One year ago this coming Friday I pressed the “publish” button on my very first blog post and so began a new chapter in my life. Was I a writer or an avid blog follower? The answer to both is a very clear no. Why do I blog then? Why and how did I decide to blog?
The amazing thing about life is that it constantly changes. Just when you think, I got this, and get comfortable, life throws something new at you. For almost thirty years I found immense joy and happiness in striving to be the best mother I could be to our three children. Yes, thirty years. There is a six year gap between each one of them. At times it seemed like we had been parenting for a long time but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Motherhood, I believe was my true calling. And just when I thought I had it all figured out, our youngest started university. Not only that but the same year our oldest, having finished medicine, got married and the middle one finished law school and began her career. Blissful year? Absolutely so.
But the inevitable also happened. They had all grown up and my role in their lives and my life itself was about to change.
How it all started:
Empty nester, what now? To be able to get up each morning and have the whole day to myself and my hubby was a concept I had to get used to. I was at a cross roads. It could go either way. I could sit and sulk or I could grab the opportunity and embrace myself for endless potential of the next stage of life.
Sulking has never been my style. This is not to say I did not miss being with my children at a very cellular level. It just meant I had to learn to re-establish my role in my adult children’s lives and reinvent my own. The excitement literally put me in a state of euphoria.
Creativity has always been at the centre of how I have lived my life. My daughters suggested I take up blogging. I had heard the concept but had no idea what it entailed. So they showed me a few of the blogs they followed. I got the gist of it and was excited.
I had absolutely no technical know how or knowledge of the blogging world. What I did have was a life time of passion for learning, growing and evolving; and a true desire to share all that I learn. I believe every human has a duty to share with others all that life has taught them. Here was my opportunity. This could work I thought.
I picked up my laptop and began writing. So began the story of Fabulousfiftyfive and my very first blog post. I never knew I had so much to share. Arranging and rearranging words, jumping out of bed with a new thought, and sitting at my computer for hours comprehending life and its existence; this is something I fell in love with very quickly.
My Sincere Gratitude To All Of You:
What I fell in love with even more is the opportunity to connect and bond with each and every one of you.
I have been able to form deeper bonds with older friends, found some long lost ones, made so many new ones and have connected with many fellow bloggers and have been inspired by some amazing souls. My heart and life have never been so open to possibilities.
When you take the time, my friends, to read and reach out to me I am humbled and grateful for the heart to heart connection that unfolds. Every comment on the blog, every personal phone call, email, WhatsApp message, and the embrace and conversation in person provide me with tremendous energy and love.
I would love to share some of your thoughts here but I couldn’t possibly share them all. Let me just say thank you for taking the time and touching my soul.
Nothing Ever Comes Easy:
What I did not know was that in the blogging world writing was only a small part of the equation. Your little corner on the world wide web has to be shared with the world very systematically and deliberately.
There are so many different avenues and technicalities to share content through social media. From starting an Instagram account to Twitter, Facebook, Facebook Groups, Pinterest, Tailwind, Pinterest SEO, Google SEO, Canva and creating Canva graphics, etc. The list goes on and on. Talk about the learning curve!! Phew..it can be overwhelming at times to say the least. And when it does I take a deep breath, reach out and connect to that part of my core that loves to write and connect with you all. That is a beautiful place for me. It’s something I had never imagined.
Google Analytics certainly helps along the way. Every month it tells me how many readers stopped by and this fuels my aspirations. In the first year of my so very new passion I have over 7,500 page reviews. That may not be a large number in terms of the blogging world but for someone who just jumped in its truly humbling and up lifting.
A Celebration and Thank you Give Away:
As a token of my gratitude and celebration of the one year milestone I am hosting a give away starting next week. (I am so excited for the prizes.) I will keep you posted. Please stay tuned.
My Favourite Blog Posts:
I try and pour my heart into every post but here are some of my personal favourites.
You Are The Author Of Your Story
The Awakening: A Conversation With Myself
Letting The Soul Not The Ego Be Our Guide
Living With Chronic Pain: How I Learnt To Thrive
Growing Up In Two Cultures And Finding My Own Identity
A Soulmate Connection: By Design Not By Default
So Much More To Look Forward To:
With this one year milestone and celebration I look forward to the coming year with so much joy and hope.
I will be starting a GUEST POST series. So if you have a thought you would like to share I would love for you to pick up the pen, write and send it my way to be featured as a guest post. This will also give me an opportunity to share information and knowledge on topics beyond my sphere of thought and knowledge. Also, if there is a topic you would like me to bring please send me a message.
Secondly, I will be doing an Interview Series with everyday heroes with inspirational and uplifting stories. The souls that face some of life’s toughest challenges yet shine like stars. If you know someone who’s life inspires you do let me know.
Striving to keep our bodies healthy and fit I also plan to share a lot more easy and healthy recipes this year.
If you would like to collaborate and work with me please send an email.
The Best Part Of Blogging:
I started the blog to share all that life has taught me and all that I continue to learn. I thought if I could just inspire a few people from my experiences I would be so happy. My purpose would be served.
Little did I know it is the blog and all of you who would truly inspire me. The continuously flowing creative juices of my brain elate my being. Every day I strive to be the person I need to be to make a small difference in this beautiful world. I make myself accountable, and responsible for all that I ever dare to share. I am constantly inspired to learn more, do more and grow more. What more could I ask for?
