It’s my blogiversary! The date had crept up on me, and it wasn’t until WordPress gave me the message, that I realised it’s now 9 years since I started this blog. I have mentioned on blogiversary posts in previous years, that it was my daughter who told me I should start a blog. At first, I didn’t take her seriously. What was a blog anyway? Eventually, I started to think about it, did some research. and it started to make just a tiny bit of sense.
At the time, I had recently moved to Bendigo after a marriage breakup. I didn’t know anyone at all for a while, until I had the courage to join a couple of cycling groups,so I was living quite a lonely life. I was exercising and participating in fun runs and a 12 week challenge at the time, and thought it might be fun to record my adventures in fitness.
These days, though I’m still heavily involved in fitness, I don’t have quite so many adventures to report. I started to think that the blog had run its race. Until I had the idea to take it in a different direction.
The focus of the blog changed slightly, when I changed the title from Next Phase In Fitness to Next Phase In Fitness and Life. Until that point I was thinking that I was burnt out as a blogger and my time was up. I was struggling to think of subjects for blog posts. Very quickly the name change renewed my enthusiasm, and I fell in love with blogging again.
Another reason for my new found love and commitment to the blog, was the people I was forming friendships with through blogging. Up until making the name change, I hadn’t done much networking, or communicating with other bloggers, as I really didn’t think anyone would be interested in reading about the exercise I was doing. To be truthful, I was a little embarrassed that my blog looked very amateurish alongside other beautiful and near perfect blogs. Soo tended to keep it to myself.
After the name change, I seemed to find my voice, got over myself, and began reading other blogs and joining blogging link ups and networks. This is the best thing I’ve ever done, in relation to the blog, as my audience has grown, along with my enthusiasm. I’ve read some amazing blogs and become friends with awesome bloggers.
Since I realised that it was my blogiversary, I’ve been thinking about what I love about blogging.
- Blogging has given me a voice. Never, ever did I have the audacity to think I was a writer and I still don’t think that. But writing my blog posts has given me the opportunity to get my thoughts out of my head and to see my life in perspective.
- Blogging has taught me an enormous amount about technology. I still have a huge amount to learn, but I know much more than I would have without blogging.
- I find inspiration in the blogs that I read. Your travel stories, your adventures and just your every day life. I love reading your stories. Also bloggers are amazingly supportive and kind to other bloggers. When you comment on my blog, you make me feel 10 feet tall
- I’m really passionate about my three blogs and about blogging. I love the feeling that passion gives me. I also feel very proud that I’m still here blogging after 9 years.
I’d love to say a huge thank you to everyone who pops in to read my words, and is generous enough to leave a comment and share my blog. Here’s to at least another 9 years of blogging!
What do you love most about blogging? I’d love to hear your thoughts and promise to reply to all comments.
Links to my other blogs: bestbookishblog and trackingdownthefamily
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Hi Jen, Congratulations on your blogiversary and I admire that you have 3 blogs going – I barely keep up with one! The connections I’ve made through blogging, many of which have turned into friendships is one of the greatest joys I receive through blogging. I agree about the technology side – I’ve learned so much even being able to build a website and coping when things went wrong. Here’s to another year of happy and successful blogging to you Jen. xx
Thankyou Sue, for visiting and for your lovely comments x
I love the people in blogging – I’ve met and made so many friends over the many years.
Hear hear! Thanks for visiting Vanessa
Hi Jennifer – happy blogaversary! Nine years is a pretty amazing achievement! I agree with all your points, and for me the connection and having a voice are my biggest wins from starting to blog. I have such an amazing support group of fellow Midlife women around me, and I feel like we cheer each other on every time we open up and share our stories – what’s not to love about that? And I’m looking forward to sharing your guest post next month – I love supporting other bloggers x
Thanks Leanne. You are always a great support and it’s appreciated.
I’ve met some fabulous people on line and in real life through blogging. I’ve also found my voice – and am continuing to hone it. Happy blogiversary to you and long may you continue.
Thanks Joanne. And thankyou also for popping in regularly.
Oh Jennifer, I know exactly what you mean about the friendships and interaction! I love it too and blogging has given me a voice too! I’m still so surprised when others read and comment on my posts as I don’t expect it to happen. Huge congratulations for still blogging all these years later and reinventing yourself and your blog along the way! It’s been a real pleasure to read your posts and follow your thoughts, you are an inspiration. I take my hat off to you 🙂 #lifethisweek
Deb thank you so much for your kind comments. I thought most bloggers would feel the same about the friendships. As with you I’m always shocked that people read and comment on my words. But I love it!
Jen, you are amazing with all that you achieve.
I admire you & enjoy reading your “stuff” whenever it pops up.
You keep on, keeping on.
Wishing you another 9 years plus many more.
GO JEN
Thankyou so much Karen for your lovely comments. Catch up soon x
It’s been great reading how you started blogging. I was a little way ahead of you but not much. I was very lonely (a common theme!) after finally retiring from all my education work but missed connecting with people. It was on a website called mamamia (long time ago, nothing like it is now) that I met and connected with some people who liked my comments and thoughts and suggested I start a blog. There were quite a few in that first Aussie Bloggers Conference in March 2011 and many stopped blogging but some still do and I remain friends with them. I too had 3 blogs but in 2014 consolidated what I write about into one and this is it. Connecting with others is my reason and link ups (why I started mine in Sept 2016) give me more people to get to know.
Thanks for linking up for #lifethisweek. Next week’s optional prompt is #ShareYourSnaps. I hope you will join in then too. Denyse.
Denyse I remember the early days of Mamamia. I’ve sometimes thought of consolidating my blogs but it just doesn’t seem right at the moment. Enjoying reading the blogs on #lifethisweek Plan to be back next week