The Girl in the Red Rubber Boots

This Is Goodbye

—

by

Emily Sara Smucker
in

I have decided to, for a while at least and maybe forever, stop blogging.

You may wonder why someone who has faithfully blogged for eight years and twenty-three days would suddenly decide to give up on the craft. I’m not sure if I can explain, or if I even want to explain. But I will try, briefly.

I always valued transparency, honesty, openness, and realness, and thought I had nothing to hide. I wanted my blog to be a reflection of that. However, I underestimated the power I was giving the world to hurt me.

Also, I am growing increasingly uncomfortable with the way I have acquired a sort of “fan base” on my blog. I want to be a blessing to people by my life, and by letting Christ shine through me. But I don’t ever want to feel like I’m  the important one with the story to tell, and you’re the fan who needs to listen.

My blog makes me feel that way.

I want to be the one listening. I want to hear your story.

That is why I have decided to stop blogging. Because….

I need a holiday. A very long holiday. And I don’t expect I shall return. In fact, I mean not to.

-Bilbo Baggins

Comments

14 responses to “This Is Goodbye”

  1. Gabrielle Avatar
    Gabrielle

    My first reaction to this post (specifically the title of the post) was to say, “Noooo!” in my head. I was shocked.

    But… after reading your post, I got “it”. As a blogger, I’ve also struggled with mixed feelings about writing about me, me, me all of the time. I’ve lost my original purpose for blogging, found it, and floundered some more.

    For what it’s worth, I think you’re making the right decision. I’m going to miss your words, but I’ve got a feeling that God’s gonna use this tough decision for His glory.

    Thank you, Emily, for sharing your words in the past season of life. Best wishes as you embark on the next season!

    Like

    Reply
  2. Mark Roth Avatar
    Mark Roth

    “I commend you to God and the Word of His grace…”

    And I commend you for this decision. And admire you for it.

    May we “be to the praise of His glory.”

    Thanks, Emily.

    Like

    Reply
  3. Shelley Avatar
    Shelley

    We will miss you on here. But I think I understand. I think anyway…..I can’t wait to talk to you about this in person. 🙂 Blessings, dear.

    Like

    Reply
  4. Esta Avatar
    Esta

    Emily—

    I am so very sad. But I am quite in awe of your deep maturity in this. I’m going to miss you in this place.

    Like

    Reply
  5. Jennifer M. Hartsock Avatar
    Jennifer M. Hartsock

    Hello Emily,

    I think it is very healthy to take a break if you feel uncomfortable here. However, you may also consider making your blog more interactive. Encourage your readers to share their own stories. I think it’s great to inspire people to be comfortable with themselves, as long as you feel they’re inspiring you, as well.

    Take care,
    Jennifer

    Like

    Reply
  6. Shawn Graber Avatar
    Shawn Graber

    I feel you’re making a wise decision, even though I also feel like I should be arguing with you and trying to convince you to continue blogging so I can chuckle, chortle, and downright guffaw at the wonderful tales you tell with your masterful use of the English language. I will miss reading your blogs.

    Like

    Reply
  7. Cherry Avatar
    Cherry

    Everything everyone else said. And just…. thank-you.

    Like

    Reply
  8. Catherine Yoder Avatar
    Catherine Yoder

    I will miss you and your unique perspective on life and watching you progress through life’s twists and turns. Keep using your talents, even though it may be in a less public way. Wishing you God’s best!

    Like

    Reply
  9. PJ Avatar
    PJ

    After reading your book I read your blog to learn “the rest of the story”. Silently I celebrate your successes (congratulations, graduate), pray for your improved health, cheer for your dreams. Your writing sometimes makes me laugh out loud, and sometimes it makes me think about things from a new perspective. I will miss you, Emily. I am sad that I will no longer be able to read about your life’s journey. I wish you the very best life has to offer. PJ

    Like

    Reply
  10. Misty Avatar
    Misty

    Bless you in your endeavours and thank you for sharing your life with us!

    Like

    Reply
  11. Rosanna Avatar
    Rosanna

    Hi Emily,
    I’d like to encourage you to reconsider..
    You might think you were just talking about yourself all the time and you could always shift focus a bit if you feel that way.
    Also the hurts that you probably got are almost inevitable when you practice openness and transparency. Believe me, I’ve felt like getting “off the merry go round” a thousand times and just going to the back 40 to be alone. Maybe you need to learn more discretion in what you write, but I really really really wish you wouldn’t quit. I have 3 teen daughters and you’ve been an inspiration to me and I appreciate your honesty.
    So my advice and wish is that you say ok, “for a while I’m just gonna write about things that people don’t jump onto me about” and keep going slowly.
    You’ve been an encouragement to me not to “pretend” about stuff and I really appreciate your blog.
    Come on….say you’ll keep it up….I think God gave you a talent here that He doesn’t want to have buried. (just my opinion, but all that to say that I would really miss you if you quit)
    Rosanna

    Like

    Reply
  12. Rosanna King Avatar
    Rosanna King

    going to miss reading your blog. i understand and at the same time i want to say that every person that chooses to live openly and write honestly inspires me and many others to live likewise. however it’s one sided as we get to enjoy learning to know you and hearing your story but you don’t have the privilege of learning to know us to the same degree. thanks for sharing everything that you have, Rosanna (not the same one as above)

    Like

    Reply
  13. sjlarose Avatar
    sjlarose

    I am reading your book, and I have rarely enjoyed something so much! It resonates deeply with things I experience in my own life with chronic illness. It is hard to sift through the depth and pain of life at home with my own thoughts and figure out what to include and what to leave out, how to express things in ways that others can identify with, etc. I hope you are still reading these comments…

    Like

    Reply
  14. July Life Update | The Girl in the Red Rubber Boots Avatar
    July Life Update | The Girl in the Red Rubber Boots

    […] I’d just type up whatever I was thinking, “post!” and done. But ever since my year-long hiatus, I’ve been much more […]

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment