I haven’t posted a new blog in over a month! Wow! My lack of work here has a lot to do with parenting two two-year-olds and a seven and an eight-year-old. But it probably actually has more to do with me having Bipolar Disorder I, Anxiety, ADHD, and feeling so overwhelmed and knocked-around by life in general that I just sigh and don’t put forth the effort it takes to write. But it’s so therapeutic for me to just write. But I haven’t lately, and that just shows that I’m letting Bipolar win and I hate when I do that! (Anyone out there feel me? I know someone does, someone has to, so speak up! The comment section is below.)
I have 39 open drafts, so there’s no shortage of inspiration, it’s just finding some quiet time (usually between 4-5am works best for me), direction, energy, and motivation.
I was recently nominated for this “Blogger Recognition Award.” Now, I know there are a lot of blogging awards out there, then there are those who are so proud NOT to have awards that they make an award for having an award-free blog! But I do appreciate the nomination and I proudly choose to accept the award, because it means someone else – one of my peers – appreciated me enough to nominate me. So here it is (Isn’t the artwork lovely?):
I’d like to thank FEARFULLY WONDERFULLY ME for giving me this. The author, Emily Susanne, is a Christian blogger who writes about “Growing in God and Inspiring Young Women Through Faith and Fashion.”
As per the rules of this award, I will briefly mention how my blog got started: I was manic with a touch of Hypergraphia. I was just weeks postpartum from having twins and I needed, I mean really, really needed to write. I googled various forms of “postpartum mania,” but most articles were devoted to postpartum depression or psychosis. That’s when I came across Dyane Harwood’s blog, Birth of a New Brain. I left a very long comment on her post, “Another Great Divide,” (which you can feel free to click on and read, if you feel so led). And she responded! Twice! I felt like, wow, someone actually hears and understands me. I had so much to say, I knew I had to start my own blog at that point. That was August 20, 2014. I published my first post (Double Teamed) on August 22, 2014, and have been writing ever since. My hopes and prayers are that the articles I write on this blog will be (and have been) a blessing, not only to me as a writer but also a blessing to others who struggle with similar issues.
So, I basically write about Bipolar Disorder and Mommying. But there are other categories my posts fall into. Looking back, here are a few of my favorite archives:
ADHD, Anxiety, and Bipolardisism
Why I Choose To No Longer Wear Leggings
My advice to new bloggers:
- Be yourself. Be your authentic self and don’t apologize for being who you are. (Unless you KNOW you’re not right, in that case, apologize in advance! JK)
- Respond to each comment you get. Another writer took the time to read what you wrote, then took the time to write you a message. Respect that by taking the time to respond in kind.
- Read and follow other blogs. Get to know your readers by reading what they write. Build your own supportive community.
- Use “Grammarly” or at least a Spell Checker.
- Proofread and Pray before you hit the “Publish” button.
- Don’t expect your friends, family, or relatives to create “Gravatars” and read everything you write. You may find your biggest supporters are strangers who relate to what you’re going through or writing about.
- Don’t worry about your stats. The quality of your writing may not be reflected in the number of “likes” you receive, so don’t base your self-worth on numbers.
- Don’t expect everyone to agree with you. Someone may “like” what you wrote but disagree with your philosophies or certain points you make. That’s okay. Actually, you can expect some (usually polite) criticism. You can agree to disagree, and not take it personally.
Ok, I was only supposed to write 2 points there, I guess I got a little excited! Now, I’m supposed to nominate some bloggers to do a similar post and receive this award. Whether or not you choose to participate is completely optional (again, some people want their blogs to be award-free. To those I say, “more power to you.”) The following are bloggers I admire greatly and I hope you feel honored that I am nominating you:
The Monster in Your Closet (is quite friendly, actually)
I also hope any people reading this will take a few minutes to check out these awesome blogs!
(For the Blogger Recognition Award, please complete the following:
- Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
- Write a post to show your award.
- Give a brief story of how your blog started.
- Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
- Select (15) other bloggers you want to give this award to.
- Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated them & provide the link to the post you created.)
Finally, I’d like to give you a sneak peek into my next post…
“Looking Forward, Advice from Successful Bloggers & another Award”
For this post to be successful, I need a lot of feedback. This is a call to all Super Bloggers who struggle with anything, from everyday parenting exhaustion, to addiction, to mental illness. If you are a Super-writer or Super-Parent (and if you’re a parent, I bet you’re Super to someone), please comment below with your website link, and I will set up a “meet and greet” so to speak, for my next post. Also, please give one piece of advice on blogging. Until then, whenever that may be, goodbye and God bless!
Double Talk Quote: “And for a long, long, long while, Grandma read the bible.” – Mica, when they missed church one Sunday.
Bible Verse: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Term that has Lost its meaning (to me, anyway): Award-free Blog
Relatable Lyrics: “Beautiful” by Eminem
“Yea… To my babies. Stay strong…
And to the rest of the world, God gave you the shoes
That fit you, so put ’em on and wear ’em
And be yourself, man, be proud of who you are
Even if it sounds corny,
Don’t ever let no one tell you, you ain’t beautiful”
Comments on: "Looking back, Advice for new Bloggers, & an Award!" (22)
Dear Michelle,
Thank you SO MUCH for writing about how you found my blog, and for everything else you wrote – the nomination is particularly wonderful coming from you, and I shall gladly accept it!
