Whether you’re a regular reader or just stumbled onto the site — this is your first time here.
Say WHAT?
Yup. Look at your address bar. If you got this through a feed reader, click on through. Welcome to the new grownup home of Silly Tater Tot — http://katywidrick.com.
Why did I move to a new domain? It’s been brewing for a while, and the trifecta of my 30th birthday, some big changes at work and Fitbloggin’ pushed me to move forward. Here are some of the factors:
- STT was started so I could blog about getting healthy — losing weight, learning to run, training for triathlon, etc. I’m still on that journey, but I’m just as passionate about things like social media, travel, politics and more. STT felt too enclosed to tackle all of those topics. With KW, I feel like it’s a better representation of all the things that make me unapologetically me. Whether that’s the realization that my purple boots make me look like an elf…the satisifed feeling I get when I think about the passing of the healthcare bill…the difficulty in tracking down vegetarian meals on the road, or sharing the latest Twitter tool. It all goes here, in an easier-to-find space.
Purple Snow Elf
- My job is expanding, and (cross your fingers) I’ll be taking a bigger and more active role as producer of The Growing Bolder TV Show. As part of that transition, everyone on our staff is being encouraged to get involved in social media, and keep personal blogs. Not too tough for me
but now that our blog URLs will be on our business cards, I thought it was time to upgrade from Silly Tater Tot. Don’t worry, I’m still plenty silly. - Turning 30 was (and still is) a celebration, and a chance to step back and embrace the brand that is, well, ME. I’m proud of what I’ve done, and looking forward to what I still can accomplish. I’m Katy Widrick and this is my world.
But the real tipping point (apologies to Caitlin)? I’m not a food blogger, and don’t want to be. I was sitting in the Body Image and Blogging panel at Fitbloggin’ and couldn’t stop nodding as MizFitOnline, Lissa, Josie and Marsha Hudnall talked about the issues of health and wellness — what we teach our kids, how we feel about our bodies, anti-obesity campaigns and more — and I had a true aha moment. THIS is what inspires me. THIS is what I’m passionate about. THIS is what I want to blog about. Again.
Open Arms, Open Mind, Open Heart
Hey, I love a well-framed sandwich picture as much as anyone, and I still get inspiration and ideas from men and women who do focus on what they eat for every meal, or share recipes and diet advice. But I’ll never compete with that, and it will never bring me the same joy I get when I engage with readers and people on Twitter about the ethics of food and healthy living.
So, that’s the rant. And with that, here are my New Rules of Blogging.
New Rules of Blogging
- I will not compare myself with other bloggers. I am who I am, and that is good enough.
- I will share links, stories, news and ideas that inspire me, in hopes that they inspire others. If that means controversy and debate, so be it.
- I will continue to share honestly and openly, no matter what the topic is.
- I will focus more on community and engagement and less on traffic and page views. Heck, I have a full time job that I love. If this isn’t fun, why am I doing it?
- I will do my best to teach others, whether it’s tips on how I work healthy eating and fitness in or a video to help explain the steps to adding blogs to a feed reader.
Those are subject to change, of course.
So, what do you think? If you blog, are you happy with how it’s going? If you don’t, what would you like to see more bloggers do/not do?
About Katy
Love it, Katy. Onward & upward!!
Way to go sista! That is awesome that you’re going to do what you believe in. I am in a similar situation. I am so NOT a food blogger, but it seemed like an easy entry into the blogging world. And it was, for the most part. But everyone is doing it (all the cool kids) and it’s hard to stand out. I’m more of a health/fitness and travel kind of a writer and hope to, one day, focus RWC and my other blog more on that. You may just have inspired me to do this sooner than I thought! Kudos to you for following your heart
Swoon…you had me at “inspired.”
**tosses confetti in air**
I love it (and am honored for the shoutout) especially the rules….and I’m a woman who usually reads rules and wants to break em.
Hey Katy…unfortunately I don’t think we actually got to meet at Fitbloggin even though we were in at least one session together (and I saw all your Tweets!). So I’m introducing myself now
I’m Karen and my blog is Why Weight: A Real Life “Before” & “After” Story. I look forward to getting to know you better as I, too, am very passionate about the whole body image issue and how the more we feel better about ourselves, the better we treat ourselves (and those around us). And that translates to being a good role model! Keep up the good work!
