BACK TO MY ROOTS

Storms make trees take deeper roots. - Dolly Parton

I've been doing a lot of gardening during this quarantine. We've been working on so much around here, and planting has been a big part of it. It's made me think a lot about my roots. Show of hands...how many of you know that I used to blog waaaaaay before I ever opened The Festive Farmhouse?

It's true. I wrote about everything under the sun. From DIY projects to Motherhood. My blog was whatever it wanted to be....and I miss it.

I've been taking a break from Instagram lately, for several reasons, but mostly due to the slew of nasty comments I've received on my heartfelt posts lately. And honestly? I've handled negative comments for years. It's old hat.

But these were a different kind of negative. These were MEANT to attack. To hurt, and wound. And I hate to say it, but they succeeded.

I'm not sure if those comments were a reflection of what the world is feeling right now. Something tells me they were (chaos and fear personified). But what I AM sure of, is that I want none of it. Especially when it threatens my joy. Because as someone who hosts a podcast all about finding your joy...when something starts to steal mine? I take notice. 

I protect it fiercely, because friends...it is worth protecting.

So this is me, pulling back from Instagram. Not forever. Just long enough to weather this storm. Long enough to nourish my roots. Long enough to heal my heart and find my purpose in social media. And in the meantime, I'm returning to my roots and plugging back in here on the blog. And I am so very excited about it. 

This is where I will be sharing all of my DIY's. All of my heart talks. ALL OF THE FESTIVE THINGS. I'll still be around on IG, just not as often. And with a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on hate. (You spread it? You will be blocked and your comments deleted. It's as simple as that.)

Will pulling back hurt my Instagram account? Yes. Will I lose followers? Yes. Is that what any of this is about for me? NO.

It may hurt my account but it will help my heart beyond measure. And that, my friends, is what God calls us to guard and protect.

I'm stepping back so I can continue to shine my light (remember my word for 2020?). Because it's up to me to keep it burning. And I refuse to let any amount of shade extinguish it. 

I love you all, so dearly. Thanks for sticking with me through thick and thin. I can't wait to share the projects we've been working on....right here on THE BLOG!

First up, a series on "living simply", the Festive Farmshed, and eeeeek....the backyard makeover!!!

See you soon! 

XO, Alli