Friday, December 30, 2011

Happy New Year to All, Happy Blogoversary to Me


Tomorrow is my first blogoversary, as I wrote my first post on December 31, 2010. When I look at the post now, there's not much to it, but I remember agonizing over writing it. Not so much about the content, but about whether or not I should actually do it. I remember my finger lingering over the "publish post" button for what seemed like forever, and I must have hit the "preview" option 100 times.

Looking back on the year now, it's hard to imagine I was ever that nervous about starting a blog. But sharing my thoughts or experiences does not come easily to me, as I have spent most of my life as a closed book. But this blog was all about making changes, and a big part of that was changing what I had always done and always been. So while my first post doesn't look like much now, it was a big first step for me. For that reason, it will always make me smile.

When I started this blog, one of the things that inspired me was this quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.

 Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

That's what I tried to do in starting this blog, and I'm thrilled to have taken not only that first step, but also several others as I've gone through 2011. I'm working on setting some concrete goals for 2012, but I know my overall goal is to continue to make my way up that staircase. I still can't see all of it, but I have a good idea of what I want it to be, and what steps I need to take to reach the top of it. 

I've said it before, but I can't say thank you enough to everyone who has followed my blog, left a comment, or just visited and read a post or two. I'm so grateful, and I hope I have been as supportive and encouraging to other bloggers and writers as so many have been to me. It's been such a joy to get to know so many amazing people over the past year, from all corners of the world, and I look forward to continuing to follow your adventures in the year ahead.

I wish everyone a safe, healthy, and Happy New Year! May we all continue to make our way up the staircase in 2012 and beyond.




35 comments:

  1. Happy New Year, Happy Anniversary, Happy everything! :)

    I know what you mean about wondering whether to blog or not, putting yourself out there, etc. Good for you - for all of us! - for climbing that first step on the staircase.

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  2. Happy anniversary and happy new year! :)

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  3. Look at you with over three hundred followers. Happy Blogaversary!! And Happy New Year!!

    Cheers to another great year. :)

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  4. Happy anniversary with you one year old blog......many more to come I hope.

    Happy New Year to you Julie.

    Yvonne.

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  5. Happy Blog-o-versary and Happy New Year.

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  6. Julie, when I started blogging I just pretended that no one would read except me, and amazingly enough, I was right! lol Happy blogoversary and thank you for your support :) x

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  7. Only a year??? Why does it seem so much longer? I think that is because YOU ARE A NATURAL!!!

    Julie you are one of the most supportive people that I know...I THANK YOU for your support, I wish you continued blogging success and I am thrilled to be a part of your adventure!

    HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!!!!
    xoxoxo

    CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY BLOGGING!

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  8. Happy Blogoversary and Happy New Year! I'm so glad I met you. :)

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  10. Happy Blogoversary to you and a Happy New Year to you and yours! Enjoy the last weekend of 2011.

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  11. Hi Julie .. Happy Anniversary tomorrow/today I think! Love the photo .. Happy New Year ahead and lots of blessings in 2012 .. cheers Hilary

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  12. What a wonderful quote and so true.

    Happy anniversary! I think when you start blogging you wonder if anyone will ever come and read and if they do, will they come again. It's putting ourselves out there and it's never easy, but once started I think it's an amazing experience.

    I look forward to following your blog for another year. Here's to 2012!

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  13. A big happy blogoversary!!! What a year my friend and so many steps, how's the view from the top of the stairs? :)

    BTW, I'll raise my glass to you as well this evening, Happy New Year!
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  14. @Alex, thank you, and Happy 2012 to you!

    @Madeline, thanks so much! It is hard to put yourself out there - I'm glad we both did!

    @Christine, thank you, Happy New Year!

    @LG, thanks, cheers to you as well and I'm looking forward to following Bards & Prophets for another year. :)

    @Yvonne, thanks so much, I wish you all the best for 2012!

    @Susan, thank you, Happy New Year!