I send a heartfelt thank you to each and everyone of you for all your love and support. I look forward to creating so many more beautiful and meaningful connections through this sacred space I call my blog.
Let’s learn, grow and evolve together.
With a thankful heart and lots of love,
Devinder đź’–
18 Comments
Pushpinderjit Grewal
Congratulations Devinder for a very successful year! I have been with you in every blog and can’t believe it’s been a year. Always looking forward to your blogs!
Devinder Maan
You my friend have been a true cheer leader and supporter. I know how sincerely you read and follow everything. Can we multiple you 10,000 X over? I am humbled to call you my friend. Love always đź’–.
Bushra
Hey Davinder, your whole article is amazing, I am so glad that your daughter introduced you to blogging. There was a great writer hidden inside of you and I am glad she discovered her. I bet you have done a wonderful job raising your kids. You are so inspirational soul and I am blessed to have met you via blogging. I would love to be part of your interview series. Yes, blogging is hard and so much behind the scene to learn but once you get a grasp on it, things started to get easier. One thing at a time. May your blog grow even more. You look lovely. I wish some day we can get a small blogging get togehter. Stay blessed my frined!
Devinder Maan
Bushra, I am so glad our paths crossed via blogging world. You have been a true pillar of strength in my blogging journey, always encouraging and supporting me. I would love to feature you in the interview series. I am working on a schedule and will be in touch. I will have to take some pointers from you as you are so good at that. It would be lovely to do a get together too. I met an instagram friend in LA this past weekend. It was so special. Big hug and a big thank you to you my friend đź’–.
Erica
Happy first anniversary to your blog Devinder! Keep striving and moving forward! I’m so glad that blogging and the online community brought us together ❤️.
Devinder Maan
Thank you Erica for your wishes on the first anniversary of my blog. Me too. I look forward to moving forward together đź’–.
Michelle
Happy 1 year anniversary! I agree with you on all the stuff there is to learn!! It’s crazy! It looks like you are going to be very busy! I wish you all the best!
Devinder Maan
Thank you Michelle. Isn’t it crazy? I see the end of the learning curve for blogging in sight but it sure keeps the brain sharp.
Maninder Grewal
Congratulations Devinder, what a milestone. Ive eagerly awaited Thursday’s for this past year to read your new posts and needless to say I’ve tremendously enjoyed each and every one. You are a gift to those around you and I must tell you that you are even more beautiful on the inside than you are on the outside. And when you say that you were always creative, oh yes, I have seen that part of you ( amongst many other traits) first hand. I was amazed how organized and creative were you during Supreet’s wedding and your creative potential seems limitless.
Now, what a great idea you have come up with to have guest posts and inspiring stories about everyday heroes! This has also inspired me to pick up a pen and put some of my own thought into words. Let’s see how long it takes.
On that note, you should be thanked more often. So thank you!!!
Devinder Maan
Thank you so much my friend for such a heartfelt and beautiful note. I am blessed to have you in my life and truly appreciate your commitment to the blog and your love and support. Your encouragement, beautiful, uplifting words and support always keep me forging ahead. I am glad you like the new ideas. I am so excited for you to pick up that pen. You write so beautifully. I am going to keep pushing you till you do. I would be so honoured to publish your writing. Once again I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love always. You are cherished and appreciated đź’–.
Parm
Congratulation on 1 year anniversary!!!!! You are such an inspiration to us all. True gratification is gained from living your anthetic self.
We can feel your passion for life and authenticity in your writing and are blessed to be a part of it.
“I can’t do big things in small ways but I can do small things in a big way”
Devinder Maan
Thank you Parm. That truly means a lot. Absolutely, if we could all learn one truth and that is be our authentic selves. That is how we were created and that is what we should aspire to be. It is a blessing when we meet like minded people and those people can certainly come together to do small things in a big way. I look forward to that.
Sarbjeet
Happy first Anniversary of blogging Devinder I read most of your posts. They are all amazing and well written that I don’t find words to appreciate them. Waiting for the chance to read the next one.
Devinder Maan
Thank you Sarb. It means so much that you take the time to read them. I truly appreciate your feed back and reiterates why I blog. That is so sweet đź’–.
Sarah | Gardenfullofdreams
Devinder, I enjoy visiting your blog and I really like your perspective on life 🙂 Happy Blogiversary!
Devinder Maan
Thank you so much Sarah! That means a lot đź’–.
Meirose
Wow! What an amazing and inspiring blogpost Devinder! I finally made it a point to sit down, relax and read your post. So much of what you shared resonated with me. As you already know, I too am an empty nester with three grown children. I didn’t know what to do when my two boys announced they were moving to Portland from California and my daughter just got engaged., It was a difficult time but somehow we learn to adjust and adapt to change. Congratulations to your one year anniversary! I would love to collaborate and share a guest post about one of my personal experiences with your readers. Reading your post is so uplifting and inspiring! Let’s continue to share, grow and evolve together! Grateful to have met you in person Devinder!
Much love đź’— Meirose
Devinder Maan
Thank you Meirose for your beautiful words and feed back. I am so humbled. Your story is such an inspiration to me. You have taken charge of life and made it so beautiful for yourself turning every challenge into triumph. I would be honoured to share your work on the guest post. I will be in touch as soon as it’s ready to go. Just love your enthusiasm for life. So glad to have met you. Lots of love đź’–.