A SHIFT IN DIRECTION

Well you're in your little room and you're working on something good, but if it's really good, you're gonna need a bigger room. And once you're in the bigger room you might not know what to do, you might have to think of how you got started sittin' in your little room.
la da da da da la da da da
-The White Stripes

Any time I have writer's block, or am seeking direction for a story or project, this song plays in my head. There seem to be so many changes afoot in our lives right now, from jobs and schedules to future plans and dreams, that I thought, why not throw one more in? Why not switch up my blog?

As you've probably noticed, I've re-designed the layout of the blog; I've streamlined the navigation, changed the aesthetics a bit, and done away with my sponsors. Months and months ago, I made the big decision to monetize Petite Biet and accept paid sponsors. It was an exciting time of growth. I connected with many amazing small shops and bloggers, partnered with corporate sponsors, and connected to a community of writers and advertisers. It felt successful, rewarding, and good.. until, slowly, it didn't anymore. Slowly I found myself obsessing more and more over page-views, post regularity, and comments. I began to, rightfully, treat blogging as more of a business than a free place of expression. Slowly I began to enjoy blogging less and less. I felt a shift happening, which perhaps happens to anyone whose work is observed and sold, wherein my writing, which I still loved, began to be more for others than it was for myself. I missed the carefree attitude and honesty of my early blogging days, before money and page-views were tied into everything, and I wanted to get back.

And so, I decided to demonetize the whole thing. There are countless shops and brands out there that I adore, but Petite Biet won't be the place where they're showcased or reviewed, at least not deliberately. After much thought, I've concluded that I really don't want my blog to be in the business of pushing products or page-views, nor in the market of selling advertising, nor in any "market" at all, actually. This blog remains a place of joy, honesty, and creativity, and the only direction I aim to move in is towards the exploration of those things. Petite Biet began as a blog on new motherhood and home birth. It evolved into a documentation of time and family which I'm really connected to and proud of. I now feel that it's time to let it grow even more. I've been thinking about experimenting with subject matter, photography, and post styles in the months to come.

One thing I've always loved about blogging is that there are no rules. You can post once a day, week, or month, and it's okay. You can create a post with images and no words, and it's okay. Or you can write a novel, and that's okay too. And there will always be people who like what you do, and those who don't, and it's. all. okay. A blog can be whatever you want it to be. So in an effort to align this blog more with what's in my heart, more with my creative vision, and less with the "business" of blogging, I'm working on some soulful changes. With all of my recent growth, both personally and as a family, I feel that an honest shift in direction is only natural.

So, thank you to everyone who's sponsored Petite Biet over the years. Your support helped me to connect to an amazing community of bloggers and mothers around the world. And thank you to everyone who reads here... or just comes for the pictures :) I hope you'll continue to enjoy this space.

xx
Belle