By the way……39 open drafts???!!!!!!
My beautiful friend, I want to read a book written by YOU, apart from the cards project, which is a brilliant idea!
These are GREAT pointers for new bloggers.
I definitely plan on reblogging this and following the instructions asap.
You inspire me so much. I might need to create an award just for YOU!
Lots and lots of love,
Dy
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It’s my pleasure, I’m so glad I found you, my friend. Yep, 39 drafts…the start (and in some cases completion) of an idea for a post, but the perfectionist in me, along with my Attention Deficit side, leaves them sitting there, longing to be finished in full or deleted, lol!
I’d love to see you do a post too for the Blogger Recognition Award. You’ve been blogging for much longer than I have, so I can’t wait to hear of anything you have to add and/or your suggestions.
And, yes, I would like to write a book someday. In fact, I feel called to do so, but I feel like I need to establish myself first, by publishing my cards (which I think would also make a great phone app) and continuing to blog. I also need a wee bit more self-confidence, self-discipline, and support from those around me who have heard me say for years that I’m supposed to write, but never see anything come to fruition from it (ie, those close family members and friends who just don’t get it). Maybe I’ll get there someday!
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No maybe about it, my lovely one – you will get there someday – whatever you dream about, you’ll make happen. I truly believe it!!!!!
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Love it when you write!!
So gifted & creative, anointed & blessed!!
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Thanks, Starz, I love it when you comment on here!!! Reminds me of just how blessed I am! Love you and thanks for reading and your support and encouragement!
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I’m so glad you appreciated the award Michelle! I know you are inspiring many other women, mothers, and writers. I agree that some of the biggest blog supporters can be strangers. You gave such good advice. God bless you!
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And thanks again for nominating me! I’m glad you found it inspiring and hope others do as well. It’s so great to be in a supportive community and I think there really is a lot of support here on “the blogosphere.” I pray that God will continue to use us both to glorify Him in all that we write about and do.
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Congrats on the award! And you completely deserve it…supermom and all, and finding time to write…39 drafts? Wow! But most importantly, I love that you wrote about your own postpartum experiences and shedding light on how tough it is and then in general too just managing and balancing life as a supermom. Very inspiring. 🙂
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Thanks for saying that! Yes, 39 drafts…Some of it is work I started on and then never got around to completing, or more pressing issue came up and I just couldn’t get to it. (It kinda reminds me of the laundry basket of the twins’ clothes that I had washed and dried then couldn’t find after we moved and just found yesterday, just in time for them to be growing out of those clothes!!!) Sigh, maybe one day I can get some of those drafts sorted and put away.
It is tough postpartum, whether you’re a first-time mom or a new mom again, with a new baby and/or babies. When you add mental illness to that, it gets stressful, but there’s usually comic relief in there somewhere, you just have to find the light at the end of the tunnel, the gold at the end of the double rainbow. Hey, that gives me an idea for a new blog post…by the end of this reply, there might be 40 drafts! JK! God Bless, and have a wonderful day. And thanks, again for taking the time to comment.
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I just want to encourage you to keep doing what you are doing…you’re right, there are others who can relate. We don’t have to have children or significant mental health challenges to connect to what you share…the nature of the human condition ensures that we can always find common ground where the need for compassion and empathy are concerned….thanks for being brave and generous and sharing your gift for writing 🙂
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That is so true and well written! There are connections everywhere and with God, all things are possible. Thanks for your compliments and encouragement, these things mean so much to me!
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My pleasure…God will continue to bless you 🙂
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Ha ha! So Micaela got tired of me reading for soooo long??
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…for so, so, SO long, it seems! LOLl!
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Congratulations on your award! Those points for new bloggers are fantastic, and your kids sound hilarious based on the Double Talk quote! I look forward to reading you.
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Thank you, I appreciate the compliment. Yes, these kids often have me (and hopefully my readers) in stitches ! I look forward to hearing more about you too! God bless.
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Glad to see you post, and congrats on the award! Being yourself is such an important piece of advice for new bloggers.
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I was out of range (so to speak) and probably will be again for another week or so, but, it felt so good to write and be able to express these thoughts on here!
Yes, there have been so many times that I’be wanted to edit or censor myself because whatever I wrote just didn’t seem “good enough” but staying true to one’s self is what makes a post authentic (but I know YOU know that, Anxious Mom) 😉 Hope you and Yours have a terrific week!
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[…] much has occurred since my last post, I can’t wait to write all about it! As previously mentioned, I just need time, direction, […]
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An award well deserved! Your candid writing is awesome!
Thank you for the mention and consideration of my blog. That is very sweet of you. 😀❤️ My apologies for the length of time in responding. I have been addressing other matters.
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Hey there! It’s been a while, but no worries, we all have our lives outside the blogosphere that require immediate attention! But I’m so glad you came back and stumbled upon this! You are awesome and I’m so glad to see you’re writing again!
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Thank you! Lots of things going on.
So tell me. Do I get some kind of gold statue and lots of money with this award? 😜 A book and movie deal would be nice, too! But only if Marge Simpson plays my part…
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