Celebrating My 10th Blogiversary And I Still Don’t Understand The Question

Marking another milestone today as I celebrate my 10th blogiversary (aka blog anniversary). Spoiler alert … it’s unlikely that I’ll ever understand the question that was the prompt for my very first blog post.

We’ll catch up on that in a moment. But first, some regular readers may have noticed my recent (and yet again) absence from the blogosphere. It’s been roughly 6 months since my last post (give or take a week), and even longer than that since I’ve posted on IG. Rest assured, all is well and nothing is amiss. In fact, life for me (us) is generally good, absent the ongoing political chaos that has us shaking our heads every day and muttering, “you just can’t make this stuff up.

Over these past ten years, my skills have definitely evolved. Beyond writing, the technical aspects of establishing and maintaining a blog can be quite daunting. And don’t get me started about adding social media into the mix.

Finding my footing as I experimented with topics and tested my voice meant that I had to figure things out as I went. Some posts landed, others didn’t, but every one taught me something. Little by little, I started to understand what felt authentic and what didn’t.

Looking back, I’m proud not just of the number of posts I’ve written and published (nearly 500), but of how much my writing reflects who I am. Even during the quieter seasons, when life pulled me away from the blog, I never really stopped thinking like a writer. This blog has been my space to grow, reflect, and stay rooted in my creative self. And at this 10th blogiversary, that still feels like something worth celebrating.

Blogging is and has been more than a hobby for me; it’s been a creative lifeline. A key component of my original reasons for starting this blog. Having this space to write has given me a means to challenge myself and add to my personal legacy. When life has felt uncertain or overwhelming, it’s been where I’ve made sense of things, documented moments that mattered, and allowed myself the freedom to grow publicly, imperfectly, and honestly. The simple act of hitting “publish” has often felt like a small act of courage.

It’s also connected me to a wider world. I’ve gotten to know readers, fellow bloggers, and kindred spirits I never would’ve encountered otherwise. Whether through comments, collaborations, or IRL interactions, the community around this blog has reminded me that we’re not alone in our thoughts and experiences. One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been the moments of shared understanding when something I wrote truly resonated with someone else.

Most of all, blogging has helped me stay grounded in my creative identity. Life gets busy, priorities shift, and attention spans shorten, but the blog has always been here, patiently waiting, welcoming, and at times, poking at me for attention (figuratively speaking, of course). It’s a space where I can reflect, explore, and still surprise myself. Helping me make sense of who I am and how I see the world. Even ten years later, I’m reminded that the joy of writing isn’t in perfection, it’s in showing up with something real to say.

Regarding that mysterious question that was the prompt for my very first blog post, the story goes something like this. My husband and I were watching a movie with a scene that takes place in a woman’s walk-in closet. As the action took place, he asked aloud and apparently to me, “How many pairs of red shoes does a woman need?” I was puzzled by the question and replied with “What are you talking about?”

As the marvels of modern technology allow, he pressed the reverse button on the DVR remote and showed me exactly what had prompted his question. Behind the action in that scene, the visible wall inside the closet was lined floor to ceiling with shelves that held said woman’s impressive collection of shoes. In the background pattern made by the shelves and shoes, the grouping of three pairs of red pumps on an upper shelf had stood out to my husband as unusual.

As my attention narrowed in on the origin of his question, I realized that when I first viewed this scene, I had pondered on the merits of having one’s shoes openly displayed on shelves versus storing them in labeled boxes as I like to do. I, then, quickly recognized that, except for the color and apparent heel height of the shoes, to my eyes each of the pairs was distinctly different. One was open-toed, one was patent leather with a strap, and the third appeared to be suede. Not only did I recognize these differences between the pairs of shoes, but I could also visualize the different styles of clothing that would be worn with each. Then my husband again asked his question, “How many pairs of red shoes does a woman need?”.  I paused briefly for dramatic effect and then replied sweetly, “I don’t understand the question”.

2015: how it started …

2025: how it’s going

In the rest of that post, I Don’t Understand The Question, I share about the closet set-up I had at the time (and I sorely miss it). As you can see from the photos above, I still have a fondness for red shoes. Who am I kidding? I have a fondness, nay, obsession, with all shoes. Look closely, and you can see that I still have one of the three pairs shown in the 2015 photo. The other two have since been donated and four have taken their place. So much for the one-in-one-out rule of closet management.

As I head into year eleven, I’m not making any big declarations or dramatic changes. Although behind the scenes, I’ve been working on a few technical tweaks and improvements to give the blog a little glow-up in honor of my 10th blogiversary. What I know is that I still have things to say, moments to share, and ideas to explore. I may not always post on a perfect schedule, but I’m not going anywhere.

I plan to keep on writing and sharing about what’s been on my mind lately, whether it’s style, aging, creative outlets, and anything else that “tickles my fancy”. I’m giving myself permission to stay curious, to follow what feels interesting, and to try new things even if they don’t fit neatly into a category. After all, that’s part of what’s kept this space alive for so long.

Mostly, I’m just grateful. For the words, the readers, and the way this blog continues to evolve right along with me. However the next year unfolds, I’m glad to be here and even gladder that you’re here, too.

Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, follow, friend, pin … there are several options available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Photo credit: MMPerez

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