It’s been almost a year to the day I launched Life, Laughs & Lemmings (geez time flies when you’re busy ticking things off your Daisy List!).
For those of you who’ve been around here for a while, you may remember a point where I came to a crossroads with the direction of this blog. Then, after some soul searching, head banging a brick wall and alcohol, I embarked on my world domination of the blogosphere with the intention of turning this blog into a business.
Well, about the only thing I dominated was the waves at Manly Beach and even that required a giant, Big Bird yellow, floatation device surfboard!
Whilst I enjoyed the writing and loved ticking things off my Daisy List, I’m not altogether interested in the monetizing aspect blogging. Monetizing is kinda important if you want to create a business.
So, it seems I am back at a crossroads. On top of this is another D word. What is it with me and D words? I’m beginning to form an involuntary twitch whenever I hear a word beginning with the letter D. This particular word starts with D and rhymes with schmepression.
Yep, it’s true, me, Sami, Daisy List extraordinaire, Lordess of Lemmings and Messiah to Aliens was recently diagnosed with mild to moderate depression.
“How is that possible?” I hear you ask, “This site is hardly depressive.” Well, I thought it was just moodiness and so would only write when I felt “up”. Truth is, until I started treatment, I didn’t realise just how down I was.
As with D word 1, I am completely grateful for D word 2 for a couple of reasons;
- I now feel awesome (you thought my previous Flashdance was crazy, you should see my turbo charged, Zoloft fueled version now!).
- It was a huge relief to know there was a reason I’d feel less than stellar on occasions, and it wasn’t just because I wasn’t trying hard enough to stay positive (for those who don’t know, depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain).
- I have previously mentioned how I am yet to finish the last bit of healing from D word 1 (essentially the forgiveness part), well, the therapy I’ve done to counter D word 2 has also resulted in dealing with the last part of D word 1. I can now put my hand on my heart and say, I have forgiven. I really have.
- I now have levels of motivation, energy and hopefulness that makes Richard Simmons look lethargic.
Having said all that, I am still in a recovery phase and one of the tasks I’ve been set is to reduce the number of projects on my plate. It is with this in mind I have decided to take a break from the blogosphere (both posting on this blog and commenting on others).
I am not necessarily walking away for good. At this point it is a hiatus for an undetermined amount of time. I may be back, I may not, either way I’ll be letting you know when I decide for sure.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you for stopping by here, commenting, subscribing, linking and generally showing your support. You are a phenomenal lot and I know I’ll miss interacting with you. The community around this blog is something else.
So, it’s not technically a good bye, it’s more like a “see ya later”!
Oh yeah, and just so you know, I plan to continue my quest to tick everything off my Daisy List. You’ll know I’ve completed number 25 when you see me on Oprah (or in jail charged with stalking – “But your Honour, the lemmings made me do it! Or maybe it was the aliens.”).
Take it easy peeps. 
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Happy Hiatus Day. Don’t forget D-word 3 – delight. Particularly de light at de end of de tunnel, otherwise known as deliverance. Love Dad
Hi Sami,
Are those your tootsies in the photo?
Sami, I don’t even know what to say here. Of course, of course, I’m with you with whatever decisions you make that are best for you. You have my 100% support.
But, I won’t hide my emotions knowing I won’t be able to anticipate your comments over at JBN or my excitement knowing you’ll have another post coming my way.
I’ll certainly miss our jokes about you being the priestess of the aliens and you teasing me about my unrelenting fascination with lichens, but I know you’ll still be ‘around’ — just not on the blogosphere — and that is OK by me.
Like magnificent Mum May says, don’t forget D-word 3 — delight (and might I add–>> Delicious?).
Go get ‘em, Sami! Remember, the mark of an amazing person is to know what direction to go, no matter how hard it might be, and to go for it. I respect you, admire you, and will always be here if you need me.
“We will not know unless we begin.” ~Peter Nivio Zarlenga
Sami,
I wish you a lifetime of wonderful journeys, and a life that is filled with deep love and peace. Know that you are a dear friend, and while it is sad to see you stepping away…I smile also, knowing this is a good journey you are setting out on.
Sami, you have been a shining light of love and fun in this great big blogosphere (and in my life). Rock on, awesome friend!!
(and…hmmm…I expect to see that turbo-charged Flashdance!!!!)
