See that photo of my gorgeous son there, swinging into action at Mountain View Ranch last Sunday? That's one of those metaphor jobbies it is.
I can't do Project 365 any more.
After 1,577 days of taking a photograph of our lives every single day consecutively I've had enough.
When I started the project on 1st January 2011 I never thought I'd finish a month, let alone a year. And yet four years and four months I'm still at it, until today. I've had a wonderful time being part of this global project (and running the Project 365 linky in the UK parent blogging world), capturing the every day in our life, remembering the important and unimportant moments and reminiscing about my funny little boy.
But enough.
Serious family health issues over the past few months have made me re-evaluate several factors. A very important work announcement today has hammered home how stressful life is going to be over the next two months. And I'm tired. I'm tired of remembering on a Saturday evening that I need to do a round-up post. I'm tired of keeping my fingers crossed that I took a photo every day in the past week. I'm tired of staying up until gone midnight on a Saturday getting the posts done. And I'm tired of forcing moments in order to take a photograph worthy of being in my Project 365 round-up.
I want to start living again, enjoying the moments rather than capturing them on 'film'. Keeping them in my mind's eye and for me. And I want to start enjoying blogging again, because I haven't since February.
Thank you to everyone who has nominated me for a Britmums Brilliance in Blogging award in the Photography category again this year, it means so very much to me, especially when there are so many talented photographers in the same category. I know that Project 365 is the reason you nominated me, and I'm so grateful. This is not the end of photography on my blog, hopefully it will free me up to be more creative and enjoy my photos a little more, rather than them feeling like an obligation.
Good luck to everyone else completing the project, I'm always here for advice, but for me now the journey has come to an end.
I want to feel like that little boy on the swing above, enjoying the freedom of life.
—
Huge congratulations for all that you have achieved. I can't imagine how difficult the project becomes in years ahead and I have loved joining in. Thank you. Every good wish with all that lies ahead xxxx
You should be so proud of what you've achieved. You've done it amazingly xx
I've loved seeing your round-up posts and very occasionally remembered to join in, life takes over.
Very well deserved BiBs finalist, I hope the challenges coming your way go well.
What a wonderful photo to finish on 🙂 xx
Sorry to hear you're finishing, but totally understand why. I hope everything calms down for you all, and life looks better soon. Lx
I've done similar for similar reasons. I've missed so much time with my kids by trying to get photos of them. Memories are good, and it's too easy to remember a photo instead of remembering an event.
You might not have noticed but there's not been many photos of my kids from days out recently on Facebook. We do stuff, but after this last year I decided I needed my memories more.
So good luck, get back to enjoying blogging but remember to put your family and personal memories first before sharing with us lot!
A huge achievement, so amazing you've managed so long.
Xxxx
I think you've made a very good decision. Well done. I gave up the commitment of 7 photos per week after 1 year, goodness knows how you've done it for 3! Your focus needs to be elsewhere now. X
Well done for carrying on so long….So sorry you can no longer do it but I'm sure everyone will understand! Hugs xxx
What an amazing achievement! And you inspired me to take a photo every single day which can be tough going!
You've inspired so many people including myself to capture some wonderful things on camera but you have to follow your heart and do what is best for you and your family. I look forward to seeing what things you come up with in the future. ((hugs)) and best wishes x
Goodness, I know this must have been a big decision to make for you. Well done for what you have achieved. That's something to be really proud of x
This is a fabulous photograph to end on. Well done on everything you've achieved with this project. 1,577 days… Just WOW! This must have been a hard decision to make, but absolutely the right one for you. Huge hugs x
Really sad to read that things are getting on top of you. Great that you have come to a decision that you can come to peace with as I know you have been really struggling lately.
I admire you hugely for what you have achieved, and your son will always be remembered as there are so many amazing pictures watching him grow day by day week by week and year by year.
I like many others will miss your week, but great to know you will be spending more quality family time.
