Enjoying writing again

Some of you may know, or have noticed, that I’m writing a bit more at the moment. I’m really enjoying writing again, and sharing stories and ideas.

writing using laptopI took on a challenge, from Sarah Arrow of 30 day blogging challenge, at the start of January, to write a blog post everyday. 23 days in, with only one week left. Will I complete my first challenge of 2017? I can’t see any reason why I won’t achieve.

I’ve been amazed at how much I’ve enjoyed writing again. I used to write quite a lot, for my businesses, for my blog, and for other people. I won’t go into the reasons why I stopped, but if you’re interested, I may talk about this soon.

 

Enjoying writing again – how?

The main thing, which may help you, is that I’ve put no agenda on my writing. I’ve just written what was pertinent at that time, or explored something from my day. I guess you’d call it “going with the flow”. It’s been lovely not to have to write to specific targets, or keywords, or a particular product or service, as I would have done on some of my old business blogs.

I’ve simply enjoyed sharing again, to the world, and not just in a private journal, my thoughts, hopes, ideas, dreams, and suggestions. I guess it’s helping me gain confidence in myself. People have been so kind with some of the topics I’ve explored.

So, today, whilst I’m on day 23 out of a 31 day challenge, and feeling good, I just want you to remember that consistency is key to everything we do. I haven’t found this challenge too difficult, but that’s because I’ve set my own rules, and they’re not too strict! I haven’t got to write at a certain time of the day, or about a particular topic.

I’m learning even more that being in flow helps us achieve. If there’s something you want to do, either a new hobby, or explore a new idea, I really suggest just doing it. It certainly doesn’t have to be perfect. If you don’t do, how do you know if you’ll enjoy it? How will you develop your skills if you don’t do it?

Whatever it is you want to do, please make a start. Do a little bit everyday, and if you get the bug, it will become a habit you won’t want to give up. Writing, fitness, food, creating, cuddling, cleaning – whatever it is, please do it, and enjoy.

If you’d like some support to get going, or someone to keep you accountable, please get in touch, and see if you’d benefit from a mentoring relationship.

 

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Happy Anniversary

chocolate cakeI’ve just realised that I started blogging 10 years ago, so it’s Happy Anniversary to me I guess? I remember it well, when I started looking into blogging for business, and sharing my knowledge with potential customers.

Wow! Hasn’t time flown!

Over those 10 years, I’ve used blogs for all of my businesses, starting with bras4mums, then Bra Lady, and more recently Stay Fit and Healthy. However, the most pleasure I’ve had, if I’m really honest, is in using my writing, and my blogs to talk about everyday issues. Things that relate to me. My Support4Women blog is now hosted here on this site, as it was right to move things into one place for me to manage.

I know I’ve used blogging to help me through some tough personal challenges over the 10 years. However, I also know that I’ve hidden from public view and stopped writing for quite some time. It was right for me at the time, but maybe I should have kept on writing, just not publishing posts. I’m sure the serial journal peeps out there would agree with that one.

So, what am I doing for my 10th Anniversary? Well, I’ve taken the challenge, set down by blogging expert Sarah Arrow, to write every day for the month of January. You may have noticed I’ve come out of my shell? I’m taking a step out into the world again, and putting fingers to keyboard, and sharing some of my knowledge, insights, and general everyday stuff for you to read, enjoy, challenge and learn from.

I’m really enjoying ‘being back’ and sharing. I’ve missed it. It’s lovely to have some regular readers, so thank you for being here. Thank you also to all those who’ve supported me over the years, through the good and the bad times.

Life IS a roller coaster. You do just need to ride it, (as the song goes). I do love blogging and sharing, and I’m now 9 days into writing again, so it’s not quite a habit yet. However I am loving it, and the eclectic mix I’m talking about. Hope it’s not too random for you?

I’m a Mum, a businesswoman, a wife, a friend, a daughter, sister, and colleague. (I’m sure I’m many more things as well!). I’m also delighted to be back here, in the public eye, sharing, and learning with others on the blogasphere. Thank you for encouraging me Sarah.

Oh, and any excuse to eat cake in my book, (all part of my balanced healthy diet!) 🙂

 

Working things out

Some of you will know how I’ve struggled these last few years. For all sorts of reasons. Family, business, bereavement, financial are the main headings I’d use for those reasons.

Last year was a turning point, when I really sat down and worked out what was important to me, and my family. I sold the online shops I’d set up 10 years ago. As a family it also marked a year in our new house.

It’s taken a long time to work things through. Sometimes, as much as we try, priorities have to be focused on, and best intentions get left behind. Just like my blogging.

Despite loving writing, and having found it cathartic over my blogging life, the last couple of years have been tough. I’ve wanted to write, to share, and sometimes get support about issues I’ve been dealing with. However, some of the issues have been too sensitive. My eldest son has struggled, and been teased, about being the focus of my online writing. It’s never been my intention to embarrass him.

