Sunday, January 2, 2011

Nana Celebrates the 1st Anniversary of Benchmark 60


One year ago I made a resolution to blog for at least three months.  Last week marked the one year anniversary of my blog!  You can read my pathetic first post here. 

I started to blog to give myself something to do in retirement and to document that journey.  It has been a year of blogging and this is what I've learned:
  • I still don't know what I'm supposed to be doing in retirement, but it doesn't bother me much anymore.  I'm content puttering around the house, traveling occasionally, and substituting infrequently.
  • Just because I have more free time in retirement doesn't mean that I am any more productive.  It just takes me twice as long to get anything done and I have lost the skill of multi-tasking.
  • I have made new friends in blog world and my cyber-friends feel as real to me as my other friends.
  • I've stopped worrying about maintaining a theme in my blogs and just write what I want to write about.
  • The blog has given me new eyes.  I find myself constantly searching for blogable content.
  • I feel connected to other bloggers and I have been surprised to have so much in common with others, especially other women my age. 
  • I find it easier to express myself in writing than in person.  Even though I know that I am not really anonymous, it's sort of like talking in the dark...easier to get my feelings out because I can't see you.
It has been a year of learning and I haven't even considered not continuing to blog.  I am grateful to all of you who have followed, friended, and read my blog.  I look forward to the next year.  Thanks to all of you for your support.

Jann aka Nana

13 comments:

  1. I like your first blog. You were curious and willing to try something new. I have also been surprised atnthe friendships developed online.

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  2. That first post set a great tone for your blog.
    I so agree with all your bullet points. Except the ones about retirement since I'm still working. Soon, oh Lord, soon...
    I like writing about whatever seems to offer itself as a subject. If we're blogging to please ourselves, which I think you and I both are, how else to do it?
    ...which is NOT to say that we don't just purr when we get comments....right?

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  3. This is YOUR popsicle stand. You get do whatever you want here. Maybe you'll turn it into a pizza stand.

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  4. Jann, your blog is definitely a pleasure to read. Even the first one, when I wasn't following you yet. Have you finished that shampoo bottle yet?? And congratulations on a year of blogging, you are just getting started, finding your own voice! I look forward to a new year with you.

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  5. Happy Birthday!!!!! to Benchmark 60

    Glad I was able to find it and read it during it's First Year.

    Looking forward to Reading more and Hoping to Help Celebrate more Birthdays.

    Danny
    Anything at Anytime

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  6. I love looking "first posts." When we do our first post, we have no idea what we are in for, or talking about. I'm glad to see you are able to remain retired. That is not something that everyone is able to do these days.

    Here's to a happy and healthy 2011 for us all!

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  7. Here's to blogging, blogger friends, new adventures, new friends, and a new year! i always look forward to reading your blog. I am amazed at your journey into retirement and a new venture. Keep going girl.

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  8. Congratulations! Your toughest part is over! Enjoy the journey.

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  9. Reading you lessons learned I realised that I have learned similar things. I find it so much easier to share with my blog and do feel connected to the people I've cyber met.

    Happy New Year and Happy Bloggy Birthday

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  10. Congrats!! So glad you are hanging around!

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  11. So excited to read you're going to stick with blogging Jann, I've really enjoyed getting to know you over these past few months (virtually speaking of course). I think there's something about connecting online that does allow for opening up more because there's no pressure. No one cares what you're wearing or how your breath smells and you get to say exactly what you mean in the way you want to say it without interference. Looking forward to reading more of yours this new year & happy blogaversary :-)

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  12. Happy first blogiversary! I love your blog, so I hope I live long enough to read on your tenth blogiversary.

    LOL, I get a kick out of your "Live Traffic Feed". I guess I'm coming from Ash Fork, AZ.....I've never heard of the place!

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  13. Congrats on your first year. This is one of my favorite places to visit, so I'm really glad you're sticking around.

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