Exciting news to share and a huge thank you!
I was excited over the weekend to learn that Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond was Runner Up (3rd place) in the recent Annual Bloggers Bash Awards held in London. I wanted to share my good news but also explain why I blog and the benefits I’ve gained through blogging.
My blog was nominated in the MOST INFORMATIVE (Original Content) BLOGGER category and I was certainly honoured to be included with other inspirational bloggers.
MOST INFORMATIVE (Original Content) BLOGGER
This award is for the blogger with the most informative and original content. Who creates fascinating content that you find yourself longing to read? Perhaps they’re a history blogger or they write about the craft of writing/blogging, or maybe they like archaeology or wine tasting. They could be an artist or musician. The topic is irrelevant, it’s the original content that counts. A blogger who shares a wealth of knowledge in an informative way is what makes the Most Informative & Original Blogger.
A HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who voted for me and I was thrilled when my friend Debbie from Deb’s World messaged me with the news in the early hours of Sunday morning. Deb came Runner Up in her category, Hidden Gem. Debbie was also in London on holiday so was able to collect her award in person which must have been a thrill for her. Don’t forget to check out her Odyssey for the next few months on her blog.
The HIDDEN GEM Category
Have you stumbled upon a blog by chance and discovered useful information or thought-provoking content? Is there a blog that doesn’t get the notoriety they deserve? Maybe they have such an original style you can’t help but read their posts. A blogger who you believe should get the limelight for a change is who deserves the Hidden Gem award.
The Aussies were well represented in most categories which was great to see. You can find all of the blogs that were nominated HERE and perhaps you might find some new bloggers to follow.
WE ARE ALL WINNERS!
I know that is a cliche but all the bloggers I know, work so hard to bring quality content for their readers. It might be a hobby to most of us, as we don’t make any money from blogging, but that doesn’t mean we don’t take our work seriously.
THE BENEFITS OF BLOGGING
WHY I BLOG
I started my blog 3 years ago as a way to connect with other Women Over 50. I had retired early and found that after working full time for many years and with a family who had flown the nest, I had too much time on my hands. My aim was to encourage and inspire other Women to embrace this wonderful phase of life by living a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Blogging has had such a positive influence (most of the time, when I don’t have technical problems!) on my life. ‘In what ways do you ask?’
The Connection with others
I have made wonderful connections and friendships with Women Over 50 who continue to inspire me and prove that our generation certainly ‘rocks’ when it comes to living life to the full. Some of you are bloggers and some of you subscribe to my blog to read my thoughts. I appreciate all of my connections and to me that is the most positive part of blogging.
Blogging Stretches my mind and thinking
When I first started blogging, I knew that I wouldn’t be writing too many posts about my personal life. I have a very private family and I wanted to protect their privacy. However, at the same time I wanted to provide personal examples and learnings. I wanted my readers to get to know me and understand where I’m coming from and what I want to achieve in my life in Midlife & Beyond.
I love that blogging has made me use my brain. I have had to think about what topics I would write about, organise a schedule and I’ve enjoyed researching and learning so much not just from the research but also my guest writers.
I found my creative side
I’ve written before about how for many years I thought I wasn’t creative, based on a ‘throw away’ comment from someone. After 3 years and 900 published posts, I finally realise that yes, I have been creative by writing about topics that are relevant for Women Over 50.
Improved my self-confidence
Like many bloggers, I wondered if anyone would really read my blog. Did I have anything of value to contribute? When I was 50 I was still so hard on myself and my self-confidence was not that strong. Since starting the blog I have found my voice and the positive comments I’ve received from readers and other bloggers alike, has made me START BELIEVING IN MYSELF. So thank you for helping me.
Improved my time management skills
Sometimes I allow the blog to take over my life. I get carried away and can sit for hours writing or replying to comments or commenting on other blogs. I took the Blogging AtoZ Challenge In April which required writing 26 posts, one each day except for Sunday. That experience reminded me that I can get caught up in the blogging world and neglect other parts of my life and world.
I’m learning to improve my time management skills so that while I am motivating others not to let life pass them by, I don’t miss out on life as well.
I love my blog
I will never be the ‘next best thing’ in blogging but I love my blog and have accepted that although it is viewed by many of my friends and family as a ‘hobby’ it means so much more to me than that.
