First of all, I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to the kind reader, who nominated this blog for an award – the Bupa 2018 Blogger Awards, to be exact (#bupablogawards).
I don’t know who you are, but it was a real boost to find out that somebody out there appreciated my blog enough to take the time to nominate.
But as I haven’t heard anything since being advised of the nomination, and with the finalists due to be announced on Monday – I think it’s fair to say this blog isn’t going to be one of them. Extreme sad face.
While I’ve read and enjoyed many of the award-winning blogs here in Australia, there’s a little part of me that thinks, isn’t my blog just as good?! Or am I being conceited?!
I’m not sure what makes a blog award-winning in the eyes of judges, but here’s why I think my blog deserves an award:
- This blog is a safe space for honest, respectful discussion (not always easy, as I shared in “Aftermath of a Controversial Post“) .
- This blog keeps it real (that’s why I used the hashtag “Fashion from the Real World” on social media).
- This blog has a positive outlook on midlife, promoting it as a wonderful opportunity, not a downhill slide to old age.
- This blog is personal without going too far.
- This blog is an interesting read (or am I biased?!).
- This blog has been here for quite a while … find out why Middle Aged Mama was started back in January 2014.
- This blog offers consistency … twice a week, you will find a new post.
- This blog is a two way street. It’s not just me ranting and rambling – I read and try my best to respond to all comments both here on the blog and on social media, so you can have your say an be heard as well.
- This blog is well-written (I’m a copywriter by trade, so a tad embarrassing that I’ve never picked up a blog award!).
- This blog gives back – I’ve participated in Frocktober to raise funds for ovarian cancer; last financial year this blog supported women in need, with a donation to DV Connect.
- This blog promotes a health lifestyle, as I try to make it a reality in my life as well (remember when I tried aqua aerobics? And how I’m discovering the surprising benefits of a morning walk?).
- This blog is a community, with some awesome members.
- This blog is done out of love, not for financial reward (I made 40 bucks last month, whooo!) – something I wrestled with in Personal Blogging vs Professional Blogging.
- This blog encourages readers to become the best version of themselves that they can be.
- This blog is about making the most of what we’ve got.
- This blog is a place where middle aged women can experience “me too” moments (surely I’m not the only one who wears daggy “home clothes” when nobody’s around!).
- This blog is about building great relationships – for instance, when the hubster and I shared 10 Marriage Tips.
- This blog encourages others to find new meaning in life, and to fashion a new life after the kids are grown.
- This blog goes deep (eg these posts: A Crisis of Faith, A Heartbreaking Decision, Have I Fallen Out of Love – or am I Depressed?)
- This blog raises awareness of many mental and physical health conditions (What Basal Cell Carcinoma Looks Like, Sleep Apnea, Living with Low Iron Levels, the Many Faces of Depression).
All this, despite the fact that I’m not living with any chronic conditions, nor have I had a life-threatening illness. I’m not turning gender stereotypes on their heads or making a zillion dollars. I’m not travelling the world, sharing lots of recipes, or focused solely on fashion – which are all things I have noticed in award-winning blogs.
I’m just being me.
And I have to say, I’m pretty proud of what I’ve accomplished here at Middle Aged Mama!
However, just like the best speeches by award recipients, I can’t close without thanking YOU, my awesome readers.
I may not have won an official blog award, but your wonderful comments, words of support, emails, social media shares, likes and interaction are my true reward.
I will just have to remind myself of this when I’m having a boo-hoo moment on Monday, when the Bupa Blog Awards finalists are actually announced 😉 .
What are the characteristics that you think judges look for when it comes to blog awards? (Coz I have to admit I don’t have a clue!)