On today’s edition of Wellness Wednesday I’m gonna rant. Not the entire time, but I do have some thoughts and then some updates maybe some moaning about the shitty weather and well whatever else come to mind .
Let’s start with the name change on my Friday segment, and get that out of the way for those of you who reached out and asked why I had changed the name. When I started this blog and came up with the idea of having a theme for each day of the week, I wanted them to be witty and rhyme in a manner. Anyone who actually knows me or has taken the time to actually read my blog would not have made the assumption that I have since been made aware of. Fan Fiction Friday was born out of my love of the written word. I love books, I love reading, and I’m first and foremost a fan of anyone who writes. This day was to showcase authors in interviews I custom designed to fit the author I was speaking to and also share reviews of books I loved and books I did not. I am a fan of fiction, and it was on a Friday. Now that sounded a little stupid, so I shortened it to the title it previously held. However, it was brought to my attention that this specific day was “unintentionally condescending” and “off-putting.” Umm, what? So, being the calm, rational-minded person I am, I went to my computer to see how my blog showcasing authors I admire could be considered those things. Google gave me my answer. Fanfiction (one word) is considered very faux pa by authors as they feel it is stealing of their work when fans create written work based on their characters, etcetera. Which is fair, I would feel that way as well. As I stated above though, if anyone who knows me or actually took the time to read my blog, they wouldn’t have made an assumption about me and would’ve noticed that it is two words and I’m not stealing anyone’s work or copying anyone or being condescending in any manner.
I’ve been writing this segment for 2.5 years, and in that time, I’ve interviewed so many amazing authors, shared their work, and had my fan-girl moments, and I’ve loved every second of it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I truly believe that wholeheartedly, and I could’ve kept the name, ignored the comment, and gone on my merry way. But in sticking with being authentic and honest, I have to say I was hurt, I was extremely hurt that work I’m extremely proud of would have those words attached to it. I was upset that an assumption was made. I’m an author and I think a negative review of my book would have been easier to take than how I felt being told my blog was those things and that they didn’t want it associated with their brand. Again, I respect the honesty, and in no way do I begrudge this person their opinion. You’re just wrong. In this case, you are just wrong, and that’s okay too. I stewed on it for a few days, putting off my whole schedule as I worked through my feelings and what I wanted to do. I almost scrapped the whole segment, but after talking to my trusted inner circle, I decided I would shorten the name to Fiction Friday so there is no confusion moving forward.
I will be back to doing interviews next week, this week will have another round of reviews and I’m hoping in between posts I can get the review section on the home page started and filling up with reviews. My rant is over now. It wasn’t really a rant, more a voicing of an opinion but whatever.
Moving on, let’s talk about the next coming weeks and what you can find on the blog, what’s going on in my world, and how I’m semi-managing it all, lol. This Sunday, I walk for Lupus in Calgary, Alberta. If you’re new here or have been living under a rock, I have Lupus and Inflammatory Arthiritis. This walk is near and dear to me. This will be my first charity event I’m doing for myself and something I’m affected by. I’m nervous, excited, and proud of myself .
Since my diagnosis, I have been making a conscious effort to be more present and more intentional in what I want and who I want to be. I’ve removed anything and anyone from my life that was toxic and I made a deal with myself to stop being scared, stop making excuses, and do all the things I’ve put off thinking I had all the time in the world to do. In doing that and in the space of 3 years, I have written and published a book (working on Book 2 right now), I’ve hiked a mountain and fallen in love with it, I’ve had memories I wouldn’t ever want to lose tattooed on my skin reminding me of how far I’ve come, I’ve set goals and I’ve crushed them. I’ve faced wanting to die and almost succeeding, to waking up each day and being grateful I didn’t. My point is, I’m grateful every day for the small things, the big things, and everything in between. This disease is hard, I’m fighting my body every single day, I’m in pain all the time, I get angry, I get sad, and those feelings are valid. The difference between now and then is my conscious effort to acknowledge the feelings, process them, and still move forward anyway. I find that as humans, we get so caught up in our own heads, others’ opinions, procrastination, and avoidance that we miss so much. This life-altering disease changed my whole world, I could be bitter, and if I’m honest, some days I am. I also know facing this has fundamentally changed me for the better as well.
Next week will be a doozy, so I’ll try and get things set up on autopilot while I manage my schedule. Tomorrow’s edition of Truss it Up Thursday I will be having you guys give me advice on what to wear, which nails to pick, and how I should do my hair for my Book signing event on Friday, April 28th, also in Calgary. This is also a first for me lol and I’m excited, nervous, and all things. The day before, I have my appointment with my rheumatologist, going over how I’m feeling, what’s working, what’s not, and my overall health. Fingers crossed all good things. I will be documenting everything from Sunday till Saturday and share all the highs and lows of my week, the events, the appt’s, some sass, and maybe some fun too. I’m taking on a new hike next Saturday and finally visiting the Harry Potter themed bar after. Essentially, it’s a lot of firsts this week and definitely not lasts. More goals will be checked off, and more will be made.
Let’s have a little fun so we can end this on a good note. What’s on your bucket list? Give me some ideas on things I could add to my goal/bucket list, and I’ll randomly pick a few and do it. Yes, I will do it just please don’t go crazy lmao. And what are some things you’d like me to add to the blog?
As Always, till next time.
Love, Magnolia xx
Rustic Magnolia 