I had coffee with a pal of mine today and we started talking about blogging.

I love talking about blogging.

It’s a passion.

It’s how I make my living.

I think about it A LOT. (My husband would probably say that I think about it way toooooo much.)

I pretty much spewed negativity the entire time. I whined about I didn’t have enough time to blog, how I was so busy, how I was uninspired and on and on.

And he made a simple comment which cut me to the core , “Yeah, I have noticed that you are a little all over the place.”  Oh man, SHOT IN THE HEART.

He is so right though. I am all over the freaking place.

I don’t know who I am. I don’t know what I want to blog about anymore. I am IN A TRANSITION.  The funny thing is that I consult with clients about  this type of thing all the time.

I just can’t follow my own advice.

Or as one of my other blogging pals so succinctly said, “the cobbler’s kids have no shoes.”

Ain’t that the truth?

So now I am in blog depression. Surfing the interwebs… Admiring other people’s blogs. Wondering how they come up with such great content and good stories. Feeling a little jealous about their opportunities. Wondering how to get those type of opportunities and their amount of readership… Wondering if this blog is even worth anything anymore…

Comparing yourself to others never helps anything, does it?

So I am pouring my heart out to you, my readers. Do you understand? Have you ever felt this way?

Anyone else suffer from blog depression?

Tags: blog depression, blog envy, uninspired, whining

This is the second post filled with uplifting advice from women across the internet. These two posts (the first of which can be found here) are dedicated to my 16 year old niece Kelsi and are indeed relevant to any teenage girl navigating her way through life. (I must say, however, that I find great inspiration in these words myself and I am almost 40.)

Enjoy…

“The hardest lesson I had to learn as a young woman was to be true to myself. Too many times I let a boyfriend or a co-worker, or a so-called friend tell me what to think about a specific topic or situation and I didn’t want to rock the boat and so I would agree. Too many times I was a follower and not a leader. Too many times I didn’t listen to the truth I held inside me and respect myself enough to live it.” - Sunday

“Dwell in possibility” -  Emily Dickinson …  I love that three words holds so much meaning–stop and really think–and think hard–about what you can do, what the future holds, and what your place in that future is.

And I cannot help but share one of the very first things I ever memorized, aside from the Hail Mary and Our Father, of course. . .
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the rain fall soft upon your fields,
the sun shine warm upon your face,
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. – Amy

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” (Romans 5: 3-4) Know that when you are faced with adversity, you are being refined and perfected for the task which you were purposed. Take all hardship and suffering with the mindset that it is readying you for what great task lies ahead. Know that you will come out of your trials with a brilliance that a life of ease could never produce. You will shine and the world will see the fruits of your perseverance.” - Kadi

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”  (Dr. Suess) – Mary

“Nothing beats a failure but a try.” My mother ingrained this in me at a young age and did not accept me giving up on myself under any circumstance. I had to complete everything I started and I have to say I am a better person because I’ve listened to her advice.” – Renee

“Remember that in any relationship – either with a boy or a female friend – YOU always hold the power. YOU control whether someone is worthy of the pleasure of your company. YOU get to decide whether they are worth your time. You are the gatekeeper. YOU are priceless. - Jessica

“I remember reading a quote once that said, “”Wherever you go, there you are.” For some reason, the notion really hit home with me. I was struck by the fact that the only constant in my life would be ME, so I better become a person that I could be proud of. Life changes, friends change and people come and go. But, you? You are in your life forever, and the most important thing about it.” - Jill

Amazing words from amazing women. Thank you all!

Tags: advice for teen girls, digital moms, Inspiration, uplifting advice for girls

Dearest Kelsi,

Sweet 16. I can hardly believe it.

No longer a child. Filled with hopes and dreams, you stand on the verge of becoming a woman.

I see your potential and it warms my heart. You amaze me.

I’ve have the pleasure of knowing some  phenomenal women from all walks of life and have enlisted their help to inspire you along your life journey.

I hope you find their words as uplifting and moving as I did.

Love,

Aunt Jennie

“There will be those that tell you, you can’t do “this” or encourage you to do “that” when your heart isn’t in it. Get to know your own voice before you let others drown it out. Wear hot pink whenever you feel like it, dance when everyone else is still and never let anyone put you in a corner baby!” – Lara

“Fear is a normal part of the process when we put ourselves out there and reach for our dreams. But the key to success lies in the decision to refuse to let those worries turn you into someone you’re not. Never settle for letting others decide who you should be – you’re already fabulous the way you are. Stand up for yourself. Stay authentic, be real and dream big!” – Jenn & Jill

“The best exercise for the heart is reaching down and lifting someone up.” If you want to be a better person yourself, turn outward and help others be better people. The rest will follow. – Lolli

“Be proud of what makes you unique. I used to feel embarrassed about the things that make me different, but now I’ve learned that they’re actually my strengths. Be proud of who you are (you don’t want to be like everyone else!) Always walk into a room standing tall and with grace. If you live your life without comparing yourself to others or judging those around you, your life, loves and passions will flourish.” – Bailey