Even since signing up to the 30 day blogging challenge with Sarah Arrow, in October, I’ve had all the best intentions. I thought that was just what I needed. It wasn’t. I just wasn’t ready for that level of writing commitment.

I’ve had lots to work through. I’ve got my goals. I’m not without vision, skill, or talent, and I’m brimming with ideas. But I also know, and have learnt over the past 6 years, that some things just have to be put to one side. You have to be ready to move on.

I’m not saying I’ve got everything in place to blog regularly again, but I’ve certainly taken some big steps since December. We had a lovely family Christmas. We spent time with family and friends and did what we wanted. I took a whole 2 weeks off work, which was fantastic! I’ve maintained my running goals this January, and am feeling the health benefits of this new clearer schedule and plan.

I’ve refound my confidence by doing the little things in life – baking, seeing friends, spending time with my children. Now that I’m settled in those little things, my attention is now returning to my work, and business.

Any one else out there working things out, step by step?

Why blog?

Guest post by Award winning Business Woman, Joanne Dewberry

Search Engines love Blogs. Why?? The content is always fresh and new, with regular posting, categorised content and search engine friendly links and addresses. A business blog is the ideal place for Search Engines to find the type of content they love and with it you can rank very highly! Here are my top tips to blogging

  • Mind map topics, themes and ideas – relevant to your business. This will give you a basis for your posts, do this at least once a month. Take into consideration weekly/monthly features, reviews, guest posts etc.
  • Schedule in these posts – this means you can spend a small amount of time writing in advance and your blog is active when possibly you aren’t. Blogging is all about time management, if blogging isn’t your main business then you NEED to schedule blogging in making it part of your routine. Once your content is regular you will start to build up a following.
  • Social media promotion – use facebook and twitter to promote your blog and encourage more readers.
  • Commenting – commenting helps to show other people how influential you and your blog are. In the beginning getting the first few comments can be difficult, think about 1) ending the post with a question 2) write in a style that helps to encourage comments and feedback 3) use your fanpage to promote your post and question what people think – see image below. To show how grateful you are and to keep people commenting respond to the comments made. Also is good etiquette to pay attention to what your commenter’s blogs are about and comment on theirs. You may also find their blog useful to you i.e. guest posts etc.

But the best tip of all JUST DO IT!! Get blogging!!

JoanneDewberry.co.uk has produced a booklet Blogging for Business and how you can develop an effective business blog for beginners. £5 including P&P – purchase online at www.joannedewberry.co.uk
Joanne Dewberry – Dorset Business Mum of the Year 2010
Multi Award Winning Small Business Owner, Mummy of 3, and business blogger

 

First Time Feeding

Helen Adams from Being Mum to Cami shares her breastfeeding experience

When I was pregnant with my daughter I was very undecided about whether or not I wanted to breast feed I did not think it was the most natural thing in the world and it always made me feel uncomfortable.

But after a very long labour and being left alone on my own for four hours in the labour suit with just my hubby and a new born baby, my mind started to change when she started to get cranky asked a passing midwife what I needed to do and just as she was starting to show me and my daughter latched on immediately and I know this will sound corny but all of a sudden I got why mums want to breast feed, my mind had been totally changed.

But I was to embarrassed to feed in public, and my nerves just could not get me over it, and that is where my big sister was my saviour she has had 2 children and her first was on her own when she lived in Honk Kong so she had just her hubby for support no family and had to do everything on her own. She was amazing when she came to stay for a week, she got me pumping milk and taught me all her tricks and made me feel confident about feeding in public, I had no choice she just took me in hand and made sure in the week she was with me I went to many public places and fed my beautiful daughter, and to my surprise by the end of the week I was a mum who just went about her day to day life with a baby and fed her when she needed it blankets are a good cover up and no one ever really guessed I was feeding.

My mum came to stay with us for a week when my daughter was four weeks old and this nis where my problems started i got really bad mastitis, so bad i was rushed into hospital with a raging temperature a huge lump in my breast, and a breast that resembled a homing beacon, a lt of antibiotics and a few weeks of feeling like whenever i fed i had cut glass coming out of me it slowly passed, I don’t know what i would have done without my Mum she took control just like my sister did, we had to introduce formula it my daughters diet at 4 weeks as I  became very unsettled after the mastitis. I continued to pump into bottles and breast feed at the same time i was very fortunate that my daughter did not mind where it came from so long as she got it, I managed 6 months of feeding and i felt incredibly proud of myself and feel it created a unique bond between the two of us.

I know not everyone gets on with breast feeding as I struggled for a while, I had friends who tried and just did not gel with it but it does not mean they did not give their beautiful children the perfect start all the perfect start needs is a parent who adores their child that is perfect.

 

We’d love to hear your experiences of breastfeeding the first time and if you had any obstacles on the way…