The Dark Side of Blogging

This week something happened that doesn’t happen often. I got mad. Not to say I don’t have bad days, but I rarely get in a pissed-off, mad-at-the-world mood. But this week I did.

Don’t get me wrong- I have days where I wish I kept my cool with my kids, or wish I stayed calm or got more done, but I don’t get truly angry very often.

I also typically try to keep my emotions in check, but today they were most definitely not and my poor husband had to bear the blunt end of my rant/venting session.

What made me mad?

The Dark Side of Blogging

Not my blog specifically (I love you guys, my readers, and I love to write) but the idea of blogging, the profession of blogging and all the things that happen behind the scenes that readers never see or hear about. The things that bloggers get sucked into and are forced to deal & compete with.

To preface, I should explain that the part that made me most angry is the perceived “selling out” of bloggers in various ways. This made me upset because I pride myself in writing ALL my own content, doing all my own research, making sure each article is super high quality and everything I ever link to, suggest or promote are products I personally use and love.

It makes me mad when I see other bloggers not extending their readers the same courtesy.

Here’s the thing…

From the outside, health bloggers often appear to be perfect human beings who cook gourmet meals three times a day, have impeccable style, washboard abs, and an incredible personality. We aren’t (at least not all of those things all the time).

Think about the pictures posted on facebook or instragram. You put your best foot forward. So do bloggers, but many of us are even more “filtered” since we are potentially exposed to and judged by thousands of people each day.

I sincerely hope that no mom ever comes to my blog and feels like she isn’t good enough because it seems like I “do it all” or “am a great mom all the time.” I assure you I’m not. I have laundry baskets full of clothes in my bedroom right now and yesterday’s clothes are still on the floor. We’ve eaten organic hotdogs three times this week because the Wellness Mama Cookbook (and dealing with Amazon) has taken over my life.

I don’t always cook three meals a day. Occasionally, I order Pete’s Paleo or from a local Japanese restaurant out of sheer convenience.

I don’t always make my own detergent and cleaning supplies. Sometimes it’s just easier (and saves time) to buy (natural) products at the store or online.

Sometimes I cry because of comments I receive on my blog or facebook (sometimes happy tears, but usually tears of sadness, hurt, or pain). I’m very much not a perfect mom. Nor a perfect human.

I blog to share things that have made my life easier or better and to hopefully help other moms, but I hope that everything I write encourages and uplifts and never makes another woman feel like she isn’t doing enough or isn’t good enough.

If you’ve ever felt that way- trust me…. you are good enough. You are doing enough. You are a great mom, and one lesson I’ve learned the hard way lately is that your children, your family, need you. Imperfect, wonderful, you.

Back to Blogging Though…

Certain things I’ve seen in the blogging world lately have really upset me because I felt like they crossed that line with their readers. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with bloggers making money. But I do have a problem with:

I have a problem with bloggers making money in a non-genuine way at the expense of their readers.
I have a problem with incestuous back-room affiliate deals. I have a problem with “I’ll promote your product if you promote mine.”
I have a problem when people duplicate my blog exactly for themselves, the design, every post and picture on the site, strip out my affiliate links and add their own, then claim everything as theirs.
I have a problem when other sites pull every post and picture of mine to use for themselves… to get more traffic so they can charge more for ads.
I have a problem with people copying content (both my content and that of others), stealing ideas and writing in an unauthentic voice solely for the goal of pushing more content out to the search engines. This annoys me because it isn’t about Google. It is about you. The readers. I don’t write for Google, I write for you!
I have a problem with the 100+ emails I get a day from people asking me to promote their stuff to my “list” (the people who subscribe to my email newsletter)

I don’t have a “list.” I have readers. I have friends. I have you. And you are the most important part of blogging to me.

And you know what? I’m not the only one who feels this way about the dark side of blogging.

I’m extremely aware, appreciative and grateful every single day for the amazing community that has grown through Wellness Mama. It is so much bigger than me. It is a group. A sisterhood. A family of moms who quite literally have the power to change the world. I don’t take that lightly. It annoys me when I see bloggers in the industry who do.

For me, blogging is really about creating a change for our kids. It isn’t about the money (though if that happens, it is great since we have six kids to feed, clothe and put through college one day) but that isn’t the goal. It is about making a healthier future for my children so they have decades and decades of health after college and so I get to live long enough to meet and enjoy my grandchildren.

