Holy Smokes.
One day left of a year that feels like it just started last week. How does this keep happening?
Zippity-Dippity-Done!
It was such a short year. And yet, when I think of all the places I’ve been and the people I’ve seen, it starts to feel like this year was rather thick; stacked up like a monster clubhouse sandwich.
There was cycling in Montana and the Rockies, walking in Wales, sweating in an ashram and poolside in Palm Springs . And yet, the traveling part of my year really didn’t start until the summer as I was busy on my Humber writing project at the beginning of the year.
Because of that aforementioned project (that I dare not call a book for fear of freaking myself out), I slowed down on my travel writing and never really seemed to get up to speed again after it was over. Instead, I really focused on this blog by posting (with rare exceptions) every Monday through Friday.
My goal has been to make this blog my own ‘magazine’; a place to publish what I want with no waiting – something akin to Nirvana for an ADHD gal like moi.
But for that type of designation, I need about 5000 views each month. Instead, I’m currently bouncing between 2500 and 3000 readers/month. Thing is, I’ve only told a few people this goal and I think like any proper Travel Announcement I have to put it out there so my butt on the line in trying to achieve it.
There. It’s out. Or I guess I should really say, I’m out.
It finally occurred to me that, like any good relationship, I cannot assume people can read my mind. I have to communicate what I want. And that? Well that generally makes one a tad vulnerable.
Plus, this whole Christmas thing takes me on a bit of a dark ride some days, which is why I haven’t done any posts at all since the 23rd. I was considering whether I wanted to keep doing this at all.
But as my mother would have said, “Are we having ourselves a little pity party?!” It would appear I was, and that’s okay. There were definitely some things worth being sad about. But enough.
Time to get back on the horse, which of course was one of my dad’s favourite sayings. Proving once again that you should never underestimate how long your words will reverberate in the brains of your children.
Here’s what I want: a minimum of 5000 views per month. At that point, I can be considered a ‘magazine’ or on-line publication in my own right.
So. If you enjoy what you find here, please – a la Sally Field – ‘Like’ me with that Facebook icon at the very top or very bottom of this post.
Or hit the ‘Share’ button and share it through any of those other methods, or simply ‘Tweet’ me, baby, Tweet me.
I’m out and ready to roll.
You should definitely have as many readers as you want, and now that I know your goal I will happily promote your blog through every available means 🙂
Yay Becca. Throw me into your Promo-machine, set it on spin and I’m good to go. Thank you!
What a great goal. Of course this is your magazine, faithfully read by moi and now others I promise to share with. I will remember to Like as well, but will need some help with Twitter. Mack? Are you out there? What is it about Christmas that brings on those blue feelings? I go down that “pity party’ road too, and believe me, it’s the openness and honesty of friends like you that help me tackle those feeling and move on, head held high.
Happy New Year to my favourite blogger. Looking forward to your 2012.
I hope 2012 is your best year ever, ever, ever Irene 🙂
And yes, isn’t it something about Christmas that can just take you out? But it really is comforting, and somehow eases the whole thing, knowing I’m not going through those thoughts/feelings alone. And now that it’s been said, it lessens somehow too. Kind of like, “oh yeah, Christmas blues? done that…” HA!
Thank you again for your wonderful support. Big cyber hugs are coming your way.
Congrats on all the 2011 achievements, Colleen. I believe you will reach your stated goal, as you have the writing ability and tenacity to make it happen. Also, you’ve put your goals out there, and the universe has every reason to support you!
I love the magazine idea.
PS–Maybe it’s time to stop calling yourself a travel writer and just use writer. Why limit yourself? You could walk down your own street and write about it, or stay in your room, for that matter. Just sayin’.
Hey Carol, Thanks for your optimism and support and most of all, belief in me 🙂 That’s wonderful and rather heady stuff.
And you’re right about the writer designation. It took me forever even to call myself a writer and often I’ll put freelance writer instead of travel writer, but I’m thinking simply ‘writer’ is the best of all. If I call myself that, then that’s what it is, right? Thanks for that feedback. Happy 2012!
Oh my! I had no idea that you had so many readers. Of course you should as spoken from your number one fan and of course we will set out to double the amount! So continuing to “like” as I do and “share” is what I will do more of, “tweet” will be coming soon as my son sets up my twitter account. Forever thankful to the youth in my life who influences me more than I influence him.
On this day, the eve of a new year, am I merely tired or a tad hormonal? I do not know if I feel hopeful and optomistic or overwhelmed and somewhat doomed for yet another new year to come bursting through the door. I have tried closing the door, slamming the window, drawing the blinds but the years keep coming at me.
Your reflection of your past year Colleen promted me to think of mine. And then I tried to remember all of the New Years Eve celebrations in my life (51 in total). I remember a few from the 60’s aka Mad Men, the suits & ties, the twirly or fitted dresses and pots & pans banging on my back porch. Peering out from around a living room wall into a sea of cigarette smoke and empty vodka bottles. Next would be a dance or two from the 70’s and the unforgettable New Years when 79 turned to 80 and a group of us comitted to being together when 89 turned to 90………………..which never happened. The old friends staying together I mean.
Long story short, I suppose that it is not the night that is the turning point, but rather the whole year in general.
This past year has brought a lot of changes in relationships for me. A stronger appreciation for friends. A keen sense of health and wellness and deep thinking of my parents, of my life………..melancholy to sheer joy.
Perhaps I will keep moving forward with my head up. I hope to step outside the box some and not worry so much. Hand it all over, so to speak………………………..
Happy New Year and happy blogging Colleen, I have really missed your blogs over this Christmas holiday. I am so glad that you are back.
Karen…I have to say that you’re definitely one of the reasons I keep showing up at this thing 🙂 Thank you for always knowing when to comment and what to say. I have no doubt that you will ‘step outside the box some and not worry so much’…hopefully we can do some of that stepping out together!
Happy New Year to you and your wonderful family. 2012 here we come…ready or not.