Coconut and Berries

Healthy, Vegan Recipes by Emma Potts

Update + Coconut and Berries in 2016

Happy New Year everyone! 

It’s crazy to think that the last time we spoke was all the way back in August!  I definitely didn’t intend to just drop out of the blogosphere. I so appreciate all the kind comments and messages asking after me but I needed some space and never quite gathered up the momentum to come back and give an explanation for my absence.

But, in all the usual reflection that leads up to a new year, Coconut & Berries definitely came up in my mind. I went back and forth with what I wanted to do with this space -  which though very neglected, does mean a lot to me. 

2015-favourites-1

Some of my favourites from the few (just 20!) posts I managed this year:
Mini Vegan Pizza Potato Skins; Lemon, Ginger & Green Tea Smoothie

So, the sudden disappearance? In short, I was burnt out. Blogging is a lot more work then you realise before you get started. From the planning to the recipe writing & testing, to the shooting & editing photos….the uploading photos & writing posts, not forgetting the clean-up after the regular turning your kitchen upside down. All that before any social media or publicising, or participating in the blogging community. Don’t get me wrong, for a long while I really enjoyed all of it - well perhaps never the kitchen clean-up part! But with all the craziness of this year: starting my first job, hating it, a lot more job-searching and soul-searching, starting another (much better!) job, establishing a new life here in London, time was much harder to come by than it used to be in my master’s days and subsequently blogging became more of a chore and a pressure than a pleasure.

There was no way I could give 100% to my job and 100% to the blog, and of course my job had to come first. But this year’s been all about finding that work/life balance and I’m learning that I can and need to make time for myself, my friends and my hobbies.

2015-favourites-2

Roasted Celeriac & Sweet Potato with Saffron Quinoa & Herby Drizzle;
Vegan Hazelnut-Coffee Mousse (& Banana Crunch Parfaits)

I realised that I should count myself fortunate that Coconut & Berries isn’t my job and so I don’t have to treat it like one. I’m guilty of thinking that if I can’t give something my very all and do it “perfectly” than I don’t want to do it at all. Talk about cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face! I do enjoy recipe writing & testing, shooting, editing & all the rest of it, but having them slot into my life rather than my life revolving around them, is how things need to be going forwards. 

So, all that to say that Coconut & Berries will be back this year! I will definitely not be back to the 3 x a week posting schedule or even posting weekly but expect to see me here a little more regularly than in 2015…

Wishing you all a happy & healthy new year!

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Comments

  1. always love your posts, and recipes and am happy to get them whenever they appear. sometimes (as someone signed up to about 10 vegan blogs) i actually wish people wouldn’t post so often!! i delete many without even opening! So keep going! xx

  2. So nice to see you pop up in my email feed, Emma! And I’m so glad to hear that you’ll be back, even if occasionally, on the blog. You summed up so perfectly all the work involved, and I’m sure most people who don’t blog are not aware of all that. We all get burnt out on occasion, for sure! But you’d be denying the rest of us some great pleasures of seeing your posts, recipes and gorgeous photos if you quit. And it’s so nice to hear about what you’re up to! Hope the job is going well and that you have a stellar 2016. <3

  3. You’ve been missed for sure, Emma. Even if you just come around once in a while (especially on IG!), that would be great. You know I love your recipes; in fact, I made your stuffed bell peppers for our Thanksgiving meal. Glad we’ll be hearing a bit more from you soon . . . but no pressure intended. Just whenever you can! xo

  6. Happy new year emma. I agree that work life balance is important but it is so hard to find. But also the all or nothing approach can be a bit dispiriting and it is good you are committing to blogging at your own pace. I will look forward to seeing some posts this year (provided I can get my work life balance from collapsing)

  7. It is lovely to hear from you Emma and I am glad you’ve found a balanced approach to take to the very real challenge of work and blogging. I look forward to your posts, whenever they appear.

    Happy 2016 :)

  9. Happy New Year, Emma! It’s so nice to see you back - no matter how long it’s been. I was wondering how you were doing but I’m glad you made your health a priority. Especially when it’s not your full-time job blogging should never feel like an obligation. I’m looking forward to new posts from you. Be it once a week, once a month or whenever.

  11. So lovely to hear your voice again, Emma! Balance is so important — best of luck to you as you strive to find it. I sure haven’t, when it comes to my blog!

  12. So lovely to see you back… I have thought of you often! I resonate with everything you say about blogging. Focus your energy on that brings you joy and that will guide your way. Look forward to seeing more of you again hopefully. xx

  13. I totally understand that burnout feeling - I dropped out of blogging for over a year (and have abandoned my old blog). Welcome back and looking forward to new posts! :)

  14. Dear Emma - The transition from student to work is a real culture shock, and London is a wonderful city but it has its challenges too.
    My blog is work-related and simply needs me to review/translate legal decisions and judgments, so normally no photographs or mess, but it astonishing how long it takes to do something which is worth posting.
    If you are ever find yourself in legal London do get in touch - I’d love to meet a fellow blogger, even if one who writes about an entirely different subject.

  15. Hi Emma
    I have just stumbled on your blog, coconut and berries, 2 of my favorite foods lol. I’ll looking out for more of you super blog this year!

  16. Aw lovely! Strangely enough this is my first visit to your blog but I totally get your feelings. I only managed a few posts last year too, I didn’t blog for 4 months towards the end of the year as I was feeling completely burned out too. I also manage a full time job and have struggled for a long time to have the energy to give the blog what I felt it ‘deserved’. You’re doing an amazing job in finding the ‘balance’ between study, work, blogging and general life! Hope that this year falls into a natural rhythm. And as for this gorgeous link up of last year’s fave posts? I cannot wait to check them all out, particularly that parfait (heart eye emoji!) xx

  18. Belated, but still a very Happy New Year to you Emma.

    I so admire your honesty. And agree that work life balance is important and commitments to blogging should be on your own terms, and it should also be a joy not a chore. I like you am glad its not a job and want to give my real job, the one that pays the bills 100%, so I do know what you mean.
    Of late I have been feeling the same, but have found a balance that makes me happy.
    I will look forward to seeing some of your inspiring blog posts when you feel like it. Take care.

    Reply

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