As I hit the “publish” button today, it becomes official – this is post number 1000 on this here blog.
Something of a blog milestone I’m sure you agree!
Quite a lot has changed in 1000 posts.
In the Beginning …
When I started at the end of 2012, my blog was called “Redland City Living”, as I thought a site about my local area would become a profitable business over time.
And it probably could have – but I soon discovered that it wasn’t what I really wanted to do.
My business took a very different path to what I had initially envisioned … and soon became Front Page Web Writing.
In the meantime, at the beginning of 2014, I changed my blog’s name to “Middle Aged Mama” – a place where I could rant, rave and ramble about the joys (and challenges) of being (shock, horror) middle aged, as I learn to fashion a new life after the kids have grown.
I’m living proof that there IS life on the other side of raising kids – and actually, it’s pretty darn sweet!
I look back on some of my early posts and cringe; but at the same time I’m proud of how I have developed as a blogger over the past four and a bit years. I’ve learned so much, and met so many great people!
Early on, I blogged 5, 6, sometimes even 7 days a week (I don’t know how I did it, either!). After a couple of years I dropped the pace back to 4 times a week; and now I’ve found my blogging “sweet spot”, with 3 posts a week.
Other Blog Milestones
- May 2013: Keen to connect with other bloggy types, I hosted the Redland bloggers meetup.
- September 2013: My first ever sponsored post (that means, a post I actually got paid for), which was for Rexona (and you can read it here – cringe!).
- December 2014: 1000 likes on the Middle Aged Mama Facebook page (currently sitting at just over 1700, can’t wait to break the 2000 barrier!).
- October 2015: I used my blog powers for good not evil 😉 … by participating in Frocktober and raising funds for Ovarian Cancer research.
- December 2015: Sent out the first Middle Aged Mama newsletter.
- February 2016: Flew to Melbourne on a bloggy junket as the guest of Princess Cruises, to review the Golden Princess in her new home port.
- August 2016: Finally got my act together and set up the newsletter properly; it has been going out weekly since then, with personal tidbits and links to the latest posts here on the blog (if you’d like to go on the mailing list, here’s the link: http://eepurl.com/b_WpKD).
- September 2016: Most commented on blog post to date, was about the Problogger 2016 conference.
- October 2016: Became an ambassador for Vivid International, a range of Australian designed fashion for the real woman (perfectly in keeping with my hashtag, #fashionfromtherealworld!)
- November 2016: Presented my first ever blogging workshop.
- January 2017: The #festivalof50 got underway!
Since I started blogging, I’ve written 39 sponsored posts (not even 5% of my total content!); I’ve Tweeted 4407 times (not bad for somebody who is really not fussed on Twitter) and have uploaded 1447 photos on Instagram. The most liked pic on Instagram was this one, with 182 likes:
Lots has happened and things have changed a lot, but I think I have changed most of all … yes, blogging has changed me (hopefully for the better).
What milestone are you celebrating at the moment?!
Vanessa says
I’m celebrating getting back to sleep this morning after waking up at about 4.30am 🙂
Janet Camilleri says
Poor chicken hope you have a restful and healing sleep x
Deborah says
Yay Janet! Congrats on a huge milestone – and many others you’ve included. I love that you’ve changed the blog to keep your interest and that of your readers! (And excellent balance!)
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Deb! Can’t believe it’s been 1000 posts already … though I do think about deleting some of the earlier ones!
Julia says
Yay how exciting!!! Happy 1000 mummy xxx
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks PDB x
Nikki @ Wonderfully Women says
Congratulations! I cringe at some of my early ones too. xx N ??
Janet Camilleri says
LOL I guess we all have to start somewhere!
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond says
Congratulations and what a wonderful and colourful time you have had since you first started blogging. I’m half way to your 1,000 posts but it is amazing actually looking back at the history of your blog isn’t it. I think we all cringe at our first attempts. Thanks for the inspiration to keep going and also happy wedding anniversary.
Janet Camilleri says
We all seem to end up travelling a very different blogging path to what we originally envisioned!
Jan Wild says
Congratulations on that milestone Janet, what a great journey you have been on. Early blog posts, yep we all feel that way.
Janet Camilleri says
LOL sometimes I wonder if I should delete them …
vaidehi says
congratulations Janet…Long way to go dear.
Janet Camilleri says
You’re doing great!
Beth | AlmostPosh.com says
Congrats on reaching such a great milestone!
Janet Camilleri says
Hey thanks Beth x
Beck @ craftypjmjm says
Congratulations on a fabulous milestone. I look forward to reading for many more years to come xx
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Beck!