One year ago today, I started my blog. Reluctantly. On the what-I-saw-as-slightly-dodgy advice of a friend.
I went back and read that first post just to see whether I’ve ended up where I thought I would. Not really. Kind of. Maybe.
I certainly didn’t end up giving the writing a “red hot go”. Pursuit of publication took a back seat. The back seat of a 55-seater bus.
Did I write about what I said I’d write about? Hm. Not much about writing, that’s for sure. That seems to have waned after the first few posts. There’s been some parenting in there, a bit of social justice, very little about travel (damn it). But the “random weird stuff”? Oh yeah, got plenty of that.
So, what went into the blog has not quite been what I was expecting.
But here’s the big learning: What I got out of it was so much more than I was expecting.
I found a new community. New ‘like minds’. New friends.
It no longer matters that I’m not writing about my up-and-coming new novel. It doesn’t matter that I am a mere blip on the WordPress radar.
In the end, life is about connecting. And learning.
I’ve connected with different people in different parts of the world who are leading different parts of life.
I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel like an alien in a house full of boys. I’ve learned that loss and grief is both personal and universal. I’ve learned that maybe snow is not so exciting when you have to live with it every winter.
I’m an introvert and a common myth is that introverts don’t like to talk. This is not true, as anyone who has shared a bottle of wine with me will attest. What introverts can’t do is ‘small talk’. ‘Meaningful talk’ they can do for hours. Hanging out in the Blogosphere has been like being at a dinner party with friends who are on the same wavelength but with wildly differing views to offer, all putting their oars in on matters wide and wonderful. I’ve revelled in the opportunity to join the discussion, as many bloggers on whose posts I have commented will no doubt agree, perhaps ruefully.
Who can be lonely when you have the world to invite to your table?
Being the flighty Jack of All Trades I know I am, I wasn’t sure how long this ‘experiment’ would last. I’m impressed that I’ve made it through a whole year. Mind you, I have a bit of a pattern of about 2 to 3 years before I get bored so let’s see if I’m still here in two years’ time.
If you’re all still here, I’m pretty sure I will be too. I wouldn’t miss this dinner party for the all the book contracts in the world. (Hm. Well, maybe for one real one.)
Love this! Happy Anniversary and I’m so glad you’re still here. You’re right…..who could miss a dinner party like this!? Wonderful perspective on all this. Going to adopt it myself!
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Thank you! And so happy to have you on my table! 🙂
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HA, HD !!!! and well done you.
I am incapable of thinking of what the blogosphere would be like without you – and in such as short time ! You must be a witch— hey, there you go ! How about a Witch you ? The illustration would be enormous fun. 😀
You like it for the same reason that I do: the interaction.
There’s simply nothing like it.
Big hug for the year: mine coming up late October.
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The party certainly ratcheted up a few notches when you sat down at the table, M-R! It’s been so much fun! And I’m so thrilled with my new-look blog, which wouldn’t exist without you – you’re a treasure. 🙂
Oh, I think there is definitely going to have to be a post with Witch Me in it in the near future….
You’ve clearly been more prolific than I! I was a bit cross that I wasn’t organised enough to hit post 100 as the anniversary post. Trust my life to go off the rails just when I needed to be on track. It was my 97th. I was close to doing a Bradman.
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But surely that makes you exactly like his final figure ? – the 99.94 or whatever it was …?
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But 97 is not 99.94. I actually thought it was going to be my 99th and I had a Bradman line all ready to put in but then I realised I’d only posted 96. 97 is a bit of a nothing number other than an acceptable score for the 17 year old to aim for in October…
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[grin] Me mad mate …
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Congratulations on your anniversary. I am so happy you are writing here, I love reading your blog. And what a wonderful article to commemorate your first year! I’ve just done my 100th post, yesterday, well actually it was the dog that posted. But I am here to celebrate you and your writing. Thank you dearly 😀
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Thank you so much! Congratulations on 100 posts – fantastic! And thanks for coming along to the party. 🙂
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I absolutely love your “dinner party” take on blogging! So, so true and you’re right – an absolutely unexpected benefit to entering the blogosphere. So happy to have met you!
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And me, you! When I started it was all about ‘will anyone read it?’ (much like most of us, I guess) but now I’m having so much fun communicating with such wonderful people such as yourself, I really don’t worry so much about that side of it.
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Happy, happy anniversary!! I agree with you – it’s been quite the discovery and all the amazing people I’ve met is the BEST!! A toast to the next year ahead! 🙂 🙂
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Happy Happy One Year Blogiversary. It has been a privilege to get to know you! 🙂
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And right back atchya! 🙂
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Blogging – one of the best kept secrets to happiness 🙂 And, indeed, it does provide a cyberspace pub where us introverts can chat happily over a bottle of wine and not have to drive home afterwards. 😉 Happy Blogging Anniversary.
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Cyberspace pub – yes!! And ain’t that the truth?! 🙂
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Cyberspace pub is agreat analogy! Happy Anniversary. 😀
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Well done on a years blogging. I found the same thing – my purpose changed the community was unexpected and I absolutely love the conversations. Hope to see you in two years time.
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Oh, I fully intend to be here and I hope you are too. 🙂
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Congratulations on a wonderful year of fun, insightful, entertaining, honest, provocative, heart-warming, heart-rendering reading! Look forward to many more ….
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I feel pretty much the same way, and I’m nothing like the extrovert people take me to be 🙂
I made one crucial mistake though- I took your name rather too literally and assumed you were male 😦 I mean- with drawing skills like yours- how could I?
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Ha! Don’t worry – I get that a lot! 😀
Thanks for coming over and so generously checking out my blog. I’m so looking forward to more of your wanderings. 🙂
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Oh, by the way, this post and this one may explain why 😉
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