I can’t believe I’ve written a post every single day this year. I mean, I know I made a big deal about it and everything, but I’m not so sure I ever believed I would accomplish it. And I haven’t yet. But I’m almost past the first quarter and I’m going to have to reflect on these small victories if I’m going to keep moving along.
I started this blog thanks to inspiration from a friend who took a picture every day for 365 days. The whole 365 project is really catching on these days, but back when she was working through her 365 album, it was new to me.
Once I put up the blog, I told her I felt an incredible weight on me. 365 posts is a lot of posts. How will I have that much material? What if I write something *gasp* boring?!
She said I couldn’t think like that. She said that the 365 project is about dedicating yourself to that one thing just once a day. Just once every single day. Not 365 days in a row.
It’s a small, but significant distinction.
And so here I am halfway through March and still chugging along. I’ve had good posts and not-so-good posts. But I’ve done it every single day.
I’ll admit that I’ve thought from time to time that I’ve daydreamed about what it would have been like to try a post a week instead. Just imagine! I’d have an entire week to whip out just one good piece. A week! Do you realize how LONG THAT IS?
I’ve also fantasized about the other things I could be doing with the time I spend on blogging. Of course, before I had a blog I didn’t do anything at all during this time. But now that I’ve seriously committed myself to one thing a day, I’ve been spending a lot of time plugging hypothetical replacements in this time zone and fantasizing about the results. They’ve included
Exercise: holy cow man. If I worked out for an hour a day every SINGLE day without excuse, I’d be a lean, sexy beast. Rawr.
Cooking: I’m not too shabby in the kitchen, but who can’t benefit from a lesson or two in proper cutting methods? And I’ve yet to attempt a pie. Ever. They scare me. But after a some focus and good old time investment, I reckon I could be quite the kitchen sensation.
Starting my own business: I have a few really excellent ideas for this but most consume both time and money. At least, that’s what my excuse has been in the past. So far I’ve proven I have at least 77 hours of time that could be mustered up if I really wanted them. And my t-shirt raffle proves that I’ll happily invest in something I enjoy, even without promise of return.
Becoming a fierce fiddler. I’ve always wanted to have some crazy awesome hidden talent. Though I’d be totally fine with ripping it up on guitar or being a classical pianist, there is something I find simultaneously amusing and super cool about the prospect of being a ground-stompin’, down-home country fiddler.
Bein’ a Hottie. My typical self-maintenance program involves a shower, clothes (thank goodness), and a little makeup. But if I spent the hour I blog everyday blowdrying my hair and doing some serious construction, I could walk the streets a super hottie. Imagine the power.
But alas, I’ve dedicated myself to being a blogger extraordinaire. And that’s pretty darn cool too. And so press on, I shall! Just 287 more to go.
I mean one.
Just one more. Tomorrow and then the day after, and so on. ♣
Funny – I had this post in my queue because I was struggling and thought I could use a reflection post to motivate myself. And then I got Freshly Pressed! Nothing like some increased traffic and a slew of new comments to keep me going. Thanks so much for stopping by!
The Jackie Blog 
Its a pleasure to drop by for a read and to learn how you have progressed.
my first blog ever was on 12 January this year and really it was because I was fed up with Facebook. Since then I have written everyday and quite often two or three times a day. It is compulsive.. I have to do it.. I enjoy it so much the freedom to write. As you say some it good some maybe nit so good but write nevertheless.
It takes up so much of my time, what did I do with all that time before WordPress found me? The only thing that niggles me is that ‘stats’, how I wish they would go up. I watch them every now and then to see if one more person has read my blog. It is so frustrating but then I know that really I only write for myself. But do I ?
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed the ultimate acolade! will I ever get there
Best wishes and love, keep smiling
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really cute blog, of course yours is nearly the first one i have read, but it is really good. love the cat too.
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thanks, Usha! I appreciate you stopping by 🙂
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Thanks, Patrecia. Grats on writing so often! What a challenge it is to steadily maintain a blog with decent content and not just babbling. So kudos to you. And as for Freshly Pressed, perhaps you’ll find this article helpful: http://en.blog.wordpress.com/2010/04/28/five-ways-to-get-featured-on-freshly-pressed
Thanks for stopping by and sharing. Best of luck blogging!