92 Comments
Huge congratulations! So happy to have found this blog…I may not comment on all posts, heck, I may not read all posts, but I enjoy the ones I do read!
Hello Donna and Welcome! I’m so glad you found my blog too! It doesn’t matter how little or often you visit as long as you visit sometimes. There are so many wonderful blogs out there that it is difficult to keep up with the reading and commenting. Feel free to comment at any time and have a beautiful day. xx
Congratulations, Sue. This award is very well deserved. I enjoy reading your blog immensely, and I greatly value our friendship that has developed because of it!
Hi Donna, thank you so much and it has been a great pleasure of mine to meet you and develop the friendship that we have. I look forward to the day when we might be able to meet IRL but until then will definitely continue to enjoy our virtual friendship. Have a beautiful day, my friend xx
Congratulations Sue – that is simply amazing but also very well deserved. Your blog is an inspiration, and so professional. love, Toni x
Thank you Toni and you have been one of my greatest supporters and friends. I truly appreciate our friendship. Have a lovely day. Sue xx
So cool Sue. You blog is one I always mark “to-read” in my inbox even if it’s a few days later. You always have an interesting perspective. I too think about all the women and men I’ve met through my blog who have inspired me with their comments. It’s an amazing world, this blog-o-sphere!
Hi Pat! Yes, it was very exciting to even be nominated. I have really enjoyed connecting with you and appreciate you visiting and commenting with thoughtful replies. Have a great day! xx
Huge congratulations Sue. Very well deserved. I loved reading about why you blog and the benefits it has brought to your life.
Hi Jen! Yay the comments are working for you. Thanks so much for the congratulations and the best part of blogging is making new friendships with people like you! xx
Congratulations, Sue! I can easily connect with your reasons for blogging. That’s a great focus to take in this particular post. Not all bloggers can be winners of blogging awards but, as you say, all bloggers are winners when we look at the benefits we experience by reaching out to others online.
Thanks Karen! LIke any award it is lovely to receive but really doesn’t mean that I’m any better than others. I was lucky enough to be nominated. I just love the connections and also found that writing about the award made me think about why I blog and so many positive reasons came to mind. Of course the negative is the Commenting problem atm and the reply notification 🙂
That’s super exciting Sue—congrats and you deserve it!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks so much Jodie and it is pretty exciting! Have a great week! xx
I’m glad that you took up this later in life ‘hobby’ rather than another creative venture like ceramics or needlepoint – because otherwise our paths wouldn’t have crossed and my life wouldn’t be richer in having met you and your blog through the internet.
Congratulations on your nomination and award!
Oh thank you so much for your lovely words Trisha Faye and it has been wonderful to connect with you too. I’m actually not very good at sewing or needlepoint so I would never have gone down that path. LOL:) Have a beautiful day! xx
You did so well to come in third out of all those great blogs Sue – something you should be justifiably proud of. I totally understand all the reasons you give for loving blogging – I’m the same – it’s nothing like what I thought it would be when I started – it’s more and it’s different. The connections, the learning curve, the self-confidence you gain from figuring the background stuff out and from the encouragement of other bloggers. It’s a fantastic “hobby” isn’t it? Thanks so much for being my BBB and cheerleader – I’m so glad we found each other and I’m looking forward to your next milestone achievement! xx
I was thrilled Leanne I can’t deny it. It is a great hobby when we don’t have technical problems 🙁 I thank you for being my BBB and so supportive of all that I do. We are a great team that is for sure and one day I really hope we can meet IRL. I value your friendship, Leanne and you have kept me in the blogging world when some days I wanted to give it all away. xx
Hi Sue – I hope all your commenting glitches are happily in the past and all’s going well on that end now. Blogging is like the little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead! I’ve shared this on my social media and here’s to another great #MLSTL party!
Hi Leanne, I think the gremlins have left for the moment thank goodness! Great party this week we are building a wonderful group aren’t we? x
While I only discovered your blog last week, I know this is an award that is well-deserved. I look forward to connecting more often in the future!
I’m so glad you found me Molly and yes I look forward to connecting more with you in the future. I’ve met some wonderful women bloggers lately so my circle is growing. xx
A big congratulations Sue, so well deserved! I was there and was so pleased when your name was read out 🙂 Debbie was a great representative at the Bash for the Aussie’s 🙂 Your blog is fabulous I love to read your posts, well done!