I like to think/hope that I don’t have the amazing community that has developed here because I’ve written good articles about certain topics, but because I care about you. Because I want an actual (online) relationship with you. Because I care about the future for your kids as much as for my own.

I don’t want to be a “celebrity” from blogging (as some bloggers seem to want). In fact, this would utterly terrify me and get me so far out of my comfort zone I wouldn’t know who I was anymore. My goal isn’t to make millions, it is to HELP millions.

Someone else could copy my writing, copy my posts, copy all my ideas, but it wouldn’t be the same because the passion isn’t there. Because the world doesn’t need another blog post about how to make lip balm or magnesium body butter (which I did invent, btw), but the world needs more passion. It needs more people who care. If that is you- I am forever grateful for you… really! If you are passionate about your own goals, your own life, your own family and their health… you are changing the world more than the bloggers you see making tons of money and looking perfect on Instagram.

Because here is the deal… at the end of the day, it isn’t about me (and I’m super glad it isn’t!). I don’t use my last name. Not because I’m ashamed of it or have something to hide, but because it isn’t important (and because I value privacy for those six small children I mentioned). And because the movement, the “wellness mama idea”, is so much bigger than me.

I’m here because I want to make a change, not become famous.

My Blogging Struggle

It takes an incredible amount of time to make Wellness Mama what it is. Researching for posts. Taking photographs. Writing. Editing. Moderating comments. Social media promotion & communication. Etc.

It costs a lot of money to keep it running. Design & development costs. Hosting. Upgraded servers when traffic grows. Premium plugins. Email service. Etc. Etc. Etc.

The list goes on.

I’ve struggled with the fact that I could implement ads with the click of a button and make much more money that would help support my family and help fund a charity I’ve wanted to start for a long time (to provide sustainable food and clean water worldwide and to help distribute leftover food from farmers markets to soup kitchens, schools and food banks), but I’ve never made the jump because I personally hate ads and feel this would be “selling out.”

I want to make sure I’m always focused on you, but sometimes I don’t know the best way to do this. I make sure I don’t use spammy tactics to try to sell you things you don’t need. I don’t white label products that I didn’t create to make money. I moderate every comment so that the community is an uplifting and healthy environment for you to learn. I prominently display my affiliate policy so that readers are aware of my quality standards, practices, and promotion requirements.

I’ve struggled with the fact that I’m very much imperfect. WellnessMama.com has grown beyond my greatest goals and expectations. The blog gets a lot of traffic and in turn makes money through some of the products and resources I recommend.

I still feel like a failure because I’m not the perfect mom or the perfect wife. I think we all do. I’ve said it before, but I don’t think any mom goes to bed feeling like she has the whole wife/mother thing under control. I know I don’t. In fact, every day, I stress because of this incredible community that I love so much. Because I don’t always look, act and behave the way a “perfect” mom should. I think we all do.

So- long story short. Thank YOU so much for reading. For putting up with my rant. For caring about your family and the future of our children and our world.

At the end of the day, I don’t give a damn about just having your email address on my list. I want you to actually adopt the healthy changes I write and email about. To put in the time. To make a lasting change for your family. To say that your family’s life has improved because of changes you made. That is what matters to me.

2014 has been a tough year in many ways. The blog has grown. A lot. But I’ve made mistakes. I promoted a course (against my intuition) for someone that wasn’t a good fit… because I was too competitive. I started promoting an essential oils company (against my better judgement) because I thought there was an opportunity to help some friends make money. I self published the original Wellness Mama Cookbook, even though I had numerous offers from traditional publishers for upfront advances. And it’s wreaked havoc on my thyroid condition.

At the same time, 2014 has been an incredibly wonderful and rewarding year and I am grateful for everything this year has brought. I’ve made awesome friends who started as online friends and are now real life friends, like Heather, Genevieve, Emily, and Kelly (go check them out- they are amazing!). People like Sean, Steve & Jordan, Mary, and Christa. I finally found an amazing doctor who has helped me find answers for my thyroid struggles. And I finally finished writing my book!

My Pledge to You and a Question

So here is my pledge to you: I’m going to stop trying to be the “perfect” mom on the blog and social media. I’m going to stop stressing about answering every comment and start deleting those that don’t meet my requirements. I’m going to spend more time with family, even if that means I don’t post quite as often. I’m going to only create the most valuable, most helpful things I can and share those. I’m going to stop deleting posts because I feel like they aren’t good enough or might be met with resistance. I’m going to stop censoring my writing to meet the “squeaky clean Wellness Mama image” and let the real me shine through.

