The Julie/Julia Project.
I finished reading Julie & Julia last night, after having seen the movie twice since its release on August 7th. I absolutely loved both the book and the movie. I’m left feeling a strange combination of inspiration and utter cluelessness. I’m inspired because Julie Powell, the writer of the book and, originally, the blog that started it all, made something HUGE of herself through blogging. It’s kind of my dream in life, you know? Become famous and make lots of money with my blog?
But then I feel that utter cluelessness, because, um…my blog has no real focus or direction. (Not sure if you’ve noticed that.) It’s just a blog about my life, which is great and all, but not exactly drawing the attention of major newspapers or TV stations wanting to feature me or make me into a movie.
Not that I really want a movie made about me. No, I’d be perfectly satisfied to go Julie’s route and make my blog into a book. Or even make money off my blog alone, somehow. But again: cluelessness. See, if I really wanted to strive toward something like what she’s accomplished, I’d need to take on some kind of “project” like she did.
But Julie didn’t start her project with this end goal in mind. She was searching for self-fulfillment. Of course, I’m kind of on a journey of self-discovery, too…only I’m not doing anything really active about it. I just think all the time: maybe I could be a teacher; maybe I could be a nanny for famous people’s kids (and blog about it!); maybe I could sell my bead necklaces and earrings and stuff; maybe, maybe, maybe…
Maybe I’m just waiting for the time to be right for Joe and I to have a kid so I can be a stay-at-home-mom (but then what do I do in the meantime for the FIVE PLUS years it’ll take before we’re “ready” for that?)…
Maybe I should look into cooking…only not French cooking — cuz, talk about expensive and high-maintenance (and too many mushrooms — blech). Maybe I should do a year of “easy, idiot-proof, and dirt-cheap cooking.” Maybe then I’ll discover something magical.
Maybe I’m harboring the as-yet-undiscovered talent for ceramics.
There’s a lot I haven’t done in life, and while that can be a really exciting thing to think about, it also makes me go: “Gee, it could take a LOT of trial and error before I figure out what really screams, ‘ME.’”
Maybe I think too much. Maybe I need to just DO something, like Julie did. Maybe I have to wait for that epiphanic moment like she had, sitting at the table with her husband and casually brainstorming possible blog niches while both devouring her effortlessly-made dinner. Of course, that would require learning how to make effortlessly delicious dinners. And we’re back at square one.
How about a poll? Tell me what you think I should blog about more exclusively, or choose the last option if you have another suggestion or think I shouldn’t do any kind of “niche” blogging, and tell me in the comments.
That’s all for now. And yeah, I know I’ve posted like 837 times today. [nerd moment] I guess I’ve been missing the feel of that Publish button; the sound of that special “click”; the rush of awaiting comments; the HIGH OF BLOGGING; THE…!! (gasps for air) [/nerd moment]
Or, you know, I’m just taking advantage of having internet right now. That could be it, too.
Tabitha,
I just saw the movie tonight and have to say that I really like the idea of a blog having a direction. My blog is about a week old, so no direction, but I’m happy just to babble into the void for a while. You sound like you’d LIKE to have a niche, so try it and if it doesn’t work for you, you can always go back to something more general. Go for it!!
I love your new heading! Also, I don’t think I can tell you what your niche should be because it seems like a personal thing. Your journey could be on the way to finding a niche! That’s a book right there. But I feel like you sometimes, like I want to find that one thing and I haven’t yet. Good luck.
Haven’t seen the movie yet but I hope I get to soon; might be tonight actually!
I definitely think you could/should make an etsy store! I would love to see more of what you make =)
really, the way you write, I’ll like anything you chose to right about it. Maybe focus on newlywed life/domestic divaness coupled with etsy store creation?
I know what you mean about writing/blogging/trying to find your purpose. It’s not easy being a 20 something, is it?
Hey there sweetie…about figuring out the right/best/whatever thing for you…try it all. And remember the following quote:
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“Failure is an early warning sign of success.”
~ Dan & Chip Heath – The Leadership Summit, 2009 ~
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These guys are like Google famous YOUNG entrepenure’s (insert sp? rant here) with books and videos et al. But it is EXTREMELY RARE to ‘hit a homerun the first time at bat…’
The other underlying point? Ya at least gotta SWING THE BAT if you ever hope to hit something, ya know?
So just go for it…whatever it is…keep trying until you do find your niche. Forget about finding something that makes money; find what you love to do…the success will follow as an outpouring of your energy and enthusiasm for ‘it’
Love you!!
All I know is that I love to read what you write. It just seems like it flows out of you. Writing can be such a struggle for me; I don’t know how you do it!
Love you,
Mom
I know how you feel! But your blog is lovely as is, you know.
I loved the movie. I am currently enrolled in the culinary arts program. I want to be a great cook so I would appreciate any feedback and suggestions.
Thanks for leaving all the fun comments about Romania! I still haven’t seen this movie! I’ll have to wait for Netflix now. I did just finish “My Life in France” by Julia Child. Have you read it?
I am DYING to see that movie!! I finished the book (begrudgingly, because I didn’t want it to end) recently, and I felt like I was kinda sorta reading a book about myself (!), because I had been going through the same “motions” for so long (i.e. feeling unsatisfied…like there are so many greater things that my life should be amounting to, finding that I have a passion for cooking and feeding others – hmm, must be the 1/4 Italian in me! – and of course, blogging humorously about the somewhat trivial shenagins in my life.) I personally think “directionless life blogs” are great, and that you don’t necessarily need a niche. After all, most everyone has one thing in common: they’re just trying to live their lives with the goal of doing so with gusto, meaning, passion, in albeit a haphazard, messy way, versus just trying to “wake up each morning” and “get by”. And besides, what’s funnier than life itself. and all the hiccups and hurrahs along the way? You can find both humor and a good lesson in every moment. And what’s better than writing about stuff like that?