Over 50 and Blogging:
Defining Your Corner of
the Blogosphere

I was thrilled to find your site this morning as I sat here wondering if anyone my age is even reading blogs. I am an author (retired educator), over 60 and I started a blog just over a year ago. My readership is "nil" at this point except for friends and family. I love writing my weekly blog so will continue doing it, but wishing I knew how to share it with others. I'm using blogspot at this time. My blog title is wesala-mythirdlife.blogspot.com. For those of you with good readership, do you have advice to a newbie? Do I need a different domain? A new title? I feel that I blend good writing with humor, inspiration, and female perspective. Sometimes I post a short story or essay that has been recently published or give the link. Would love advice. Best of luck to all of you who doing the same........Connie Wesala

Well, the best way I can think to answer this issue is to say that I don't blog as an "age group" person, but as an artist. I'm not one to desire being pigeonholed into an age; rather as what I contribute to the world around me. I'm an artist so my blog is an artist blog. I also write about topics I find of interest in the world around me. Do I bring a more experienced eye due to my age to my writing? Of course! Life experience - or lack of - definitely colors everything we do. It's my guess that there are probably a great many women [and men] over age 50 who blog about one thing and another...it's just that they don't present themselves as such.

I've been blogging for about 5 years and shreaked with glee to find so many women who say so many things that I've been thinking for a very long time. I feel like I have the best of all worlds - I blog with my 30 something daughter, likely one of the only mother/daughter blogs around. I'm getting both perspectives and we'll sometimes agree to disagree on our philosophies of blogging.

I don't have a preference on names but we are Giz and Psychgrad of Equal Opportunity Kitchen - http://www.eatfordinner.blogspot.com

The female 40+ market is robust and busy, as evidenced by @tobydiva's new All the Single Girlfriends www.allthesinglegirlfriends.com community where more than 20 women blog about life after 40. take a look!

Having only dipped my toes, so to speak, in the blogging world over the past few years, I'm only just beginning to appreciate how valuable reaching the big '50' could be. I've made my fair share of serious mistakes with their corresponding and lasting dire consequences - enough to know I have something to give - something to pass on to the 'younger' generation of women, those willing to take the time to listen. This is why I will keep on writing (see my recently re-born blog at www.naomishaw-writes.blogspot.com).

well at blogher11 this summer we were put into a group called boomer bloggers, and i think that's a fairly safe acronym. I was a little disappointed when i went to the session for us boomers, and the sign pointing to the door said "senior bloggers". i'm 55! not a senior, not a mid lifer I'm a boomer and that says something about my generation :)

I love to hear what women of my age are doing to stay active, and to hear about their life and hobbies. I also am inspired by the 30+ and their ideas in decorating, crafting, and re-purposing. The younger ones seem to have the energy to get things done, and that inspires me and keeps me thinking, "hey, I can do that!.)

As for a name...hmmm...I like the Baby Boomer idea.

My blog www.themidlifeguru.com is all about making the most of life after 50. I have been going strong for over a year and have loved the responses from old and young a like. Hey, we baby boomers have a lot to offer to each other and to the younger set as well. Blogging is a wonderful outlet to share and grow.

I'm 48 and started blogging just a year ago (www.sherisilver.com) - I LOVE it! I had my 3rd child at 44 (my older 2 were 17 and 12 at the time) and being involved with women 10+ years younger than I am has reinvigorated me. My blog is a direct result of that. My little one and my writing keep me young!

While I'm the first one to chaff against labels and love being around women of all ages, I find myself appreciating my time spent with women who are at the same place in life that I am. And I agree - that there following blogs is all about content but also content that is relevant. it would have been wonderful to have a blog to journal my journey as a Mom in my 20s and 30s and receive support from others who were at the same place. As much as I love being a part of the lives of my children and their friends, by children, all in their 30's, is much different for me, at 57, than it was at 27 or 37. Being asked how I handled relationship with my husband, my friends, my children and career by someone who is 30 or 20 years younger is much different for me than sharing how I handle a relationship with my husband after 40 years of marriage, my friends who have gone through their own life changes, my children who are adults with their own life journey w/o Mom being a hands on part of their life, and my career (which certainly looks different at 57 than it did at 27!) My opinion is that my generation is rewriting the definition of what it means to be a senior - it only makes sense that we have a place where we can connect with others who, like me, use to gather with their friends at sit-ins then at PTA meetings.

I am 55 years old and have been writing a lot about my kids, cooking, and dieting - but I am also, and have always been, a working mom - so I write about the craziness of working, raising a family, still being in the rat-race at my age, etc. I don't see anything else like this -- maybe I'm the only one who squeezes in writing in addition to everything else. Our story must be told

There is something very comforting about reading blogs from women who are close in age to me. We share a lot of the same perspective in life. I too enjoy reading blog content from different age groups, but don't get the same connection. I have gained many blog friends from having a blog, and have come to enjoy the whole blogging experience and the friends I have made there. My corner of the blogosphere would be defined as a place to share what I love. I have to admit that sometimes at my age, there are technological challenges to having a blog and it would be so nice if there were a blogging site offered that made it easy to create, post and maintain without much difficulty.

53 and loving life. It's the best! Our sons are grown, gone and happy. Have a great hubby for 33 years. Gransons to play with. Can do what we please and do! Yes, we should have our own niche! We've earned it!! I enjoy blogs that are from women over 40 because I can relate to their stories and lives. Thanks for shining a light on us!

Must we be categorized? Wouldn't you think that if your saying something interesting to anyone in any age group they will follow your blog? I follow many different blogs from teens to old people. It's all about content not age.

