Ask Me Anything Answers + Survey Results

Thanks so all of you who took my 2021 KERF Survey! I’ve analyzed the outcomes and have some enjoyable solutions to your questions.

Right here is a number of the survey information:

I’m not shocked by this in any respect, particularly since the kind of weblog reader to take my survey might be a long-time one who misses the “good outdated days!” On my record of 2021 objectives is to write down extra private, day-in-the-life model weblog posts. Is it secure to say that the next circle has occurred:

2007 – Nobody was writing about their each day lives on-line. Way of life blogs began to indicate up.
2010 – Everybody had a private weblog!
2014 – The bloggers that persevered began to go extra in an evergreen, topical, Google, website positioning course and a number of the private connection was misplaced.
2018 – Instagram is queen of non-public and blogs are boring except you’re trying to find one thing particular
2021 – KERF comes full circle and is the one private weblog on the market

I joke….however I DO need to be extra private and fewer searchable as a result of I’m uninterested in combating with Google and need to stand out for being a human!

So that you need to see extra day within the life posts! Famous. I additionally assume it’s attention-grabbing that parenting and recipes received so many votes however neither was wherever near the highest of the “favourite sort of put up.”

I’m tremendous pumped to write down about Residence Neat Residence!

I’m much less excited to write down about Diet as a result of I really feel like I’ve such a wholistic view of diet as of late (Eat actual meals. Eat every little thing carefully. Transfer your physique. Love your physique. Take pleasure in life!) that I’m not terribly excited about issues like nutritional vitamins and protein.

I believe for those who concentrate on consuming actual meals these particulars are much less essential. However you guys clearly care about diet and wholesome dwelling so I’ll do my greatest to maintain sharing on these matters, maybe with a extra private spin.

I’m not shocked by this in any respect! I’m the identical manner. Until I’m trying to find one thing – then I need ZERO persona and the particular person to get.to.the.level. Haha.

As I stated within the survey, we don’t have a podcast within the works. My sister requested me about one and I threw this query in. I informed her if she did all of the tech stuff I’d assist host! Perhaps it is going to be a 2022 plan : )

Additionally of word: lots of the 10% of stated they wouldn’t hearken to our podcast write within the feedback part that it was solely as a result of the one listened to True Crime or Comedy podcasts not as a result of they didn’t love us <3

Hey 68% – do you know I ship out a weekly PERSONAL e mail with a few of my ideas from the week, hyperlinks to posts you might need missed, seasonal recipes, and typically particular offers? Algorithm proof your weblog studying >>>

Ask Me Something: Your Solutions

Throughout the survey you guys left so many nice feedback within the open ended part – thanks SO a lot for all the candy phrases!!!!

Listed here are a number of the questions you requested!

Do you continue to take pleasure in running a blog as a lot as you used to?

This can be a good query! I completely nonetheless love running a blog when I’ve a subject I’m enthusiastic about (like this put up – it was enjoyable!) However what I don’t love is the endless strain to provide you with content material day after day, week after week.

Tina and I had a fantastic convo about this on her podcast lately in regards to the execs and cons of the outdated and new faculty approaches to running a blog. Again within the day I revealed posts on a regular basis however I by no means had to consider the longer term as a result of I couldn’t pre-write my content material. It was releasing and I lived extra within the second.

Nowadays I’ve flexibility in my day, however I’m at all times frightened in regards to the subsequent week or the subsequent week. I would like that flexibility due to the children, nevertheless it signifies that I at all times have subsequent week’s put up hanging over me. I actually need to determine a solution to remedy this drawback!

This possibly too private. Please ignore if that’s the case. Ideas about why folks separate. You will have been via it your self so a readability of why it may occur and should occur once more for folks.

I believe the most important purpose, which is considerably true for me, is that your existence simply don’t completely mesh. It’s not about what you want or don’t like however how do you need to reside? What are you each day values? When this stuff fall out of alignment it makes sharing a life all of the harder. Generally you may repair it and typically you may’t.

Thanks for being my go to weblog for 12 years! Again within the day, I liked your three posts a day, as we speak I like the range. I really feel such as you’ve hit the right stability of diet, recipes, household life, merchandise and many others. You might need already posted about this stuff and I might have missed it – how does your squiggly line impression the alternatives you make when consuming out (extra like ordering takeout as of late) and what’s your go to make for dinner meal once you simply don’t really feel like cooking? Thanks once more for all the unbelievable content material you share and for standing up and expressing what you imagine in – BLM and Go Biden/Harris!!! 🙂

Thanks! I believe after I exit I’m specializing in two issues: stability in my day and the way I’ll really feel on the finish of the meal.