“Always keep in mind the 5x5x5 rule when worrying about something. When something happens that upsets or stresses you out ask yourself “Will this matter in 5 years? Will it matter in 5 months? Will it matter in 5 days?” This enables you to react accordingly.” - Jessica

“Live life life like there is NO tomorrow all while preparing for next week.” – Elizabeth

“Let nothing and no one define you, but you. We live in a world of judgment, where people want to put labels on us to be something or someone they want us to be, but we are so much more. No one can dictate your path and never let anyone do it. Each past moment, no matter how trying, is simply a lesson to learn from – to be more, to be stronger, and to be true to you and your beliefs. Trust yourself. It’s so simple, but sometimes the hardest thing to do.” – Laura

1- Kill ‘em With Kindness: It’s SO MUCH EASIER to retaliate and say mean things back.  Sometimes I do.  Us girls have a tough time with that.  But I’m telling you- kill them with kindness.  When someone is cruel and mean, be nice.  I know, it’s so hard.  Bend over backwards for them.  Go the extra mile.  Be the bigger person.  That person will soon learn that bullying doesn’t work on you.

2- Ditch the Bad Friends: You know the ones.  The ones that back out minutes before you’re supposed to go to the movies.  The ones who never have anything nice or positive to say.  The ones who after you hang out with them you think, “Why am I friends with them, again?”  Ditch ‘em.  Just do it.  I’m not saying delete them entirely from your life, but don’t carve out any of your precious time for them.  They don’t respect it, and you should use that time on positive people and projects.  If they come around and “get it” then great.  If they don’t, they don’t.  You won’t miss those relationships.

3- You Belong: You’re meant to be here.  You matter.  Whatever you want to do, do it.  Pursue what makes you happy. - Mary Kate

NOTE: Tomorrow will hold more words of wisdom…

Tags: advice, advice for teens, inspiring words from bloggers, sweet 16, uplifting, uplifting advice for girls, woman, works of inspiration

Today is my 39th birthday.

I mean, my 29th birthday.

Oh hell. Whatever. Fine. I’m staring down 40. What of it?

I am in a bit of a reflecting mood right now. It has been a big year of accomplishments for me. Let me clarify a bit… I don’t say “accomplishments” in order to elicit a ton of “woo hoo” compliments, just in reflection. Obviously with big accomplishments come big sacrifices and many a sleepless night. I’m sure you know exactly what I mean…

But I have to admit, even for me, this has been a blessed year, albeit at a ridiculous pace. A cursory list:  taking care of my fantastic family, opening up the new business, launching Momz Share, attending Blog Her, being mentioned in the New York Times (twice!) and Wall Street Journal, raising over $2,600 for charity and running the New York Marathon, meeting wonderful new friends and business associates and learning a heck of a lot in a short time… to name a few.

No wonder I am tired.

You know, I was talking to my friend Pat a couple of weeks ago and we had a conversation that has stuck with me… He asked me “what was next” on my list after conquering the NYC Marathon. I didn’t have an answer for him. I merely shrugged and said, “I think nothing. I don’t have anything on my agenda. I guess I am going to take a break.” He sat right up in his seat and said, “Oh COME ON! I don’t believe that for a second. I know you Jen and you won’t be able to sit still for long.” (I am paraphrasing, of course.)

Let me just say – I hate him for being right. Gah! But I love him for challenging inspiring me.

For right now, however, I am content to just sit quietly and reflect. (And plot my new world domination goals.. muwahahaha)

Business goals I have. We’ve mapped them all out. Personal goals are another matter. And blogging goals, well, that is really high on my list right now. I’ve am very antsy to get back to some serious writing. (Just need to survive the holidays first…) As for my family, well, I will be launching a middle schooler next year and if there is a perfect time to really concentrate on your family, this would be it!

In the interest of wrapping up the year, I put together a quick and dirty slide show for you. Thank you all for being such a huge part of my 38th year… darn! I mean 28th year. Cheers!

Tags: birthday, Blogher, Jennifer Gerlock, Maryland, New York City Marathon, reflecting on your birthday, turning 39, want 2 grow marketing

I am to blame for my own social media issues. I created this monster. Now I just need to figure out what to do with it.

In the interest of trying to keep my “personal life” and “professional life” separate, I have two different Twitter accounts. One is @MammaMania (Klout 53 / 3,207 followers) and the other is @JenniferGerlock (Klout 41 /648 followers).

My @MammaMania is very relaxed and focused on the personal and being a mother.  My other one still has my personality but is way more business oriented and locally focused.

How to mesh the two? Or should I?

There are different opinions for both. What I know for sure is that I either need to choose one and combine the messages or be more strategic about my Twitter engagement on both accounts.

It has been an ongoing though process for me. I feel like I am not Tweeting/engaging  as well as I should be. Because I am a split personality and I am a busy woman. (LOL. Jeckyll & Hyde much?)

Any advice for me? I’ll use your advice for a future post because I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM.

By the way, if you are interested in this topic you will probably find this article interesting: Brand Symbiosis: Balancing Personal and Professional Online

Tags: the problem with segmenting yourself on twitter