September is here, officially signalling the last quarter of 2015. Time flies when you’re having fun, they say. Is that why I find time going so fast for the past few years? Or perhaps, it’s just one more thing that happens to you in midlife?
I’m challenging myself this September. An extension of the promise I made to myself at the start of the year to dare greatly. Emotionally, I know I’ve succeeded in daring greatly this year. There are other aspects of my life that I still need to work on – my health and my writing and blogging.
Last month, I dared to do some blood work that I have been avoiding for a while now. Surprisingly, despite my best efforts to be unhealthy, the results were good!! I got lucky – but I don’t want to push my luck any more. This month, I hope to walk at least five times a week and make better choices with food and snacks.
My Morning Page practice has suffered in the last few months. I write intermittently. It is as if I am afraid to get in touch with certain parts of me that I know this practice will bring to the fore. This month I will dare to show up every day and write those three pages.
“The willingness to show up changes us. It makes us a little braver each time.”
― Brené Brown
Last month, I attempted to go back to blogging basics. To focus on writing, answering comments and commenting on a lot of other blogs. What a joy! I wondered, why I had moved away from it.
I was happy to turn down a couple of sponsored posts that I felt called me to compromise on my writing. I will continue doing sponsored posts, but will not allow the sponsor to dictate to me, as they attempted to do. I have decided to be very careful about the companies I link to. One client want a post that required me to recommend their mutual fund services. When the Indian market crashed the week after I turned down their post, I breathed a sigh of relief.
I am repledging myself to be vulnerable and authentic in my blogging. Just yesterday, I came across this post that spoke very loudly to me.
I’ve always liked the concept behind blogging. The opportunity to share ideas with people in a free online space, and to build community and relationship with my readers up close.
But what I love about blogging – and what I and many others have forgotten at times – is it gives us the opportunity to be brutally honest and authentic with our readers. At it’s best, it should be a space we can develop and share ideas honestly, even with their sharp edges. A place to explore and refine ideas.
This is how blogging began. And despite all the platform building voices we hear nowadays, the best blogs are ones where this still happens. ~ James Prescott
My attempt to stick to a blogging challenge last month, didn’t happen, so I decided to create the September Blogging Challenge here.
We start today with simple guidelines:
- Commit to writing 5 posts a week.
- Add you link to the linky on my post for the day.
- Comment on my post and 2 other posts linked before yours. If you are the first person to link, then visit the previous day’s post and comment on the last 2 blogs linked there.
- Do share the posts you’ve visited on social media using the hashtag #septemberchallenge.
- Reach out to me if you need any assistance.
- Use the button below (optional) in your posts to indicate your participation.
As promised, I have set up a page with Blog Hops and Writings prompts. I’ve also set up your blogs – those that I could find feed urls for – to autotweet your posts every day.
If you’re blogging for 30 days, then do consider these three challenges too:
- Sarah Arrow’s 30 Day Blogging Challenge.
- BlogHer’s September NaBloPoMo.
- The 2015 #blogtemperchallenge. Thanks for bringing it to my notice, Sanch Vee.
Most of all, enjoy writing, connecting and sharing!
What a wonderful challenge and resources you have created and gathered, Corinne! I had set my post for 3:30 am (eastern US) time, but when I got notice of your post, I had to go ahead and post mine right away so I could link it up! I am excited for this month!
Lovely to have you in as well, Luann! Looking forward to this month. 🙂
Seems intimidating as I am not sure if I can complete this challenge, but thanks for inspiring Corinne. Would love to be positive and try to complete this challenge 🙂
Yes, I’m certain you can, Mahathi. Just schedule one day ahead and you’re set. 🙂
All the best Corrine with the challenge…I wish I could have taken this up too but my health doesn’t permit..Maybe in the coming months eh?
And I love it that you are trying to be more mindful of the things you do, of your choices..I try too at times, then forget and then again start all over again…But I guess as long as I remember to start again, it is okay…What do you say?
I completely understand, Nabanita. Do take care of yourself!
And please, I’m not a poster woman for sticking to something either! But like you said there’s no harm in trying again and again, is there? 🙂
I am happy that you are trying your best to pull things together. I’m doing that myself these days. With my husband gone for two years for his next posting, leaving me behind as I chose to continue with my work, I’m trying ways to motivate myself to write and do things I love most. Once again, thanks for bringing up this challenge. I love the quote you mentioned here. Apt- a lil’ braver each time!
See you tomorrow, Corinne!
Hi, well I’m not committing to any blogging challenges right now, although I absolutely love Sarah Arrow’s 30 day blogging challenge and I’ve completed it 3 times now. The 3rd time on two separate blogs at the same time.Each time learning more and more, yes about blogging, but also about myself. The challenges really pushed me. September is already looking pretty full on, So I’ll be focusing on a few longer posts this month as and when they get done. I just wanted to drop by and show my support as you start your September blogging challenge.
Hi Corinne – just linked up my first blog post for the challenge. I love that you are inspiring us all as you get yourself back into the swing of things – looking forward to reading lots of new posts this month! ~ Leanne
Well done, Leanne. Looking forward to reading your posts too.
Two months after swearing off all blog challenges, here I am in a blogging challenge. We’ll see how I do. I also promise to be vulnerable and authentic. Thank you for taking this time to host the challenge – and I know it takes a lot of time.
It’s an addiction, Alana.
Thank you for joining in. I always find your posts authentic!
I really like Brene Brown…I’m currently reading her ‘Daring Greatly’ book and have also just received her latest book.
