Hey friends!
Some of you may know that I’m blogging again if you saw my fall decor post on Tuesday. However, I still wanted to come in and give you a life update since I was gone for a hot second there.
After trying and failing a couple of times to convey why I’ve been on a hiatus in a text-only blog post. I decided to do a video instead. Scroll down to see it.
BUT FIRST!
A big thank you for taking the time to watch! Especially my *homies who make it until the end! (*Homies, people who like the Home I Create {get it}.I’m so corny you guys LOL).
Also, be sure to check the blog later on today. Like I mentioned at the end of the video I will be sharing my favorite pieces from the new Studio McGee line that drops tomorrow 9/13 at Target! I will also have a short video in that same post of some of the pieces I saw in person at my local Target. Plus the two pieces I snagged.
I talked a little bit about decorating and Studio McGee x Target talk at the 12:20 mark .
Feel free to leave comments or questions below!
Happy weekend!
Welcome back, Linda!
Thank you ☺️
Hi Linda,
I just subscribed to your blog last Thursday and finally took the time to watch your video this evening. You are so sweet and so creative! I love your home and look forward to getting to know you better.
I really appreciate what you said on the video….. Earlier in my career, I went through some hard times while raising two boys as a single mother, and I just want you to know that I too and here to support you!
Sue
Dear Linda,
I have thought about you often and hoped that you were okay. I know how hard it must have been to open up about what you have been dealing with and why you stepped away from your blog and social media. I feel the exact same way as you about sharing my personal life and issues with my followers because I know we all have obstacles in our lives that we have to endure. Thank you for sharing just a nibble of your struggles. I missed your sweet face and your warm personality. Please know when you need to step away from all this, we will be here to welcome you back.
Hi Linda! Not sure if you remember me, our paths crossed for just a moment in time, it seems. But I’ve often wondered how you were doing, and where life took you. Thank you for posting this video, it took a lot of courage to let the words flow, and you have touched so many people – more than you know. Glad to see you back and creating content and being present! Much love to you and yoir family ❤️
Linda, I’m going to say this like we’re old friends…apply for your citizenship asap if you plan to continue living in the US. My husband and I are both immigrants and this was very important to us for a multitude of reasons. It.was.a.process, but thankfully we got it. Please reach out anytime if you want to discuss more.
And I will keep you in my prayers. It couldn’t have been easy sharing this. Take good care!
Ebony, I will accept it as a friend, and thank you! It’s in the works. I can’t imagine going through that again. Have a great Sunday evening!
Welcome back! Sending love your way!😘
Thank you Deborah!😘 Happy to be back.
Linda, you are such an inspiration to all of us. I have really enjoyed you and your blog, you are very creative. I have been where you are now, things will continue to get better for youWe will keep you in our prayers. Please take care of yourself and take your time. Sincerely, Chana
Chana, thank you so much. So glad to know you have enjoyed the blog.🥰
Ms. Linda, I am so sorry about what you were going through, but I’m so glad that you are feeling/doing better. I have regularly visited your blog/YouTube Channel and have always been inspired by your creativity. However, your openness and honesty in this post has shown me that this platform that you have, goes far beyond inspiring us as we lovingly create cozy homes. Your openness in this post has helped in more ways than you will ever know. Thank you Ms. Linda for your openness. Please continue to take care of yourself. You and your family are in my prayers, and it is wonderful to have you back.
Sincerely,
Paula
Paula, thank you so very much for this message. It made me tear up (the good kind). I went back and forth for a long time on what to share if anything with readers about why I haven’t been blogging. I think it’s human nature when we are in a trying time in our lives to feel it’s just us and that people may look on us negatively for not being stronger. However, I’m learning that is almost never the case. So as the saying goes “be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle”.
