10 Things I learned from Blogmas!

Welcome to Being Lydia 2017!

After one month of posting at least once per day, I decided to give myself one day off yesterday from reading and writing in the blogosphere. But I am back!

I started the Blogmas challenge on December 2nd not knowing if I would really take it seriously. I am not known for my staying power, though both bipolar and chronic pain can have much to do with it. But I am so glad I stuck with it and wanted to share with you why.

1. I CAN write on cue when I really want to. How I achieved this is by starting posts when the ideas came to me and having either an outline (or even a full post) ready to go when needed. This allowed me to “go with the flow” and meet my commitment.
2. Christmas is a topic I know a lot about from many angles which made my month of posts varied and interesting. I wrote about memories (good and bad), traditions, faith, music, etc.
3. I learned a lot about myself through this process. I am definitely not into the commercial side of Christmas. This year proved that and as I re-read my Blogmas posts I saw that it showed in my writing.
4. Writing is therapy. I was going through a lot of physical and emotional pain through the month of December. Even if I didn’t write about the source of my pain, just knowing I had a post to write for the day helped me through.
5. Every time I write I am amazed by the comments and likes I get in the blogosphere. You are all my friends and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me a reason to keep writing.
6. Whenever I write I make sure I read as many other blogs as I can. Since I was writing at least once a day, I was reading the blogs of my followers and those that would stop by. I learned that there is a lot of talent out there and that keeps me on my toes! 🙂
7. Christmas is not a “thing”, it is a celebration. For Christians like me, it is the birth of Jesus Christ. For others, it is about getting together with family and friends. Others celebrate other things (Hannukah, Diwali, Festivus, etc.).
8. While Blogmas showed me I can handle these challenges, I don’t think I will be taking on many. I would definitely consider doing this one again but that’s not for another 11 months!
9. This project took me away from my other one, “Chronically Speaking”. This in a lot of ways was a good thing because I think I have a better idea of how the advocacy site will best help others. Now I am ready to dive into that.
10. The most important thing I learned, or maybe re-learned, was that Jesus is the only reason for the season for me and God used Blogmas, the fact our decorations are in storage, pain, and personal situations to show me this. For that, I am ever thankful.

I hope you enjoyed my Blogmas posts. I would love to hear any feedback you may have on them.

So, now I have to come up with some new material! 😉

Lydia!