Last time that I wrote for you all, I discussed how taking actions without knowing how my wife thinks and acts was like running into a brick wall (at least, that was what I was implying in the title). It is only fitting that I continue the thought as a backdrop for explaining why I am choosing to stop writing the blog for the a not-yet-determined period of time.
Here is what led me to come to this conclusion. Over the last few months (or possibly longer), I began to develop a love-hate relationship for the writing the blog posts. When I know what I want to say and I am passionate about the topic, I love to write the posts. When I feel that I am writing out of obligation and I am uninspired, I hate writing the blog posts. Reflecting back over the past year, I realized that I had spent nearly the entirety of the time drawing from what I know or have experienced as a father and in working with fathers. The problem is, that well was running dry. I kept probing deeper into my mind looking for something fresh and meaningful to say, and it got harder and harder to produce results. I hit a wall and it has been hurting ever since. Along the way, I wasn’t gaining new insights, attending trainings or seminars related to my work with fathers, or connecting with other men who are doing what I do. I wasn’t “filling up my bucket.” I thought that slowing down and resting would help. It has not. I needed to come up with a new plan.
This year I want to focus in on soaking up new experiences, asking questions, researching, and drawing from the wisdom of others. I need to “fill up the bucket” before I believe that I will be able to begin writing again with the same passion I had when I first started the blog. I am looking forward to starting the new year with growth as the core theme. Think of this time as me taking short-term sabbatical. I want to get some true rest and recalibrate my thoughts. I desire to explore what else is out there and learn new things related to the work that I do. Then, as I am coming back inspired, I want to bring the information home to you. Along the way, I plan to share any interesting research articles that I find and possibly see if I can recruit some guest writers to share their perspective or insights into the world of fatherhood. I truly believe that this is the next best step for the blog, as well as for the work that I am doing through the Rock Solid Fatherhood program. I appreciate all of you that have stuck around as I have been pushing through the last few months.
What this means for you- I am still aiming to have something to share with you on a bi-weekly basis. This will either be a guest writer’s post, an interesting article/post that I think is worth a read, or possibly one of my own as I come back filled with new ideas. I appreciate any feedback from my readers about their thoughts on what I just discussed. Can we make this work? Would you still faithfully stick around? What would you like to see more of? What would you like to see less of? I care about your thoughts and opinions, so please share.
And as always, stay Rock Solid dads!
Brian Faust is the Fatherhood Program Coordinator of Rock Solid Fatherhood in Warsaw, IN. He is the husband of the world’s best wife and father of three beautiful girls. He has nearly a decade of mentorship and mental health experience. Brian has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grace College. It is his desire to come alongside men of all walks of life as they embrace their role as partner and father with rock solid strength.
