Life of adventure

A Year in the Making 

Suzanne

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Today is the day that Globalhousesitterx2 turns one.

What a year.❤

My first year as a blogger is coming to an end.  Who would’ve thought I would enjoy writing.  Not me for one.  At the beginning of the year, if you all knew the intimate relationship I had with the delete button, you would wonder. 

Has it been fun?  Absolutely. 

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Has my heart increased in beats when I am about to push that PUBLISH BUTTON?  Yes, it has, on many an occasion.  I am so pleased that I ignored those doubting thoughts, those crushing negative blasts from the past. Blogging isn’t just about me, us and my blog, it’s about the connections I have made along the way.  It is about other bloggers, and I hope to continue to learn from them, which I will no doubt do.  As my fingers tap out another comment or post. 

Many people I correspond with on a regular basis now feel like modern day penpals, I look forward to searching out to see if they have published another post.  Will we meet in person?  I hope so as I believe that you can tell a good person through writing.  I have an instinct for bullshit, and I soon avoid those who are spinning it.  Harsh?  Maybe.  I think we need to be or else this blogging life becomes too overwhelming, and the pleasure can soon disappear if you feel you need to acknowledge every blog in the blogosphere. 

This brings me to acknowledge some of my mistakes as a newbie blogger, and, yes I have made quite a few on my learning curve.  Some are really noticeable, and others may have gone unnoticed.

1st birthday

  • Pushing the follow button, when really I didn’t want to do it. Feeling obligated.
  • Joining a few Facebook blogging groups.  I only now have one group that I am involved in, that is enough for me.  As housesitters, the organisation associated with that, reading other blogs and writing my own, consume hours on my computer.  I need to have time to sit in the sun and just be.
  • Publishing without probably editing my work, then the screams of horror as I reread a post,  and then having to re-edit before too many people read it.  Still happens, though to a lesser degree.
  • Reading too many “how to write a blog”, with the end result coming away feeling less confident to write a post!!  DON’T DO IT, as many write those type of posts to gain followers or traffic to their blog.  Shallowness comes to mind.  Though of course there are bloggers who do write informative posts that are worth reading!  If they have experience and genuine followers, then do take on board what you need to learn.
  • Feeling obligated to return a like or a follow.  This is a hard one, and for all you newbies, please don’t feel compelled or pressured.

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  • The people I have connected with over the year.  Oh, the information I have learned is invaluable.  The laughter with interactions is so rewarding.
  • Improving my writing skills.  This one is slightly technically subjective, but looking back, I feel I have evolved tremendously as a blogger and hopefully as a writer!
  • ON my way to becoming a writer who can do more than 1,500 words at a time, some unpublished!
  • Learning and more learning.  Something I hope never to stop doing in the coming years.
  • Gaining more confidence in expressing myself more clearly.
  • The big one for me was winning a blogging award, well coming in 3rd place.  For days I couldn’t believe it had happened.  Getting nominated was a big enough surprise!!.  So thank you again to those who voted for me, I hope you are all still enjoying reading my small contribution to the blogging world.
  • Sharing our travelling life with other like-minded people.  Knowing that there are more of us out than we first thought, this is exciting.
  • Grown as a person, which can also be put down to our travelling which of course has been a significant part of our lives for the last few years.
  • I still feel quite chuffed when people enjoy my posts.  It’s a positive feeling receiving feedback, that is such an integral part of blogging.  I will hopefully never take it for granted.
  • The ability to be creative.
  • My proofreader and positive critic, The Squire.

Creativity

Which brings me to share a few memorable posts from 2017:

Lazy, hazy and not so crazy days of summer  –  This was my first post, not my most popular.  It was a nail-biting and heart thumbing time before I got to push that publish button.  Will anyone read it?  Is anyone out there?

Where the blardy hell are you? – It amazes us that we still get asked, “Where are you guys?”.  So out came a post relating to that question.  Our start to our first New Year in France.

Searching for Orange –  This was a learning curve in how we learned more about the French way.  Getting to grips with the lack of vital services.

One couple, one globe, no regrets – We are proud of ourselves for taking the leap into the unknown of being nomads.  This post explains some of those everyday issues we encounter.

