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Blogging: Once Upon a Time

“I have nothing to lose by telling you that I have made mistakes that have affected all that I have worked for, bled for over the past thirty-six three years.”

Please allow me my Sharon Cuneta moment as I bring to you this blog post. Alam nyo naman.. feeling stariray din ako at times! 😛

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Once upon a time, before I was a wife & a mom, I had a life of my own. I was an EVP of a corporation. I led people, and they listened to me. My word was law. Then I got married, settled down, had a family. All of a sudden it was the life I wanted. Everything else that I was, all that I had before, paled in comparison. I was happy & content. I turned my back on career & concentrated on what was more important to me. Building a family.

Coming from a home with busy, accomplished but absentee parents, it was my ultimate goal to be a plain wife & mom when the time came. So that’s what I set out to do. I wanted a normal childhood for my kids where they had a mom to come home to after school even though the cookies on the counter were store-bought & not freshly-baked. A make-up free mom in worn shorts & loose, comfy t-shirts who picked them up daily & spent plenty of time with them.

With my new position as the light of the home, my voice slowly simmered to a whisper in the background. The hubby’s & the kids’ voice grew louder while mine diminished in the background.

That is until I got into blogging. Slowly but surely, my voice came back with a vengeance & I was attracted to the glitz & the politics of it all. I was suddenly a social media influencer with sponsors left & right who believed in me.

But then I was slowly losing myself as I was mesmerized by the glitter in the blogging world. Suddenly, I had people I didn’t know from Adam writing to me, praising me, loving me. So I wanted to please. I’m a people pleaser -which is more often than not, to my downfall. What used to be random posts became a forced daily habit because I was addicted to my new found voice. Blogging daily became a burden for me because I wanted the hits. I wanted the influence I was beginning to have on people I barely knew.

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It’s been stressful making sure I stayed on the Top 10 weekly list. My ranking fluctuated weekly between 8, 9, and 10. Grabe ang effort ko! But now, by taking myself out of the rat race, I can fully enjoy blogging again without the pressure. I am leaving at #9. YOU guys have put me there. Thank you! <3

My posts are still long, but the contents are sometimes half-hearted that even I cringe when I read it. Somewhere along the line, I lost myself. I didn’t write for me anymore, but what I thought my readers would like.

So now, I’ve decided to disregard the ranking by taking myself out of TOPBLOGS, the hits counter and everything else that has been making me crazy, and just go back to writing like before. Good if I have news, pass muna if I don’t. I won’t stress anymore if I don’t have a post scheduled for the next day. And if I get sponsors, I will accept. But if I don’t, then I just have to leave it be.

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Even my kids have been complaining that the whole day my face is pressed to the laptop tinkering away. I have awoken, and it’s time to refresh. 😉

Thank you rugrats1981 for waking me..

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In exchange, may I request that you also employ the carrot & stick method, and see not just the bad -but also the good. Huwag naman kayo mag-comment kapag may ayaw lang o puna. We bloggers live for nice comments. We share, we put ourselves out there. So although we welcome the constructive criticisms, we also welcome the positive feedbacks. We’re also human, afterall. 😉

Thank you all for bearing with me. Now, I blog again for myself. I’ve taken out the ranking for the past couple of weeks & I must say, it’s very liberating not having to worry if I’m up, down, or somewhere in between! I just finished all my sponsored posts para wala na akong utang. And now I’m wiping the slate clean. From hereon out, I’ll start writing at my discretion & timetable, only when I want to, & only when I feel like it. No more pressure of delivering the daily news. My love & gratitude to you all! <3

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PS: SSEN is open to anyone who wants to guest blog. Send me a funny anecdote, a romantic story, or a new resto you want to be featured here. My only 2 criterias are: 1) You must not have an existing blog, 2) I shouldn’t have a nosebleed & brain aneurysm editing your content -spellcheck please. Email to SUGARGOSPICE@GMAIL.COM but let me just make it clear that sending it doesn’t guarantee a post here. I still have to determine if it’s something I, and my readers, will enjoy. No hard feelings please.

