Well I made it AND I nearly missed it! My blog Sizzling Towards 60 is celebrating it’s first birthday! Although I think the term is ‘Blogiversary’ in blogging terms.
I can’t believe I have been blogging for one year and like most bloggers probably felt like it has been 10 years!!!! LOL:)
Celebrate with me as I look back at my first year of blogging, the highs and lows and where I am now.
When I first pushed the publish button on my first post I was nervous, excited and felt a little sick! What was I doing? I’m not a blogger! However, I was at a point in my life where I had this nagging idea in the back of my mind that JUST WOULD NOT GO AWAY!
What to do? Go with it of course! I kept telling myself “What is the worst that can happen” when at the same time I was secretly hoping to become the next blogging sensation – LOL:)
As I’m celebrating I’m going to indulge myself a little in this post and share with you my journey of the last 12 months. From a novice who didn’t even know what a blog was to co-hosting link parties (another unknown area) to being asked to write guest posts and also posts for Millers Fashion. It has been a wonderful experience and one I hope to continue.
Blogging, I’ve often said is a roller coaster ride. There are many highs and many lows. It tests your patience, imagination and endurance but if you stick to it you will survive and maybe even feel proud of what you are doing. If you want to read more of my blogging journey read My Blogging Journey of 2015.
Firstly, I have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to my darling husband, Mike. He probably is still scratching his head as to why I am doing this however, he has been so supportive of the time I have put into the blog – when really I should have been spending it with him! I think he has plans to write his own book – ‘How I lost my wife to her blog’!
Seriously, though he has always been so supportive of all that I do and i love and appreciate him more than he realises.
Secondly, My Website
During the past twelve months it has undergone three transformations thanks to Daniela Uslan and her Have Your Cupcake courses. The most valuable lesson I have learned is to TRUST YOURSELF! Yes, you can ask others’ opinions however, remember YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO PLEASE EVERYONE so just go with what feel right for you.
My first post was Diet is a Dirty Word which I republished at the end of last year.
Thirdly, My Blogging Friends & Mentors
I have met so many wonderful blogging friends and mentors in the last year. I cannot believe how supportive and friendly they have been. Blogging has such a wonderful way of bringing people together and I now boast ‘virtual friends’ from all corners of the world! There are so many I would love to thank but the list would be very long.
In addition to Daniela Uslan, I would just like to mention briefly (indulge me please), the following bloggers who have suppoted and mentored me. As you will see they are all blogging about different things which brings great variety to my world.
- Kathleen from 60-thenew40
- Jennifer from Nanna’s Wisdom,
- Debbie from Debbie in Shape
- Leanne from Cresting the Hill
- Marilyn from Marilyn’s Treats
- Sandy from Sandy’s POV
- Mackenzie Glanville from Reflections From Me
- Gigi from A Warm Hello
- Monica from Monica Bruno
- Orana from Crazy Little Family Adventure
- Wendy from The Art of Why Not
- Robin from Robin Follette
- Natasha from Natasha In the Studio
- Nikki from A View from In Here
All of these ladies have been so supportive and encouraging during my first year and I encourage you to check out their websites as well. I’ve shared my joys and also my not so good times with them and appreciate each and everyone of them.
FINALLY AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL – MY READERS
Thank you for your comments and feedback and just being there. I’ve loved connecting with you all and enjoy publishing my weekly newsletter for you to see what I’ve been up to and also my latest posts. You truly have added to my life and helped me achieve my dream and in return I hope I have encouraged you to follow your dream as well. From Learning to Say No and develop your self-confidence to joining the #couchpotatotofabfit community. It certainly has been a ride SO…….
Let's keep riding the wave of midlife with positivity, fun and laughter for another year!Click To Tweet
Let’s Keep Sizzling!
See where I link up my posts each week…..
35 Comments
Congrats, Sue, on your first blogiversary! You have come a long way over the year and your website looks fantastic! Keep up the great work and I an honored to be one of your readers!
How lovely of you Terri! I feel honored that you have supported me in my blogging adventure and love receiving your comments. I value your friendship and enjoy coffee time with you on your blog. Would love to have a real coffee one day with you. Have a great weekend and let’s keep Sizzling!
Sue, you’ve had such an amazing journey this year, and I’m honored I could be there with you and help you trust your own voice. Here’s to another wonderful year for your blog!
I’m so happy that I connected with you Daniela! You have provided so much information, support and friendship which has made my journey a lot easier. Thank you again for all you have given me. xx
Woot! Happy blogoversary 🙂 Great things ahead for your blog as it continues to grow 🙂
Thank you Julie! I can’t believe I made it this far. xx
Wow it is such a great achievement, like you say it is easy to think “I can’t do this’, but you knew you had something to offer and you really do! You bring so much to so many people and you motivate me to get up and move! I think you are amazing and you make people believe they are capable than more than they thought. I will look forward to your hubby’s book, if he would like I think my husband can help him co-write it lol. Keep going strong and know that we would be lost without you. Thank you also for the mention xx Happy blowing birthday and many years more to come!
