Surprise, surprise! This week marks my First Blogiversary here at Under the Elderberry Tree!
My very first introductory post went live on the last day of 2024 and a year ago today I wrote about a dream I’d had about blue construction paper.
I don’t have any big plans for this space except sharing my humanity in a way that fills me, personally, with nostalgia and joy.
You know, sharing for the sake of sharing without pushing for numbers in a way that skews the narrative.
And so it all began.
I wanted to try something new with this space. I wanted to explore WordPress from a fresh, no niche perspective. I wanted to seek out like minded bloggers and build relationships. I really wanted/was longing for, the experiences blogs used to offer:
Community and conversation.
And guess what? I found it in you, Dear Reader!
And the truth is, you’ve been here all along, I just had to make my way back home after some hard won lessons while exploring.
After many years of experimenting with blog platforms and styles, niches and content, I am so very glad to have found my way back to the roots of my writing within a loving and supportive community.
I know we’re all doing our best as we navigate the world wide web of our current existence as things around us become ever more intense, but this little pocket of the internet is truly something special.
From link ups to standalone posts, I could not be happier to have not given up on blogging.
Remembering why I started writing in the first place (way back in 2011 on the farm blog), has been key. In the beginning, all I really wanted to do was share our lives and experiences in ways that might be inspiring or helpful for anyone who read my words.
In hindsight, I got a little lost along the way chasing numbers instead of truly focusing on truly fostering relationships.
I listened to “experts” instead of my own heart.
The internet is a wild place.
One step at a time, though, I’ve found my way back to center.
Popular Posts
In the interest of keeping true to my intentions for this space, I’m only going to share the stats that really make my heart happy: The standalone posts that have resonated the most with you!
Link Ups
Of course, this space would not be as active as it is without the phenomenal link ups I am privileged to participate in, both weekly and semi-regularly, including:
Natalie the Explorer‘s #weekendcoffeeshare – I’ve participated in this link up, off and on, for over 10 years and through a few different hosts. There’s such a lovely group of bloggers in this community and I am so grateful it’s still active. Big thanks to Natalie!
Deb Nance’s Sunday Salon is another fun weekend get together over recent happenings and, of course, recent reads!
I’ve also participated in Rose City Reader‘s Book Beginnings, Reading is my Superpower‘s First Line Friday, Caffeinated Reviewer‘s Sunday Post, My Head is Full of Books‘ Friday 56, and a few other’s that have introduced me to lovely new-to-me communities.
One of my goals for the next year of blogging is to be more consistent in my link ups AND more consistent in my standalone posts 🙂
Do tell!
Back end stats don’t tell the whole story, so I’d love to know:
Has a particular blog post of mine over the past year resonated with you more than others?
Is it mentioned above, or, if not, will you please share?
I’d be honored to know what moves or inspires you 🙂
Thank you!
Thank you for being here and sharing this space with me! Thank you for all the comments and likes, pingbacks and shares!
Cheers to all the experiences of the year ahead and all the words that have yet to be written them!
Onward,
Melissa
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HAppy Bloggiversary! I learned long ago not to chase the stats but build friendships. Like penfriends 🙂 I am not interested in commercial blogs but people and sadly some linky’s are just that.. I feel sad when some blogging buddies disappear and I often wonder what happened to them. I started back in 2010
I think the post that resonated most with me was Surprise Sisters followed by Illustrated Journal 🙂
Thank you thank you! I’m so glad we have found each other in the Blogosphere!
Congratulations on your Blogiversary! I’m so happy to have made your acquaintance this year at our coffee shares. I loved your 50 Before 50 post! It reminds me to revisit my bucket list and start checking things off during this camping trip to Earth.
Thank you! So glad we’ve found each other! I love your camping analogy! So, so true!
Happy Blogiversary! I wonder what the statistics show about how many people make it to this point versus dropping out. I’ve recently opened a Substack account to pursue a specific niche, and there has been a lot to learn. I’m not giving up on my blog though. It’s my first love. 🙂 Glad I found you here!
I, too, am curious about the statistics! I wonder if anyone has ever tracked them? I’m so glad you’re still blogging while exploring other formats and platforms.
Happy blogoversary! I’m so glad that you are here, blogging, sharing your life, sharing books.
Thank you so much, Deb. I’m so happy to be here!
Happy Blogiversary! That’s a big milestone, and lots of work. I think my favorite of your posts was the recent “creative ebb and flow” because it inspired me to write even more on the topic! I just really enjoy your tone and vibe here, and how you share a view of yourself as a whole person, and allow us to get to know you. It has been really fun over this year sharing comments with you, and knowing that there is a kindred spirit out there who is reading my musings as well! Cheers.
Thank you, Jessica! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed our back and forth and am so happy to have found you in this space when we both jumped in! Such a small world sometimes 🙂 Hope your slide into February is a smooth one!
Happy Blogiversary!