    @Carolyn, LOL LOL! Thanks too for your support and I'm so glad to have met you and Austin. :)

    @Caren, oh, that's so nice of you, thank you!! And thanks too for all your support. Happy New Year to you as well!!

    @Janel, I feel the same, thank you so much and Happy New Year. :)

    @Stephen, thanks and Happy New Year to you and all your family!

    @Hilary, thanks so much, I wish you a wonderful 2012 as well!

    @Rebecca, I agree 100%, it really is a wonderful experience. I look forward to following you as well and wish you all the best for the new year. Thanks!!

    @Jules, haha, I don't think I've made it there yet but hopefully soon. I'll let you know! :D I will raise a toast to you as well, Happy New Year!

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  15. I'm so glad you took that first step! Wishing you a happy and productive and prosperous 2012.
    Thanks for being my bloggini friend.
    Melissa

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  16. @Melissa, thank you, too. I'm so glad to have met you this year. Happy 2012!

    @BIP, thanks so much! I love following your blog as well. Happy New Year!

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  17. Congratulations to you!
    NOw that I think about it, My blogoversary is very near, as well. It was sometime in Jan 2011 that I begun my blogging journey. (well on my ahhsome blog, anyway!)

    Here's to a prosperous 2012 and may you words enlighten others and provide reading enjoyment!

    Sandi
    http://www.ahhsome.wordpress.com
    Lake Forest, CA USA

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  18. congratulations!!!

    happy new year and more accomplishments to come!

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  19. That's a great quote. I still hit "Preview" 100 times before posting! Happy blogoversary and a wonderful New Year to you, Julie.
    xoRobyn

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  20. @Sandi, thank you!! And congratulations to you on your almost anniversary, that's fantastic. Best wishes to you for 2012, thanks so much!

    @Tara, thank you! Happy New Year to you as well.

    @Robyn, LOL, I also hit preview many times! :D Old habits die hard. Thanks so much and Happy New Year to you!

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  21. Happy anniversary! You've come a loooong way and picked up a TON of followers in a year's time. Good for you! Here's to wishing you much continued success and a very happy new year.

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  22. Happy Anniversary and Happy New year.
    Laura x

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  23. @Susan, thanks so much, Happy 2012 to you as well!

    @Becky, thank you! :D

    @Laura, thank you, and Happy New Year to you and your family!

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  24. Happy bloggerversary! I remember my first post as well. I spent almost the whole day before that asking for tips from big bloggers.

    :-)

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  25. Happy anniversary and Happy 2012! I'm glad I met you last year, Julie.

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  26. Happy anniversary and new year! Hope this next year brings lots of success!

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  27. Happy New Year and Anniversary too! It's always nice to reach those milestones ... Wishing you many more in 2012 ...

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  28. Happy blogoversary, Julie! Looks like it's been a wonderful year for you. Your blog has tons of followers in that short time span, so kudos to you! I love that Martin Luther King, Jr. quote. I hadn't heard it before, but it's a good one to remember. Happy New Year, Julie!

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  29. @Misha, thanks! Oh, that was smart to ask for tips, great idea.

    @Mary, thanks and Happy 2012 to you as well! I'm really glad I met you, too. :)

    @Lisa, thank you, and I hope for lots of success for you as well. Happy New Year!

    @Joanne, thanks so much, and Happy 2012!

    @Lyn, thank you! I'm glad you like the quote, I love collecting quotes like this. Happy New Year to you as well!

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  30. Happy Blogoversary!

    I wish you all the best in 2012.

    The quote is one I need to remember this year. Thanks for sharing it.

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  31. Happy Anniversary! and a Happy New Year to you! Your blog is only going to get better. Look at all you've accomplished in the past year!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  32. PS
    I hope you do your 5K run this year!

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  33. @Carol, thank you, I wish you the best as well. And I'm glad you like the quote, my pleasure to share it!

    @nutschell, thanks, and Happy New Year to you as well! Fingers crossed on the 5k, I will let you know. You inspired me with that. :)

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