Because at the end of the day, I rarely feel like I’m good enough.

I feel inferior because I don’t look like Jennifer Aniston with the patience of June Cleaver and the culinary skills of Julia Childs. I feel imperfect because I don’t have 28 hours a day to get everything done that I want to accomplish.

In the coming weeks:

I’m going to be moving away from most “JV promotions” because they just don’t seem genuine to me.
I’m going to start creating more ebooks, courses, and products. Things that I enjoy doing and things that I wish I’d had when I started out…
I’m going to focus on creating more helpful and useful content for you.
I’m going to focus on enjoying my family and having balance and enjoying things more and stressing less.

This crazy world of blogging has led me to wrestle with several internal struggles lately, and rather than try to face them on my own, I figured I’d ask for your advice (it has never failed me before, so no pressure!).

I Want Your Opinion

1. What do you consider “selling out?” If I were to allow advertisers (carefully selected of course) would your opinion of WellnessMama.com as a trusted resource change?

2. How much of the “real me” do you want to see? Do you want more of the raw, uncensored Katie, or prefer the squeaky clean, “Wellness Mama” image?

3. Do you want me to create more courses, ebooks, and products for you or just recommend others?

4. What type of content and information will be most helpful to you moving forward? How can I best provide simple answers for healthier families for you?

Sources

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

759 responses to “The Dark Side of Blogging”

Romina

September 6, 2015

Hi Katie,

This is an old post I see but it intrigued me because I too am a blogger, lol and before you dismiss my comment I want to let you know what we all can agree on. THANK YOU! You have been an inspiration to all of us, I have been a long time reader of your blog you provide entertainment, growth, and value to me as a Natural Mom. As you know it is hard to find a fellow Natural Parent at local PTA’s to find conversation of similar interest. I appreciate you and your work. I know you are not perfect and that is OK with me I think those whom think of a public figures to be “perfect” come from an egotistic point of view. and that You give off a nonjudgmental view on the Natural lifestyle and that is where your value is. I see nothing wrong in with knowing your worth and value as a blogger, so the “Selling out” concept in my view is just another way to hold back. Honestly if you had a million google ads I would still visit, if you had an affiliate link to every thing you shared I would not mind. Your value is worth a lot and most of all it is original. There is nothing wrong with “Selling Out” in the terms of making a higher income from your hard work. Now if you’re selling out to post that GMO’s are healthy that is another story lol. But this is just my opinion you are AMAZING and deserve the right to compensated for your research, work and editing. KEEP THE GREAT WORK UP!!!

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Charmie

August 30, 2015

If there were a way to give a thumbs up on all of the positive comments about how wonderful it is to have you blog so many amazing ways that help us achieve a helpful, healthy way to live our lives, I would have been doing the thumbs up dance. Honestly, many of the things you have on your blog I had researched and tried to save on my computer, but once I found your blog, I no longer needed most of them! Your blog is like having my own personal file at my fingertips.

Not only do you have things I’ve researched, but even more that I had known nothing about, and, I so GREATLY appreciate your links! Sure, they are going to change from time to time as either more information is available about either a product that may work better or what have you, it just shows, to me that you are continually learning and then teaching us about those things. Thank you, Katie.

With your blog, I’ve been able to share a lot of useful tips, recipes etc. with many who need or may even be skeptical. How often I have shared w/a family member or friend to later find that they have enjoyed relief from a concern or problem. One small example, most of my immediate family have started using the deodorant recipes with variations depending on their need.

So grateful to you, Katie!

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Alley

August 25, 2015

I’m sure you’ve already heard it all, but I really enjoyed this post and felt compelled to insert my two cents…

I will admit, I wish I could be the woman about whom people ask, “How does she do it?” And to me, that person is quite often you, especially when I add up how many DIY things I’ve seen on your page. There have been times when I’ve been shamed by comparing myself to you or other moms, which I know is silly and unhealthy and should cease to happen, but I too have my flaws. And may I just say that it’s a breath of fresh air to read something real! This is also silly, but it makes me feel better as a mother and as a person to see that other people have struggles as well. It simply points out that I’m not alone.

Your website has been an invaluable resource for me over the past few years. I’ve often searched recipes or DIY personal care projects on Google and added “Wellness Mama” to the end because I know that if you have what I’m looking for, you’ll most likely have the simplest and easiest way to execute whatever that thing might be, and it’s going to meet my criteria for level of naturalness!