Oh how exciting Sam to be there and yes Deb would have been a great Aussie Ambassador that is for sure. Thank you for your lovely words of support and it has been great to connect with you. Have a fabulous week, Sam! xx
Congratulations, Sue!
Thank you so much it was such a thrill which led to me sharing why I enjoy blogging so much. Have a beautiful day and thanks for stopping by with your good wishes. Enjoy! xx
Congratulation on your award. I remember when I voted I ran across a couple of new to me blogs that I enjoyed reading.
I love that part of blogging Victoria. The sharing of other bloggers and making new friends. I made a couple of new blogging friends who I know follow through the AtoZ Challenge. Thank you so much for your vote I truly appreciate it. Have a beautiful day and take care xx
First of all, congratulations! I’m glad to see that others recognize the value of your blog. I know I do. I enjoyed this post immensely. I can relate to all of the reasons you gave for blogging. My blog has helped me in much the same way. Thanks, as always, for the #MLSTL linkup. I find some of my best reading here.
Hi Christie, thank you for your good wishes and yes the connections are so important to me. I love all of the women bloggers especially in our #MLSTL link up – I learn so much from you all. Have a great day! xx
Congratulations Sue. I loved reading this and then knowing you are winner in world-wide blogging comp makes you even more a ‘winner’. This post would be an ideal one to link up next Monday for Life This Week….”how did my blog start?’
Cheers, Denyse x
Hi Denyse! Yes it was pretty exciting but as I said we are all winners and the connections are most important to me – building friendships and relationships. I looked at the prompt for next week and yes perhaps this would be ideal to link up with. Have a great week! xx
Thanks for sharing on the Link Up!
Thank you for joining in for #lifethisweek.
Next Week’s Optional Prompt: 23/52. What I Will Never See Again. 4/6/18. Denyse
Congratulations on the award. You deserve it! Thank you for posting the other nominees. I look forward to checking them out.
Thank you Heather and yes there are so many good blogs that are new to me – it is a new world opening up. Enjoy discovering some new blogs! xx
Fantastic Sue – Well done! Such an accolade and very well deserved. Yes, I agree, blogging has been such a fabulous creative outlet to pursue. Also sometimes as you get older it’s hard to make new friends, however making new friends when you are a blogger is so much easier. It’s so great to have found the tribe at #MSTLP too.
Thanks Jo and yes I love the tribe at #MLSTL and also Loving Life Linky we all have a few things in common and are building lovely virtual friendships along the way. Enjoy your week! xx
Tweeted and share on my Trisha Faye Facebook page for #MLSTL
You are a treasure! Thanks for sharing xx
Huge congratulations, Sue! Well-deserved as you put your heart and hands (typing) into your blog. I enjoy reading your posts, and greatly appreciate the friendship that we’ve developed through blogging and link-ups, including your successful #MLSTL. Have a great day!
Thank you Natalie and I love the friendship we are developing through blogging also. I love to travel and so do you and I always enjoy your posts, particularly the travel and fitness ones. Have a great day too! xx
Congratulations Sue! That’s fantastic news and well deserved too. I blog for pretty much the same reasons you do. I have pulled back a lot on it though as it was taking over my life too much, and considering I don’t make any money from it, I realised I needed to be more mindful of getting a better balance. I absolutely love blogging though and really enjoy all the people like yourself that I’ve met through blogging – that’s a lovely bonus I hadn’t expected! 🙂
Thank you Min and I was thrilled to receive a nomination at all. I do find it hard though to get the right balance. I love blogging but also need to realise I have a life outside of my hobby. We are expecting a new grandbaby any day now so I’m sure my balance will change for a while! xx
Congratulations. This is such a well deserved placing. You should be proud – not just of what you’ve achieved, but of how many of us you’re inspiring along the way.
Oh thanks Jo what lovely words of encouragement. I was pretty chuffed actually and very surprised when I came in third. xx
Sue – it is an amazing time we live in! To be able to express ourselves in this way and defeat the gate keepers and the “throw away” comments as you noted. What a horrible thing to say about someone being creative. I really identify with that and hope your ongoing journey continues to be fruitful.
