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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

THANK YOU! No thank you.

I have been a crazy blogging lady for a few years now. Just tapping away doing my thing. I have blogged super good times and the worst of times and along the way I get many benefits. Super dooper friends, connections with the oddest of places, lovely gifts in the mail, the option to give away nifty prizes.

My grandma turns 90 soon and her eyes are not so good these last few months, she told me recently that she really misses reading my blog, and keeping up with what I am doing.

That’s what blogs are for, for telling your stories to people who want to read them. Actually, that needs a correction, that’s the benefit that I personally get from blogging. 

For the last few years I was lucky enough to be included in the Kidspot Top 50 blogs competition.  Nominated by readers, voted by readers.  It was really good for my stats. Kidspot is a huge, HUGE, website and when they include links to my blog I get lots of people clicking through. Brands clearly scroll through that list and decide to take the easy way out and just use the list as the blogs they will contact. The first year I was on the Kidspot Top 50 list I got so many emails I could barely keep up with replying. It was wonderful.

But last year, I didn’t really enjoy the competition so much. I didn’t feel like joining in all the writing competitions. There were so many nominations, extra categories, different prizes for different genres. There were master classes and functions to attend, goodie bags and special facebook groups to join. But I just didn’t feel that I ‘fit’ the competition. This was not about Kidspot, it was all about me. I just didn’t want to strive to win it. From the beginning I felt like a bit of a fraud. Kept waiting for the email to say, opps, sorry, wrong blogger. 

I received an email today telling me I have been nominated for the Kidspot Voices of 2014.





When you get that email it is kind of like when you are in school and you get picked first on a team. On the inside, you scream out a big fat YES! 

Getting the nomination email and knowing that someone else nominated you is a good feeling. It’s a bit addictive. Makes you forget all those moments last year when you thought you didn’t ‘fit’ this competition anymore.

But the truth is, I am not a fit for the Kidspot Voices of 2014 competition.

So this year, I would like to give the biggest of hugs and kisses and THANK YOUs to whoever nominated me. But in fairness to all, I will politely say no thank you.

To all those nominated, Good Luck! Enjoy the ride, the opportunities and the fun that comes with being a part of Voices 2014.


   

10 comments:

  1. Blaze your own trail. I completely understand where you're coming from. Beautifully articulated.

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  2. I agree Claire. It would be a thrill to be nominated, but it wouldn't be for me either. Each to their own, and kudos for you for sticking with your authenticity. x

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  3. Well said, Claire. While your blog fully deserves nomination I respect your choice to leave it at that. Love that you still have a grandparent around who loves your writing! I'm envious of that. Keep doing what you do so well. xx

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  4. Congratulations for the nomination and good on you for staying true to yourself.

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  5. Good for you. Totally respect where you are coming from. And congratulations anyway!

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  6. You are so humble Claire and honest. It is great :) Congrats on being nominated though lovely lady. xo

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  7. I second what Pip said - you are a generous, humble blogger - blazing a trail for the rest of us. I totally respect the nominees and the competition - I can't imagine how they choose winners amongst very talented finalists.

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  8. Amazing and very humbling. I've just started off on my journey as a mum blogger and I totally get this. You do it for yourself and no one else. That's what it's all about. For me, I already have my family as priority at my core. My blog is just a way to get my rants out so that i don't have to take it out on my family! lol

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  9. That is very gracious of you Claire, I've been reading you for a long time, haven't commented much (shame on me) but always admired your honesty. Maybe you could record yourself reading your posts and send them once a week to your grandma, that way she gets the best of both worlds, hearing you voice and listening to your words! Just a thought, have a happy week :)

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    1. Thanks Emily, I have considered this idea too. Vlogging was a thing there for a bit...maybe?

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