. In nearly every year since Iโve marked the day with a special post and, of course, Iโm doing the same. These are the blogaversary posts from 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020 if youโre interesting in reading the previous ones.
I scanned through those posts myself, especially the one from last year. Feeling no need to again recap each of the past years, I will share a few highlights from just the last 12 months. Retirement is going well and we are still loving our life near the beach, no change there. I was finally able to get a sourdough starter established 
and the child who used to live a 30-minute drive away is now living two states away 
. My 60th birthday came and went without much fanfare due to distancing mandates but everyone has stayed healthy and weโre all now vaccinated.
With more time on my hands, Iโve been more productive blog-wise. Since last August, Iโve published 78 posts compared to the 40 that were published between August 2019 and July 2020. At the beginning of this year, I restarted my weekly link-up and I think that has helped to increase the traffic statistics a bit. Iโm pleased with that even though my blog doesnโt generate any income for me. And bonus, Iโve discovered several new-to-me blogs as well. My primary goals for blogging remain as they were from the start; to challenge myself, to add to my personal legacy, and to help me connect with other midlife women who enrich my life.
Thinking back on when I started this blog, I had wrestled with what tricks I could use in posing so that my photos didnโt show my face. More from a personal safety perspective than anything else. Then I realized that I was being silly and jumped in with both feet, so to speak. However, six years ago, I would never have thought Iโd be throwing caution to the wind and appear in a swimsuit.
Hardly a brave move considering the current body-positive movement. And I know that Iโm not alone when I say that there is still self-doubt. For many of us will feel that we come up short when we compare ourselves to others or even ourselves as we looked in the past. The idea for these photos popped into my head last week as I was basking in a glow of endorphins after a sesh at the gym. While Iโm nowhere near my fitness goals, each workout done is a mini-goal achieved and worth celebrating. No special prep like self-tanning, hair at the mercy of the wind and the misty skies, a swimsuit that Iโve had since last year. Letโs do this!
In the words of Catherine Grace O, โitโs time to give self-sabotage a knockout punchโ. No more second-guessing, no more hesitation, no more fear โฆ I can be authentic. It is soul-lifting to make that realization and itโs not as though I havenโt worn less in a blog post. Four years ago in Remembering The Details: A Sum Of Parts, I artfully bared myself as part of the preparations I undertook in getting ready for my then upcoming surgery. While the motivation may have been different, the outcome was similar. A greater realization about what makes me unique, what makes me strong, and what makes me matter.
Not long ago, I had a disappointing encounter with someone Iโm rather close to. She turned down my invitation to be featured in a future A Woman I Know post saying that she wouldnโt know what to say about herself. Even more disheartening, when I asked if sheโd ever read my blog, she said no. Her manner as she answered my question conveyed that she had had no interest in doing so. While I was aware that she wasnโt a regular reader, I kind of thought that one or two of the posts Iโd written over the last six years might have caught her attention. Our chat then moved onto another topic.
As I think back on that brief conversation, I wonder if she misunderstood what would be required with regard to being featured in an AWIK post. But in the context of the whole exchange, I think that she revealed to me more about herself than I thought I already knew. Despite her outward bravado, my guess is that she may be uncertain about what makes her unique, what makes her strong, and what makes her matter. I would hope that this is not true for her, but I know that these feelings are valid and that many struggle with them. I struggle with them.
As I wrote my blogaversay posts in prior years, I would wonder if Iโd still be blogging in another year. There have been a couple of stretches when I would โlose my mojoโ and consider whether to close up shop. But writing this blog felt/feels too important to me to stop, so I didnโt/donโt. As long as this blog continues to challenge me, continues to record my life, and continues to connect me with other midlife women who enrich my life (and it does all three counts), it will be around for as long as I am.
Another of the many wise women Iโve met virtually through blogging is Lucy, over at Confessions Of A Montreal Styling Diva. In a post where she shared her thoughts about aging and her upcoming birthday, Lucy pointedly says โโฆ rather than dwelling on how to bring back the past, Iโm celebrating how far I can go!โ And thatโs what Iโm doing today. Thereโs no telling on how far can I go and I hope that youโll come along with me.
Be well and letโs stay in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin โฆ all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Photos: MMPerez
30 Comments
Congratulations on your sixth blogaversaryโฆfrom your local follower. I get the sense, from the few blogs I follow, that maintaining a blog can be quite an undertaking. You seem to do it with confidence and ease.
Kathy, thank you so much for reading my blog. I appreciate your support and encouragement.
Rena!!
I think you look amazing!! Are you sure you donโt live in Atlanta?!
Re: the person who hasnโt read your blog. Iโve been a prof. writer for 14 years โ articles appeared in Wash Post, Costco, Trip Advisor etc. โ I had many family members and friends who never read anything I wrote.
Tbh, I took it personally. Then I made a new friend about three years ago. Same thing. Over a year ago, I excitedly told her about this new blog I started. Never read it.
There were a thousand other issues, but weโve โlost touchโ and part of it was her complete lack of interest in what was so big for me. I showed total attention to her life: she was leaving a rough job, finding a new one etc.
Also your body positivity pictures are incredible, you should be so proud. I love the idea that your kids and โone dayโ grand kids can see your life. Awesome idea!
And thank you for the great blog info. Just reading your blog has taught me so much!
Also I read your post on retirement. You wrote a fun, tongue-in-piece article. (I had a friend who smashed her alarm clock when she retired.) Suggestion: I heard from a decades long, prof. โradio guyโ that after retiring from the newsroom, he hasnโt known what to do with himself. Heโs in his early 70s, not married, no kids. But he stressed, โhave a plan. Let it be golf or whatever, but whatever but have something!โ
I havenโt looked into the retirement blogs. Maybe thereโs tons and tons of them, I donโt know, but I think that would be an awesome blog to create. Just a thought.
