with optimism, sprinkles of determination and faith that whatever I can't control is in good Hands! I was discouraged this weekend about the blog, my abilities and life in general. Tis sad, but perhaps necessary as a little dip into solemnity pushes me to reassess. I believe it can a good thing because like all humans, my priorities get out of alignment. My motivation is drawn from the wrong source, which leads to insecurity and I begin to look around at what others are doing, instead of working on my own God-given purposes.


So if my engagement goes down, followed by a dip in creativity because somehow that leads to thinking that I've nothing to offer the world, then I'm believing a lie. Simple as that.  There are options as this point. I can continue to believe the lie, complain that social media has unfair algorithms and quit, or I can reassess my "why" (vision leaks!), and focus forward. Here are questions I am currently quizzing myself with in regards to the blog, but I believe some of them can be applied to whatever your area may be!

  • Why am I blogging?
  • Who am I trying to reach, and how does Granola & Grace add to their day? 
  • Am I trying to be like everyone else? 
Aka, am I checking other's posts to see how they do it or am I reading their post to find something to write about. (Of course we gain inspiration from each other, but there are times when I doubt what I'm about to share, so I hop over to see if other's are doing it that way. I know. Bad!) Maybe this is a good time to break away from the computer and go live life for a bit. Get outside, interact with my boys, etc.
  • Am I staying true to my "why" or am I collaborating just to collaborate?
  • Am I getting stuck in a pattern and need to dig deeper for fresh ideas? 
  • Do I have a plan at all or am I just posting whatever? (Ok, I fall into this a lot!)
  • When I plan, am I focusing too much on what I think others want to read? 
I find that, for me, this leads to writing posts that aren't what I'm about. I need to trust that what I have to offer will bless, interest, inspire, or apply to some readers out there!

Asking myself all of these questions, also helps me work out my "why". 
Alright, enough about that! Let's get to the fun outfit details?

Outfit Details

I found this striped maxi at Clothes Mentor with the tag on. Yay! It was $20, which is more than I like to pay at thrift stores, even if it's J.Crew but once I tried it on, I was in love. It's soft and lays perfectly, giving me shape while not hugging too close. My only complaint is that I had to pull it up a throughout the day, so next time I may try a chunky bralette with it.

Once again the heat persists, so I am keeping to open-toed booties for a fall "feel", all the while permitting the toes to breathe. These booties were an Altar'd state semi-annual clearance sale find. I recently learned that Tampa has one so i think I may be checking out their sale this year!! It would be worth the hour drive!!

Also pictured is my fringe vest from LOFT. I found this ages ago on their final sale rack. I sure do miss those days when I had the time to peruse the racks!



The bag was a gift from a few years back and the Ernesto de Barcelona jewelry set was scored from an IG style challenge back in January. I love the fall color and print on this bag from Target, and I love the chunky, natural style with bold, beautiful colors from Ernesto. Click here to view some of their latest pieces.

With all that being said, my only new closet addition is the J. Crew dress! I haven't much to link for you, but I found similar pieces on Shopstyle and am adding that to the bottom of the post!

What questions do you ask yourself when you're in a slump of sorts? And have you determined your "why"? And what do you think of this maxi?

Until next time! :)

Chrissy



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31 comments

  1. Well friend I love your JCrew maxi and it was worth every but of your $20! And I'd love to grab that sweater from you! I know we all struggle sometimes but I love what you've written here and hope you continue to bring joy and sunshine to the internet through your blog. You add value to my life!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. Haha! Thank you so very much Kellyann! I appreciate you big time! And you know what I've been thinking about since this post? I saw that Tampa has an Altar'd State. How fun would it be to meet up and shop their semi-annual sale after Christmas??

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  2. I think all bloggers go through that phase - many times... & you're right, re-evaluation can be a good thing. But I always just tell people, just be you - whatever that is in whatever season - you know we all change every year with how life takes us on new adventures, your blog can change with you. Nothing wrong with that - as long as you're being true to who you are. :)

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    1. Thanks so much Rebecca Jo...I needed that extra reminder that the blog can change as I do because I know you're aware of how many changes we've had! Appreciate you!

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  3. These are all such good questions to ask. I often have to remind myself of my motives and my own true style. You look so cute!

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

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    1. Thank you Amy Ann! I appreciate you stopping by and encouraging!! :)

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  4. God has opened a platform for you. Now is the time to express God's grace to those that may not be aware. Your daily adventures can be used to show God's goodness with others. Do not struggle,just ask for God's guidance. You will be blogging again with a new purpose that is God breathed.

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    1. Thank you very much Brittany! This is the exact words I needed to hear. I hope you have a wonderful week and please know that you are a blessing!

