welcome

Mid last year I decided that I needed to change the name of my blog. Che was my baby and Fidel was his teddy; but the baby grew into a long-limbed school boy and the teddy made its way to the back of the wardrobe, only uncovered around spring cleaning time.

Che & Fidel no longer resonated with me, I didn’t feel like it represented my blog or my intention. My days of sharing notable milestones and tales of sleepless nights were over. Instead I was using my blog as a means of exploring ideas and seeking inspiration. It was more about my experience as a woman than just my experience as a mother.

I took the better part of a month away from the blog whilst in Bali. I needed to find some perspective, to decide whether it was something I wanted to continue. There were a few times when I thought it best to give it all up, to write a final farewell and bid you good luck. But my doubts were short lived and so I set about planning a new name, a fresh design and a second beginning.

Changing the name of your blog is a funny experience; it’s strange to delete a name you’ve had for six years and come up with something that aptly describes who you are and what you believe in. I spent a fair few weeks brainstorming ideas, checking domain name availability and always going straight back to the drawing board. It was becoming a bit of a struggle and there was more than one occasion where I wondered – was it even worth it? But there was a good lesson in the challenge: the name was staring me in the face the entire time.

Practising Simplicity was a series I created in June and one that has become a favourite to write (and a favourite to read, as so many of you have told me). Over the years I have discovered that simplicity is good for anxious little me; it helps me to see what’s important and hence it enhances my everyday. It’s what I practise but not what I have perfected, apt considering this blog is an ever-changing, always evolving story.

There’s a sweet irony to the launch of Practising Simplicity because it’s happening at, what may be, the most complicated time in my life so far. In ten days time Daniel will embark on a three-month journey around the world. He’s been asked to shoot a travel television series and will be jetsetting to 12 countries in 12 weeks. We found out on Christmas Day and have spent the past week adjusting to the idea (as surreal as it may be) whilst frantically running around trying to organise everything. The flipside to this adventure is the reality of 12 weeks of solo parenting (whilst working) for me. Breathe.

Breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe.

The first few months of 2014 will be the ultimate lesson in letting go of fear and finding strength. Simplicity will be vital (as will be doting grandparents, coffee, skype and patience).

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Practising Simplicity only came about because of three incredibly talented people.

Kate designed the template, based on my very vague brief of “I trust you to come up with something I’ll like”. And guess what? When she sent through the first draft I was delighted. She got it right in one go. Simple, clean and refined – just what I didn’t know I wanted.

When I approached Jessie from Supply Paper Co about designing my logo she prompted me to think about what design aesthetic I preferred. Indeed, simplicity is an aesthetic in itself, but I also wanted a touch of the feminine and the organic. She came up with six logos and it was easy to choose a favourite: the semi-circle that hints at the mark a teacup leaves on the table; naturally imperfect.

Finally, my fabulous tech guy, Graeme. Thank goodness for him! He’s a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the behind-the-scenes of the web and managed to explain it all to me in lay terms (because I have no idea). I basically handed the job over to him and he’s done it all without fuss or bother. Genius!

And so begins a new year and a new chapter.

By Jodi

Posted January 2, 2014

In lifestyle

welcome

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