Isn’t it weird how we get to know each other on Twitter? I followed yours too, especially since it looked like you were having a BLAST at Fitbloggin’. I wish I’d had a whole week just to meet everyone. My head was spinning by the end of the weekend!
I’m so glad you left a comment…I look forward to connecting with you some more online!
Yay! Congrats! Love your new space and concept
Thank you so much!
I love it!
Love it!! Love the new look…love your rules ; )
Love you BACK! And I read your post about wishing Fitbloggin’ had more of a fitness focus. It will be interesting to see if there are any changes for 2011!
Go girl! I can understand the decision to make changes…especially the part about taking the blog in a different direction. I like to talk about food sometimes (if I have a good recipe), but I’m mostly concerned with the rest of life. =)
And, the Blogging and Body Image panel was very enlightening. It’s had me thinking a lot over the past few days as well. Can’t wait to see where you go with the “new” approach!
Is it wrong that I will always think of you in that gorgeous white sweater from now on?
I want to keep up on your…ahem…journey. I’m so glad we connected at Fitbloggin’!
I LOVE this!!!
I feel the same way. That’s why my blog is called “Abby Normally”. I blog about ME, who I am and what I love! And my passion is the same as yours. I felt the same way sitting in that breakout session!!! I REALLY wish we could have talked more!
Abby, you are too adorable. I really enjoyed meeting you — briefly! — and it’s the panel’s fault for being so darn interesting that we didn’t get to talk more! I hope you’ve been able to see that adorable baby in person by now.
Let’s talk about maybe having you guest post for me, if you’d be interested. I think we had the same thoughts when listening to the panel talk about body image. Email me! kwidrick AT gmail DOT com.
Love your rules! These are the reasons I love blogs! I can’t wait to see more!
Thanks, Jessica…I’m really excited to get back to what really makes me happy. It’s kind of like putting on a new pair of shoes and you KNOW how I love me some shoes!
love the domain!
and it was a pleasure speaking with you, even though it was too short!
Thank you and SAME! I wish we had had a week in Baltimore. Fitbloggin’ 11!
WOOT! I am so glad. One of the most annoying things in teh WORLD to me is bloggers who hide behind self-imposed rules/walls/’must do’s’. The beauty of blogging is that you can be whoever you want to be…you can be you, or the self-imposed you.
Thank goodness that you’re being you totally.
That’s why I left EJ and threw all of it to the side and said..nope, I can’t be me totally there. I know that I have lost heaps of readers, the reputations/credibility etc. I don’t care.
At the end of the day, as you say, it’s about writing about what is important to you at the core.
GOOD ON YOU!
Well, hey there, sugar! I know, I feel a weight lifted…which is silly — no one told me what to blog about! I think I just fell into trying to do what the cool kids were doing.
I’ll keep blogging about food and stuff…I just want to keep the bigger picture in mind. I think I was getting too caught up in the food, and it was stressing me out!
Congratulations Katy,
It is a beautiful new home you have created. It is wonderful that you have had this epiphany and you are pursuing your dreams and idea. I enjoyed the old blog and I am sure I will love this one as well.
Amy
I absolutely love this. I actually see this as a double whammy. You get to write about all sorts of things, and I get to read all sorts of things. That’s totally a win win.
But in all seriousness, I do think this is awesome. I have heard great reviews about your social media skills, and I know that reading more will definitely help me in my job and personal life. Kudos to you for making this big step! Can’t wait to read on.
Rose,
Double whammy — that’s awesome! It reminds me of that old game show that I used to watch when I was home sick from school. No whammy no whammy no whammy…
You’re so sweet, as always. Thanks for the support, and for the push to post more about social media. I’m hoping to make it a more regular theme of the blog!
awesome! good luck, can’t wait to keep reading
Sara
Love it and love you! This is all so exciting! And, for the record, I LOVE the purple boots!
Awww, love you BACK!
Love this!! Your blog will be TONS more amazing then it already is because you are following your heart and passions. YAY for you!!
Love ya!
You are so sweet.
I so wanted to go to Fitbloggin’!
I am a food and fitness blogger from a weight loss perspective. I love both, so I incorporate both. I love blogging (wish I could do it as a career LOL)
it’s the tater tot tipping point!!!
i’m excited for you and can’t wait to see you later.
TTTP, baby!
I’m excited too. For the new site and for hanging with you.