Greetings from Nockamixon State Park in Pennsylvania! I am typing this post from my corner in the common room at the hostel I am staying at with four fellow South Jersey Writers.
I am thrilled to report that I have hit the 25,000 word mark for NaNoWriMo. I promised myself I would not do anything else until I hit that milestone, so I’m finally taking a break from my novel and updating you with my progress. I have written 8,140 words since arriving Friday night and many of them are decent. I slowed it down immensely, going back to my preferred style of writing (which includes self-editing) and focused on content rather than word count.
But enough about that.
Did you know it was from this very hostel in the woods that I launched this blog last November? Yes, she turns one this month! I am filled with excitement and pride. With this blog I took an idea and turned it into something real. I committed to jumping in and launching it, unsure if I could really sustain it or if anyone would read it, and if they did, what they would think of me. I did it anyway and for one solid year I have nurtured and fed and watered this blog, and in return it has given me a sense of purpose and has helped me grow from seed to seedling.
I had wanted to start this blog for a while before I actually did. Something delayed me and it had nothing to do with content or desire.
It had to do with my weight.
I wanted professional photos for when I made my debut as a blogger. I wanted to lose weight first so I kept putting off the photo shoot. I delayed a major goal of mine because I thought I was too fat to have my photo taken.
In some fortunate moment of clarity, I decided to finally have the photos taken anyway. The one of me in the sidebar and on the “About” page are from that shoot. It was taken last November. I weigh more now than I did in those photos, most unfortunately. But I tell you that because if I didn’t realize how silly it was and kept waiting to be thinner before having my photos taken in order to launch a blog, I would still be waiting an entire year later.
See my point?
Thank you so very much for being a part of my journey this past year. Loyal readers are what energized this blog and helped push me to improve so I’d have experiences to share. Your comments and support have encouraged me immensely. Thank you, sincerely. I am so grateful for your support. I am excited for the year ahead as we continue to nurture our seedlings and grow together. This blog isn’t going anywhere, but up.
Sitting here it is not lost on me that last November I started this blog and this November I am drafting a novel. In the span of one year I have taken control over the pursuit of my dreams and I am exponentially happier as a result. That’s the journey: to be happier and live a more meaningful life.
A more official birthday post will be coming on November 22nd, this blog’s official birthday, so stay tuned. Thank you for bearing with me during NaNoWriMo, the part of the journey when I pull off to the side of road and write furiously for a month.
I’ll be packing up and heading back on the metaphorical road in December.
Much love and gratitude to all of you.
Congratulations again. So glad I was there last year at the Hostel when you began your blog. Great weekend this year too. Thanks for the hike and gumbo.
I remember you showing us the header last year. Still looks great!
And stop being so photogenic. It's annoying.