I am 51 and have just had to stay at home due to health issues.

Reading blogs is all new to me.

It has really been a comfort and is helping with the adjustment from working all my life to being forced to stay at home.

I have been very picky on which blogs I want to receive a email update on and Cozy Little House is one of them.

It is like opening up your email and a friend is waiting there for me.

Who knows maybe I will take a class on making my own blog!

I will be 47 this year. I suppose my blog falls under "healthy lifestyle." I started blogging because I was over 40, not a mother and I don't blog about dieting -- in fact, suggest, often to skip dieting. Definitely an alternative voice.

I suggested a "room of our own" last hear at BlogHer specifically for older bloggers to talk this type of thing -- it didn't fly. Maybe this year it will?

I turned 54 in December, and I wince at the term "mommy blogger" because it sounds dismissive. On the other hand, at least they have that huge community. Older women bloggers don't. Heck, women in general aren't taken as seriously, I think. My impression is that men tend to look at a site written by a woman and think, "Not for me -- I'm a guy."

Here's how I phrased it in a piece on my own site:"Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I’m going to write about my cute kids or my cute shoes.

"I am more than just a double-X chromosome. I’m a person who grew up broke, worked unskilled jobs, gave birth out of wedlock, washed diapers on a scrub board, endured an emotionally/psychologically abusive marriage, clawed my way into a journalism job despite having no education, suffered from serious depression, dealt with a child’s near-fatal illness and subsequent disability, helped care for a dying parent, stood in line outside food banks, pushed myself to go back to school.

"You don’t go through all that without learning a few things about life. And I’m still learning.

"Sometimes I’ll write about what I’ve learned. Sometimes I’ll write about mindful living. But I might also report live from the Bachelors Auction and Wilderness Woman Competition in Talkeetna, Alaska (first weekend in December; watch this space), or tell you about my lunch with a couple of homeless guys named Freeway and Leprechaun.

"Who needs reality programming? Our actual reality is much more interesting than the edited-for-television kind.

My experience is unusual in that I kind of backed into the business. My first blog was one I did for pay, i.e., the Smart Spending blog for MSN Money. At that time, blogs weren't really on my radar; I was too busy getting divorced, going broke and returning to school to get a college degree. I had this vague idea that blogs were online diaries. The next thing I knew, I was writing one -- and putting myself through school doing so.

These days I write a personal finance column for MSN but still contribute to Smart Spending once a week and also write for the Get Rich Slowly blog every other week. And since May 2010, for my own blog, Surviving and Thriving (donnafreedman.com). There, under "Popular posts," you'll find a piece called "Turning invisibility into stealth" -- that is to say, combining the knowledge we've acquired by middle age with our desire to stop being taken for granted/dismissed/ignored. Perhaps we should be "Stealth Bloggers."

I read Brenda's post with interest as my childhood friend and blogging partner "C" and I have pretty much referred to ourselves as "Boomer Bloggers". Has a nice ring to it, don't you think? We are the Stick Horse Cowgirls!

Great article. Not sure what to call us 50 + bloggers. Do we really need a name? I do know that sleeper blogger isn't it! There are a lot of us over 50 bloggers and we are a force to be reckoned with! We have weathered the storms of life and still remain strong and optimistic! As a new blogger, I have a lot to learn and I can learn from anyone no matter what their age! It's fascinating that there are so many different types of blogs out there. There is something for everyone. I enjoy connecting with the younger bloggers too. I began my blog after blog hopping and thought hey, I've got something to share so I started blogging. It's a creative fun way to connect with others. It also helps keep my brain synapses strong. I've picked up my camera again and dusted off my writing skills. I share my DIY projects around the house. Hey Lowes, and Home Depot take notice there are thousands of us out there that are consumers of products! Blogging is fun and a great way to connect but please don't call us 50 + bloggers sleepers because we're vital and wide awake!!!!

Thanks Brenda for bringing attention to us 50 + bloggers. I love reading Brenda's blog and look forward to hearing what she has to say every day. Most people I've met are open, honest, wonderfully creative and willing to share their tips about blogging and decorating.

~Sandy

@gailunt Blogging at 58 (buildinggreenbc.com) has been a great way to share what I'm learning about building a new green home from scratch. I find the young "Mommy" bloggers charming and optimistic, and they remind me of myself a few years ago - It's not easy, but I think a great way to feel less isolated.

Don't count us out. We have a lot to contribute to the blogging world, and though like Brenda I agree that more attention is given to mommy bloggers, I think we are definitely making our place. What to call us? I'm not sure, but we are a pretty spectacular group of women.

I missed this post earlier and was just introduced to Cozy Little House via Facebook. But this discussion is definitely much needed. Personally I am okay with the idea of Boomers aging young. The demographic spans 3 decades although depending upon how each os us has chosen to live our lives, we could be dealing with the same life issues. But my suggestion is to shelve the shelter blogger. Too limiting.

I began blogging after my kids both left for college - hence the blog name http://www.emptyhousefullmind.com. I have found dozens of great outlets and meeting spots on the web for the 50+ population, and surprisingly a lot of folks on twitter in this age range, too. I believe there is a lot of interest in us and what we have to say, based on the very enthusiastic response my blog has received. Maybe blogher needs a 50+ category!

I'm not yet 50 but much closer to that age group than the mommy blogging age. We do indeed have much to say, much to offer. Should be quite a force in the blogosphere, considering our numbers. Need only to actively network, connect, support one another.

Hi and thanks for sharing this interesting post. I am close to the 50 mark and have been blogging nearly a year. I have really enjoyed it and I am glad to see others enjoying blogging. Thanks and God Bless!

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