I have to be completely honest, I didn’t think I would.

When I first had the idea to do this 30-day blogging challenge, my head-wrecking self-doubting inner voice scoffed at me: “You won’t stick to this. You’ll be lucky to get half way.”

IN YOUR FACE INNER VOICE!

For the past 30 days I have posted a blog every single day. And as the wise Kelly Exeter predicted, it has been good for me.

It taught me to let go with my writing. To not waste time, to quit staring at the keyboard wondering “How can I make this my best piece ever?” I just bashed out whatever came into my head and it felt good.

It taught me to not dwell on the crap posts. In an effort to fit in my daily post alongside work and the usual chaos of my life, there were definitely some crap posts. But I resisted the urge to beat myself up over them and just moved on to the next one. Letting go can be so liberating. (Mental note: must learn to let go of things more often.)

It taught me that finding time to write is not as hard as I always thought it would be. There will always be time, somewhere; tucked in between my business, the school runs, the client meetings. If you really want to write, you will find time.

It taught me that self doubt can a killer and there is nothing better than kicking that nasty little wench out the door and into the cold of the night. She ‘aint welcome round here no more.

But this challenge also opened a door. To an old friend. I can’t tell you the last time I saw Elle (Mummyfried) in person. It must be nearly 15 years? Sure there has been the occasional Facebook chatter, but I was so delighted when she decided to join the challenge. I have loved reading her posts. The insight to her life in Greece. Her beautiful little family. I hope we get to catch up in person one day soon.

It also brought me closer to the brilliant writing of Emma on emmasbrain. Her written voice is so clear. Her personality so strong. I envy her wit and seemingly effortless humour. I always knew she was a talented blogger, but visiting her blog every day has been so entertaining. She won’t like me writing this and probably won’t believe me, but she really is an inspiration.

This 30-day blogging challenge really has reminded me how much I enjoy writing. It has given me a gentle shove to sit in front of my keyboard more often for my own selfish reasons.

Thank you to the friends and strangers who have read my posts every day. Thank you for your encouragement, your comments and for putting up with those crap posts. And to Busy-And-Important-Husband who never once complained when I disappeared into the office leaving him to deal with the chaos that comes with our two little people. Or for the evenings I abandoned him for my blog (although it may be a challenge for me to regain control of that television remote).

Thank you ball boys. Thank you lines men. Thank you to the Academy.

30-day blogging challenge…my work here is done.

You may not see me here tomorrow, but I will be back. Soon.

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