Cheers,
-Christine
Hi Christine it is lovely to connect with you and I’ve left a comment over on your post. It is an amazing time that we live in and you and your family are certainly enjoying a wonderful adventure.
Congrats Sue!! I was thrilled for my nomination as well (I was in the Best Pal category, didn’t place, but the nomination was more than enough recognition for me!) It’s pretty amazing really, the voting was open to the whole world!! I have love blogging for many of the same reasons that you do as well.
Thank you Cherie and well done for being nominated. I’ve met some wonderful people blogging and happily have connected with you. I enjoy reading about your life in Germany and think you are amazing for actually moving to a new country. Have a great week and talk soon xx
Thanks so much!!
Totally thrilled for you Sue, I’m a recent fan of your blog, Its blatantly obvious why people voted for you, it’s a great blog!
Thank you so much Sonia and it is lovely to connect with you. You’ve certainly made my day with your positive comments about my blog. Have a fabulous day and thanks for stopping by to comment xx
CONGRATULATIONS!! What a fabulous honor.
I blog primarily for connection. I often find myself thinking “I am the only one who feels this way” Blogging allows me to share those thoughts and discover others who feel the exact same way. No one is an island unto themselves.
Hi Molly! It is great to connect with you and thank you for your kind words. The exciting part about blogging is meeting women Over 50 who think like me! I’m inspired by you all and we are all great role models for the next generations. Life is there to be lived and enjoyed and great to see so many women embracing this time of life. Have a beautiful day and thanks for stopping by to comment xx
So happy to hear that you were voted 3rd in your category, Sue! You have definitely been an inspiration to me as a new blogger. Even though it’s only been a few months since I started my blog, I have made a number of new ‘blogger friends’ from all over the world. It has been an educational and eye opening experience for sure!
Oh thank you Candi and I think your blog is fantastic. I can’t believe it is only a few months since you started. I love what you write about and the layout of your website. Connecting with others through blogging has been a wonderful experience for me and I’m so pleased you and I have become ‘blogging friends’. xx
Congratulations and so well deserved. I thought I left a comment but I have had some commenting issues this week (my side, not yours!). If you wanted to share this again my optional prompt for Monday is why I started my blog. Cheers, Denyse
Hi Denyse I was sure you left a comment as I remember you telling me it would be a good one for next week’s prompt. I’ve been having problems with my commenting as well so you aren’t alone! Thanks for taking the time to leave me another comment and have a great weekend xx
Well done, Sue. That must feel great to have that acknowledgement. I agree with your reasons for blogging. I do it for enjoyment and to keep my writing skills honed. Use it or lose it!
Thanks Christine I really love it and meeting others has been a great addition to my creative pursuit. Have a great weekend xx
Well done Sue!!! While I’m quite sure you don’t blog for the accolades, a whole lot of work goes into a well-written blog post as we all know, so it’s certainly lovely to be acknowledged among your peers xx
It was completely out of the blue, Sue and such a thrill. Of course, I blog to make connections and share my experience in Midlife & Beyond. Have a great weekend and thanks for visiting. xx
Congrats again Sue, so well deserved! I’ve had trouble accessing you blog and leaving comments recently so am glad to be able to finally be here! Thanks for mentioning my blog, it was so good to be there to hear the news of your award and mine too 🙂 I gave a big cheer for you and actually squealed when my name was read out. Your reasons for blogging are very similar to mine, it’s fun, it’s interesting and it uses my brain. I love our blogging community and meeting people around the world has been one of the best bits about blogging. You’re inspiring, informative and this award is so well deserved! xx
Thanks Deb and I wouldn’t have even been with a chance without you! I’m so pleased you also placed and what a thrill to be there. I would have let out more than a squeal 🙂 I’m loving the blogging community lately, especially since I’ve started the Over 50 & Thriving Series, so many inspirational women. Thank you for being so patient re the comments. There was a problem with my website and I was on with the hosting company for several hours on and off. It is so frustrating when you just can’t fix it yourself. xx
A wonderful summary of why we all love blogging Sue, I certainly share many of your sentiments as I absolutely love my blogging world and all the connections I’ve made. A huge congrats to you on your award, very much deserved. Happy blogging into the future xo ?
