Usually on a Monday morning I do a {Take Care} post. Today I thought I’d give you a bit of an update on how I’m doing and where I’m headed.
What's up ahead?
In a week’s time, it will be four months since I flicked the switch and sent Crash Test Mummy into the blogosphere. At the time I was exhausted and burnt out, searching for a bit of direction and hoping to find and connect with other mums who felt like me.
What I found was a lot of sympathetic and supportive family members and friends and, unexpectedly, a community of bloggers who offered the same.
They have inspired me, supported me and entertained me. They have helped me pull myself out of my adrenal fatigue and depression. Sometimes I feel like I’m still teetering on the edge, but I’m not worried because I know if I fall that I can bounce back. I thought it might be interesting to look at how I’ve changed in just four months:
Hair fail
My brunette "Sienna" cut
OK, so that’s definitely enough about me!
Let’s talk about you.
I don’t want you to ever crash like I did. I want you to find on this blog ways to make your life easier and motherhood more fun. I want you to share what you already know to help other mums achieve the same.
I want Crash Test Mummy to be a place where you can come and crash. Where you can:
- have a laugh
- find tried and tested tips and products
- focus on looking after yourself
- chat to other mums like you
- find support to make changes and improvements to your life
Inspiration • Motivation • Action
Over the next few months you’ll see some changes
- New branding that reflects my mission for the blog
- I’ll be inviting more bloggers and experts to set crash challenges based on the excellent advice and tips they offer on their blogs
- I’ll be forming a panel of Crash Test Mummies – I can’t crash test everything by myself!
- I’ll develop the site to make it more of a community for you
To help me do this I am working on putting together a reader survey. I hope you’ll consider sharing your thoughts when I finally finish it!
Well, that’s pretty much it from me today. Just thought I’d put that out there, if anything to keep me focused!
At the moment Crash Test Mummy is in the running to make it onto the Circle of Moms list of Top 25 Aussie Mum blogs. If you’d like to help me grow this wee community of ours please consider voting (2 clicks). There are also a lot of other great Aussie blogs for you to discover. Have fun!
Laney
Looking gorgeous, Laney! You have that fire in your eyes now (and I love the hair). x
Megan @ Writing Out Loud’s last post..I think I sold out… but I’m back.
Thanks Megan. Looking different is only part of it, I can definitely feel the fire ;)
Haven’t you come a long way! you look gorgeous.
Have voted
Have been voting for Ytravel Blog too Caz. http://www.ytravelblog.com/
If anyone else wants to vote Caz and Craig’s blog as Best Travel Blog in the Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards then go here http://awards.nuffnang.com/2011/votes/
Can’t wait to see the redesign! I’ve only recently found your blog and love it. Thanks for all you do.
Amy’s last post..When the husbands away, the wife will…fake it?
Thanks Amy! The whole thing will be a bit of a work in progress. I’m just one woman whose job as Mum comes first!
You’ve come a long way in 4 months Laney! You should be proud of what you have achieved.
You have great vision for this space. I have been blogging since January and still have no idea where I want to take it.
Look forward to joining you on your journey x
Amy @ MahliMoo’s last post..Oh, That’s Pinteresting- The Harry Potter Edition
Thanks for being my blog buddy Amy – I love seeing your comments. I think my vision is in part due to the change my blog has made in my own life. If I can do the same for someone else then that’s great. I’m inspired so much by how we all help each other online, even when we might be feeling physically isolated at home with the kids.
I’m looking forward to both our journeys ;)
Hi Laney! I think you have done an amazing job! and I can’t wait to see the new look and see the survey, I have lots of ideas in my head of how I want to go ahead too and like you said Mum is first so time is the challenge, oh and the little thing of money for me! I need a blog daddy I think! :D
Kym – Mumma’s Mini Mes’s last post..WIN: Woolly Wugs Summer Sleeping Bag; a summer essential {review} and a HUGE Mum & Baby Hamper Giveaway!
Thanks Kym! It is so hard to be filled with so many ideas and limited time to work on them! One day at a time though. I try and see any money I spend as an investment in my sanity ;) Seems to keep CrashHubby happy enough!
Goodness Laney! You have achieved so much in such a short time. Full plaudits to you, my friend. I love all your new ideas. But please take it at your own pace – your health is so precious. J x
Jane’s last post..Some Saturday soul food: Karina Allrich
Thanks Jane. I’ve tried to ignore my instant gratification nature and take things easy ;) I certainly don’t want to undo my good work and end up crashing again.
