“But what I’d really like is to do Wayne’s World for a living. It might happen…”
Well get ready buttmonkeys, you might be on the move.
I’ve spoken before about why I started this blog, and how even though I wanted to break into a career of writing online, I never really envisioned it would be in this space that I would be able to do that. I thought it would serve as a resume of sorts and I would write “properly” somewhere else. But over the last three years, it has become apparent that I love this blog too much to keep it as a hobby while I gave the best of myself elsewhere. As emails and offers began appearing in my inbox, I realised there was more to blogging than I at first thought. And while I navigated my way through those early partnerships, I realised the potential of blogging and what it could afford those of us who had fallen down the rabbit hole and wanted to stay at the tea party. Anyone who’s ever dipped a toe in the blog waters soon realises how much it can require of you, and how much it can make you happy.
I love to write here. I love to share recipes, my life, my feeble attempts at gardening and the fun things I make. I love the community we’ve built here, how we share and come together to learn and chat and support each other. And I have been very fortunate in that sometimes people have taken this seriously and wanted to work with me in valuing this space. I’m excited that today, I get to take that one step further as I become the newest member of The Remarkables Group, a group of kids who couldn’t keep their stories off the internet and who now are leading the way into blogging an income from their kitchen tables. While we never envisioned this is where we would end up, we have all grabbed the opportunity to fund our passions this way as they presented themselves. I am just so thrilled!
You might have noticed with the bloggers who have gone before me that not much has changed. You’ll find that here too. I asked several months ago what your thoughts were about sponsored content on this blog, and the response was overwhelmingly positive, for which I was very grateful. It’s still going to be 100% me around here, just now with a little help from my friends. And hopefully yours too.
“Exqueeze me? Baking powder? I thought you said you were going to pay us for doing Wayne’s World.”
I have known for some time I was going to be asked to join The Remarkables, and there hasn’t been a think I haven’t thunk in that time to make sure it was the best decision. I’ve asked other bloggers what they thought; I asked colleagues, friends, family, my husband and the kids, but they just smiled at me and Abby asked for a sandwich. Everyone has told me to go for it (except Abby but I assume it was a supportive sandwich request), to take this opportunity to fund what I have spent so long in creating. And like a lovely friend said the other day, it reminded her “of actors who do blockbusters to fund their arthouse films/socially conscious projects”… and I could have hugged her. Thank you Louisa for that rad analogy!
“Contract or no, I will not bow to any sponsor.”
Lorraine and I spent a lot of time discussing what I would be comfortable with sharing on this space, and what I thought would be of the most benefit to you – the reader. Because as I always say, a blog is nothing without its readers. If you have any issues, concerns or worries, DO please let me know. Anonymously if you want, I don’t mind. Like I said, not much will change as I have worked with brands before – but behind the scenes it means that someone else now has the pleasure of dealing with my emails and negotiations and I can just get on with the business of writing, cooking, photographing and dreaming up new ways to make this site a resource for all folk who want to follow my journey into more conscious living and who want to make some changes for themselves. Or those who just need some dinner inspiration, or a kindred mum spirit. Whatever. Whoever. And it means that I can send more money to Foundation 18, and to Cate who has big plans for opening a second orphanage, and who late last year established an Elder Care program, providing assistance to elderly Balinese who are at risk of dying from starvation. (if you have not read this post, READ IT NOW. Take a hanky. This is what blogging can do.)
“It’s like people only do these things because they get paid. And that’s just really sad.”
I’m just going to keep doing what I do. And I’m planning on taking you all with me. Thank you again for coming here every day and being so unfailingly fabulous. This success would mean nothing if you were not all here to share it with me. I owe you some cake! I’ll take requests below 
Above all though, I’m thrilled it just means that the balance of my working mum life gets tipped a whole lot more in this direction:
PS: confused about all the Wayne’s World biz? This will explain. Or just amuse, either way!