(hugs) (boo hoo sob sob)
You deserve to just be, and enjoy your son, and family, nothing else is ever as important. Having teachers in the family I know how stressful inspections are for all concerned, and certainly not what you need at the moment. Really looking forward to seeing you at Britmums, think we are at the same hotel, hugs will be plentiful xx
That's completely understandable, you should be proud of everything you've achieved, good luck for the BiBs, take care of yourself lovely x
You did very well! I'm so sorry to hear but I hope your family members will get better.
A very wise decision. You have to do the right thing for you and your family. You've done an amazing job with 365 for so long and I have really enjoyed being a part of the project for a year and a bit.
I'm really sorry you won't be doing it anymore but can completely understand. I gave up last year as it felt too forced and I wasn't enjoying it, I can only imagine the extra pressure trying to get the linky done each week too. Massive respect for doing it as long as you have and I hope you can start getting back to enjoying blogging again xx
You are an amazing lady and a huge inspiration to me. Thank you for introducing 365 to me and enjoy your family time
Sorry to hear that you are ending the project and linky but I understand your reasons. This is my first year of the project and I'm sad I didn't start it sooner but I want to thank you because without this project I would not have had the photos that I do of my daughter. Life with my son takes over and I had been forgetting to take photos of her, it is becoming second nature now x
oh no, completely understand your decision but will miss it – love project 365, it's the reason I take better photos than I used to. Hoping that you and your family get through this tough time as best you can xx
Thank you for all the support and encouragement you have given us all through the life of this Linky. You have been hugely influential in getting many of us to pick up a camera and to keep using it. I never thought I'd finish my first 365 last year, let alone keep it going this year!
I know you've got some Big Stuff going on in your life right now, and whilst I'm sad that the Linky is closing, I also understand that you don't need any more pressure than you have to have, and sometimes something has to give.
Hugs to you and your wonderful family.
Oh you've done an amazing job me dear.Take care of yourself x
I've often marvelled at your commitment to Project 365 and have really enjoyed seeing your photos over the years but your reasons for stopping are absolutely valid and I completely understand why you want to slow things down. I look forward to seeing you photos in the future, even if there will be slightly fewer from now on.
Well done for going so long and inspiring so many. I think this is a general feeling in my blogging circles and I look forward to seeing you blogging for you more. Sorry to hear of the not so positive things happening in your life and hope all is ok xx
Sending much love xxx
Well done you for making rhe decision that allows you to do what is right for you and your family. I bet you will feel so free. Is somene else taking on the linky?
Mich x
A great achievement!,
I hope you enjoy some freedom to do the things you want to do :),
and thank you for putting in the effort to host this for everybody x
Sorry to hear that you've got even more stress coming along. You're obviously doing the right thing for you, your family and your blog. Thanks for the encouragement to take part, I've loved doing it, and we'll miss you leading and being part of it.
Hope everything turns out positively for you and your family. And hope to meet you at Britmums
WOW a post i thought i would never read. you have been a mentor to me right from the start, encouraging me all the way. i know you have struggled with this decision, you know it's the right one. always here for you when you need me. biggest of love to you and yours HPMcQ x
Oh I just popped by to join the linky after a few months to read this!
Sad news but totally understand!
You're an inspiration and thank you for #365 it will be in safe hands 🙂 enjoy your freedom, you deserve it. Look forward to seeing you soon x
Thank you so much for all the encouragement you have given me this year to continue.
I am so sorry that you are ending for the reasons in which you are, but family and health must come first.
I look forward to seeing what other photos now appear on your blog as I really love your photography x
a wonderful end photo, and what sounds like an incredibly wise decision. thank you so much for running this project so well, and for so long, I have really enjoyed taking part, and have found some lovely bloggers along the way. Very best wishes for your family and your health, and hope some newfound freedom from photographs helps.
Take care x
Lovely picture – nice one to end on. It's been a great 4 years, but I can understand that the pressure has got too much. Hope things get better for you over the next few months.
You should be SO proud of what you have achieved, and how much you have inspired so many of us to record our lives.
Lovely photo! I shall miss seeing photo's of your stunning boy each week but I totally 100% understand why you must stop. You've done an amazing job inspiring others to take daily photo's for as long as you have lovely. Thank you x
Oh I just came to link and saw this! You should be so proud of all you have achieved! Live life to the full. X
I am really sorry that you feel this way and that you have lots going on at the minute, I hope it calms down soon.
