Don’t worry — you’re in the right spot. 🙂 I’ve made some tweaks to the look of A Mindful Migration and its focus ongoing. When I launched A Mindful Migration, the plan was for it to be a personal finance blog, specifically focused on mindful spending. But even back then, in my heart of hearts, I knew it wouldn’t last. After all, I made the deliberate choice to not use the word money or debt or budget or any word associated with finance in its name. And frankly, from an SEO perspective, that is a bad choice. I didn’t do it to trick anyone, but simply because I knew money wasn’t really my passion long-term.
Finally Finding My REAL Voice
Don’t get me wrong — financial literacy is incredibly important. From personal experience, I know gaining control of your money and using it mindfully can change your life. I remain 110% committed to that idea and support those who are helping people become financially literate. What I also realize now is that I am not the person to deliver that message through my personal blog. I simply don’t have the same passion that most personal finance bloggers do, and it is that passion that inspires change.
I was barely going through the motions when it finally hit me that I can no longer continue the charade: I am not a personal finance blogger. This is not what I want to do in my own intimate space any longer. For others, absolutely. I can write a killer post or white page or seminar or workbook or whatever because I love to write and worked in the finance industry for years. But here, at A Mindful Migration, my goal is to focus on what excites me and to be authentic. And I know what I want A Mindful Migration to be — for now.
Living Passionate, Wholehearted Lives
This really shouldn’t surprise anyone who has been reading my blog for the past couple of months. My mission or purpose is to help people embrace who they are, know they are enough, figure out their passions and live wholeheartedly, starting with me.
While I don’t have all the answers, I do have an inquisitive mind, a thirst for knowledge and a desire to grow personally. One of my struggles has always been that I put others before me. But I’ve figured out a way to make that work for me by being the guinea pig. I’m going to find those answers by taking you on the journey with me and sharing everything I learn. Me first and you too. That works for me.
I also want to lighten up a bit. In real life, I’m pretty laid back, love to laugh and am not so serious. Sometimes, I feel like every blog post is proceeded by a big drumroll, even if it’s in my own head. I want to be more goofy, share snippets from my life and just have more fun with you. And still deliver deep and meaningful (or at least I hope they are) posts to help you find your passions, your happiness and your worthiness.
What You Can Expect Ongoing
Honestly, it won’t look that different. Like I said, money was rarely ever the focus before. There are still a few posts that I plan to write around our money mindset but don’t expect posts on budgeting, emergency funds or side hustles. I’ll still share a DIY post every month (most will be beauty-related), my monthly book review, the occasional, in-depth book review (like The Year of Yes and Rising Strong) and my monthly recap.
I’m also going to add some lighter posts, as promised, just sharing tidbits from my life. And, of course, expect at least two posts focused on my journey to wholehearted living every month. There may be some shifting as to what posts appear when, but Mondays and Thursdays are still the days new posts will be published.
Take a Look Around
Hopefully, you’ve noticed the new header, logo and lovely book recommendation graphic in the sidebar. Reading is one of my passions, so I’ve built that area up a bit. I also completely redid my About page. I hope you’ll check out the new areas and enjoy the new look. FYI — if you do, I would certainly love to refresh or build your blog or website. 🙂
I’m Ready for Change
Last year I turned 40, which did not thrill me. Many approach 40 with some trepidation but being depressed really made it doom and gloom. However, 40 is growing on me. 🙂 I’m shedding false skins, uncovering who the real Tanya is and pursuing my passions — for me. A part of me wishes this revolution started years ago, but maybe I wasn’t ready to get real. Sometimes, even though it is annoying, things happen when they are meant to occur.
And I’m ready.
Tanya
I like reading other kinds of stories besides money, so I think it’s a good thing. I feel that so many blogs are forced now and have lost their soul! So you do what you need to!
I’ve noticed the same thing lately, Tonya. So many blog posts are so SEO optimized that they lose all personality. They are written for Google and not actual human consumption. I totally understand wanting posts to be optimized so people find them, but they also need to be readable and allow people to connect. You do a really good job of making sure you voice and personality shines through in all your posts, whether money-related or not.
