Am I Really One of Them?

I went out with Alyssa to meet a friend a few weeks ago which was lovely as we went trampling through mud in our wellies which Alyssa got thoroughly covered in and we all ended up with pink noses, rosy cheeks and big smiles. It was just lovely and we even got to have a little natter in between stopping our children from attempting death-defying activities. We’re both bloggers which makes chatting even better because it means that we can both waffle on about plugins, social media numbers, crazy campaigns and both know exactly what the other is talking about without any explanation or any of the looks you often get from non-bloggers when you tell them you’re a blogger. Anyway, we were chatting about something to do with blogging and then this sentence came out of her mouth and it really stunned me. She said (and I may be paraphrasing slightly so forgive me) “Out of all the bigger bloggers I’m aware of or know, you’re the only one who doesn’t have a sideline.” We were talking about businesses and the extra things people do alongside blogging, for some context, but that wasn’t what halted me in my tracks. What stuck in my mind, ruminated and stayed with me all the way home, through the door and as one of the first things to come out of my mouth when telling my mum about my morning was that I had been called “a bigger blogger!” Am I really one of them?

This December I will have been blogging two years which I find truly incredible as I cannot imagine or even remember a time when I did not do this and yet I suppose in the grand scheme of blogging things I am still only a nipper when there have been people out there blogging for a decade or more.

When I think about “The Bigger Bloggers” you have people who instantly spring to mind within our community such as Aby from You Baby Me Mummy, Amy from Amy Treasure, Donna from What the Redhead Said, Emily from A Mummy Too but there are not many people you would put in this group. They are a group of powerhouse women who have made their mark in blogland and it will be there for many many years to come.

When my lovely friend (Adventures with J in case you were wondering) was talking about these bigger bloggers, she was grouping me in with them. The mere thought of this makes me want to do a very good impression of a hermit crab and quickly shoot back inside my shell and hide. In my own opinion, in my head, these wonderful women are way way wayyyyyy up that blogging success ladder, so much so that I can only see the soles of their shoes. However, I was very flattered to be thought of in that way and wondered why I was?

I talked about it with my mum who obviously is completely biased but quite clearly pointed out that whatever level I was on, if there even were levels to be had, I was in fact a success because I had done what I had set out to do which was to work as a full-time blogger and be at home to raise my little girl and not only had I done this but I had been doing this for almost two years. It’s an incredible thought really isn’t it? I have found myself receiving messages and having conversations at blogging conferences with people coming up to me and asking me how I had managed to do it?! Well, if I find that out I’ll let you know though truth be told I haven’t really slept in the two years I have been blogging so that’s a start.

I suppose what made me a little different was that I began blogging and nine months later I had gone full-time so it all happened very quickly and that is what people want. They want a quick route to success and unfortunately there isn’t one. I was very fortunate and very lucky to hit blogging at what was a good time for me, to be nurtured and supported by some wonderful “bigger bloggers” but also I am actually fortunate to not have a partner. I have no other demands upon my life other than Alyssa and Blogging – that’s it! Yes they are two rather large demands but having to only split myself in two does make things a little easier.

So, we come back to the question that I asked at the very beginning of all of this – Am I really one of them?! In my eyes, no I am not. Those women are still who and what I aspire to be and it is important to hold onto aspirations because they are what fuel our drive. However, I may need to accept that for some people I am one of them and to all those who think I am – thank you. I am truly flattered that you think so much of me and my little corner of blogland. I have truly enjoyed making each and every one of you a part of my life and hope it will continue for many many more years to come. Now excuse me…. my hermit shell is calling!