Love and crazy dancing…always,
Lance
Great post Sami. Will miss the regular readings but you’ve gotta do what’s best, don’t ya. Marshy May got it in one. Wise man your dad…. K xx
authenticity is the key to everything important in life…your honesty in this space has been breathtaking. best wishes on your journey, we can only hope it circles back around here at some point in the future. vegemite forever!
Sami, I can’t say how much I admire you for your honesty in this blog. Looking after No. 1 is the most important thing in life if you want to help No. 2, 3 etc. It takes guts to realise you need help and then to go and get that help. I will be thinking of you always on your quest to get through this D word. You have an amazing family, boyfriend and friends around you to help you through this. I will miss your blogs though. You always make me smile – always have and always will. I hope we can see you and Chris soon. Take care mate. Love Woolly.
I’ve enjoyed your blog. It has helped me in many ways…. mostly realizing we are not all alone with our divorces and depressions AND I’ve learned that there is a joy and positive result in taking risks. Life these days is complicated and we are all expected to do sooo much, except enjoying life. That is not emphasized enough. So enjoy life, be happy and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. I hope you just know that you have touched my life in a positive way. Good luck!
See ya later, Sami!
I know things will turn around for you soon and you’ll be back on the site, sharing your awesome life experiences with us. Look forward to seeing you blogging again. Stay positive!
Hey Sami – glad to see you are thinking of yourself. You are a wonderful person and I love spending time with you. You seem to be infectious in the sense you are always helping people when you don’t even mean to. You’re a real gem. All the best!
Sami,
Simply I will miss your blogs. Thanks for letting us know what happen. I have been reading so many blogs that just disappear. Also six other blogs I have been reading have either sold themselves or quit. The Lemmings are working overtime it seems.
Take care and finish your Daisy List. I know you will do it.
I’m so proud of you, Sami. I know this is a really tough decision to reach, and dealing with all the depression stuff is no picnic, either. But you are doing what you need to in order to take care of yourself first, and that’s AWESOME.
If you decide later you want to come back, I’m sure you can jump right back in without skipping a beat. Or maybe you’ll be so busy taking care of Daisy List items, you’ll never have a spare moment again… which would also be AWESOME.
Either way, you know where to find me if you ever need anything (or just want to shoot the sh*t).
Hey Sami. I couldn’t believe it when i read this post. I kind of had to do a double take. I will definately miss reading about the crazy stuff you get up to and the positive life affirming posts. I know me and Gemma not being around must be hard for you, but chin up, you’ll no doubt see us again at some random time in the future
Seriosuly though, i hope you sort things out and i’m sure you’ll come out of it fighting (or maybe dancing).
Keep in touch!
Martyn and Gem x
@Mum May who is really Dad May
Thanks Dad. Oh sweet deliverance! xxx
@Lori
Hey L Bear. No, they aren’t my tootsies. How comfy does it look though?!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment Lori. You know, I was only saying to Mum this morning that immersing myself in the blogosphere was by no means a waste because it allowed me to connect and become friends with people like you. Right from when you introduced yourself to me, you’ve been a massive support and a great friend so thank you from the bottom of my reconstructed heart!
And as for the aliens and lichen, I’m pretty confident it won’t take us long to somehow work them into an email conversation!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Love ya girlie. xxx
@Lance
Hey there Lovely Lance. Thank you my friend. Although I will be out of the blogosphere, I’m only an email or Skype call away. Thank you so much for your consistent support of me and LL&L. You’ve been around these parts almost from the beginning and I have totally loved getting to know you, having the commenting banter and teasing you about wearing lipstick and a dress! Love and crazy dancing right back at you!
PS. I’m not sure the world is ready for the turbo charged version of my Flashdance!
@Kiles
Thanks very much Kiles. Yep, I swear Marshy May could be Confuscious! xxx
@Jodie
Hey Jodie. Being authentic is important to me so your comment meant a lot. Thank you. Thanks also for your well wishes. I really do appreciate it. And yep, Vegemite forever!
