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We have arrived.
Day 30. Did you hear me?
DAY 30 OF DAILY BLOGGING.
We are rockstars.
Cue "Eye of the Tiger" playing on my iPod. We'll call it mood music, because today's post is all about what I've learned participating in National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) through BlogHer. Get comfortable, grab some Ramen noodles (kudos if you get the reference) and let's rehash all the things I've learned through this process.
1. Community is Awesome. Okay. I mostly knew this already, but the blogging community? IS SUPER AWESOME. I have met so many amazing people through this experience. I have new blog friends that I never would have "met" without this experience. I have learned about how Tricia practices the art of being grateful. And how Kenya is learning to be content in her home state (which next year will also be mine!) I met Rachel, who doesn't have a blogging niche either, but is still undertaking the challenge. I followed the journey of Molly Jo and was smiling when she learned she didn't need a schedule to have a good time. And then there is Melissa who has super powers, you know! I met Taylor who shares my love for Christmas music early in the season.
Do you get the picture? I didn't even meet all of these people through NaBloPoMo, but in my search for inspiration to keep writing every day, I started to participate in other writing communities such as the SITS Girls (can't wait to be featured!), Write on Edge, and Mama Kat's Writing Workshop. I joined in on weekly themes such as Heather's Just Write on Tuesdays, Allison's Way Back When-sday, and Fadra's Stream of Consciousness Sunday. All of these things I never knew existed until I embarked into the adventure of NaBloPoMo.
2. I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me! Okay. In all seriousness when I started this off, I had exactly 7 followers on my blog and 17 followers on Twitter. One month later? I'm up to 37 followers on the blog (almost time for that mid-life crisis!) and 74 followers on Twitter. Every post I put up now gets at least one comment! (And yeah, comments aren't everything, but they do boost the ol' self-esteem! Oh who am I kidding? Comments are everything!) I can't take all the credit either, because this is a blog I share with my husband - and although he posts less frequently, everyone has been kind with their comments on his posts and I'm so glad that you all like him, too ;)
3. Blogging is no easy business. When I started this, we blogged sporadically and mostly our Moms read it (hi, Moms!). Now that other people are reading it, I am starting to think more about content, blog statistics, and how I can spread awareness of certain issues through this blog. But it's not easy. It means keeping up with other people's blogs, linking up in various formats, and making sure that it is accessible to a wide variety of people. I admire the "professional" bloggers because it's nothing I'm cut out for. Too much staring mindlessly intently at a computer screen for me. Bravo, bloggers, BRAVO! I intend to keep up regular posting, but daily is just too much. And likely, I will stick with reading and commenting on a few beloved blogs instead of trying to read hundreds.
4. Writing is important to me. Initially, I embarked upon NaBloPoMo to force myself to get back into writing more frequently, therefore abiding by my self-imposed Happiness Project goal. I used to write ALL the time, and I loved it. Then I went through a long period after I got my Master's degree of refusing to pick up a pen (or keyboard) for anything other than necessary paperwork and e-mails. This adventure has inspired me into dabbling in some creative writing, talking about memories, and painting pictures with words again. I am very thankful for this.
5. Follow through is awesome. Some goals are hard to achieve, and sometimes very hard to keep up with. Although it's not much in the grand scheme of life, I feel accomplished that I made it to the end of this month, this goal, with all of these other amazing people!
6. I love that November is
