Two years ago today, I pressed publish on my first blog post. At the time, I had no idea what I was doing or if I’d be able to keep the blog going. Two years on, I can’t imagine life without this blog. It has been a lifeline and creative outlet during the pandemic when I desperately needed the distraction. To celebrate my 2nd blogiversary, I’m recapping the highlights of year 2 on Boomer Eco Crusader.
Highlights of year 2
It’s been a great year of growth for my blog. I won’t focus too much on stats, but my average number of monthly views jumped from around 400 in year one to just over 1,600 in year two. I never dreamed so many people would care enough to read my musings.
Numbers aside, here are some highlights of my second year.
- The Plastic Free July Challenge turned out to be more difficult than I expected, especially in pandemic times.
- In September, I hosted my first collaboration with a series of Eco-Friendly Blog Takeover posts.
- October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the second year, I did a series of posts on healthy living.
- To show appreciation for some of my favourite bloggers, in November I launched a monthly roundup of favourite blog posts from the previous month. It’s a post I look forward to publishing every month.
- December was my first Blogmas. 25 posts in 25 days! It was a lot of work but so much fun. I’m already planning to do it again this year.
- In January, I kicked-off the 52-Week Decluttering Challenge – a series of weekly posts that follow my personal decluttering journey. If you need to declutter, why don’t you join me?
- Inspired by the Decluttering Challenge, in May I launched a new collaboration – Clutter Tales. It’s a series where we tell the stories of our lives through our clutter. I love reading and sharing everyone’s posts.
- On July 1, search engines picked up my Canada Day reflection on the horrendous discoveries of bodies of Indigenous children on the sites of our former residential schools. I got over 600 views on that post in 24 hours. The funny thing is, I didn’t originally plan to write that post. I just sat down and started writing. Maybe I need to do more of that!
- I stuck with Pinterest and my persistence paid off. It’s now my number one source of blog traffic, thanks mainly to a single pin that has been doing the rounds since last August.
- And the learning continued. I became proficient with Canva, and used it to create some cool templates to give my blog a more consistent look. I also learned how to do anchor links, add a table of contents, and create forms and polls.
Let’s keep in touch! Join my mailing list and I’ll email you when I add a new post.
Collaborations and guest posts
As I engaged more with the blogging community, and made some great blogging friends, I was invited to participate in several collaborations. I love these collaborations because they force me outside of my comfort zone, and I end up writing things I wouldn’t otherwise write. Here are links to the collaborations I’ve participated in and guest posts I’ve written.
- 24 Christmas Wishes For Our World for T.B.C…
- Lessons in Loss – Losing My Hair for Smelly Socks and Garden Peas
- Seasons of Love for The Thoughtful Beggar
- Love At First … Song for T.B.C…
- Positive Ways to Encourage Others to Go Green for Jan On The Blog
- 7 Toxic Things You Need To Purge Today for Growing with Spawn
- Top Decluttering Questions Answered By A Fellow Declutterer for Happily Decluttered
- 10 Pieces of Life Advice from 10 Different Bloggers for Olivia Lucie Blake
Posts I’m most proud of
Sometimes, people ask me which of my blog posts are my favourite. It’s a tough question – kind of like asking a parent to name their favourite child.
I don’t really have a favourite, but there are some posts I’m especially proud of. They may not be my most popular posts in terms of views, but they’re subjects I’m passionate about. I think, as a group, they sum up what my blog is all about.
In case you missed them, here they are…
- How a breast self exam saved my life!
- 17 ways to be green on St Patrick’s Day
- Careers in skilled trades – not just for dummies!
- Top 10 parenting tips you need to know
- This Christmas, give experiences instead of things
- 10 years, 10 lessons – What cancer taught me about life
What’s next?
Year two has exceeded my expectations so I think I’ll keep going. I’m not sure what year 3 will bring but I’m sure it will be fun and exciting, and I know I’ll learn a lot.
A sincere thank you to every person who has read, shared, liked and commented on my posts. I am truly grateful for every one of you.
What would you like to see more of on my blog? Tell me below.
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Happy 2nd Blogiversary, Michelle! I’m so proud of you and your incredible blog! Two years already? Wow! Your posts are inspiring, informative, and interesting! Keep up the phenomenal work! Cher xoxoxo
Thanks so much Cher. As I’ve said before, you inspired it all!
Ah, thank you, Michelle!
Happy 2nd blogiversary & here’s to an amazing year 3!
That’s wonderful you’ve seen a growth in stats & that’s amazing Pinterest is your top source for blog traffic!
Thanks so much Karalee!
Woooohoooo – that’s an amazing milestone, and you certainly have a lot of hard work to be proud of!
🥳 HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY, Michelle! 🥳
Caz xxxx
Thanks so much Caz! I appreciate you reading and commenting.
Congratulations on two years! It is crazy to think you have only been blogging for two years. You are like a pro! I love your blog and I always look forward to reading your posts. Keep up the great work.😁
Thanks so much Suzanne. That really means a lot for you to say that. 😀
Happy 2nd Blogiversary! 🥳🥳 You’ve accomplished so much in the last year; it is incredible.
I wish you all the fun and excitement in year 3 of your blog; I can’t wait to see what you do! 🥂 I love your blog and all the environmental advice you have, along with your decluttering series. 😊
Thanks so much. I’m glad we connected this year. I really enjoy your blog too!
Happy second blogiversary, Michelle! May the words keep flowing and you continue to discover and expand upon what you enjoy writing about.
Thanks so much Jaya!
Woo hoo! Congratulations on 2 years! Keep doing what you’re doing 😍
Thank you!
Congratulations on your 2 year blog anniversary! I am particularly enjoying your 52 week decluttering challenge!
Thanks so much. I am glad to hear you’re enjoying the challenge. It has been fun to do.
Congrats on 2 years blogging!! I’m so glad I discovered your blog this year & can’t wait to see what else you have in store for us this year. I feel like summer is such a common time to start a blog.
Thanks very much. I started it because I was at a bit of a loose end after something else I was working on wrapped up. I am so glad I’ve had it to keep me busy during the pandemic.
Congratulations!!!
Thanks Bonnie!
Congratulations! You offer a lot of very helpful information. Keep it up!
Thanks Judy!
Congrats 👏
Thanks Maya!
Your welcome
Congratulations and happy blogiversary! I’ve enjoyed reading through your posts and learning new things. As well as decluttering right along with you each weekend! We’re just about ready to have a yard sale with all the stuff. 😮
Thanks Michelle. That’s fantastic to hear that you’re decluttering with me. I hope your garage sales is successful!
Congratulations 🎉 Just keep doing what you’re doing. Your blog has an important message for others.
Incidentally, Happy Birthday 🎁 🎉
Thanks Rachel! 💖 I always appreciate you reading and taking time to comment and share!
Genuinely a pleasure. 😀
Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary! 🙂
Thank you Jay-lyn!
Most welcome ☺