Thank you dear Mackenzie I have loved connecting with you over the last year and you have given me to the confidence to believe in myself and write. Thank you for your beautiful words.
Sue you have achieved so much in such a short time and yes you are a blogger, welcome to our world. I love what you bring each week to us so thank you.
Thank you Jen and you have been so helpful and supportive during my first year. I loved doing Wednesdays Wisdom and now enjoy doing Over the Moon with you. I also appreciate our friendship. Take care my friend xxx
Yeah – we both have an anniversary to celebrate. I say the same thing. Where has the time gone and my husband probably wishes I’d quit. It has taken more time than I ever expected. There are days I want to throw in the towel, yet it calls me back. I’m not sure if that is a healthy thing or not. Yet, when the days get boring, lonely and there is nothing left to do because everything is done, I’m glad I have it. It does fill a void at times. Here’s to us both being successful in this next year.
We are twins Michelle! We think so much alike and have quite a bit in common. It has been great to link up with you and I appreciate your contribution to #couchpotatotofabfit group. Happy Blogiversary to you and many more to come.
Heartily congrats on your 1st blogging birthday!!
Thank you Hammad!
Thanks Hammad!
Happy blogiversary to you (I’m sing this – probably a good thing you can’t hear me!!) So glad we connected and I really value our friendship and your support – there is just something special about a fellow Aussie blogger – I think we just get each other 🙂 Looking forward to the year in front of us and to many more of your posts xx
Thank you Leanne and I’m so happy I met you. We have so much in common and I think both of our blogs are developing quite nicely. I value your friendship and support and look forward to another year of connection and friendship
Happy blogiversary to you. I think this is cool that you made it. Pretty soon you will be celebrating your 5th, then 10th and wonder where the time is going. I personally hope to be blogging at 90.
Thanks Lee! I wasn’t sure I would make it but it is a great feeling to know I survived my first year without giving up. I hope I’m still blogging at 90 because we have so much to offer and it really keeps us mentally active plus I love connecting with others. Have a lovely weekend and thank you for your good wishes.
As we sing in the US:
Happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Sue,
Happy birthday to you!
Thank you Michele I can hear you singing all the way in Australia! thank you for stopping by with your birthday song and I’m off to read your post about making waiting less stressful!
Happy blogiversary! I loved reading this post so much. I smiled all the way through it because as a relatively new blogger myself, I can relate to all the feelings you reminisce about. As I’m sure my husband can relate to your husband’s feelings of having “lost” his wife to blogging 😉
I wish you another year, or ten, or however long it is that your love affair with blogging continues!
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed my post and I’m glad that other husbands feel the same as mine! It is so addictive isn’t it. Once I sit down I find it difficult to tear myself away. Thank you for lovely words and best wishes and I send them back to you and your blogging journey xx
I’m so glad you started your blog!!!! Starting your water challenge tomorrow! (actually got a head start today!) Here’s to another great year of blogging! Happy Blogoversary!
I’m glad I started my blog as well Gigi as that is how I met you! Have a great week!.
Congratulations on your 1st Blogiversary!
Thank you Ingrid I made it!
It’s been such a pleasure working with you on Anything Goes and Over the Moon. You’re a great blogger and a wonderful friend. It’s great that we can work together, help each other out, and talk each other through the tough spots. Congratulations on your first blog birthday!!!
Likewise Sandy! You have been so helpful and I love our group of ladies hosting #OvertheMoon. I’ve so enjoyed getting to know you and I love your smile I can tell you are a caring and friendly person. xx
Happy Birthday to your blog Sue! I have to tell you when I first came to your blog I never would have guessed you were a newbie. Your blog has always seemed so polished and put together to me. And you just keep on moving forward. Good luck to you my friend and continued sucess.
Oh thank you for your kind words Mary! I never seem happy with the website and have changed it about 3 times in the first year. I think I have something now that I will keep for a while. I have some exciting things in the pipeline so watch this space! Thanks again and I hope you have a lovely week.
Hi Sue,
I dropped by to wish you Happy Blogversary. You blog like a pro, and you are so knowledgeable. I can’t believe it’s only been a year.
You mentioned the blogging friends you’ve made. I hope I am included in that group. I am a huge fan of yours.
Janice
Thank you Janice you made my day with your lovely comments. I thrilled that you are a ‘fan’ and yes you are one of those who have helped me in my first year. Have a great week and here’s to another successful year of blogging.
Hi Sue, I’ve been blogging about the same amount of time you have. I have learned so much through this experience. Blogging does eat up a lot of my time and I don’t get to work on it as much as I would like to. I have to take it one step at a time and move slowly :). Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Hi Renee I found that I really had to work hard at finding the balance between blogging and enjoying life. I love blogging and it has really helped me adjust to retirement but now I need to step back a little and enjoy life as well. thanks for stopping by and have a lovely weekend.