Rawness.Hibernation.Serenity  – Our first long housesit in France.  We loved it, it was winter, and we still made the most of it.

I called her “Nana.” – My first post that is most heartfelt.  It was Women’s Day, and I always remember those woman who has made an impact on my life.

CELEBRATING WOMEN - MY NANA (4)

Runner-up Newcomer Blogger – in THE BLOGGER BASH AWARDS – One of my proudest moments as a newbie blogger was receiving this award, amongst so many wonderfully written blogs.  It was unbelievable and makes me feel somewhat chuffed to have won it!

Kas – the Turkish Riviera – A new culture and a roadtrip.  It was the beginning of our three months in Turkey.

A Street dog called Arab – It never ceases to amaze us how many people try to make life easier for other creatures, whether it be human or animals, or both.

50 things we appreciate in our life – We find time to chat together about things we are grateful and value in our lives.

Growing up in Paradise – Looking back can sometimes be a good thing.  Is our recollection as accurate as we think it is?

Lastly, though definitely not the least important is my readers.  Thank you for taking the time to read this blog about our journey as housesitters and travellers.  It is a personal journal of sorts, not a “how to visit or travel”.  We are not experts on how to travel, we have a passion for learning and exploring.  This is why we love housesitting.

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Published by Suzanne

Travel and Life Musings from New Zealand and Beyond. . . . . . .

56 thoughts on “A Year in the Making ”

  7. What a beautiful reflection on one year of blogging, Suz. Congratulations, with the one-year anniversary and with sticking to it and pushing that “publish” button (almost) each and every time. I am glad you are a part of my blogging community. And, I hear you about the time consumption of it all – the writing, the editing of photos, the posting, the comments, the following, the reading of other blogs and commenting, the guilt when not doing so, the search for house sits and communications because of it, the travel involved to the next sit, the responsibilities when on a sit (mostly fun stuff, especially the walks with doggies). Add to that, in our case: running a business, writing a book, making money with translations, replying to daily emails, stay connected through Facebook, getting a camper ready for life on the road, and the usual house hold chores. Phew… no wonder I wish to just take a breather and read a book once in a while. Which, by the way, I should make a point doing. Maybe during the holidays!!! Sorry to get off track here. Busy times, but, they still allow me to read your blogs, which I enjoy tremendously. 🙂

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    1. Thanks Liesbet and for all the support and encouragement. You are a legend and I’m so happy to be part of a wonderful group of bloggers. I hear what you are saying and I hope you get some you time to relax and read. Thanks again for all your wonderful comments.

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    1. Thanks Gemma and it’s great to have your comments. You are doing really well with your first year blogging. Love the tea series 🙂

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  9. Wow what a year you’ve had!! I, so pleased to have found you and I love your take on the world. Seeing your life through your eyes is great fun and I also learn a lot along the way. Congrats to you for identifying such a great list of negatives and positives, I was smiling and nodding along as I read through through them. Keep going, I for one love reading your posts. Your award was well deserved and I’m so happy for you.

    I will go back and read through some of the ones you mention here as I’m sure I’ve missed a few!! We will meet up one day 😊

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    1. Thanks Deb and for your supportive comments. I am happy to have found someone from downunder who has a well written wonderful blog that I love following. Thanks again Deb and see you one day ☺

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  10. Congratulations on your first anniversary! I just passed my first last month! 🙂 I have to say, I totally agree with you about pretty much everything, but especially the idea of feeling obligated to follow someone because they followed you. I prefer to follow bloggers whose posts I am actually interested in reading and keeping up with, which helps bring about more of that positivity you mentioned: establishing connections with other bloggers. 🙂

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  12. only a year? Surely it’s been longer? No, that came out wrong. What I meant was it’s been lovely finding you and vicariously enjoying your adventures and I really really hope if you next make it to England and esp London we can meet up for a coffee. You might even get to the Bash to collect your next award in person!

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    1. Thanks Geoff, I know what you meant ☺ You certainly make me laugh and not forgetting how many new words I have learnt from you. Your contribution to the blog has been invaluable. Thanks again, and will definitely meet up for a coffee when we are closer or in London. I really do want to get to the Bash. If the dates hadn’t had to be changed we would’ve come this year. Here’s to 2019!