I just want to say thank you for being you and for doing what you do. I can only imagine how difficult your job must be and I admire that you find a way to make it happen. Please know that you’re my go-to gal for natural mom info and I can see that you have put a lot of quality care and work into your website, which I respect a great deal. I am totally in favor of you continuing your wonderful work, so long as you address your own needs and comforts first! 🙂

If you read this comment and take anything from it, I hope it is that I am just one among many happy readers who has been helped by how much you care. Again, thank you so much for all that you do. You truly amaze me!

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Carole

August 9, 2015

In the short couple of months since I have found your blog, you have: 1) provided a simple, safe, and cheap solution to my 30-year search for a cure for stubborn folliculitis; 2) turned a summer-long, doctor-ordered candida diet from torture into pleasant discovery and lifelong improvement in cooking habits; 3) potentially saved me from hundreds or even thousands of dollars in dental bills (my tooth pain is almost gone after following your protocol for 2 weeks); and 4) saved me from having to take antibiotics and possibly lose the use of part of my hand, not to mention permanent scarring, from a brown recluse bite, which is now healing nicely (and I struggle with GAPS, so antibiotics would have been disastrous). Because of your integrity and passion, you have already done more for me than most doctors have done in the past decade. If I could, I would take every dime I ever paid into that system and give it to you. To me, you are perfect, and I am eternally grateful that you do what you do. You have already changed the world. Thank you.

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Misti

August 5, 2015

I absolutely love you! You are amazing! I’m sorry there are people in this world that are only happy hurting people! It’s so wonderful to have people like you who help people! It’s been almost a year since I began my journey. I found you while trying to find a solution for My hair (falling out, it growing, etc.) I looked up natural shampoo and found you. Your influence most likely saved my life and the like of my four children. One of my daughter’s was extremely I’ll and we could never fine the cause. Buts thanks to your hard work we are SICK FREE . Lol.. I’m so great full words cannot say or give appropriate praise. Thank you a million times over. And again THANK YOU. I have experienced aweful people along the way. Even my own family seemed to turn against me as I made my way through this healing process. Now people are starting to take notice and though they don’t want to admit I was and am doing something right they have began to make changes there self . You have an impact on even thouse who don’t come to your site. People like me who are faithful to reading your post share with others and they to have a better life. Thank you again and again and again.

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Sarah

August 5, 2015

Dear Katie,

I realise your original blog post was last year however having just become a subscriber today (although I found and made your fabulous recipes a few weeks ago for deodorant and moisturiser) I feel I must convey my gratitude and deepest respect for all your hard work to provide us with these wonderful natural choices.

A close friend and neighbour who was 42 years old with two young girls was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year and sadly passed away a couple of weeks ago. I used to be a smoker and wasn’t too concerned with the chemical content of products I was using. Upon hearing of my friends diagnosis last year I literally went outside that same day and had my last cigarette. This was also the start of my quest to find out what environmental factors / chemicals in personal products were contributing to developing ill health etc. Needless to say I was horrified! I immediately started buying only organic fruit and veg and cut back on large quantities of red meat (I already had cut out processed foods as part of a weight loss programme). I then went through the mind numbing steps of trying to find “off the shelf” natural and organic personal care products for myself and my son (my husband has yet to be convinced!). It was while I was looking for all natural deodorant that I came across your website. I was immediately gripped by your gorgeous photos and friendly face. The quality and quantity of information you provide and the easy to follows steps are fantastic. You certainly have done all the hard work and taken a lot of the mystery out of the natural product world.

Personally, I am hooked on your blogs and recipes and have today subscribed to wellness mama and also purchased one of your apps. I will most likely purchase your ebook on natural home cleaners, closely followed by your cook book (I have a very very fussy non veg eating 3 year old boy to try and coax!!!) at my next pay day!.

I’d like to thank you most sincerely for doing what you do and although it’s a little late, in reply to your questions above, 1. Everyone deserves to make a living and you are providing a fantastic service to us so absolutely use advertising 2. Be the raw, uncensored wellness mama, the one we can all relate to and the one we can smile to ourselves about thinking “Gosh, I do that too!, I must be normal!”. 3. Keep doing what you are doing, exactly as you are, we couldn’t ask for more.

