Happy birthday to me and my blog…we both survived another year
Last week, the So what? Now what? blog reached its 10-year anniversary. This week, I turn 64. I’m not sure which milestone surprises me more. But here we are…we both survived another year.
With each blog anniversary, I find myself contemplating whether I should continue blogging. Is the satisfaction of writing and connecting worth the cost in time, energy, and finances? Evidently, for the past 10 years, it has been, because I’m sitting here today writing yet another blogiversary post.
By the numbers
Over the past decade, I have published 616 blog posts and received 1,171 comments. The three most commented-on posts of the past decade were 1) Changing course mid-blog post, 2) Coping with grief after a sudden death, and 3) My staycation is over…even if sheltering in place is not. The most read post in the past year was What is the best milk for your latte?. And, the post that started it all is You have arrived at your destination.
Beyond the numbers
Of course, as my fellow bloggers know, it isn’t really about the numbers. It’s about the connections we make with others from around the world…the times a reader tells us that a post we’ve written has helped or inspired them in some way…the times we create something of which we are especially proud. Those are the things that keep me coming back to the keyboard week after week and paying the various fees and expenses required to maintain a user-friendly secure website.
The blogging world and this blog itself have evolved over the last decade. Who knows what the future brings, but for today, I will carry on. To those of you who have continued on the journey with me, I cannot thank you enough. I sincerely appreciate you sharing your precious time and attention with me, and of course, your thoughtful comments. Thank you, thank you.
Your turn
- Looking back over the past decade, what is one significant evolution in your life?
- What keeps you reading and/or writing blogs?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
Feature image created with ChatGPT.
what awesome milestones! I read recipe blogs more than any, but I like reading yours to feel more connected to you, and because you share fun info in a clear and concise manner.
the biggest evolution of my life over the past decade has without a doubt been becoming a mother. I fear these swift moving years are going to be the ones I miss the most in my life, so it’s a constant battle between surviving and cherishing the moments.
Thank you, Liz. Becoming a mother is a huge evolution. This has been a big decade for you and your sweet family. The fact that you are even aware of the balance between surviving and cherishing the present moment is quite an achievement in the life of a mother of young children. XO
Happy birthday and happy 10 year blogiversary! I find that my blog has evolved a lot from the first posts– not only in content and layout but also with engagement and feedback. I don’t think I ever had any comments on posts for years until I started making friends within the community.
Thank you, Joanne. My blog has also evolved over the years and the experience certainly isn’t what I thought it would be initially. I had no concept of a blogging community when I first started. That is where I get the most engagement as well and have made so many new friends…including you.
I’ve loved reading your blog over the years. You are such a good writer and I’m proud that you’re my sister. 😌 Embarrassingly, I can’t think of any big evolution I’ve experienced personally. I always feel the same. However, I have become a grandma of many in the last ten years and hopefully that’s changed me for the better.
Thank you for those kind words, Cindy. As your sister, I have seen your growth over the past decade. Of course, it’s hard to improve perfection! ❤️ Becoming a grandmother has to be one of the most wonderful changes you’ve experienced.
Happy birthday to you and happy blogoversary! I am not sure I’ll make it to 10 years so that’s quite a milestone! It seems like I just turned 50 so I’m kinda shocked 68 is staring me in the face! In the last ten years, we have moved twice, my husband has broken an arm and both shoulders and had both hips replaced. I keep wondering about keeping my blog going as my subscribers seem to be deserting a sinking ship. When you have only a few, it’s very noticeable. And, yet, the comments and emails I get make me smile and have me returning to my keyboard, too. Of course, “meeting” fellow bloggers is another big reason to blog! Thanks, Christie, for the inspiration!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Thank you, Marsha. I can relate to the shock of realizing how much time has flown by. You have certainly been through a lot in the past 10 years. As for blogging, many of us seem to be in the same mindset…taking it day by day. I’m glad we met along this journey.
