Anniversary
Y’all, it was three years ago yesterday that I started this blog. From where I started then to where I’ve come today has been such an amazing journey, full of growth, laughs, tears and learning.
****************We interrupt the previously scheduled program to bring you the winner of last week’s giveaway! If your name is highlighted in red below (hi, Alice!), you are the winner! Please confirm your mailing address, though I think I already have it!!!
To everyone who played, thank you! To everyone who purchased something from Christyn, a double thank you. We now return to your previously schedule programming.****************
As I was saying, this blogging journey I started three years ago? It just keeps getting better.
Year 1, I was just getting the hang of blogging. I expected it to be a space where I could write down my thoughts on the world around me. I was surprised by the interactive nature, not just from friends in real life, but from the greater blogging community.
Year 2, that initial wonderment with how big the blogosphere really is turned into growing that seed. This whole blogging thing kind of went to my head. At times, I became focused on reading as many blogs as possible in the hopes of ramping up my own readership (and comments, which were more important at the time). I began selling my soul to blog ads (let’s just say, I come for the cheap price of less than $10 per month). I also continued to broaden my reach into the more personal side of blogging, by meeting other bloggers and nurturing relationships outside our blogs.
Now that Year 3 is coming to a close, I have been a bit reflective about my year. The attempts to expand my blogging horizons reached its pinnacle when I attended BlogHer last spring. And while I was thrilled to meet some really interesting and fun women, I was mostly overwhelmed by the sheer madness that blogging can become. Thanks to my experiences with that conference, I took this blog back to the basics.
I went through a solemn period where I tried to figure out what I was all about. I stripped my blog of ads. I skipped the big blogger meet-ups in my town and didn’t even think about traveling to meet large groups of bloggers. I even simplified the content of my blog, making it more and more about me and my views of the world and less about other people’s lives.
This week is the start of Year 4 as a blogger. And, just like I’ve started each new year of blogging, I don’t really have any big goals for the year ahead. Blogging has always been and continues to be this fluid experience for me. Changing as I change and as the world around me changes. I expect this year will be no different—there will be some changes around here, but I couldn’t begin to tell you how.
I guess that’s what makes these anniversaries blogoversaries so darn cool. It’s a time to reflect and a time to look forward. A time to be proud of how far you’ve come and a time to be excited for what’s yet to unravel.
Do me a favor by telling me what you’d like to see from my blog (or for that matter, what you’d like me to stop immediately) in the year to come!
March 8th, 2010 at 6:28 am
Yay Alice! I hope she tells us which one she picks and posts a pic of it!
From what you told us about BlogHer, I think I would have the same reaction!
You know, I am super honest when people tell me what I think they should change about their blog (maybe too honest -- I told one blogger I thought her posts should be shorter, and she, uh, titled the next post “epic post” and apologized to me with a link to my blog in the first line of the post), and I know I could be super honest with you, but I cannot think of anything that I really would like to see different or changed.
Oh, wait, I DID think of something! I would like to hear more about your running :)
And let me tell you one thing that I love about your blog that VERY FEW bloggers do -- you are mostly a one topic blogger (save for Fridays and a few “bullet-style” posts). I cannot get through all these “diary” and all-over-the-place blogs posts. They talk about so much, my mind gets all jumbled trying to take it in. I try to do the same thing on my blog -- and I notice I get actual thoughtful comments in return. Rather than “wow your sandwich looks yummy” or “sorry Monday was so bad for you.” This all sounds awful, but knowing you, I bet you know EXACTLY what I mean ;)
March 8th, 2010 at 7:48 am
Happy blogiversary numero tres!
March 8th, 2010 at 7:53 am
Happy 3rd blogoversary! I am coming up on my 2 year anniversary of blogging. Kind of hard to believe I’ve been doing this for 2 years. I have really changed as a blogger over those 2 years!
I have no changes to suggest -- I love your blog! I love the honesty and insightful blog posts. I’m so glad I found your blog! :)
Have a wonderful week. I hope it’s as nice in Chicago as it is here in Minneapolis!
March 8th, 2010 at 8:07 am
Congrats on four years! I am someone who can completely relate…probably over relate to what you’re saying about change.
When I first started blogging on Blogger in 2008, I had no idea how much into it I would really get. I came up with a quick name, a basic template, and wrote about stuff that I didn’t think anyone was actually reading. Then I got a small handful of followers, and even a comment or two. I put more thought into a name and found a template that I thought would be different. I did more and more “research” and started finding many bloggers that I found myself getting “attached” to. Their blogs kept me coming back for more, and started giving me inspiration on the types of things to blog about. Fickle me changed my blog name and layout a few more times, and a time or two more after that. I just couldn’t find who I was in Blog Land. Every time I chose something, it just didn’t sit right. It sounds weird I’m sure, but I guess that’s the perfectionist coming out in me. It wasn’t that I didn’t think other people reading it wouldn’t like it, it’s that I didn’t like it. I tend to over analyze myself a lot. I even took a break for a couple months after the whole Delicious Design fiasco because I was so angry that someone took away a chance for something that meant so much to me, and wrongfully so, and I didn’t even want to bother with it anymore. But, once a blogger always a blogger I think. And of course, I came back. I really feel comfortable with my blog now, and I feel like it really fits who I am. Sure, I’ll change the layout when I get bored, just like I rearrange furniture and change my hairstyle, but that’s just who I am and I like me that way. But I’m pretty sure the name is sticking this time around. It just took a million changes to find it :)
March 8th, 2010 at 8:10 am
And I totally meant Congrats on 3 years, and best wishes for the 4th <3
March 8th, 2010 at 8:54 am
Happy Blogversary, Nilsa! As you well know, I adore your blog and am incredibly thankful to have found such a great person like yourself here in blogland.