So, from rainy and windy Ireland (we call it summer!!!), I say thank you for caring and for having a passion. It is clear you have made a massive impact to peoples lives and I can assure you, you have changed the lifestyle of one little family in Ireland. XXXX

All the best for you and your family’s future.

Sarah. x

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Katia

August 4, 2015

I also wanted to chime in a few months late 😀

I found your blog about 2 years ago, shortly after having my baby. Your blog has changed my life! I knew I wanted to live a more natural life when my son was born, but it was not until I found your laundry detergent recipe that I really started making changes. Yours was the first wellness blog I had ever read, and even now when I’ve found countless others I ALWAYS come back to yours. So THANK YOU for the huge impact you have on your readers. THANK YOU for staying true to yourself and caring about the content you provide for all of us.

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Sasha Densikoff

August 1, 2015

Sorry I’m jumping in a bit late to this party, but hey, better late than never, huh?
It seems like you have a plethora of adoring fans already, but I thiught I’d chuck in my two cents, because I’m not sure you realise just how far reaching your wonderful blog goes.
I am in Australia, and I too adore your blog and all that is in it. Your links most often come up when I am searching for cold and flu info, and yours are usually the first ones I choose, because I know that not only the info will be great, but tried and tested with a real family.
I love everything about your site, the great clean layout, ease of navigation, great quality info I know I can trust, and the fact that it doesn’t seem to be all preachy, which is something that I really hate about other blogs, and have unfollowed them because of it.
It’s fine to have a religion and it’s fine to be proud of it, but unless it’s predominantly a religion flavoured blog, it’s kinda indecent to cram your beliefs down other people’s throats. I am forever grateful that you don’t do this!
What matters most is helping people and sharing the info and wisdom you have aquired, in the hope it will make their lives easier. Too often, we reach for some packaged crap on a shelf, and we have forgotten the fine art of cooking nutritious meals and making our own medicines and healing with good food.
You are actually doing so much more than just making a blog. You are keeping some of the old traditions alive, and with those old ways fading fast, those who choose to safeguard such knowledge and pass it on, are a treasure to the world indeed!
So thank you for all that you do. I appreciate your personal sacrifices, the stress, the long hours and the sheer time you sink into this thing. You are doing the world a great service! If you weren’t so damn humble, I’d suggest that a big bronze statue be made in your honour, lol!
Look after yourself and your family. We won’t begrudge you if you make a little money off to the side. We understand, and we support you!

*big bear hugs for my favourite blogger*

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Rena

July 8, 2015

Hi Katie,
I wasn’t sure if I should comment since this post is several months old and you’ve probably had all of the feedback you need but I’ve wanted to communicate with you since I discovered your blog a few weeks ago and this post felt like the right place. Frist, to answer your questions:
1) No, my high opinion of this blog would not change. In support of this blog and your work I would rather see ads than to see your blog (or personal life) suffer because of money. I don’t think any reasonable person would begrudge you the ability to make a living. Your valuable content will have a stable home and your integrity will remain intact.
2) Be as real as possible. This post was eye-opening to me about who you are and what you stand for, I found it as valuable of a read as any recipe or review.
3) I love all of your content. Home maintenance, organizing, cleaning, personal care products, motherhood (though we are not parents….to human children anyway:)). eBooks are awesome, grouping like posts under headings is helpful but nothing compares with a well written and organized book.

Note to Katie: I have ALWAYS wanted to be more natural. I really had no clue how to implement this sort of lifestyle. In recent weeks we have rid our home of all chemical cleaning products and we’re well on our way to doing the same for personal care products. We (my husband and I) have committed to go grain free for 30 days, we visited a dairy farm last weekend and bought raw milk, I have an amazon shopping cart filled with some of your recommended supplements and that’s just to name a FEW ways in which this blog has impacted my life. I’m mid 30s and plan to start a family in a year or so and I have fear about age and biological clock but your tips and advice have made me feel less fearful and given me steps to follow to improve my chances. I had never heard of a doula, you better believe that if we do have a child we will be hiring one. I appreciate that you are not judgmental or try to shame readers who may not share your opinions or lifestyle. I really REALLY appreciate that, Katie. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that I feel like I found in your blog something for which I have searched for what seems like my entire life (not to be too dramatic, right?).