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Hi Jackie!
I have just recently found your blog. Definite kudos to you for blogging every day. Yes, you said you would do it, but how many people started on that path and have flamed out by now? So you doing it is an accomplishment. Yea for being freshly pressed as well. I committed to the post a week challenge and have pretty much gotten the hang of it. You are my hero for aspiring to create more.
Barbara
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aw thanks, Barbara! Grats on being able to do the postaweek- which is definitely a challenge as well. I checked out your site – love the color scheme and thought you calling Fergie a “overdone scraggly has-been” is hilarious. 🙂
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Hey Jackie,
Another good one. It is a remarkable achievement that you kept on with it day after day. Quite inspiring, I must say, for someone like me who is a bit too lazy to write even a single post in a week. I write about 2 posts every month! 😛 And you may check out the quality. Yours are a lot better. So, how much time you spend trying to write has nothing to do with what you end up producing. So, keep it up. 🙂
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Thank you so much for the encouragement, Hem. I have to admit there are some nights where I’m tuckered out and just want to go to bed, but I’ve learned so much about a no excuses attitude and when I look back over all the topics I’ve managed to squeeze out, I’m pretty proud to say I’ve even just made it this far. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Maybe next year you could do one of those other challenges. And blog about it! Hey, by then blogging will be a habit, second nature and thus really easy, right? Right? Well anyway, well done for keeping going, and for freshly pressed 😀
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I might just do that – a theme a year and blog about the journey? Who knows that 2012 may hold. The idea that I’ll be doing this for more than just this year is far too heavy a burden to consider for now. Thanks for being such a loyal reader – I so enjoy your visits!
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Don’t be afraid of pie. Sure, the crust might not be perfect the first X times you do it, but using good ingredients makes even a poorly executed pie a gift for your mouth. I don’t make them often enough, so my crusts are erratic (the bread I made yesterday came out nearly perfect) but I’ve never had to throw any away.
Enjoy your quest.
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I might fashion some kitchen inspiration gear with quips like “Don’t be afraid of pie” on it. Got any more ones like that? I’ll be sure to remember them when I’m knee-deep in flour and lumpy dough. 🙂
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i love your blog. its hilarious and they always bring a smile to my face!
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Thank you so much, scarlet. I really appreciate it. I love the name of your first post. Try to challenge yourself and update once a week 😉
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Hello again, Jackie
I am having serious difficulty staying away from your blog. You’re infectious!
You mentioned about fantasizing about being a country fiddler. May I introduce you to one really great female fiddler: She’s Mairead Nesbitt of Celtic Woman.
Here’s her official website:
http://www.maireadnesbitt.com/
I hope you’ll enjoy watching her!
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Oh man, those side links make me feel like my eyes need checked. So glad to see you roaming around my blog – thanks for taking the time to share. I’m a sucker for the fiddle so you may just make a longtime fan out of me 🙂
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Awesome blog! Kudos for blogging every day. Wish I had the stamina to do it!
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Thanks! I’m sure you do – it’s amazing what you can pull off if you just charge yourself with sticking to something small. And though a lot of my posts are long, most folks suggest only about 250 words…which is almost just a blurb a day. You can also try to post once a week – it’s a little less crazy and a lot more manageable. Swing by and post your address if you ever decide to start – I’d love to follow along.
Thanks for dropping in 🙂
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Hello, I was reading this post and motivated me enough to do my thing. This idea of doing a little bit is really interesting. Keep writing Bye.
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One day at a time is my motto too Jackie! You focus on one thing, write the best you can (some days are better than others for me too!), and move on. It feels so good to know that there are other people out there who are blogging every day too. We are not alone 🙂
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Yes! So true. And you’re doing a great job as I can clearly see from my daily updates 🙂 I love that yours has such a great message, which I know I’ve said before – but it can’t be easy doing all the research and going with themes and all. Keep it up!
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