I totally understand your decision and I think you have done an amazing thing, 1,577 days … incredible.
I always want to thank you, I started project 365 for the first time in January this year and I want to tell you that I have really enjoyed taking part – my photos are better than they have ever been (though I still need lots of practise) and thanks to you I have hundreds of amazing photos of my daughter, you have inspired me (and many others) and that is a truly wonderful thing.
End of an era but so totally understandable. You have so much going on right now and have such a beautiful record of those early years with The Boy growing up. I'm sure we will still see plenty of him if not everyday. Thank you for running the linky all this time.
You have done so amazingly! I have no idea how you managed to do it for so long, you are incredible.
I really hope that the life stresses don't last too long and that you can start to enjoy the special moments again.
Awesome shot to finish on – my rope swing shots are *always* blurry!
I read this post on my phone in bed at silly o'clock last night. I'm so glad you are doing what is right for you. I remember years ago when I ran a weight linky, I felt obliged to do it every week (even if I had not lost a pound) and it was SUCH a bind. I stopped it because I no longer enjoyed it. When something is no longer fun, it is time to leave it behind. You love capturing memories so you still will, simply without the pressure. And like you say, the fun and creativity will come back, without any sense of obligation. Lots of love for what must have been a tough decision. xxx
I completely understand. When I first started blogging it quickly got out of hand as I worried about stats, reviewing products, taking the perfect photo etc. There was so much going on in my little family's lives that I had to drop something and that was blogging. I took a break for over a year and only came back to it on the basis it was casual and when I wanted to blog.
Good luck for the future and new projects. Hopefully you can live in the moment more now and not worry so much about taking photos 🙂
You should feel so proud of what you have done and all the people that you have inspired to start their own project365. My thoughts and prayers are with all of your family xx
You've built up an amazing community, one that will always be there for you. You'll keep taking pictures without the pressure. I know you didn't take this lightly and I'm so proud of you xx
the boy looks so happy on the swing
I'm sorry that it is coming to an end. I couldn't manage it though and so understand why you are stopping. You have done an amazing job of hosting it all this time and keeping up with everyone else's posts as well as your own and I'm sure you will look back fondly on the photos. I agree with the enjoying the moment more though, I think that sums up how I felt. I hope that everything gets easier for you x
I completely get it my lovely. Stay strong, for that smiley boy, and you, and Mr TBAM, and your loved ones are way more important x x
I don't know how you carried on so long I think I'd have given up after about a week. Be proud of what you've done though as it's an amazing feat! Sad to see it go though.
You're amazing <3
You've chosen in all the madness to prioritize your family, your wellbeing and loving life. I have so much admiration for you.
Don't be discouraged, disheartened or overwhelmed, you are more than enough for these inspections & all the stresses they entail. Enjoy your days, love your life and find happiness in all of it.
Huge hugs x
Your photos have been inspirational and you have worked so hard. I am sorry you are having a tough time, totally understand the need to step back and make some changes. Hope the work stuff eases. Thank you for all the work and effort. Hopefully we can keep the project running and you know you can be proud of what you created and shared for others!
Sometimes you have to say 'enough already!' and take stock of what is really important in your life. I've been in a similar position a few times so can fully understand why you've made this decision.
Hope everything settles down and we'll see you back. 🙂
best wishes always. XX
While I am sad to read that you will no longer be hosting this linky, I totally agree, respect, and understands your reasons. Congratulations for what you achieved with it.
I haven't been linking up regularly this year as I am struggling to find time to do the round-up posts (just blogged about that in fact), so I do understand to a point what you are saying.
Sorry to hear that things are so stressful for you at the moment and I hope that everything settles down for you soon and that you can find the joy in blogging again, after all isn't that what it's all about.
I hope to still see your stunning photos. 🙂 x
Thank you so much for such a lovely comment, it is really appreciated. It transpires that I'm having a bit if difficulty letting go of Project 365 and every day my Timehop throws up a new memory which has reminded me why I did the photography project. Once inspection is over, I'll be back sharing the everyday and enjoying blogging again.