Hi Christie, Happy Birthday to you! And happy 10th Blogiversary! I completely understand the questions you ask yourself about blogging. For me, the stats don’t even matter. I do it for me and for the connections, but of course one day the energy it takes & expense will be too much but I’m still going for now, like you! Thank you for linking up & sharing with us at #WWWhimsy xo
Thank you, Min. I too keep blogging for the benefits it brings me and the connections I’ve made. As long as I still enjoy it more often than not, I will carry on.
Happy Birthday Christie and also congratulations on your blogiversary. I do remember reading the blogs listed as your most commented on. I always find your posts interesting and look forward to them. I find there is such a joy in blogging and will probably be doing it until the end of my time on this earth.
Thank you for the kind words, Jennifer. I’m happy to hear of the joy blogging brings you and I hope to see you out in the blogosphere for many years to come!
Hi Christie, Happy birthday and happy 10th blog anniversary! I have been asking myself about hosting a weekly blog link-up as it’s time-consuming. I enjoy blogging and the connections. I will likely continue blogging for at least another year. Have a wonderful week! #WWWhimsy
Thank you, Natalie. I can imagine that hosting a weekly blog link-up would be a lot of work, but also rewarding. I’ll keep my eye out in case you decide to start one. In the meantime, I look forward to reading your blog posts in the year to come.
Hi Christie – happy birthday and happy blogoversary. Time flies by doesn’t it? I often wonder whether I’ll see another year on the blog, but then each week I seem to have found something that’s engaged my thought processes enough that I want to write about it. I’m very grateful that my blog costs nothing and earns me a little bit of pocket money because that takes one reason to stop off the table.
I’m so glad you’re still around and still writing – finding likeminded souls is always a blessing and I appreciate your presence in my world. xx
Thank you, Leanne. Time does, indeed, fly. I have enjoyed the friendship we’ve developed over the years and the support and inspiration we’ve been able to get from that connection. That’s the main reason I continue blogging, connections like that. And I’ve learned a lot from reading blogs and preparing my own too.
Oh BIG congrats and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
I am pretty sure I have been along for the ride for some years now.
I always value your kindness and connection, Christie!
Thank you and take care,
Denyse x
Thank you, Denyse. We have been engaging with each other’s blogs for several years now, and I too have valued that connection. Thank you.
Christie, Happy Birthday and Happy Blog Anniversary! I enjoyed this post as it is both a celebration and a reflection. I have been reading your blog for a couple of years, maybe longer, and have watched you set goals and achieve them, and stay true to your readers with relatable content. I like that no subject is off-limits with you, and you express what many of us feel as we navigate these uncertain waters of aging and retirement.
As for your questions. A significant evolution would be when I began to accept myself, flaws and all. That acceptance gave me the freedom to be my authentic self, no apologies. As for blogging. I am a naturally curious person, and I enjoy learning about myself and others – sometimes, through others. We all gravitated here for a reason, and there is an obvious connection that goes beyond wanting to support each other’s blogs. I believe we also want to support each other in our quests for contentment, knowledge, joy, meaning, authenticity….fill in the blank. Take care.
Thank you for those kind words, Suzanne. That means a lot to me.
Acceptance is a wonderful evolution to make. Also, I appreciate you pointing out that we bloggers are not just supporting each other’s blogs, but also our broader life journeys.
Congrats on your 10 year mark! We started blogging about the same time, and like you, I keep wondering how much longer. And, although no post this week, I will stay in the blog-o-sphere for now. But beyond the benefits you mentioned (connections!!), the one thing my blog has allowed me to see is my own personal evolution, my own learning. I did a look back on my 10th, and it was fascinating. I’m not sure I’d have “seen it all” without the blog documenting my life.
Thanks, Pat. In talking about what my blog provides for me, I hadn’t really thought about the aspect of self-reflection or looking back on my own progress. That is an important benefit of blogging. I have at times looked back over old posts, and there is a certain personal history or journaling aspect to it. In fact, one of the things I need to consider if I should end the blog is if , and how, I will save any of it.