I think it’s great going back to basics…I have been slack on replying to comments on my blog. Hoping once I finish uni at the end of October, I can focus more on the blog and writing in general.
I’m in the middle of re-reading ‘Daring Greatly’ and hoping to get my hands on her latest soon, Sanch.
Hope your course is going well!
Hi Corinne nice challenge for September, unfortunately I will have to support you from the sidelines for this one, September is a busy month, but i will keep dropping by to help with comments
Thanks, Mike.
I know you’ll be busy this month what with your book launch and all! Good luck with it all.
Thanks for hosting this Corrine… and all the best for your own challenge. I have attempted challenges in the past but gave up because I could not complete them. After I read your post, I was like, what the heck…! Let me sign up… will see what happens. So I did 😛
So thank you for pushing me too 🙂
Thanks, Anks. Like I say, we’re all in this together. And it’s only 25 posts! 😛
My enthusiasm for blogging has been quite low lately so glad you started this challenge.
Hope it gets you back in the groove, Suzy!
Finally..!! I am here.. on your blog.. and commenting.. I am so sorry for not being able to pay a visit. I really wanted to though.. All the very best for the September challenge.. I’m sure you’ll be able to complete this one..
You are really an enthusiast..!!
Keep up your spirits Corrine..
Cheers
Ha! I was on your blog while you were on mine, Geetika. Good luck to you too!
Yay! 1st post up! I’m excited. I CAN do this! 😀 And I too am making a pledge to kick it old school and get back to my fun blogging roots!
Good luck with all of your challenges, Corinne! The “get healthy” issue is a constant struggle for me too. I admire all of you who manage to do multiple, long-term blogging challenges throughout the year. (April A-Z is all I can handle.) Best wishes and happy blogging!
Unfortunately I didn’t make the cut off for your challenge, but doing NaBloPoMo anyways. So back to basics for me too. I had taken the summer away from blogging more or less (only a post once or twice a week). Now that the kids are back to school I have decided to get back to basics. See ya around the blogosphere! ♥
Showing up is the most important part! Big advantage writing in advance and scheduling the posts. Some day I will, too! 🙂 Until then, will simply write on the fly.
Cheers to September blogging!
Ah you do the writing on the fly bit so beautifully! 🙂
I can see so many intimidated by the thought of 5 posts a week and I wonder “Can I do it myself?”
I don’t know but I really do wanna try. I know I have a few ideas and this month, I do want to showcase some of my mom’s work over the last year (besides give some competition to food bloggers 😀 )
Anyway, here’s to day 1… 🙂 All the best to both of us.
I know the type of posts you’ve chosen to write take a lot of background work, Roshan. Loved your first post and I’m sure your Mom would be thrilled too.
You truly live up to your challenge of daring greatly. I love this blogging challenge and am so glad there are so many people participating.
Thank you, Astrid. You are a great example of someone who dares greatly – every day!
Thank you for initiating this wonderful challenge Corinne! Such challenges go a long way in building commitment towards one’s blog, something I am missing. Hoping to make a difference by the end of this September 🙂
You’re very welcome, Mukulika. You are right about the commitment and I love the connections too. I’m sure you’ll do great!
good luck and have fun with the challenge! I just started back to teaching as a part-time lecturer with a brand new class, so I can’t take part this time. Once I get in the groove of working again, perhaps I can take on a challenge. Great that you are hosting this Corrinne! I did the WordPress blogging U 101 this time last year by pure luck and went from 2 followers then to now 660!
Thanks, Terri. I used to be a lecturer too so I know just what that entails. All the best. I’m sure you’ll do great!
Love what you shared about the your followers growing during a challenge. The connections are what make a challenge fab!
See you next time! 🙂
This is such a lovely idea Corinne and I cannot resist participating even though September looks like a very busy month. But that’s exactly why I feel I must do this blogging challenge, lest my dearly loved blog is neglected. So, come what may, I’m in. I really love how you set yourself goals for the month in your writing.
This post could not have been timed better… Get, Set and Go…
That write tribe post at the start of the year about the resolution about writing and now this… keep inspiring! :).
I, too, have been working on morning pages this summer. I have found it adds purpose to my morning routine. Thank you for your blogging motivation and advice. I will try a few of your suggestions. I am just beginning this writing journey. It is challenging and scary all at the same time.
Hi, I am joining late, but thanks again for this great challenge. I also love that you linked to others. 🙂
You’re most welcome, Mary!
Hi Corinne! Wow! Good for you for taking on something to challenge yourself with 5 posts a week. I’m very happy with my one post a week so I won’t be joining in….BUT, I never have a problem doing my morning pages and have been doing them for 20+ years 5 days a week –so maybe those are my posts? At any rate I can see myself dropping my blog before I would ever let go of the benefit I get from doing those pages. Once they become both a habit AND a spiritual practice they become such a part of you that you can’t let go. Good luck getting started back with that and I look forward to seeing and reading all your posts throughout the month. ~Kathy
Good luck with your September challenges, Corinne. For me September always seems like a New Year…it always inspires new challenges and change. #midlifeluv
I was happy to read this post, dear Corinne, seems you have decided to follow your own dreams and wishes, and do what you want to do, and that is inspiring to read about. bit late for this challenge, but will pop by to visit blogs. Next time:-) Best of luck with it. Warmly, Eli
So good to see you back to blogging again, Eli! If this challenge goes well, we might do another one next month! 😉