I personally don’t tend to follow niche blogs for too long – I like to read a variety. We are so much more than one facet. Good luck with the growth!
We are definitely more than one facet. Thank goodness! I know conventional wisdom promotes niche blogs because they are easy to define but sometimes it more than okay to pave your own path.
Love the update Tanya and your “About” page is awesome! Blogging is all about finding our voice, right? 🙂 You can do it!!! #teamtanya
Thanks, Mackenzie! And yes! Blogging is all about finding your voice. I took some writing classes years ago on finding your voice, and blogging has really helped me clarify what I want to write about, both professionally and personally. It’s okay for them to be different! I like #TeamTanya and I’m also a big fan of #TeamMackenzie!
You inspire me Tanya!
Awwww … thanks, Sunny! Your support means so much. I am grateful that Kathi had the good sense to hire both of us!
Good luck on this new adventure of sharing you! I like the snazzy new photo 🙂
I’ve been somewhat silly and fun lately, but today and tomorrow, I’ve got more serious posts. I actually questioned myself “are these posts to serious or depressing to publish back to back?” But, we talk about authenticity…and they are definitely “me”. Thanks for sharing you.
Thanks! I’m not sure if I like it, but I rarely like any picture of me. Argh. You gotta be you, which is both serious and fun. I focused too much on serious and didn’t let the fun really shine through. It didn’t feel right, so I’m excited (and a little nervous because I’m also weirdly private) to share more and be more chill.
I always love what you write on this site, Tanya. It’s so introspective! 40 was like that for me too – for some reason 40 allows you to begin being yourself. Can’t wait to see how the site grows along with you!
Thank you so much, Laurie. Your support and friendship means a lot to me. It’s kind of weird … we spend so much time dreading 40 and it’s really quite liberating. I can’t say I’m 100% comfortable in my own skin, because I’m not there yet (or even super close), but I want to be. And more importantly, I want to do it for me and be me. This is something I really struggled with when I was younger (cuz ya know at 39 you’re such a spring chicken) and tried so hard to please everyone.
I LOVE the new look. And the new direction. You have to do what feels right for you and the nice thing about blogs is that they can always evolve.
I went through a similar evolution on my blog about 3 years ago and I am so happy I do. It’s much more reflective of me.
Thanks, Jana! That is so true – blogs can evolve and are really meant to change as needed. I already feel more in tune with the direction I’m taking A Mindful Migration. It’s much more representative of who am I at this moment. I can’t imagine your blog being anything else but what it is right now. It’s very you.
love this! you are so right, sometimes things happen when they are meant to. i think we have to go through certain things to make them happen, you know? like you can be you now because of what you’ve been through and what you can compare it to. so yay for lighter posts and stuff, that mermaid quote is funny but i am terrified of depths hahaha if we take it literally, anyway. love the new picture!
Thanks, Kristen! I agree – things happen for a reason. It’s not always easy but I’m ready to move forward and embrace me. I am probably less fearful of actual depth than mining the depths within me! LOL!
Beautiful new site and love that you found your voice.
Thanks, Lisa!
Looks great! I particularly like your new profile picture. And I’m glad you’ve found your way into a slightly different direction that will more fully encompass what your focus is right now. Honestly, as a new reader, I didn’t even realize this was a finance blog. (wry face) But I like what you’re doing now!
Thank you, Jenn. I’m always so critical of my pictures and I’m trying not to be, so I appreciate your kind words! LOL! See, that was why I was such a bad personal finance blogger. I never talked about money! HA!
I love this! I’m of the mindset that your blog should be a reflection of you, not just one portion of who you are! I’m new around here, but am excited to join in on the journey to see where your new purpose takes you and your blog. 🙂
Thanks, Emma! I agree. We are multi-faceted people so our blogs should reflect that too. Thanks for stopping by, Emma! I appreciate it!