Hello 2023! Thanks for dropping by and welcome to my 2022 blog recap of the year’s highlights here on Boomer Eco Crusader. I’ll recap the top 10 blog posts from 2022 that I’m most proud of, along with the most popular posts of the year. Plus, a sneak peek at what’s to come in 2023.
Before I go any further, I wish you all a very Happy New Year. We all need to pat ourselves on the back for making it through another year of global turmoil and general chaos. My wish for all of you is a 2023 filled with hope, peace, good health, and joy.
And now, on to the 2022 blog recap…
Blogging highlights of 2022
All-in-all, 2022 was another successful year for Boomer Eco Crusader. For me, blogging is a hobby and passion project, so I avoid setting any specific goals other than putting out quality content that I enjoy writing. Here are some of the highlights of the year:
- I posted every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday in 2022, for a total of 144 new posts. Plus, I republished 11 older posts.
- After a slow start to the year in terms of traffic, I ended the year with a 15% increase in views over 2021. And the number of blog followers increased by 20%.
- Even more interesting than the numbers is how the traffic finds my blog. Pinterest is my number one referrer, followed by WordPress (Thank you WordPress community!) and search engines.
- Boomer Eco Crusader is truly global. The top five countries my visitors come from are the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and Australia. What really amazes me, though, is I had visitors from 160 countries during the year as shown by the blue areas on the map below. Wow!
It was a slower year in 2022 in terms of blogging collaborations, but there were a few opportunities:
- In January, my blog was featured in Redfin’s post-holiday decluttering roundup.
- My blogging pal Jen from Bosssy Babe featured me in her June Blogger Spotlight.
- Finally, I was excited to join forces with several talented members of the blogging community to launch the Climate Change Collective in August. This monthly series will continue in 2023.
My most popular posts of 2022
Now that I’m in my fourth year of blogging, I find it so rewarding to see my posts get traffic months, or even years, after I published them. This year, seven of my top ten posts with the most views were from previous years.
Here’s the top ten list. The year the post was originally published is in brackets.
- Easy 4-ingredient DIY toilet cleaner…that works! (2020)
- The complete list of 123 stocking stuffers for adults (2020)
- 25 easy ways to have fun at work today (2022)
- 52-week decluttering challenge – Free printable (2021)
- Life lessons we can learn from ducks (2020)
- Orange Shirt Day “The truth is not yet fully told” (2021)
- Every day is Earth Day – Green living tips to inspire you (2021)
- Decluttering challenge 1 – Under the kitchen sink – Free printable (2021)
- Retire retirement! Plan your best years now! (2022)
- 10 fabulous 30-minute YouTube workouts you’ll love (2022)
My best posts of 2022
But views are only part of the story. Sometimes the posts I’m especially proud of don’t get many views but they contain an important message that I wanted the world to hear. Here, in no particular order, are ten of my favourites from 2022.
- Climate Change Collective – How climate change impacts your health…and your wallet
- 25 easy ways to have fun at work today
- Understanding the Diderot Effect can simplify your life
- 12 practical ways to find your motivation to declutter
- Retire retirement! Plan your best years now!
And my favourite posts from the Simple Living Sunday series:
- Being truly authentic
- Owning our privilege
- Step aside FOMO! Make room for JOMO!
- The written word will live on
- Get started on finding your Ikigai (Ikigai = your life’s purpose)
Let’s keep in touch! Join my mailing list and I’ll email you when I add a new post.
Looking ahead to 2023
As we start a new year, here’s a look at what’s in store here on Boomer Eco Crusader in 2023.
- Look for new posts twice a week on Sunday and Tuesday. Plus, I will be updating and refreshing posts from 2020. Each month, I will highlight a couple of my favourite older posts in a Throwback Thursday post.
- After a year of Simple Living Sundays, my Sunday posts will take on a new format. I’ll share details on that next week.
- The Climate Change Collective will continue its monthly posts to keep this important issue top of mind. If you’d like to join our collective to spread this message further, please get in touch.
- My monthly roundup of favourite blog posts will get a bit of a makeover. In addition to featuring awesome blog posts from some of my favourite bloggers, I will use that post for an update on my monthly goals.
A sincere thank you for reading in 2022 and Happy New Year to you all. Here’s to starting a fresh page for 2023…
Wasn’t aware that you were posting three times a week. That’s crazy awesome. I’ve always thought about upping my schedule (currently once a week), but am too chicken to commit 😛
Two a week is tough too, but you already have ample practice, so I’m wishing you all the best with your goals for 2023, Michelle!
Yes, I fell into a routine of posting three times a week during the pandemic when I wasn’t singing, and then kept it up throughout 2022. Between singing and some professional commitments, I have a lot going on this year so it’s time to scale it back a bit.
Thanks, as always, for dropping by Stuart!
Happy New Year Michelle! Also, CONGRATULATIONS on going Global! Inspiring and motivating collaboration of great ideas and suggestions you provided. Much success to you for 2023, The Year of the Rabbit!
Thanks Lorraine! Happy New Year to you too!
I really enjoyed your recap, Michelle! And it inspired me to go check out some of our stats too. It’s interesting to see. Would you be okay with me writing a similar recap for our blog and linking to you as our inspiration?
Thank you. I’m not one to obsess over stats, but it’s always interesting to see which posts do well and where the traffic comes from. Yes, feel free to do your own post and link to mine.
Thanks Michelle! 😊
Loved this end of year update, as it is so fun to see what posts did well and what posts we loved writing, as well as reflect on the progress we saw over the course of the year. Happy new year and may the words flow!
Thanks so much Jaya. Happy New Year to you too!
You have seen great progress and your writing is always of a high quality. I am so grateful to have the chance to work with you on the Climate Change Collective.
Thank you Jamie. I’m glad we have the opportunity to work together on the Climate Change Collective, too!