Please know my inbox is always open if you want to chat. And I look forward to seeing you around the blog *hugs*❤️
Hey Linda! I was surprised to see you back and had wondered how you been… although you owed us no explanation, thank you for sharing your story. I always say everyone has a story to share and your bravery in sharing yours was touching. I’m happy to hear you’re in a better space and back to blogging. Life is filled with ups and downs and topsy-turvies, we just have to find ways to weather the storms. Welcome back to your cyber friends
Hey Jamala girl! *BIG VIRTUAL HUG*. Thank you hun for stopping by and commenting. You are among the people who I truly miss on IG and everything. Your kind words and encouragement always lift me up! Talk soon.
Congratulations on your bravery with this post.
Thank you, June! I don’t feel brave, but I do appreciate you saying so.☺️
I just wanted to say how much your video touched me. I went through my own illness where I had to fall off the map for a long while. I was embarrassed about my body failing me and didn’t quite know how to explain my absence to people without being too raw. Your video has inspired me to share in the way you shared. It also helped me to realize that the experience with an illness that on some days brought me to my knees and forced me to depend on people took time to process and that there are lots of mental and emotional things that go alongside the physical aspect of the illness. Also that it was downright scary to deal with. Thanks so much for your honesty and your creativity that you put out into the world. I send you many healing vibes. Your video helped me to realize that I’m not alone in having this experience with so many challenging aspects to deal with and that is was okay to take the time away that I needed to recover and process it.
Hi Kat (love this name, I call my daughter Kayla that sometimes ☺️ ),
I’m so sorry to hear that you were also dealing with what sounds like a very tough illness. I know that’s never easy. I truly hope you are doing better now.
I agree, that it can be so hard to share what we consider our low moments with folks, even those who are close to us sometimes for fear of judgment. Even when it’s something we can’t control like an illness. But you’re not alone. I’m here and I’m sure there are many others who can relate to what both you and I have gone through also.
Like you mentioned sometimes dealing with the illness is one thing but the emotional and mental toll is usually a battle in itself. Which is something that’s not always easy to communicate with others, especially those that seem to have it “all together”. Hopefully, there is someone you can confide in when those mental and emotional swells happen. If not please know my inbox is always open (for real).
Being honest it took me almost 2 hours to film this video. I sat in the Target parking lot for so long even the sun changed position. In the video you can see a big difference from the opening to when I actually start talking because that was like my 4th time recording it, I had cried and gotten sweaty (the nervous kind) and since I wasn’t home I couldn’t even refresh the little bit of makeup I was wearing. A mess all around honestly. Not to mention the scores of videos and blog posts I have recorded and written since 2019 that will never see the light of day because like you, I thought I was being too raw.
I say all that to say,TAKE THE TIME YOU NEED. Healing both physically and mentally is not a quick process. Sending lots of love and healing thoughts your way!😘
Linda, I want you to know you are in my prayers and I do believe prayer works. Glad to have you back. I think being back blogging will help you.
Your prayers are much appreciated Darlene. Yes, I think you are about blogging, I was told the same thing by a professional. Thank you for stopping by!
So glad to see you back Linda! We think and talk about you guys often when we are out walking the neighborhood. 😊
Hi Heather! Good to hear from you. I hope you, hubby, and the boys are doing well.
So many of us try to hide our feelings and try to “muscle” through! Thank you for being so open. We all feel “crushed” sometimes. God bless you and your family. I will be praying for you.
Cheryl, your comment ring so true to me. I’m definitely guilty of trying to “muscle” through things (a lot). Not automatically doing so is something I’m working on. Thank you.❤️
Hi Linda,
It’s so good to see you back blogging. Prioritizing your life and well being is so important and sometimes you just have to step away from other things to bring that back into focus. It’s great to know you’re feeling better and re-discovering your passion. I’m excited to see you unfold your new chapter of blogging and inspiring.
Hey Shelly! Always appreciate your support and encouragement friend. *virtual hug* 😘
Welcome back. Thank you for being so frank with us. I’m glad that you are on the upswing. Enjoy your life and I’ll be looking forward to
hearing from you.
Glad to see you back prayers and blessings to your family.
Julie, thank you so much!
Thank you, Sandy. Really appreciate the encouragement!