I've been blogging in this space for over 4 years now. It started as a public declaration of me and him - Jeremy & Kathleen (because it was still so weird and novel to see our names together like that) - on an adventure to make a house a home. Since then I've found my voice. Telling very intentional stories, large and small, every single day has taught me that I can design my life. That I have control over the narrative, the setting and the plot. I unabashedly love this space and can't imagine what my life would be like without. In fact, I jokingly told Jeremy on our 3 year anniversary that the best thing I ever did for our marriage was brand it. But it's kind of true.
THE REDESIGN
When I first designed my blog I was really into hand drawn type and vintage banners. I adopted the ampersand as my own. But I've grown up a little since then. I found my aesthetic (through designing the Nepal series, shooting Anatomy of an Outfit and writing about freelancing). So the redesign reflects my organic growth and evolving style as a designer. I've also made my posts a bit wider and the sidebar a bit more narrow. Even though some of the elements are bright I wanted to give the actual content some breathing room. Because that's what it's about, right? The content.
NOTE: You do not have to have a professionally designed blog in order to blog. Start with a simple Blogger or WordPress template. If you can write in your space consistently for a year (with or without readers) then invest in a design. Or perhaps at that time you'll decide you don't need it.
THE CONTENT AND FREQUENCY
While I don't have an editorial calendar I typically stick to a few topics:
• Anatomy of an Outfit
• Freelance Matters
• What We Eat
• Adventures (big & small)
In between those kinds of posts I like to write about life. I spend as little as 15 minutes on a post but more often than not I'll spend an entire morning (and on rare occasions an entire day) working on a post. But it's never a burden - blogging is what I love to do. My content will change as I change but in general, you can expect more of the same here.
ON KEEPING IT REAL
It's in my most vulnerable posts that you guys commend me for keeping it real. And I appreciate that. I love that I can choose the right words and images to accurately convey authenticity in a way that resonates with you. But more recently a friend of mine who I see a few times a year asked me how real my blog really is. He was genuinely curious if I was painting this picture perfect life that isn't entirely accurate.
The truth is this: It's all real. I carefully craft and color adjust what I show & tell around here. It's all original content but I'm curating the bits and pieces in my life that I want to share. But get this - by choosing to blog about mostly positive things my life has become more positive. I've intentionally created adventure in my life because I wanted something to write about - I wanted a good story to tell. But guess what - by choosing to blog about adventure my life has become more adventurous. Through my blog I've come to learn that I can design my life. It's real and it's powerful.
NOTE: When you want to call bullshit on someone's blog think about your own perceptions you're bringing to the narrative. Is there a disconnect between what you believe to be true against the words and images (told from someone else's point of view) you're digesting? If so, is it any less real just because it's not your reality?
BRAID CREATIVE
I also blog once a week over at Braid Creative. It's kind of like Freelance Matters - but grown up. If you are a creative entrepreneur (or want to be) you should subscribe to those posts too.
At first I thought Braid and J&K would be very separate. Braid would be for work and J&K would be more personal. But that kind of goes against everything I believe in - which is intentionally blurring the lines between work and life. Tara and I are working to bring more of our personal style into Braid. We're also choosing to work, exclusively, with people like us - creatives, the independent, artistpreneurs and small start ups. We'll be featuring creative entrepreneurs like you. So just like J&K is going through an update so will Braid.
MAKING A LIVING OFF BLOGGING
I believe you should be compensated for the amount of time you put into your blog - whether it feeds your soul or puts food on the table (for me, J&K does both). Some bloggers choose to have banner ads and sponsorships - that's okay. But for me I make a living off blogging because it's my readers who are hiring me (thank you, a million times thank you). Over the next week or two I will be updating this blog with a new page called "HIRE ME" - it will detail the ways in which I would love to work with you. But the majority of people are not really here to hire me - and that's okay too - I like sharing my life here regardless of the financial outcome.
Recently I was pushing a workshop (it's not happening, by the way - more on that later). Every time I posted about it I felt a little funny about it. Like I was marring this space by pitching to you guys in it. So while I will continue to share my work with you I never want to feel like a sales person. I am currently developing an online eCourse and in-person workshops over at Braid - at some point I will ask you for permission to pitch those things to you by allowing you to opt in to receive emails from me to tell you more. That doesn't mean I won't ever talk about it here (because I will) - I'll just do it in an integrated way - where it feels less like a loud commercial interrupting the regular broadcasting that you all are here for.
NOTE: I talk extensively about my thoughts on peppering business into a personal blog here. But ultimately, I would encourage anyone wanting to blog to A) write original content (if I see those Pantone tarts reblogged one more time I might puke - or simply stop following your blog) B) find your voice through exploration but be consistent C) grow organically and D) write for the sake of sharing - not making money or scoring free things to review - but if money follows, great.
BUT WHAT ABOUT JEREMY?
I tell people all the time "Had I known what this blog was going to turn into I wouldn't have named it something as cheesy as Jeremy & Kathleen." But that's not entirely true. I've had people encourage me to rebrand and ditch "Jeremy" altogether. But as my life evolves and changes Jeremy is the constant. He might be the silent partner but he's a key component to what goes on around here.
So phew! All of that to say - I love blogging. And I love you guys. Thank you for being here.