Your writing is excellent.
Again, if you ever get tired of the traffic, Virginia is the best. Weโre in Atlanta now, but Iโm hoping one day to get back to VA!!
Wendy TheInspiredEater.com
Wendy, thank you for the compliments and for your understanding of the disappointment I felt about the person who has never read my blog. As for retirement, Iโve heard so many people say that they wouldnโt know what to do with themselves if they retired. Iโve always known exactly what I would do โฆ whatever I damn well please. There has been an adjustment for sure, but I couldnโt be happier. While Iโm a west coast kind of gal, I am hoping to travel along the east coast sometime in the future. Iโll let you know when I do.
Beautifully written. Iโm about 5 months into blogging and I have left my and my familyโs faces out of photos alsoโฆ maybe itโs our personality type
Iโm not sure if Iโll change my mind as I keep going like you did, weโll see. Congratulations!
Thank you.
Congratulations on your blogversary. You successfully developed a blog that isnโt just another 50+ fashion blog.
Nicole, thank you for the kind compliment. It means a lot to me.
My entire family doesnโt read my blog! Which at first bothered me that not even my mom or husband read itโฆ but, then I realized that I do it mainly for myself and that is all that matters. And, Iโve met so many kind women through blogging that it is worth it. I do sometimes get burned out, thoughโฆ but, I have kept going this far. Happy blog anniversary! You look great in that swimsuit and Iโm glad you shared it! I would love to live by the beach!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Carrie, I was kind of disappointed that my husband wasnโt reading my blog on his own so now I text him the link of each post as they publish. As for that person and others I know who donโt read my blog, I guess I need to accept it and move on. Itโs nice to know that there are others like yourself who do read it. Thank you for that and your encouragement.
Hi, Rena โ I just had to stop by and say congratulations on your 6th blogversary! Your photos have a professional look by this time, I must say! You look great in this post
โ Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thank you, Angie.
What a beautiful post to celebrate 6 years of blogging, my friend! I love your attitude and approach to all of itโฆlife, blogging, body image! You are truly an inspiring woman. And I love your swim suit and these fun beach photos. You look fabulous and ever so happy!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thank you, Shelbee. And if not for blogging, we wouldnโt know each other so Iโm glad to have started it.
Happy blogaversary! I am always interested as to who reads my blog or doesnโt in my family/friends and sometimes disappointed. But I write it for me and for connecting with the world outside my house so I brush it off. To me it is an important part of me and it always surprises me that people close to me donโt realize that.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Mireille, I know that what I write about isnโt interesting to everyone but it was disappointing to find out that this person had not ever even looked at my blog. As such, Iโm very thankful to have readers like you.
HUGE HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY, Rena! Iโm so delighted to have found you when I did and I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts, although I must admit I do miss many of them. Iโm going to make sure Iโm subscribed after writing this comment!
I had no idea you had reached the wonderful age of 60. You look marvelous, regardless of your age, and I think itโs wonderful that you shared pics of yourself in a bathing suit (and what a fabulous bathing suit it is!). Youโre an inspiration.
By the way, I think of you whenever I braid my hair because my resulting curls always make me think I look a little like you and I love that!
Huge hugs, my friend
Suzy xx
Thank you, Suzy. Iโm delighted to have you as a reader and I enjoy reading your blog as well.
Your confidence shines through and you look amazing! Congratulations on your 6th blogversary. I love reading posts like this. You should rightly feel proud of your achievements. Thanks for linking at #WowOnWednesday
Rena what a wonderful post. I can identify with a lot of what you say. Most of my family and many of my closest friends do not read my blog either.But they hear it all from the horseโs mouth. My recent post is on menopause and how symptoms get worse as I get older. Vaginal dryness has become a huge issue and I have now gone on an oestregen cream. And am thinking of maybe taking HRT. But like you I do it for me and I hear from women who are glad I write the blog. They donโt leave comments but send me emails. That is good enough for me. Oh and you look great. Happy blogaversary.
Hilda, feedback in any form is good to get. My husband doesnโt subscribe to my blog so I text to him a link when a post is published. Same for my children if there is a post I really want them to read.
Gail, thank you for the lovely compliments and for the congratulations.
Happy Blogiversary! 6 years is an amazing accomplishment! You should be so proud of yourself and how much youโve done! I love your swimsuit and you are rocking it!
Thank you so much for the lovely compliments, Laura.
You go girl! And you look fabulous. Considering, you were discussing the better part of the pre-vaccine pandemic, it sounds like a good 12 months.
I have found there is a huge relief in being older. I have nothing to prove. Iโve got my priorities straight. And I pretty much donโt give rats about what most people think of me.
Michelle
bijoubeadboutique@gmail.com
Oh thank you, youโre too kind. And it is relief in many ways to be older, isnโt it Michelle? A whole lot more confidence and so little to prove.
Hi Rena
Sorry to hear about the lady that didnโt want to be featured. We all seem to go through periods of self-doubt ( if that is what it is). Happy Blog Anniversary! Time goes by huh? I love your reasons for blogging, as it is a wonderful group of ladies we meet through this medium. Love the swimsuit pictures, your happiness comes through!
Thank you for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Jess, it was disheartening but life goes on. Iโm so glad that blogging has introduced the two of us.
Rena, I loved this post! When I first started blogging, I also considered how I could keep my face hidden for safety reasonsโฆ so much for that. And itโs funny, only one of my friends reads my blog โ most of them have never even looked at it! Whatโs up with that?! I love these fun beach photos (especially your sarong). Happy 6th blogaversary.
-Grace
gracefulrags.com
Thank you, Grace.