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60 Comments

  • Reply bes

    Thank you Jane, for having a good heart. ❤️
    Please continue to tell us your wonderful stories. Take care!
    besYS

    November 15, 2014 at 8:14 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you for hanging on! :-*

      November 15, 2014 at 9:13 am
  • Reply Kei

    Hi, Ms. Jane! I tip my hat off to you for making a brave decision. I totally understand where you are coming from being a mother myself who used to have a career. There are indeed sacrifices we make in order for us to be a great mom and yet still do what we love doing. You should indeed write for yourself and not because of people’s expectations of you. You need not stress out yourself so much. Your readers, like me, will totally understand it even if you aren’t posting daily blogs because this is where the anticipation and excitement comes in for us. I will always be looking forward to your posts… God bless you always.

    November 15, 2014 at 8:29 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you so much for your support & understanding Kei! :-*

      November 15, 2014 at 9:11 am
  • Reply Noel Q.

    BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO!!!

    Now THIS is the Jane I’ve come to love!!! Welcome back!!!

    November 15, 2014 at 8:48 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you Niel! :-* You’ve been one of my most loyal readers please know how much I love & appreciate you. I always look forward to reading your comments, you never fail to brighten my day. <3

      November 15, 2014 at 9:12 am
  • Reply Maricel hipol

    We just love you Ms. Jane, the kindness of your heart shines through your blog 🙂
    We will support you always, we are fans after all!
    From: Bayleaf Family

    November 15, 2014 at 10:10 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Awwww thank you Maricel miss you & The Bayleaf. See you soon promise. Mwah!! :-*

      November 15, 2014 at 10:37 am
      • Reply Maricel hipol

        We shall wait for you, no post required 🙂

        November 15, 2014 at 1:08 pm
  • Reply Jing

    I totally support your decision,Mommy Jane! (like,like,like!!!) Welcome back to the old you and will look forward to new, exciting,lesson-filled and syempre funny blogs pa din! More power to you,Mommy Jane! 🙂

    November 15, 2014 at 10:16 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you Jing! :-* Appreciate your words of comfort & support! <3

      November 15, 2014 at 10:38 am
      • Reply Jing

        Hintay ko po sana guest blog ni Kap! Para mas masaya Hehehe 😉

        November 15, 2014 at 11:28 am
        • Reply sugargospice

          Oh em talagang may following si Kap hahaha! Will do my best to convince him Jing! :-*

          November 15, 2014 at 11:58 pm
  • Reply Joty

    Hi ms.Jane! I salute your decision. Stay happy . Hinihintay ko pa rin guest post ni Kap. Maybe pang Christmas edition 🙂

    November 15, 2014 at 10:49 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      hahaha Sige i-push ko talaga yan I will ask him to guest blog. :))

      November 15, 2014 at 11:09 am
  • Reply MAan

    Looking forward to see the old Ms. Jane back 🙂

    November 15, 2014 at 11:38 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you Maan! 🙂

      November 15, 2014 at 12:03 pm
  • Reply cherx

    Yes! Welcome back mommy Jane! mwah!

    November 15, 2014 at 11:42 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you! :-* I hope I don’t disappoint.

      November 15, 2014 at 12:04 pm
  • Reply Erika

    Old or New. I still love you! I will support you with all my heart Mother! I will never leave you!

    PS. Hope to meet you when I come back :*

    November 15, 2014 at 11:42 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Awwwww this is why I love you Erika!! <3 Thank you. And yes utang na loob long-delayed date with Jana!! :-*

      November 15, 2014 at 12:04 pm
  • Reply Joy

    I love your blogs Jane….I just recently subscribed so I have no idea how you did it in the past. I still have to find time to go back to your previous blogs. But hey, it’s just like talking to you in person…hats off to you! I miss you Jane! I hope we have the chance to get together one of these days.

    November 15, 2014 at 3:17 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      Hi Joy! 🙂 You’re so sweet. My readers don’t like my sponsored posts haha. They like the candid me. I miss you too and I hope I see you soon. Hi to Danny, the kids, and the cutie grandkids! :-*

      November 15, 2014 at 4:02 pm
  • Reply Lisa

    Jane, you are doing the right thing. A blog should never feel forced. You are under no obligation to churn out stories when you don’t feel like writing. Don’t become trapped in the stats race.