Hi Miriam I found you!!! Thank you for your lovely words and I’m enjoying the last few months as I’ve met some inspiring women Over 50. There are so many of us out there which is great! Happy blogging to you and look forward to reading more of your posts xx
I’m glad you found me Sue! Thank you. Have a lovely weekend. xx ?
You too! x
HUGE congratulations to you, Sue! And thank you for the ways in which you use your blog to foster community on this great big virtual playground!
Thank you Michele. My blogging community is growing and I’m meeting so many inspirational women and it is a virtual playground isn’t it? Have a great weekend xx
Way to go on your award!! That is so awesome!! And for such a young blog, three years you said? Wow! My blog is about a year and a half, I can not even imagine winning any awards, but I sure do love it. I love how, just like you, I have grown so much!
I love the part about you always telling yourself that you are not creative. I had that same problem until about a year or so ago! That is just way too long for those lies to be there. I am now in the, “well, actually, I am a little creative” stage, but it is exciting to realize that there is more to me than I thought!
Thanks for sharing!
Visiting from Bloggers Pit Stop
Blessings,
Amy
Hello Amy and thank you for your good wishes. It is amazing how a throw away line can haunt us for quite some time. I like your attitude though and I think having a blog is a very creative outlet. Have a wonderful weekend. xx
Congratulations Sue, you are a very worthy recipient of this award. I know how much time and effort you put into your blog and how much you love to inspire woman of our age group. I blog for exactly the same reasons as you and it has been my saviour.
Thanks so much Kathy it is a thrill to be recognised isn’t it. It just gives you that little lift when you start to question why you blog.
Congratulations! Your reasons for blogging resonate with a lot of us. It’s all about the connections and relationships we’ve developed in this corner of the blogging world.
Hi Janis, I’ve met some truly wonderful and friendly women during my 3 years blogging and I love that they are worldwide. Thanks for your good wishes and have a great week!
Congrats, that’s a huge achievement! You should be proud!
Di from Max The Unicorn
Thanks so much Di, it was pretty exciting to be recognised although there are so many wonderful bloggers out there that I just love reading. Have a beautiful day and thank you for stopping by to comment x
CONGRATS, Sue! The recognition is well and truly deserved.
This was a lovely post to read. I can relate to so much of why you blog. Writing has been such a positive habit to pick up. It’s often more rewarding and stimulating than time spent browsing social media.
SSG xxx
Thanks so much SSG. It has been lovely connecting with you through blogging. At the moment, I’m having problems with my comments and can’t get an answer so I don’t love the technical problem side of blogging LOL:) I will work it out though. Have a beautiful day and thanks for your good wishes. xx
Sue, I am exploding with pride for you and that you got this award. What an honour for you and your website. We will be featuring this on The Blogger’s Pit Stop this week.
Sooo good,
Kathleen
Blogger’s Pit Stop
Thank you so much Kathleen for your kind words and ongoing support. You were one of my earliest supporters and mentors which I thank you for. The award came out of left field but I have to admit I was pretty thrilled. Have a great day and thanks for featuring on The Blogger’s Pit Stop. xx
Congratulations! And thank you for writing this post, it’s always so great to be reminded why people blog, so we can remember ourselves. Your post did that for me today, I appreciate it.
Thank you Melissa for your lovely words of encouragement. I’m so pleased my post reminded you of all the good things about blogging. Have a beautiful day x
Congrats Sue!!! You make the blogging world a brighter place!!! 🙂
Dropped by today from #BloggersPitStop but always, always happy to be here! 🙂 Hope this weekend is treating you kindly. 🙂
Oh you are lovely and thank you for your kind words of encouragement. Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!
Congratulations Sue! Your award is well deserved. I blog for many of the same reasons as you, and find it fills a void in my life. Like you, I appreciate the friends made around the world and knowing that I am not alone in my over 50 struggles and joys!
Thank you Michele, I was thrilled and although we don’t need awards it certainly made me feel good about my blog. I’ve met some wonderful women who continue to inspire me. Have a beautiful day and thanks for stopping by x
Congrats again Sue! Voted for both you and Debbie ♥
Thanks for taking the time to vote, Dee it was certainly a thrill! xx
Congratulations Sue! That is fantastic- you must be so proud! Your blog really is inspiring – so your success is very well deserved xx
Thank you, as always, Toni, for your ongoing support and friendship. xx