If I had an enormous salad for lunch, I’m extra prone to skip one at dinner. If I had an enormous lunch, I’d get a salad for dinner. I’ve additionally realized with time to eat no matter I need however not get too full. That lesson got here from overeating till I used to be full manner too many instances!

I additionally hardly ever overdrink as of late. I believe these habits have all been realized and constructed into my instinct over time slightly than as aware decisions. It really seems like the peak of the squiggles within the line are smaller now. I would like to write down a put up about this!

Lengthy-time reader and love your content material! I’d love a podcast and was additionally questioning for those who’ve ever thought of supplementing with a vlog or YouTube channel movies? I watch extra of these as of late and actually love them. 🙂 Glad New Yr!

Mazen has impressed me to place extra content material on YouTube – lol! I used to assume a YouTube video needed to be lengthy and polished, however I’m realizing that some might be brief and informal.

So my reply is possibly. I’m undecided that’s one of the best use of my time proper now although! How many individuals really sit and watch movies on YouTube? I would like one other survey for that as a result of I certain don’t.

I’d be excited about a put up in regards to the execs and cons of an enormous age distinction between your youngsters. If I’ve extra, they’ll most likely be about 5 years youthful than my twins. Additionally, after all it is sensible that you just hardly ever discuss Matt and his household anymore, however I used to be enthusiastic about his mother’s most cancers just a few years again and hope she’s doing properly as of late.

Karen is a miracle and doing properly! She has beat the chances. We speak on occasion on Voxer!

And I like our kids’s age hole. I believe the toughest half is that the elements of every age which might be simple are difficult for the alternative age. Having every of them one-on-one may be very simple however having each collectively is definitely a bit more difficult as a result of they’re so totally different of their wants.

Days after we simply have Birch are a dream, and when Birch is at school and Mazen is at dwelling are additionally a dream! Each of them on the similar time is irritating and loud – ha.

Perhaps that’s the case for all households with multiple little one? Total although it’s been nice they usually do play collectively properly a number of the time.

Merging funds with a brand new partner – I like your funds posts and am curious the way you dealt with that with Thomas – possibly too nosy and private however I believe it will be attention-grabbing

I don’t keep in mind all the specifics of our timeline, however I believe as soon as we moved in collectively we merged all of our family bills and have become joint. Which actually meant I added him to my checking account that turned our joint account. He has his personal checking account for “enjoyable” issues and I’ve my funds line in our funds (as a result of I do the budgeting) for my private spending so we every have our personal enjoyable cash, which I believe is essential in any relationship!

As soon as we have been married we did wills and joint funding accounts – the large stuff.

You appear to suit a lot into your own home, nevertheless it doesn’t look like that large, what number of sq ft is it? Is that bizarre? If it’s bizarre you may ignore!

It’s 3500 sq toes. It’s loads larger within the again than the entrance. I believe it’s too large on paper, however after I actually take into consideration all of the areas – we use and respect all of them. I do want we might steal some sq. toes from our basement and add it to our fundamental dwelling space.

Not a grievance however constructive criticism: I totally perceive that you just want advertisements in your website however the banner advert alongside the underside makes it very tough to learn your posts. It often covers up a part of a photograph or and many others so that you just by no means can see the complete photograph. Very distracting and makes it much less pleasurable. I really don’t imply to complain simply wished to share my opinion.

I might like to take away all of the advertisements – belief me. That’s why I’m hoping all of my aspect hustles take off and make loads of cash after which I can retire my advertisements 🙂 Would you pay right into a membership website to have all of the advertisements eliminated? I do know some bloggers have finished that – the websites are clear and the followers pay to run it as an alternative of the advertisers. I really feel like that might be loads tougher to do although!

May you do a put up about monetary success with Magnificence Counter? What stage are you? Government director? How many individuals are in your down line? How does the earnings stream work?

I’m a Director and I’ve about 30 ladies on my workforce. Once I joined, I stated I refused to have a workforce, however over time folks have come to me and it’s been a extremely enjoyable half! We’re very collaborative and brainstorm concepts collectively – the neighborhood side makes it extra enjoyable.