    I love reading about all your kuwento and I vicariously enjoy your experiences. I will follow your blog no matter how frequently or how infrequently you write. Stay happy!

    November 15, 2014 at 5:12 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      That’s so nice to hear. Thank you so much Lisa for your vote of confidence! :-*

      November 15, 2014 at 5:40 pm
  • Reply wenggaye

    hey jane.. im looking forward to the old sugar and spice and ii missed it a lot….ive been a longtime reader but no matter how hard i tried i couldnt bring myself to read all those sponsored posts.. it simply wasnt you… bravo !!!

    November 15, 2014 at 8:58 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      I’ll do my best to make evryone happy. 🙂 And in cases where I take on sponsored posts, I’ll see to it that I still shine through. <3

      November 15, 2014 at 9:17 pm
  • Reply ericjaz foodies

    Sorry but I really didn’t notice any difference dear Jane. I loved reading your posts then and I still love it now. Maybe the reason why I religiously follow your blog is because I read the words of somebody who truly cares for her work. I don’t know about you but I sense that when you write, its because you really want to share something and not because you sold out. I could see from your posts how you truly love your blog. I am such a fan of your chikas and sensible advices. Will still be a subscriber no matter what route you choose because I know you still write from the heart….

    Unless you guys switch to SHOWTIME. Ay ayoko na pag ganon…. joke hahahaha!

    November 15, 2014 at 11:47 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      awwwww Jazzy you make me crie!! Thank you!! I super love you. You’ve been so kind to me ever since we met. I’m so blessed to have you in my life. LOVE YOU LOADS!! I’ll give you a proper hug you know when! ;))

      November 15, 2014 at 11:49 pm
  • Reply rain

    It’s my first time to comment here! ü

    I discovered your blog thru tina tagle’s blog (or was it the other way around? Haha!) a few months back and i backread all your posts in one day!!! Yep, napuyat ako sayo… inabot ako ng 3 or 4am. That’s how entertaining your blog is! ü

    More power to your blog and i really, really, really want to meet you someday (ikaw lang ang tanging blogger sinabihan ko nito. Hihi!)

    Looking forward to your future posts! Ü

    I love you, Jane!!!

    November 16, 2014 at 12:44 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Wow! I’m really so touched & flattered. Thank you Rain! :-* And I hope to meet you soon as well. I will give you one giant bear hug for making me kilig! :))

      November 16, 2014 at 12:47 am
  • Reply mr_jeng

    Hi Mama Bear… I must say, I look up to you po, you,. Sir Richie, Richard and the gang… and your decision to do that well, it really takes a lot of guts and it makes you who your are and why people like you in the first place…..

    .. I don’t know but I agree and I fully support with what your are doing. . When I started it was just for fun but it came to a point that it seems too forced and its taking a lot of things away so kudos! I guess, we should do blogging to enjoy and not to get stressed. Post when we can and post what we can.. 😀 😀 😀

    I believe you are going towards the right path.. but remember, what ever you decide, we are here to support you po 😀 😀 😀

    Miss you po and see you soon 😀 😀 😀 hugs and kisses.

    Love baby bear

    November 16, 2014 at 5:09 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you bbbear! <3 You & Michymoomoo have been with me from the start & you really saw my climb. I'm happy that you're also climbing your way & gaining readers. You of all people know what I'm talking about. Thank you for your support! :-*

      November 16, 2014 at 8:55 am
  • Reply frannywanny

    way to go dear Jane! looking forward to reading the “old Jane” posts from now on <3

    November 16, 2014 at 9:11 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you franny my love!! You are one of my first inspirations. Always & forever! <3

      November 16, 2014 at 9:13 am
  • Reply MrsMartinez

    Hello Jane

    I am one of those people who miss your old posts! It’s great to know that you are bringing it back!

    Xoxo
    MrsMartinez

    November 16, 2014 at 9:13 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you Michelle! <3 The hits got to me hahaha. I'm sure you can relate. Grabe dati fan nyo lang ako nila Franny & Ro tapos naging friends ko kayo so mej nag-feeling levelz up ako ng konti. May pressure. But now I'm going to try not letting stats get into my head & stop worrying. Mwah! :-*

      November 16, 2014 at 9:15 am
      • Reply MrsMartinez

        Yey! May time ka na offline hahaha

        xoxo
        MrsMartinez

        November 17, 2014 at 12:36 am
  • Reply Janet

    Hi Ms. Jane!

