mumturnedmom is three! Wow. Three years of blogging. I feel like a bit of an old hand now, except that I still learn something new every day…
It’s been another wonderful year. After my first year of blogging I reflected on the amazing blogging community. My second year was all about finding my feet as a writer.
This year? Well, writing has been the focus again and latterly, taking a step back and slowing down.
Blogging can be all consuming. It’s addictive.
It’s great fun, but it’s also exhausting.
Finding the right balance is tricky, but so important.
I have realised that, for me, blogging is about writing, creativity and engagement; about being honest and authentic.
It isn’t about numbers and it isn’t about writing for the sake of it, just to publish a post. It isn’t about keeping up or trying to fit in.
In my post about being a blogger I reflected on the reasons why I blog and it came down to memories, connection, creativity, learning, opportunity, validation and inspiration.
Good reasons.
I’ve had a lot of fun with my writing this year. From flash fiction to poetry, opinions to memories. The Prompt is now into Week 95, and each week sees amazing posts from wonderful writers. Thank you to everyone who has linked up over the past year, it’s my favourite part of my blogging week.
As I sat down to write this post I took a look back through my year in blog posts, which was a fun exercise (I wrote a lot!) and I will share some of my favourites in my review of the year later in the month.
One thing jumped out at me though.
A recurring theme has been my need to simplify. And, following the loss of a dear friend last month, this need has been put into sharp focus.
I suspect this will see the content of my blog shift over 2016. At its heart, it will always be about my family; they are my reason and my inspiration.
But evaluating what is important to us as a family, and how we can live our best life, is something I plan to work on: what might our simpler life might look like?
And, I suspect that simpler life needs to start with a change in me.
A few lines I wrote over the summer keep coming back to me.
…To slow down and simply be. To take all that I am, all that I have learned, and become a better me. To move through my forties with more grace than I achieved in my thirties. To be a calmer version of myself.
That seems like a good place to start.
So, thank you to all who have read over the last year. Thank you for every comment and kind word. Thank you for your support and your inspiration.
It means the world to me.
Sharing this post with Post Comment Love, the farewell edition from Verily Victoria Vocalises.
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Happy three years lovely lady! Still feels like yesterday that I was sat reading your blog for the first time waiting for one of Freddy’s antenatal appointments… he’ll be two in Feb! Time really does fly.
You’ve been talking about slowing down for a while now, so I’m not surprised to read this post. I also agree that change always has to start with us. Very best of luck with what comes next.
If I don’t speak to you again, then have yourself a wonderful Christmas hon xxx
It doesn’t feel like three years, have to agree! I’ve been much happier with what I’ve been writing over the last couple of months, so a slower pace definitely suits me, we’ll see what happens in the New Year! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too xx
Wow! 3 years of blogging and 95 weeks of The Prompt! Congratulations! That must have taken some amount of persevering! This will be my first week at The Prompt and it has been a good exercise in writing! Thanks for the linky and Congrats once again!
It’s flown by! But I love it, so it hasn’t been hard :) It was lovely to have you join in with The Prompt, hope to see you again x
Happy blogiversary! Three years is massive in this blogging world right now isn’t it? It’s a great time to take stock though and I think you have the right idea – there is never a bad time to step back, slow down and simplify. If I don’t connect with you again in the next week have a wonderful Christmas Xx
Yeah, three years does seem to be quite a long time ;) Slowing down has been good. I still have so many ideas in my head, but accepting I can’t write them all at once has been a relief! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too x
Happy Third Birthday! It flashes by doesn’t it! Getting the balance right is certainly the key. Have a fantastic Christmas and New Year x
Thank you! I do feel that I am getting closer to finding that elusive balance… I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too x
Happy Birthday! I completely understand why you have taken a step back and love that you are still there, writing when you want to write. I’ll still be here reading x
Ah, thank you Donna x Have a wonderful Christmas x
Happy 3rd blog birthday and so interesting to read about where the blogging journey has taken you so far. I like the idea of trying to become a calmer version of yourself – that sounds like a good thing to aim for and taking a step back, slowing down and re-evaluating what you really want to write is always good. I think it makes a lot of difference in your writing when you do take that step back – it feels like it comes more from the heart and that is certainly what comes through when I read your blog posts – it’s always been there but I think it’s been more so towards the end of this year because of your shift of focus. Looking forward to reading more from your blog next year and wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas x
Thank you Louise, it means a lot that you’ve noticed the change because I’ve been so much happier with what I’ve been writing over the last few months. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas xx
congrats Sara. I sometimes worry about running out of things to say and am always impressed by those that have been able to keep at it for such an extended time
I suspect that I repeat myself occasionally! Thank you x
First of all happy blog birthday! Can’t believe it’s three years already. It’s been a joy following your blog since it’s early days and forming a friendship through it.
Thank you Kriss, it’s been a pleasure reading your blog too, one of my absolute favourites x
Happy 3 years. It’s great you know exactly what kind of thing you want to move to. Have a great Christmas and new year
Thank you Emma, I’m looking forward to next year and writing what I want to write :) I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too x