So for this week’s Saturday Share post I thought, Why not have a look back at all the NICE things that have happened in my blogging life so far? I’ve come a long way since that first post I published on my 39th birthday six years ago. My life has changed beyond recognition and I’ve been really fortunate (and I’m really grateful) to have had some amazing opportunities come my way.
I wanted to concentrate on my career highlights, not of all which some would necessarily consider “successful” moments. To me, success means achieving your goals – and enjoying the process of reaching them. It’s not all about how much money you make (believe me, if it were I wouldn’t have stuck with it for six years) – it’s often about the small things.
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TO ME, SUCCESS MEANS ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS – AND ENJOYING THE PROCESS OF REACHING THEM. IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY YOU MAKE.
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So today I thought I’d share some of my most memorable moments from 2011 to present. There have been many, so it was hard to come up with just 10, but I hope it gives you a little insight into my world and how much I love blogging and the people I’ve met (and the friends I’ve made).
Some are exciting things – the “pinch me” moments. Others are the milestones I’ve achieved. Often it’s the people I’ve met. But as I sit and type this as fast as I can in order to get on with the next thing on my ever-growing To Do list (“get an assistant” is high on that list), I can’t help but feel grateful for what’s happened, what might happen, and what I can make happen. I hope it inspires anyone who think that they may be too old, too “past it”, or too lacking in anything to make a success (see definition above) of something.
I can be the world’s most motivated person at times – and sometimes I’m the complete opposite. But if I can do it (whatever your “it” may be), anyone can.
Sometimes I feel like this has only just begun… Bring on the next six years!
This was something I’d been wanting to do for a long time – host a blogger meet up aimed at older (30 and 40+) bloggers. After several false starts, it finally happened in May 2016 and the feedback and the buzz surrounding it was amazing. If I hadn’t been so busy over the last 18 months I would have organised another one… Believe me, as soon as I get time to organise another, I will. READ MORE HERE >>
As a blogger who is open to the idea of making money from your blog, my first paid collaboration was everything to me. I’d been thinking for a while about charging brands for posts, and although I now can’t even begin to imagine jumping through hoops for brands like I used to without payment, I was so proud to have actually earned something a bit more than just pennies from blogging. READ MORE HERE >>
What can I say about this that hasn’t been said already… Plenty, to be honest! After meeting each other at the Blognix retreat in February 2016 and becoming firm friends IRL, myself and these six fabulous women have started something we are INCREDIBLY proud of. I won’t gush about them again, I’ll let you read this post… READ MORE HERE >>
They say you should never meet your idols, but come on – Twiggy?! There was NO WAY I was going to leave that awards event (I was covering the Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year Awards) without at least trying to get a picture with her. Something to note: As well as her being just super, super lovely, she insisted on having a “proper” picture taken, not a selfie. What a classy lady. READ MORE HERE >>
There is something about your “firsts” that are always special. Rachel was my first great online blogger friend, and we’d been friends for two years before we finally met – literally for the first time at a photo shoot for a magazine article about special friendships. So much fun and a day I won’t forget easily. READ MORE HERE >>
I’ve been in a few magazines, and it’s always special to pick the magazine off the shelf and see yourself inside (can you imagine what it’s like to be on the cover?!). However, the Sunday Times Style Magazine was the super classy one that I couldn’t quite believe I was appearing in. A very special moment (plus that dress STILL gets people excited, even two years later). READ MORE HERE >>
For someone that doesn’t have model looks and is nearer 50 than 30, modelling was not one of those things I thought I would ever, ever be doing. But thanks to my readers I won a competition to model (with four other girls) for Fever London – it was so much fun and yet really bizarre at the same time. READ MORE HERE >> (or go behind the scenes)
Although I rarely take part in them anymore, this competition – as well as the Fever London modelling one above – was one I really wanted to win. I submitted a blog post to La Redoute on a theme they chose… and I won, along with one other blogger, to go to Paris for three days with the brand. I was ecstatic for a long time after that one. READ MORE HERE >> (and the second part HERE>>)
The most recent of my career highlights in this list, a few weeks ago I had the best time working with JD Williams and, again, the loveliest bunch of people ever. All the work I’ll be producing for them is yet to come up on my blog (watch this space!), but on the day I wore an amazing dress, was given super glossy hair and had a lot of fun knowing that we were producing something really special. READ MORE HERE >>
I’ve saved possibly the best till last… It doesn’t get much better than winning a major award, especially when it’s the best Fashion & Beauty Blog award and you’re up against bloggers of all ages, not just those in your age bracket. This was an even playing field so it made the achievement seem even more fantastic. (READ MORE HERE >>)
It was The Pinch Me Moment of my life – I was convinced I wouldn’t win, my astonished face in the video above says it all. Along with that and wearing The Best Dress of My Life, I’m not sure how much more exciting blogging can get after that.
Much more, I hope…!
WHAT HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR LIFE DO YOU WANT TO SHARE? (PLEASE DON’T BE SHY – BE PROUD AND SHOUT ABOUT IT!) TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB!
So all that’s left to say is – I’ve shared my thoughts/stories/tuppence-worth this week, now it’s time to share yours… LET’S GET THIS [LINK UP] PARTY STARTED!
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LIKE THIS POST? YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ…
– Winning a Major Blogging Award – and What It Means For the Over 40 Community
– When You Hate Photos of Yourself
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