Beautycounter is a direct gross sales firm and we’re paid fee on our gross sales so it’s similar to being a part of an associates program like Amazon, Rewardstyle, and many others. however with a lot greater fee charges.

I do know it’s very polarizing (fairly just a few of you commented within the survey that you just wished nothing to do with it), however I imagine within the model and the corporate and am grateful for the a whole lot of you who adore it too!

Kath, I actually love your writing model, and sure, studying your posts supply a life shared expertise in some way, like “going into your bestie’s dwelling” as you wrote the opposite day. I’d like to listen to an sincere view on the job as a blogger, is it a full time dedication or how are you going to reside your life with a digicam in your hand always? How intrusive is it? How do you cope? Additionally, how do you cope basically having to put up so typically and be so current in social media? I discover it nervousness upsetting. Thanks and blissful vaccine 12 months!

This can be a good query! I’ve no struggles with dwelling on-line as long as I’m selecting what’s revealed and what isn’t. I don’t assume I may very well be on a actuality TV present (besides Survivor!)

I like that I’ve my life documented, however I do marvel what it will be wish to be completely unplugged. (And I must completely unplug on my holidays extra!)

I’m positively hooked on my cellphone and know-how, however I don’t assume it’s impacting my life in a really detrimental manner for now. I’m asking myself the place my time is greatest spent although.

I like when any blogger is actual. I need extra, my youngsters are bugging me, my home is a multitude, I attempted this shirt from amazon and I appear like a idiot and many others, and many others. and many others. Bothers me when every little thing is take a look at my good life and ideal footage and many others and many others.

Famous 😉

Have you ever ever had issues with Mazen as a toddler almost about energy struggles? My toddler-Boy is roughly a 12 months older than B and he’s getting so robust but in addition strong-willed- a lot combating now. I at all times wish to examine different dad and mom‘ views.

OMG sure. Mazen is tremendous strong-willed. Parenting him is just not simple to at the present time, nevertheless, I’ve chosen to not elaborate on these points for his privateness. I’ve at all times tried to attract the privateness line at sharing blissful recollections like a trip vs. writing about struggles.

Curious for those who plan on having extra youngsters?

I don’t plan on having any extra, however that doesn’t imply I wouldn’t like extra. Two feels very balanced to me although.

I’ve given away each single child merchandise we owned too, so having one other would imply ranging from scratch! If have been youthful (like 30) I might take into account 3, however I’m getting outdated! I believe Thomas would say sure immediately if I actually wished a 3rd.

What’s your holy grail oatmeal? I’m an oatmeal lover too!

I don’t make it sufficient, however I LOVE traditional whipped banana with cottage cheese stirred in!!

I actually take pleasure in your organizational posts and am continuously in awe of your group! I’ve some actually particular issues I battle with organizationally that don’t at all times seem in your surveys. For instance, outdated electronics like fitbit that also works (promote or give away?). Do you retain stuff out of your childhood? I’ve these dolls from my grandmother and I don’t know what to do with them! Letter jackets, wedding ceremony costume, and many others. Do you ever battle with these sorts of issues? Sentimental litter I suppose is what I’d name it. Thanks a lot Kath! I actually take pleasure in your posts!

Positively promote or give away the Fitbit. I have a tendency to simply give that sort of stuff away as a result of I believe promoting is rarely definitely worth the time for outdated tech.

I believe all of us battle with sentimental litter! Each of my wedding ceremony clothes are crumpled within the attic. I do have one childhood reminiscence trunk. Take a photograph of the dolls and provides them to an vintage retailer or faculty who will love them. I ought to most likely give my wedding ceremony clothes to a theater division or a program who provides clothes to these in want. I believe you’ll really feel a lot lighter as soon as the stuff is gone – simply discover a solution to protect the reminiscence (images are one of the best!)

I’m a very long time reader and I wished you to know that your optimistic but right down to earth postings have saved me coming again 12 months after 12 months. Though I’m nearer to your mother’s age than yours, I’ve realized a lot out of your weblog. I’m wondering for those who notice what a present your voice has been to so many throughout these covid instances? You’re a optimistic power so wanted on this loopy world. Preserve doing you Kath! PS would LOVE a podcast!

THANK YOU!