March 8th, 2010 at 9:40 am
happy bloggyversary! so exciting!
one thing that i really like about your blog, is your ability to talk about what could be a controversial topic, in a way that invites discussion among your readers. you share your opinion in a very non judgemental way, encouraging people to have different opinions. you make this forum here feel very easy, and i always feel welcome here.
and you always reply to comments, which i think is just such a nice touch. looking forward to seeing what year #4 has in store for you and this blog!
March 8th, 2010 at 9:45 am
I came in rather recently, in the end of year 3. I like what you have to say. I relate to you and I feel you are a friend and am soooo glad I came across your blog. My boyfriend and I broke up this weekend and I am trying to put away my sadness (let’s be honest, devastation)and look forward to going to blogger activities and meeting new people and having time for those things. Making time for those things. I feel that reading you has broadened my blogging horizon and I hope you just continue to stay you. :)
March 8th, 2010 at 10:01 am
I vote for more pictures =) Other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing!
Happy Monday & Blogversary!
March 8th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Happy blogoversary! =)
I love everything about your blog, but I’m especially with Brookem -- I love your ability to take a controversial topic and write about it in a way that invites people in and that doesn’t take an absolute position where you are right and your readers are wrong.
March 8th, 2010 at 10:13 am
oh this is VERY exciting! i believe this is the first blog contest i’ve ever won, AND it happens to be for an etsy store that i already love! happiness! :-)
i choose the blackbird necklace, pretty please.
congrats on 3 years!! my blog has rambled on for.. oh lordy, nearly 5 now? but has been very spotty and not at all cohesive and completely lacking in theme or direction ;-)
March 8th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Happy, happies! I love blogging and I enjoy reading yours. March on, my friend.
March 8th, 2010 at 10:20 am
I would like to see more pictures of SoMi wearing stuff. Dogs in boots, now that is just good stuff.
Happy Anniversary!
March 8th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Happy Day! Love reading your blog. I agree that blogging takes us through phases -- and I’m excited for whatever the year brings! Of course, would love more pics of SoMi!
March 8th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Um… how about a series of posts about an awesome trip to Denver? Soon?
March 8th, 2010 at 11:34 am
i think you’re doing awesome. i too feel the same way as you do about the ads. i never put them on my blog but the more i hear about them the more i don’t want to.
March 8th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Happy anniversary! It is so crazy what a ride this blogging thing is. I can relate to your journey for sure! I can’t wait to see what year four brings.
March 8th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
So glad you are here!
March 8th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
oh, i’m so glad you are here too. you are one of my best finds!
March 8th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Well I’m new to your blog that is now 3 years old (wow) but I can’t wait to keep reading and follow you on your journey through year 4 :)
March 8th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
happy anniversary! i just celebrated one year and it felt like a million, i can’t imagine year 4! cool to read about the evolution of your blog
March 8th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Happy Blogoversary! Happy Blogoversary! Happy Blogoversary! Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaappy Blogoversary!
March 8th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Congratulations and happy blogiversary! I love everything you write, but I especially love your weekly Friday recaps. Not only do you introduce us all to posts we may have otherwise missed, but you also give us a short reflection or reaction that gives us small glimpse of who you are and what you feel.
I also like pictures of your house. I want to live in your house. :-)
And in general, I just enjoy reading about your life and your relationship with Sweets.
Looking forward to year 4!
March 8th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
You are quite the vet lady! Congrats on your milestone! I say keep on keepin’ on with what you’re doing. It’s obviously working!
March 8th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Congratulations on all you’ve accomplished… it’s quite a milestone.
I missed winning the drawing by ONE number. :-(
March 8th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Happy blogiversary! :)
March 8th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Congrats! Yay!
I agree that its awesome that you take the time to reply thoughtfully to posts.
I wouldn’t change a thangity-thang-thang. Love your blog. Its one of the few that have survived my constant Google Reader purges.
March 8th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
now that is a milestone! congrats nilsa!!
you’re all grown up now :)
March 8th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
I was so close to winning :-)
Happy Blogoversary!! I want to see you keep doing what you’re doing: great topics, great discussions, and great community. You’re an awesome blogger who does your own thing but also lifts up the good things of others.
March 9th, 2010 at 12:29 am
Happy blogoversary! I personally can’t think of anything to tell you to do--I pretty much love coming here just as it is!
March 9th, 2010 at 9:07 am
I love your blog, I love the look, the content, everything. I’m so glad I found it :) I love looking back and having archives to remind yourself of how far you’ve come. This year I started making actual books of the years -- at Blurb.com you can make a proper hardback book of all your entries, so I just ordered “2009″ -- too much fun :)
Happy anniversary! Here’s to many more to come :)
March 10th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Here’s to a great 4th year ahead. Brookem summed it up well. I love that you aren’t afraid to talk about heated topics on here -- and that you do a great job of showing both sides. Also love that you introduce us to new bloggers and sites. Ooohhh I might like to see more of your home improvement/project posts! :)
March 15th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Happy (belated) blogoversary! Wow, 3 years under your belt is impressive! I’ve definitely enjoyed your blog these last several months, and can’t wait to see how it grows and changes. But all that to say: I think you’re doing great stuff here, and the only thing I’d suggest changing is, like Nora said, adding more pictures! (Which is something I’d like to do more of, too.)