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  5. Gosh...this is me all the time Chrissy. I'm fine one day, and then I wonder what I'm doing? But I remind myself at how fun this is and the fabulous women (like you) that I've "met"....that's really what keeps me going!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Ahhh, Jodie. Thank you. You're exactly right.. It is fun and the people we meet....even better. You're the best!! :)

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  6. I have that a bit now. Because while I was on vacation my nummers dropped a bit. And then I thought: but I do this in the first place for myself and I met some fantastic women online and in real life because of blogging! I think we all have theses moments. That s what comes with putting ourselves out there.

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    1. Nancy, thank you so much! You're right...the best part are the ladies we meet. :) Have a wonderful week my blogging friend!

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  7. It's hard not to have lots of negative or simply introspective thoughts about blogging. I hope at the end of the day as long as it makes you happy you continue to do it and find inspiration from wherever :) What a steal at Clothes Mentor! I'm actually headed there today to drop off some things and I'm hoping I don't get too caught up in finding new things haha but we'll see!
    -Kristin
    countdowntofridayblog.com

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    1. Thank you for the extra encouragement Kristin! And it was so fun to hop over to your stories and see you Clothe's Mentor fun. haha. So thankful for this blogging community!

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  8. Blogging seems to never stop and it can get exhausting, especially if you have something big happening in your life (hence: moving) and it can make your numbers wacky, but you need to remember that there is so many other reasons why you blog and sometimes we all have good periods and other times we are just trying to get everything we need to get done and the blog is on the sidelines for a bit. I felt this a lot while we were having our kitchen remodeled this summer (plus we had a few vacations thrown in). I feel like I'm still getting caught up!!!

    I love this striped dress, so versatile and it is cute with the fringe vest, def. has some nice fall vibes (even if it is hotter than heck there! lol!).

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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    1. Thank you very much Carrie for the encouraging words and reminders. I appreciate you! And yes, hotter than heck is absolutely right. Just a few more weeks they tell me. We shall see. Anyway, I didn't notice any dips in your blog...always great content! :)

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  9. Comparison is a strong human drive I think. Social media makes it more prevalent. Everyone goes through it. I go through slumps and then get a ton of content. It is a natural cycle for me. I've taken a week off and months off when needed. I think it's important to step away and gain your thoughts and then come back to the blog. Glad you're sticking it out!

    http://www.mylittlenest.org

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    1. Thank you Ruth. I'll accept the cycle and remember that as I ask myself some reassessing questions. LOL! You're the best. Have a great week!

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  10. Oh I really enjoyed this post and can relate so much! I went back to work this year and have been doing a lot of re-evaluating of time spent on the blog. Why am I doing this and what am I getting out of it? I don't have all the answers yet but just know you're definitely not alone. Thanks for sharing your journey! (And yes, this is a really cute fall transition look for warmer weather climates like mine!)
    Gina || On the Daily Express

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    1. Thank you so much Gina!I love that you pointed out that you don't have all the answers yet. That's a good reminder as well. We don't always get it all figured out in a day, do we - or a post - ha! Once again, I'm so glad to have found your blog. Thank you for visiting!

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  11. Comparison is almost impossible not to do, I think it's human instinct, and social media (especially IG), definitely adds fuel to the fire. However, we can channel it the right way by making those people we adore as inspirations and source of ideas.

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

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    1. Thank you Jess. I appreciate that alot. You're blog is amazing so you must be channeling it the right way! :)

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  12. What a great post! I always have to check myself when I start to compare my blog to others or even my life to others. Thanks for the reminder to cut that out! Love the dress you got! It would look great with a bralette!

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    1. Thank you Laura for the encouragement, as well as the styling tip. I just may be packing this dress for an upcoming trip, which I learned is going to be all warm weather days, so a bralette would be perfect. :)

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  13. Gosh, I'm glad it's not just me who has these feelings. Somedays I just want to throw in the towel and then some sweet person leaves a comment that fills me up. Love your maxi!!!

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    1. You're so right! Thank you for being one of those sweet persons!! :)

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  14. I ask myself those same questions every week, I think it is important to reassess and evaluate to keep us as true to ourselves as possible. I do love this look, your maxi is beautiful!

    xx, Elise
    www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Elise! Isn't it funny? Cuz I love your looks and posts. But you're right, if we didn't reassess we'd get stagnant and boring. lol!

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  15. Stunning look in that maxi dress! Thanks for joining the Top of the World Style linkup!

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  16. This is such a sassy and sweet outfit. I so often have these thoughts about blogging! Even though I'm new around here you definitely need to press on....you have so much to offer and are so darn witty and entertaining!

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