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  13. Many congratulations on your blogaversary. I need to thank you, actually. You have been one of the true gems I have discovered in this strange virtual world we inhabit. I wish you continued success and look forward to sharing many more adventures with you. 🙂

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    1. Thanks Osyth, yes it has been a pleasure to “meet you”, and your comments and use of words are a welcome. Yes, it is easy to pick the authentic ones amongst us, so thanks for your support and look forward to more laughter and knowledge sharing in the following years. 🙂

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    1. Oh thanks April, you have indeed being a well addition to my blogging contacts. Your wealth of knowledge has had me googling a number of times over the recent months. Look forward to the contact in years to come!

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    1. Thanks Ross, and thanks for the inspiration years ago. I looked at doing one then when I read yours so it’s taken me a while! Better late than never ☺

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  18. Congrats on turning one in your blogging journey, Suzanne. Enjoyed reading your post. Very timely and helpful advises for all bloggers. And nice to list your top posts, something like a Best of Series….:) Wish you all the best in the coming years of your blogging and life….enjoy..

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    1. Thanks Anindya, for commenting much appreciated. They weren’t my top posts, just highlighting a few of them. All the best with your own blog.

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  19. Happy Blogiversary, Suzanne! I have also made some of the ‘mistakes’ that you did when I first started blogging. I felt obliged to follow too many blogs and couldn’t keep up, plus my proofreading has been sadly lacking on occasion in my haste to publish the post. Having said that, isn’t blogging the best? I love how much I have learned and I particularly love the community that we build up. Congratulations on your award too, how exciting that must have been for you. I enjoy reading your posts and wish you many more years of happy housesitting and blogging too, of course!! 🙂

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    1. Thanks Judy, it has been a wonderful experience connecting up with so many interesting bloggers, you being one of them 🙂 Thanks again for reading my blog, it’s much appreciated!

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  23. Congratulations on the first birthday of Global Housesitters x2! You have become one of my favourite blogs to read, from your beautiful photos, to the wonderfully descriptive writing, and getting to know your temporary animal companions. I look forward to reading more throughout 2018 and beyond x

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    1. Oh thanks very much Em, that is such a wonderful compliment coming from an interesting blogger. The feeling is mutual. Looking forward to more interaction with you next year x

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  24. Congratulations on your first year Suzanne, what a great post. So many things you said in this post struck a chord with me….I get palpitations before hitting publish too and worry too much about whether what I write is worth reading. I also made a decision to just follow blogs that i connect with (i do feel guilty though) as we don’t always have internet and i rely on wifi for a blog binge and i can find myself spending lots of time in front of a screen catching up when we do instead of doing other other things…….like my own blog! You have lots of varied interests too that keeps your blog fresh and entertaining. Here’s to your second year 🙂

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    1. Thank you. I’m so pleased that the post resonated with you. Your blog is definitely wirth reading! As ex motorhomers I know all about limited internet. Can’t do that now as we need it to plan our housesits, keep in contact with people and if course blog ☺

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  25. OMG….it is like modern day penpals. I didn’t even think of that! I think the lessons you’ve learned are ones I’ve learned too. It’s especially true about following when you really don’t want to but that is because your a human with feelings. I get it!

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  26. Reblogged this on Life at No.22 and commented:

    Wow, two years blogging.

    So much has happened this year ending with us deciding to stay in New Zealand for the summer.

    Our lifestyle has changed, going from fulltime nomads/housesitters to parttime travellers/housesitters.

    Since being back, we have had more than one curve ball hit us from left field. No, we didn’t see the second one coming, not at all! It’s something in which we will be working through hoping against all hope that the Squires Bone Marrow biopsy and scans find a simple solution to his enlarged spleen and liver. I wasn’t kidding when I mentioned it had and still is a challenging and stressful time for us.

    For now, we are just taking one day at a time and see how things go. Whatever happens, we are fighters and don’t give up easily.

    Thank goodness we can’t see what is around the corner.

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