    You’ve never let us down coz when you write, you always write from the heart. But I understand where you are coming from. Nakaka-stress talaga pag may pressure! hehe. We love you always and will always look forward to your posts. Don’t put pressure on yourself. The rankings in Top Blogs will never tell the truth about your ranking with us!

    November 16, 2014 at 3:33 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      Awwww thank you so much Janet!! You’ve been so sweet & nice to me. Hope to see you again when you come to manila! :-*

      November 16, 2014 at 3:45 pm
  • Reply med

    Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww, anong kaguluhan ito? Seriously, I understand where you’re coming from, nakaka-stress talaga kapag may numbers!!! Will miss my 8 o’clock habit…

    November 16, 2014 at 7:29 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you my dear meding! Chika nalang tayo hahaha! :-*

      November 16, 2014 at 7:39 pm
  • Reply chris

    I admire and love you more for keeping it real, Janey. May your tribe increase. I love you.

    November 16, 2014 at 10:13 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you Chris love & miss you!! :-*

      November 17, 2014 at 1:45 am
  • Reply gezel

    So glad you come this way Jane, never really liked your sponsored blogs, call me snobish or snooty but I do not read or follow bloggers who rely on sponsored posts only You, so it speaks how true a person you come through on the web. For me you are at level with Marketman, Tina Tagle, Jin who loves to eat, heart to heart and shoot first eat later those to me are credible and you are at their league. Cheers for your going forward. Good luck and God Bless.

    November 16, 2014 at 11:38 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you for your kind words & faith in me Gezel. 🙂 I will still have sponsored posts but I will balance it out with personal ones like before.

      November 17, 2014 at 7:37 am
  • Reply rugrats

    Dearest Ms. Go, you are so loved by us 🙂

    November 17, 2014 at 3:54 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Much appreciated. <3

      November 17, 2014 at 7:36 am
  • Reply trisha_cm

    Yay! I skipped reading a gazillion posts because of that exactly. Too many commercials. 🙂

    November 17, 2014 at 8:09 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      I fully agree. Too many commercials isn’t fun. But sometimes one or two in between is needed for breaks too. 😉

      November 17, 2014 at 8:11 am
  • Reply Cherryll

    Yey! Welcome back, Ms. Jane!! Your stories comforted me during those times wherein I was in-between jobs (for 2 weeks lang naman but still). I, with your numerous loyal readers, never left even if you had these sponsored posts left and right. I’m just happy to know your decision on going back to the core reason of writing and that is to have your own voice in this virtual world.

    Looking forward to your upcoming posts. God bless you and your family. Can’t wait to hear, I mean read all your kwentos.

    November 17, 2014 at 1:50 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you Cherryll for sticking with me through thick & thin! :-*

      November 17, 2014 at 1:59 pm
  • Reply michymichymoo

    Awww di pumasok yung comment ko nung weekend. Hugs to you Mama Bear. I support you no matter what. 🙂 Can’t wait to see you, it’s been a while. Love you!!! :-*

    November 17, 2014 at 2:53 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      thank you bbeary!! Love you too. See you soon mwah! :-*

      November 17, 2014 at 5:07 pm
  • Reply michconstantino

    Yey for this… 🙂 Supporting you always.. >:D<

    November 18, 2014 at 8:11 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you Mich. I appreciate you. I really really do! :-*

      November 18, 2014 at 8:25 am
  • Reply Didi

    My dearest dearest dearest Jane. I want to give you a big big big hug. I support your decision. I love love you always.

    Love, Didi

    November 18, 2014 at 12:45 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      Thank you Didi my love! I look forward to that hug. And maybe some pointers too since you’re pne of the pioneer bloggers. Tips please. Mwah! :-*

      November 18, 2014 at 1:12 pm
  • Reply KassTastrophic

    I love you, Mommy Jane… kahit ano pa ang isulat mo. 🙂

    November 21, 2014 at 12:18 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      And thay is why I love you super too dear kassie!! :-*

      November 21, 2014 at 12:39 pm

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