For the past year and a half, I have been "The Healthy, Happy Teacher". I have helped and advised people, shared my knowledge and experience, encouraged other people's passions for teaching and health and fitness, answered hundreds, if not thousands of messages from people all over Ireland, and around the world, spread a positive message, increased awareness about mental health, and about balance in life, given people direction and information regarding their career, their health and fitness journeys, to name but a few. All of this was done as a hobby, an interest, something on the side - outside of my own personal life, my career, my healthy lifestyle, my social life.
I have gathered a big following in a short space of time, and, even though, my following is nothing compared to some of the other major bloggers in Ireland and abroad, this comes with a lot of added stresses. There have been times where I felt under enormous pressure because of the 'following' I have and so, it's time I take some of own advice. It is time for me to take some time out - I need to concentrate on myself, my family and my relationships, without any added pressures. I felt that I was trying too hard to be a 'people pleaser', and doing and saying things, that were not me - just because it was 'what people wanted'.... And I was never that type of person - I never gave two hoots what other people thought of me. So now, all of a sudden, why was I concerned so much?!
I have been considering this for some time now - things in my life have changed; I've changed, and my priorities are different! I no longer want to share so much of my personal life with such an audience. I was never one for being in the spot-light, never liked the attention being on me, and to be honest, I don't like it now that it has happened!! I lost some of my own personal identity - people began to refer to me as "The Healthy, Happy Teacher", rather than just Lorraine. People would comment if I was seen in public - 'Oh, there's "The Healthy, Happy Teacher"' My friends and family would know about my news, my daily life, without me even sharing things personally with them, and when I would go to share my news with them, they would say, "Ya, I saw that on your Instagram/Facebook/Snapchat/the blog, etc. I had a friend of mine (also a teacher!) say that I was the topic of discussion at their lunch table one day in school......
I don't like the fact that people know so much about me (my own fault probably for over-sharing at times!) and I especially don't like the fact that people can openly comment about me, and discuss me - personally, professionally, physically, etc. I use the phrase - "it's none of their business" - but when you share your life with nearly 20,000 people, it becomes people's business - and that's something I will never get used to, and I don't want to get used to either!
I am really grateful for being able to share my experience, knowledge and tips with you all - whether you are a teacher, a fitness enthusiast, an avid cook, just a curious follower, whatever you may be! To think that there are so many of you that do follow The Healthy, Happy Teacher and enjoy the content is lovely, but its also freaks me out a little bit that all of you 'know me'!!! I was always a fairly private person, and I feel that, because of The Healthy, Happy Teacher, I no longer have that privacy.
I may, at some stage, return - although I do doubt it! But I will be leaving my pages open to continue to share the information I have gathered and stored, and I will not be deleting my social media accounts (bar my Snapchat!) I will, however, no longer be active on my social media attached with The Healthy, Happy Teacher, or will I be viewing, or responding to them. I appreciate you respecting my privacy on this matter.
I really do appreciate the support, both personally, and for "The Healthy, Happy Teacher". I have seen great kindness, I have experienced amazing things, I have been given opportunities to share my interests and passions (particular thanks to Westpark Fitness) but the time has come to take a step back and to focus on what's important in my life; myself and the relationships I have. I will, as always, continue to live a healthy, happy life, and continue in my career. But for now, at least, it will be more focused on me, and the people most important to me.
Thank you <3
Lorraine
I have gathered a big following in a short space of time, and, even though, my following is nothing compared to some of the other major bloggers in Ireland and abroad, this comes with a lot of added stresses. There have been times where I felt under enormous pressure because of the 'following' I have and so, it's time I take some of own advice. It is time for me to take some time out - I need to concentrate on myself, my family and my relationships, without any added pressures. I felt that I was trying too hard to be a 'people pleaser', and doing and saying things, that were not me - just because it was 'what people wanted'.... And I was never that type of person - I never gave two hoots what other people thought of me. So now, all of a sudden, why was I concerned so much?!
I have been considering this for some time now - things in my life have changed; I've changed, and my priorities are different! I no longer want to share so much of my personal life with such an audience. I was never one for being in the spot-light, never liked the attention being on me, and to be honest, I don't like it now that it has happened!! I lost some of my own personal identity - people began to refer to me as "The Healthy, Happy Teacher", rather than just Lorraine. People would comment if I was seen in public - 'Oh, there's "The Healthy, Happy Teacher"' My friends and family would know about my news, my daily life, without me even sharing things personally with them, and when I would go to share my news with them, they would say, "Ya, I saw that on your Instagram/Facebook/Snapchat/the blog, etc. I had a friend of mine (also a teacher!) say that I was the topic of discussion at their lunch table one day in school......
I don't like the fact that people know so much about me (my own fault probably for over-sharing at times!) and I especially don't like the fact that people can openly comment about me, and discuss me - personally, professionally, physically, etc. I use the phrase - "it's none of their business" - but when you share your life with nearly 20,000 people, it becomes people's business - and that's something I will never get used to, and I don't want to get used to either!
I am really grateful for being able to share my experience, knowledge and tips with you all - whether you are a teacher, a fitness enthusiast, an avid cook, just a curious follower, whatever you may be! To think that there are so many of you that do follow The Healthy, Happy Teacher and enjoy the content is lovely, but its also freaks me out a little bit that all of you 'know me'!!! I was always a fairly private person, and I feel that, because of The Healthy, Happy Teacher, I no longer have that privacy.
I may, at some stage, return - although I do doubt it! But I will be leaving my pages open to continue to share the information I have gathered and stored, and I will not be deleting my social media accounts (bar my Snapchat!) I will, however, no longer be active on my social media attached with The Healthy, Happy Teacher, or will I be viewing, or responding to them. I appreciate you respecting my privacy on this matter.
I really do appreciate the support, both personally, and for "The Healthy, Happy Teacher". I have seen great kindness, I have experienced amazing things, I have been given opportunities to share my interests and passions (particular thanks to Westpark Fitness) but the time has come to take a step back and to focus on what's important in my life; myself and the relationships I have. I will, as always, continue to live a healthy, happy life, and continue in my career. But for now, at least, it will be more focused on me, and the people most important to me.
Thank you <3
Lorraine