Day #30 of #RRBC’s #ADayInMyLife 30-Day #Blogging Challenge! Come on along! @NonnieJules @RRBC_Org @RRBC_RWISA @Tweets4RWISA

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Salut, my friends!

Today is the final day of RRBC’s 30-Day Blogging Challenge!  I know, many wonder why I was participating in the first place, although I would not be able to win any prizes.  Well, there were two reasons. 

There is a quote that I live by that says, “Never try to lead others, where you are not willing to go.”  Now, here’s the thing.  I think this is my quote (LOL) but I can’t remember for sure.  It’s in my phone, and written over everything I own.  I’ve had it for years, and when I performed a Google search today, it yielded no results.  So, I’m going to say it’s mine, but, if I’m wrong, I’m sure one of you will tell me. 

So, the first reason I joined the challenge is, I would never ask anyone to do something that I would not do.  That’s called leadership.

The second reason… is that in my busy, busy life, I wanted to see for myself if I could do this, if I could consistently stick with something that would force me to push through harder, no matter what.  And, if I could see this all the way to the end, then guess what?  I could also do so many other things in my life that I find daunting (in this AI body I’m living in at the moment).  AI = autoimmune.

I DID IT!  I blogged consistently for 30 days straight!  Even when I felt that I didn’t have anything to share, I sat at my computer, opened my blog, and penned something.  I’m proud to say that I made it to the very end!  

But, what really made this challenge so special for me, was seeing my fellow RRBC members join in and also make it to the end – this also extends to the ones who hung in there for a long period of time, but somehow self-eliminated before they could see the finish line.  They also continued to support the others who were still in the challenge (they’re extra-special in my eyes for that).  I am so proud of them.

Here are the most important things that I gained from this challenge:

I have become fans of members whose work I have never read, like Karl J. Morgan and Susanne Leist!  Karl was firm in letting us know that he writes for himself and God (what a great audience that is, by the way), and Susanne has stories that are fit for a really good book.  Both of these authors blew me away with their posts, and their writing in general.  I am now eager to dig into their books! 

I have learned so much about Patty Perrin, who has a wonderful husband (Bill) just like mine, and whose life, just like her hair, is extremely colorful! I loved learning about her blended family, and seeing the places where she grew up.

I am in awe of Shirley Harris-Slaughter and her willingness to be so open and vulnerable in her sharing, especially while going through the loss of her dear sister.  The sharing of her blended family trials, and the feedback she received from many of you,  I’m sure was a cathartic experience for her.

I fell in love with Maura Beth Brennan’s quirky humor!  I never could have imagined she was so funny; but what is most special, is I don’t think she knows just how funny she is! 

Pat Garcia’s optimistic view on just about every post she commented on, had me screaming at my computer screen, “When I grow up, I want to be just like you, Pat!”

I smiled every time I made my way to Yvette M. Calleiro’s posts, many detailing her travel adventures with her son and other family members.  Her teenage son has only one state left to visit?  WOW!  Her sharing the details of how we can all map out time and money for our own adventures, was an added bonus. 

I never left Wanda Fischer’s blog without knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, what she stood for and where she stood on any topic she was sharing.  I love that she has opinions and isn’t afraid to voice them.  You go, Wanda!  She is such an activist in so many amazing ways, we should all aspire to be just like her! 

Last, but certainly not least, I am so happy that dear, sweet Donna Atwood decided to join in and take this journey with us.  Her posts jogged my memory and allowed me to open up and share my own (shall I call it) paranormal experience – and with us visiting her daily, I know we made her comfortable in sharing her experiences, which allowed her to make connections in the club she never expected!

Here is more of what I gained during this blogging month:

• 4,116 total views
• 389 visitors (this proves that although they are not liking or commenting, your posts are being read)
• 23 new followers 
• My visits came from:  USA, Germany, UK, Canada, Kenya, S. Africa, Indonesia, Croatia, France, Pakistan & Czechia.
• My top referrers were:  the RRBC MEMBER CHAT forum, WordPress Android app & Twitter
• My top 3 posts were:  Day 2 (viewed 82 Xs), Day 1 (viewed 80 Xs) & Day 16 (viewed 78 Xs)
• One of my other blogs, AskTheGoodMommy had also been neglected, so I was able to reblog some of my posts there, which also had increased traffic and great stats!

I don’t have any minuses to share about this 30-day blogging experience.  Although it’s extremely hard cramming even one extra thing into my day, this was a win for me all around.  I pushed myself to do this, and even on the days I wasn’t feeling my best… I still showed up and blogged something.  Although I already knew that I could, I proved to myself once again, that even in spite of this new burden of an AI condition, I can still commit and follow through on whatever I set my mind to. 

Will I do this again?  You bet your last writing pen I will!

Well, here is where I would typically end my post by saying, “Until tomorrow…” but guys, although I won’t be blogging tomorrow, I have committed to blogging a bit more regularly, which will consist of at least three blog posts per month, for starters.  I’ll begin in February.  I’ll try to space these out during the month to keep you dropping in and to keep my stats up and growing.

If you didn’t participate in the challenge, you really did miss out on a phenomenal experience. (Do better the next time!)  I’m kidding (but, am I really?) Hey, you’re the one who lucked out.  Look at my stats 🙂

Thank you to all of you who dropped by and engaged by leaving comments and sharing my posts to your own social media.  And, thank you to those who dropped by and didn’t say a word, but, at least you checked out my posts!

Have a great February, guys!

If you enjoyed any of my posts during this 30 day challenge, I’d love to know which was your favorite(s)!

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