Happy birthday to me and my blog!
October is an eventful month around here. Besides the autumn and Halloween hoopla, it is also the month in which my blog turns 11 and I turn 65.
Happy 11th blogiversary to So what? Now what? !
It’s hard to believe that I have been blogging for 11 years, but I have. The proof is in the stats:
- 663 posts
- 63,215 views*
- 658 unique visitors*
- 5,965 comments (not including my own)
- Most commented on post: Changing course mid-blog post
- Most visited post: What is the best milk for your latte?*
- First blog post: You have arrived at your destination
*Since the new Google Analytics went into effect in 2024.
11 lessons learned
With experience comes wisdom. I use the term “wisdom” lightly…but still, I have decided to share with you 11 lessons I’ve learned along the way…one for each year I have blogged.
- Even though I started this post with the stats, the numbers are much less important than the genuine connections I’ve made through blogging.
- Blogging friends are real friends…even if you’ve never met in person.
- It’s not enough to enjoy writing to have a successful blog. There are a number of technical issues…including speed, security, and SEO (search engine optimization)…to consider.
- Stay up on changing website regulations and standards, as well as updates to any software or apps you are using. If you host your own blog, you cannot just create it and forget it.
- Take advantage of the help that is available to you, especially when it comes to the aforementioned technical and legal aspects of blogging. I recommend BlogAid.
- Not all blogging advice is created equal. Research and learn…yes…but be willing to let go of any “best practices” that don’t work for you.
- Perfection is the enemy of good. If you wait to get every little detail just right, you will never push “publish.”
- Keep it simple…or less is more. The more basic your blog, the easier it is to maintain and the easier it is for your visitors to navigate. A blog can be attractive and engaging without a lot of unnecessary bells and whistles.
- Blogging should be enjoyable…for you and your audience. If you find the stress outweighs the joy, rethink your mode of operation. Don’t be too rigid or too hard on yourself.
- Your enthusiasm for blogging…just like anything else…will ebb and flow. Be prepared to reevaluate your blogging periodically…just avoid making rash decisions. I can’t count the number of times I’ve considered calling it quits, hit pause, and then come back refreshed.
- Celebrate the wins and learn from the challenges. It’s the journey, not the destination, that truly matters.
Happy 65th birthday to me!
Even more surprising than realizing my blog has been in existence for 11 years is realizing that I have been wandering this earth for 65 years. How is that even possible? This month I started on Medicare and Social Security. Isn’t that for old people?
Lessons learned
Don’t worry, I am not going to share a lesson for every year of my life, but if you would like my humble life advice, here are three past blog posts that fit nicely in that category:
Free advice for those just starting out…or Life lessons I wish I had learned sooner
A letter to my 40-year-old self
Three things I learned from my aging parents
Your turn
- Do my blogging friends have any additional blogging advice?
- What is one life lesson you wish you had known earlier?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
Happy (almost) birthday!! can’t believe your blog turns 11! and congrats on the big birthday milestone for you as well! You definitely practice what you preach as one of the healthiest 65 year olds I know! You’re an inspiration! Love you!
Thank you for those kind words, Liz. I love you too!
Happy birthday month and happy blogiversary too. i completely agree that blogging friends are real friends but it’s hard to explain that to non bloggers.
So true, Joanne. Thanks for being one of those friends.
Hi Christie – happy birthday to you and your blog. I hope it’s a lovely time of celebration for you and I really liked your blogging observations – all very true and it takes a while to figure all that out. Besides the friendship point (hi friend!) number 10 resonated with me because I’m about to hit ‘pause’ on my blog for a while. I have a post for next week and then a sign off post to come. It’s time to take a breath – a long breath – until the end of the year, and then I’ll re-evaluate. Anyhow….that’s for later. Congrats again on all you’re celebrating. xx
Thank you, my friend. I’m reaching that point as well…taking a break from blogging to see how that feels. I’ll be watching your blog for updates on your plans.
Happy birthday, fellow Libra! I am going to reread your tips several times because some of those things are things I don’t do and need to. I have been blogging for five years now, and there are times I think I’m done. Then, I remember how much I really do enjoy blogging even if no one reads what I write. I also feel like the relationships are friendships even though we haven’t met. You can tell a lot about people by the way they write. I will turn 69 which just blows my mind! It’s not that I feel old because I certainly don’t. It’s more that I’ll soon be 70 which seems like I should be an old lady. And, I’m definitely not that! I hope you have an amazing 65th and happy anniversary to your blog!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Age is a strange thing, isn’t it, Marsha? On one hand, I can’t believe that I’ve reached this point in life, one that definitely seemed old to me as a youngster. On the other hand, I still feel pretty young…despite the definite signs that my body is in fact aging. For the most part, I love this time of life and the freedoms it allows.
Happy Birthday to you! And happy anniversary to your blog! You’re right in that the time seems to pass quickly, with a “it’s been how many years” feeling about blogging (or living). The life lessons I wish I had listened to earlier are: be your true self, stop trying to please everyone else, and live life, not just work. I was given all that advice, but took none of it until I was in my 60’s! Sounds like they are also blogging advice too.
Yes, Pat, that is definitely good advice, and lessons I wish I had learned a little sooner as well. Better late than never! Let’s make up for lost time now, shall we?
Happy Birthday. I fully comprehend your pearls of wisdom especially ebbing and flowing which I seem to be doing with ever increasing variability.
Thank you for the birthday wishes, Caree! I seem to be in the ebb stage of blogging at the moment. It’s comforting knowing I’m not alone in this.
Happy birthday! I turned 65 in September, and it’s so hard to believe. It all goes so fast. I am thankful, as you are, that I feel good and don’t feel 65… What is 65 supposed to feel like anyway? 🙂 HA!
Thank you, Cindy. Happy belated birthday to you. I’m not sure what 65 should feel like, but this isn’t too bad. There’s so much about this stage of life for which to be grateful.
Happy birthday to you and your blog! I love your blog, and I love you even more. ❤️ I’m sure whether you continue to blog or not, you will do something worthwhile that you enjoy. That’s just the way you are. (And that’s a great thing! 🩷)
Thank you for those kind words, my sweet sister.
A very, very belated happy birthday. Look at all those wonderful milestones and numbers for your blog over the years. I think I learned a hard lesson with my WordPress blog that simple is better. I had lots of widgets and gadgets on it and had nothing but trouble. My Blogger blog is very basic but it works!!
Hope you are about to be able to enjoy pickleball on your court. This is the perfect time of year for it!!
Thank you, Leslie! It’s hard to believe I’m 65 years old…old enough for Social Security and Medicare! As for blogging, the bells and whistles can be fun, but like most things in life, less is often more…or at least less hassle. 😊