Oh my goodness.. this got me all teary! I love seeing transformations! Just started reading your blog and love it … and you look simply amazing… so inspiring that you have made such positive changes so quickly in your life! Keep up the great blogging… and keep sharing..
Java Jane’s last post..Birthday love…. and the sharp reality of life (ouch)
Thanks for finding my blog Jane. I can’t believe how quickly I’m improving my health either. A lot of it has to do with the inspiration I find in blogging and connecting with other bloggers. It gives me the purpose I was looking for (outside of being mum of course).
Wow, you have definitely come a long way Laney! I could see the difference, not in terms of just your hairstyle but the look in your eyes from the first image. You did look tired – crashed so to speak. But now, you’ve sort of bloomed and look ready to take on anything! Can’t wait for the changes to come! :)
Norlin’s last post..Television Drama Catch-up Time
It is pretty obvious how tired I was huh! And that first one was one of the better photos of a very bad bunch! The best thing is that, while I can still feel tired from time to time, it’s just tiredness. Not the sheer enveloping exhaustion from before.
Good on you Laney – you look so alive in your latest photos! Kudos!
Liz@LastChanceTraining’s last post..Stop punishing the victims!
Thanks Liz – I feel like a new person :)
Laney, I’m pretty excited for you. I saw you at #1 on the COM list yesterday and thought, WOW, what a great impact you must be making on so many mums. I love your sense of purpose with your blog and look forward to seeing where you wish to lead us further as you rebrand and revamp. It reminds me of a tweet from Edenland yesterday and I think you have truly taken that philosophy to heart (even if you didn’t see the tweet); “Before you ask for more followers for your blog/twitter/facebook .. maybe you should ask yourself where you are leading them?”
Veronica @ Mixed Gems’s last post..Things I Know – After 100 Blog Posts
Veronica, you always leave the most insightful and interesting comments. I really enjoy reading your comments here and on other blogs too. I did see the tweet from Eden and the ensuing discussion. I was feeling a bit paranoid, then I realised that I had only tweeted and FB a couple of times because that was all I was comfortable asking for. I’m glad I have developed a vision for my blog, and that I am helping mums along the way.
Good on you Laney. I love your honesty and your positive drive. I can so relate to the crashing bit (as you know). By the way, I have been seeing a great naturopath and they are treating me for adrenal fatigue (among other things) – thanks so much for making me aware of it and inspiring me to seek more help than I was getting.
Deb @ Bright & Precious’s last post..Your Body, Your Gift
Fantastic news – this has made my day! I’m so pleased you’re on the right track Deb. This is what it’s all about :)
did your site have a makeover? It looks fabulous. if not..well it still looks fabulous. just like you :P
Danielle’s last post..Celebrity Status
No makeover yet – still to come ;) But thanks Danielle!
Pretty exciting to read abt the plans you hVe for this blog:) it’s nice to have a place to crash and communicate with others. love this new hairstyle btw!
Ai Sakura’s last post..Dinner @ Brussels Sprouts, Robertson Quay
Hi Ai! I’m excited too, just hope I can roll them all out! I love my new hairstyle too – so easy ;)
what a difference four months makes! we started about the same time, its so nice to have met such great people through blogging! and I agree with Megan there is fire in your eyes ;) xx
mums the word’s last post..Christmas Angel~ Lets Help those in Need!
Your eyes are smiling now, Laney. So lovely to see.
And I LOVE the hair! :)
Kellie @ Three Li’l's last post..My Tasmanian Backyard: The Devonport Bluff
I love your ideas Laney. And happy to help in whatever way I can. You just have to ask. Love your hair cuts too ;-)
Anna Millie’s last post..Cake, a great book and a giveaway!
This sounds so exciting Laney! Go you!!!
Thanks Louisa. Looking forward to talking to you next week!
You look amazing!
And I love the sound of where you’re taking your blog. Very exciting!
Fiona @ My Mummy Daze’s last post..A positive birth experience – an {active} birth
Thanks Fiona. I’m feeling anything but amazing today – just one of those days ;) Somedays it seems impossible to do all the things I want to do, but then there’s always tomorrow!
You look fabulous in every one of those photos, but you definately have gottenmore of a spark in your eye as the photos progress.
I am so enjoying your blog and you should be so proud of how far you have come in such a short time. xxx
Sonia @ Life Love and Hiccups’s last post..Introducing Wonderful Weekends Blog Hop – Every Monday!