@Woolly
Hey Lovey. Thank you so much. You’re a sweetheart. You are so right, I really do have phenomenal support around me. I am extremely lucky. Thanks for your support of LL&L. I appreciate it massively. Hope to see you guys soon and hope the studies are going well. Keep in touch. xxx
@Mary
Hi Mary. Thanks so much for sharing your comment. I can’t tell you how glad I am that little old LL&L has helped you out. That’s too awesome for words! You are SO right, we are not alone when it comes to divorce and/or depression. There are plenty of others going through it too. But as you said, neither D word has to keep you down. There are always big positives to come out of both if you look hard enough.
I plan to do exactly what you’ve suggested – enjoy life, be happy and not put too much pressure on myself. I have a couple of old patterns to change but I am well and truly on my way.
Thanks again for letting me know that I’ve made a difference. That really does my heart good to hear! Take care of yourself. Big hugs.
@Positively Present
Haha! Yep, see ya later! Thanks very much Dani and keep on spreading the positivity girl! The world needs it.
Dearest Sam
I have been reading your blog from day 1 and it really helped me through some hard times I was going through. It inspired me just when I needed it! See what you have done:)
You should be proud of making a decision that is right for you and doing what YOU need to do and not what others think you need to do (or what you think they are thinking you should do – make sense?).
Keep up the great work, keep living well, tick those things off and look forward to keeping in touch.
Much love & hugs
Vee
xxx
@Katie
Thanks Katie. You’re a sweetheart you know. And just so you know, what you’ve written is something I could have written about you. Love ya. xxx
@Chick J
Hey there Chick J. You know, I think you were one of the first people (other than my Mum) to leave a comment on my blog! You really have been there from the start and for that, I thank you. I’ve always loved seeing a comment come through from you. Take care and yes, I’ll be sure to keep chipping away at my Daisy List.
@Lisis
Hey Lisis. Thanks very much. Yeah, it was a tough decision but it feels like the right one, for now anyway. I’ll miss this community but like you said, I can always come back if I want to.
I totally appreciate the support you’ve given me (and advice re D word number 2). You are such a giving, generous soul so thank you.
Same goes by the way, I’m only an email away too! Take care of yourself.
@MartYn
Hey Martini, yeah, I thought a few people might be a bit surprised. And yes, of course it’s hard for me not having you two around. Think about all the burnt damper I’m missing out on!
Thanks guys. Will definitely keep in touch. Just so you know by the way, I always read your updates so keep em coming. Big hugs. xxx
@Valeska,
Aww, thanks so much Vee. To know lil old LL&L helped you has made my day. You really have been such a huge supporter of me and LL&L right from the start. It’s really meant a lot to me. The fact that you agreed to come on board to help and how you handled it when I withdrew the offer just proved to me what an amazing human being you are. A true friend if ever I saw one. The world is a far better place having you in it.
I promise to keep ticking things off my Daisy List and also to keep in touch with you. Actually, I’ve been meaning to email you so I’ll do that now.
Much love and big bear hugs back. Take care Lovey. xxx
Just so that you all know – Sami has come a long way and much of that can be attributed to her fellow bloggers and their support. I guess the lemmings played a role as well … maybe!!! She is a strong lady and so it is our expectation she will be forging onwards and upwards through life and, maybe one day, will renew her wonderful friendships through her blog. So, from this old mum …… thank you for being there for our Sami
@Mum May
Hey Ma. You’re right, I can attribute a chunk of my growth and healing to my kick arse readers…and the lemmings! Writing about and having conversations around the ups and downs really is cathartic. I can say though, that my family has also played a massive role and one that I have no idea how I’ll repay.
Thanks Mum. You rock!
Sami, I’ve been on my own commenting hiatus, still cranking out material though.
Sorry to see you go.
Please, please take a day or two and either decommission the blog, or set it up for regular but minimal maintenance. You have an asset here that will grow in value over time, by simple magic of just being here, as long as you make sure it doesn’t get hacked.
Seriously, your links will be worth something 5, 10 years down the road, for no more money than your yearly hosting fee.
Email me if you need help.
Another thing you could do, and this would be easy, is just turn off all the comments, and just post an article once in a while, like every month or two. This keeps everything fresh, you stay on our radar screen, and you stayed just engaged enough to preserve the value of your hard earned asset with being overly committed.
Please contact me if you have any questions, if I can help transition you on this in any way.
@Dave
Hey Dave! Thanks heaps for taking the time to leave this comment. Really appreciate it. I could very well come back to the blog but if I don’t, I’ll seriously consider your ideas. Thanks again.