Blog Awards Season & Disappointment
I’m in two minds about whether to write this blog post. I may not even publish it. But last year Amy from Mr. and Mrs. T Makes Three wrote a blog post about it and it resonated with me so I thought I would get down my thoughts.
It’s blog awards season, The Mads Awards and The BIBS awards have both published their shortlists. Some of my close blogging friends have been shortlisted and I am honestly and truly delighted for them, as it is well deserved. So a big shout out to Franca from A Moment with Franca, Angela from Days in Bed, Donna from What the Redhead Said, Susan from SusanKMann and Becky from Cuddle Fairy. I also want to give a special mention to Stevie from A Cornish Mum, her blog is fab and it’s hard to believe she has only been blogging for a year as have three of the ladies mentioned above. You all have my vote!
But here’s the thing, I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t say that I was hoping to be among them. Quite frankly, I don’t think there’s a blogger out there that wouldn’t want to be. Blogging is very much a labour of love. If you don’t run a blog, you probably don’t know the amount of time goes into it. Pretty much every single day I do something on the blog. Writing, commenting, editing photos, liaising and replying to email and contacts. I do it because I genuinely love it. But I have found it, like you have to do to be successful in everything in life, you have to put the time in.
This week I have felt disappointment. Of course I have, I would love to have a pretty badge and be able to share my delight with you at being shortlisted. More than that though it is a recognition for the work and love that I do put in. But it wasn’t meant to be. I had that moment when I looked at the people shortlisted and felt gutted. It lasted a good day, with me mulling over something that I cannot change. Then I took a breath and gave myself a talking to.
I have decided to make May all about gratitude, so I have decided instead to focus on all the things that makes me happy about my blog instead of dwelling on the disappointment.
- I love to write. Always have since I was little girl when I started writing stories and illustrating them. My blog gives me an outlet to write about and also catalogue my family’s life for the future.
- I have made such fantastic friends and this is something I didn’t realise would happen when I started blogging again. Several of whom I have gone on to meet in real life and I hope to again in the future.
- My blog has given my family and I such fantastic opportunities. Just over a week ago a holiday to Nice, last year a holiday to Bluestone and of course some super lovely handbags! I never thought I would earn an income from it, but I am starting to now and I am proud of it.
- I love the visual and creative side of it too. I love for my blog to look pretty and tweaking the design and layout to make it look how I want it to look.
- I am touched from emails from literally around the world with people that have been in particular touched by my infertility journey, and a woman who wanted my opinion on whether she should have her nose pierced on not (she did and sent me the photo afterwards to prove it), every single one of these emails mean so much to me.
- I enjoy having a focus for me outside of being a Mum. Something that is mine, that is helping me learn and grow. But also something my family can be involved with too.
There are over 10,000 parenting blogs currently listed in the Tots100. It is filled with lots of fantastic and dedicated bloggers. It would be impossible for everyone to be nominated or win an award. Impossible even. There are many people who are hugely successful who have never won an award, it doesn’t mean they aren’t successful. Success can be viewed in lots of ways, if you’re feeling disappointed, pause and take a moment to reflect what you have achieved and be proud.
Great post Laura. I wish there were more awards or, at least, that you could nominate more than one. Choosing just one blog out of the many I read for each category is just so hard! x
Great post I am glad you are starting a month of gratitude though, what a lovely idea. I will be honest and say that I was not at all bothered this year as I didn’t put myself forward and ask my readers for votes and never expected an award as I personally don’t feel my blog is good enough for awards at the moment , as I am not happy with it myself. I was gutted last year when I failed to get nominated for a local award though , as I thought I had a chance in those compared to other parenting blogs where I live & it wasn’t a nice feeling at all xx
A good post Laura! I felt similar when I saw the mad blog results but then I felt I had no chance against so many thousands and then I was humbled and surprised to be shortlisted for the Bibs. I did vote you for blog of the year though and I personally love every post you write! It’s top quality and I agree it is bitter and sweet. I’m not expecting to get further than the shortlist although I can hope but when the results come through there is. 9/10 chance I will feel disappointed. Keep at it! There are so many lovely acheivements we do as bloggers and an award as amazing as it is… Does not define us! It’s like being at high school when I tried so hard to get a scholarship and I have better grades than some who won them but it was a judging panel and votes and I missed out! I totally understand the feeling! Let’s hope you get some more handbags to review soon! 🙂 Ang xxx
I think it is completely natural to feel that way, everyone had that tiny little bit of hope, even if they said they expected nothing! (Including myself there!)
Well done Laura for choosing to publish this. We are get a case of the green eye monster, and if we say we don’t, then we are flat out lying!! Glad I came across your blog, and will now enjoy a lil binge of your other contents. Xx
http://www.lauralivinglife.com
Lovely post, its nice to see newbies and bloggers who genuinely deserve it get nominated, it can be hard. I honestly didn’t realise it was nominations time but then I don’t put as much time into my blog, I do it form me and everything else is a bonus.
You should be proud of your blog is is lovely and remember why you do it. You have taken a good outlook on it though. An award doesn’t make your blog better or worse, your blog is so personal it is often just about who is better at promoting or has friends who network better. Blogging is so subjective you are winning by having followers every month who love to read your posts x x x x
This is a lovely post, Laura. Your blog definitely deserves to be recognized. You are a fantastic writer & I always enjoy reading your posts. I know how hard you work & I hope next year you get recognized in the awards. It’s a shame that there aren’t more categories or opportunities for recognition because as you said, there are so many fabulous blogs out there! x
I love this post Laura! It is honest and real!! You are an amazing writing. I love all your posts. They are so engaging and always you write from the heart which is the most important part. I really wanted to see you shortlisted. As you know, I voted for you for both awards. It is a shame there are not more categories. I really hope you get shortlisted next year! Thank you so much for all your support. You are a really good friend! 🙂 xx
I love this post and I know many will relate to it too. Good for you for being honest and I love the idea of turning it around to show gratitude. Fab! xx
This is the post many of us could have written this last week! Although you gave turned it in to something positive, good on you Laura. If I had written a post it would have been titled ‘My blog is rubbish’ – negative, yes. Honest, yes! Guess a step back and rethink isn’t a bad thing… I’m amazed you weren’t in the lists, always been one of my faves.
X MMT
This is my third year of blogging and I may be wrong but I honestly think-if you don’t get nominated the first year you never will. I too felt disappointed the last 2 years but this year, I voted for my favourites, knowing full well I wouldn’t be picked and I haven’t felt one bit of disappointment. I love my blog and I am happy with it, as are my readers.
It’s nice to win awards but not everything xx
Awards are a tricky thing aren’t they, is never really experienced blog award season before it has been eye opening! I think we have all had that moment of thinking could it be me?! Your blog is amazing and I think having readers who love your posts is an award in itself! (And I’ll know who to come to for piercing advice!)
I completely understand where you are coming from, it is nice to see other people are recognising something that you put so much time, effort and love into. I think you did the right thing to publish this. You have been honest, and I respect honest bloggers so much. Hopefully next year, you definitely deserve it 🙂 xx