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Lori

June 8, 2015

Thank you, thank you, thank you, dear Katie!!! Thank you for all you do!!! Please DO take time to be with your precious husband and little ones!!! I have learned so much from this website, and no bragging, but I knew quite a bit to begin with! After all I’m more than half a century “young”!!! 🙂
Anyway, just want you to know you are loved and needed. Blessings to you and yours!!! Be yourself, the woman that God made you to be!
Love and blessings,
Lori

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Stellie

May 29, 2015

Hi Katie,

I love to read your post, it s good to have a good ranting, it s so lberating.
thank you for asking us our opinion, you are wonderful.

I personally trust your opinion on picking the right advertisers if you ‘need’ their financial help to continue your good work. I love your blog, this website is a golden nugget, I only recently found it and I now very often come to ‘see you’ and read about your great posts. I love that you are so committed and that you have chosen a healthier life style I try to do the same.
I value that way of thinking, the fact that you want to make products with simple ingredients, things that you understand and can identify instead of buying things from the supermarket shelves. I really love that about you and that s why I come so often on your blog, I just want to read about your new recipes of great products that we all use in our lives. I have always loved to make my own beauty products and I love cooking from scratch, it warms my heart to find so many other people that feel the same. we need more genuine in our lives, and I like that you are so honest and caring, that shows in every of your posts and articles. so big thank you.
I dont think you should shy away from showing your real-you, dont be worried, we like you very much, I am sure every one can deal with reading your opinions on various topics, it s important that you are yourself, this is your blog for goodness sake, you should be able to be yourself here, we are only guests 😉
I think you are sweet and lovely, I am sure I ll just like you even more.

and now about your 3rd question, absolutely love all the posts about the things you make yourself, so please just keep on creating products that we all find useful on a daily basis, that s really wonderful.

love and thank you from France

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Mari

May 14, 2015

I truly hope that your dreams will come true! What an amazing soul you are:) Thank you for that,
Big fan of your site

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Kristina

May 12, 2015

Katie, thank you so much for writing the “Here’s the thing…” part. I have been a huge fan of your site, though quite a newbie in discovering all the things you are so passionate about and overwhelmed with “all that I wish I knew, I should have known, and I wish I would never know because it’s just too hard” thoughts. Things are so hard when you are starting out. Trying to change few things at a time, following through, communicating to your husband why we are doing things this way now, sharing with friends about your new discoveries and passions that often times bring weird stares and polite commentaries. We have two children, 2 and 4 year old. Dealing with their tantrums and self discoveries. Trying to remember to take care of myself and at least brush my teeth before bed some days. Switching to Norwex and Branch basics. Natural shampoos and home made wipes. DIY gifts for friends. A few victories accomplished, oh so many still so far away and no time in the day for. Two months ago my son’s dentist said he found 4 cavities in my 4 year old. Oh the guilt for not doing enough, for not using the chloride toothpaste, for not brushing his teeth long enough… We don’t eat much junk, very limited candy and cookies, mostly fruit as snacks and desserts. So for last 4 weeks we do fermented cod liver and butter oil as supplement, and cut down on as much of phytic acid as possible. But I guess I just don’t do enough, not drastic enough, because the cavities are still there. And two weeks ago, we found out we had silent miscarriage at 12 weeks when we thought we already were in the clear. I have never been more health oriented in my life, living a healthier lifestyle than now and here this.. I do feel like I am not enough. I do feel that you and many many other moms can do things much better. I just cannot do and be everything for everybody, and so I fail many times. After spending few hours on your website and doing all sorts of research of how I can cut down the phytic acid in my family’s diet and still somehow keep peace at home, how to remineralize my child’s teeth and feeling pathetically helpless and like the whole world is on my shoulders I stumbled onto this blog. It brought tears to my eyes. It hurts that I cannot be all that I want to be to my family and save them all from their troubles. But it heals to hear your say “you are doing enough”. Thank you, Katie for saying this. You’re even more dearer to my heart because of this.
Keep up the good work, because I am sure there are more women out there like me who just try to do their best at the given moment, who need somebody to inspire and understand them!

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1. Wellness Mama
  
  May 12, 2015
  
  I am so sorry for your loss! Thank you for your kind words.
  
  Reply
Arlene

May 10, 2015

Hi Katie,

I found your blog last year in search for a water filter. I have found your website very informative, and creative. I have made some changes for me and family’s health and life style with wonderful results and for that I have to thank you. Thanks for being yourself and for being such a great giver. Please do what your heart desires. I love your website and keep up with that awesome job you are doing.

thanks for all you do

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Debbi

May 8, 2015

Hi there Katie. This is my first visit to your blog and this is the second post I was drawn to read (101 Uses for Coconut Oil was the first because I am recently obsessed with coconut oil and all it can do!). So, while I have not read through your blog as much as some others I am going to offer my opinion anyway. See, I am an aspiring blogger (I have the site but am more than a little afraid to launch) and reading other folks’ blogs about things I am interested in helps me gain the courage I need to do so. This post in particular is the first I have read that struck me as incredibly real. Honest. Just the facts ma’am and all that. My initial impression of you is that you are a genuine person who truly cares about those around you.

1. “Selling Out” to me means advertising and promoting products solely for the purpose of making money without regard to what those products are or if they are reputable. I will admit that one of the first things I noticed about your blog was the lack of ads and I was impressed. That being said, if you were to advertise products that you use/support, I personally would not think any less of you or this blog. Based on what I have seen so far I have to believe that any advertising on your site would be tasteful.

2. For me – the “real person” is always what I want to see. My motto in life is this: “I’m a tell it like it is and not like it ain’t kind of person. I live strong, love big, and laugh loudly. I am me and nothing more or less. Take me as I am.” My goal in life is to live authentically in joy. I want to surround myself with folks who feel the same. So be yourself. Please. 🙂

3. Yes! I love courses and ebooks and products that fit my lifestyle and based on the little bit I’ve seen of your blog I think I might just love any of the above from you! For me – I am interested in easy and healthy clean eating, homemade cleaning and beauty supplies, natural remedies, and small scale gardening ideas.

So after having said all that I just want to say – Thank you. For all your hard work, research, attention to detail, and passion for what you do. It shows! I know it can be difficult but try to ignore the hurtful comments. I have found that if I spend my time working on my life and well-being I am too busy to judge others. Let them hate you more than they love themselves – that’s a whole lotta not your problem! 😉

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Jurate

May 5, 2015

Hello Dear,
I’ve only now discovered your blog, and it is wonderful. One of the best that I have found to today.

I don’t know about others, but I’m definetly not what one would call a perfect person, not to mention a woman. But we all have our struggles. I have my own medicinal problems. Like so many others. But it’s not like it defines who I am. Just like how “clean (not a messy or a rat, thank you)” or “well into cooking skills” defines me.

I’m just…I. Doing (mostly/when I am able to) my best.

Heads up, honey. Life’s not worth being all sad about it. (Even when you are, it might just be your persona. I am). Each one of us could die every day, come a stupid accident.

Love

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Jane

April 29, 2015

Dearest Katie- amazing , sincere, open post! Your family, husband and children should come first! Nothing or nobody should take away from your quality time with them. In the end, your children do not need much money, fancy clothes and toys- they need YOU, their mama NOW! Blog can wait, we can wait… we are NOT that important , but your family is! Focus on your family and everything else will fall in to place. Do NOT stress over things you can NOT control, like people stealing your content or ideas- let vengeance be God’s.
But, we , your readers and friends DO see the difference in your blog and we DO appreciate your pure motives!Cry out to God for wisdom..and He will give it.. Thank you for all your posts..we love you!

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Lisa

April 25, 2015

I have been looking for a water filtration system for a long time. I am SO happy that you reviewed the one you use on your blog. We looked at other reviews and they agreed with yours. We purchased one and can’t wait to get it in the mail!

I’ve been looking at your blog and appreciate what I’ve found. I especially liked this authentic post that you wrote. All I can say is — ditto!! Thank you so much for being here and sharing what you have learned so I can do better for my family. YOU are truly a blessing!

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Elaine

April 23, 2015

I agree with all who say: Be yourself and do what works for you.

Thank you for this blog. I really enjoy it.

Elaine

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Kathy

April 20, 2015

Hi Katie,

First of all, I commend you for wanting to put your family first. I would also like to thank you for all the time and effort you put forward into your site. I really appreciate all of the wonderful information you provide to us. While I am new to your site, I can see how dedicated you are to living a healthy life style.

I personally do not consider advertising as selling out, as long as you believe in and use the products you advertise. I feel you should be compensated for sharing the information you provide, after all the research and time it takes to post recipes alone looks to be a full time job.

As far as what image I would like to see, I prefer you to be yourself, flaws and all! As no one is perfect!

I hope you can continue providing us with information in a way that works with your schedule and is enjoyable for you! I will continue to visit your site regardless!

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