That came around fast. Yesterday marked three years since I posted my very first thought on here. It was a confession of why I blog, and my reasons haven’t changed much.
I’m still just as shocked now when I get a view or follower as I was on that very first day when I had just one follow.
I’m also just as apprehensive when clicking that publish button, sending my words out there for any individual in the world to read. I’m possibly more nervous because I have regulars now, people that come back for more, who I don’t want to disappoint.
It makes me feel weird when I’m with someone at the time they read my words, like it’s a private thing but it’s not because the whole world can be there. I’ve had my words read in China, Malta, Cyprus and Australia, to name a few. Places I’ll never get to visit. My blog has been.
I’ve realised you can’t write everything and not everything needs to be said. Sometimes it’s the things you didn’t expect to be interesting that are.
The best part of blogging is the community. There are millions of us out there but not that many stick with it.
Its not the amount of readers that matters. The right reader is what’s important. Definitely a case of quality over quantity.
When friends say ‘that will be in the blog’, ‘there’ll be a blog about this’ it feels weird, like I’m now known as the blogger. To them more than me.
They take photos for me. Sometimes even when I’m not there! Like they are my blogging gang. I like that.
I want my focus on access to be even more.
I want ramps everywhere and step free access. I want lifts that work and that I can actually fit into. I don’t want a storage cupboard for a toilet. I don’t want to go in the back door or the side entrance. I don’t want to ask permission before I enter a building. I want to go somewhere without thinking. I want to sit at a gig equally with all of my friends and family. Not at the back either, at the front. I don’t want to be an afterthought, an inconvenience, somebody that has to constantly complain. I want to be spontaneous. I want to arrive unnoticed. I don’t want a fuss. I want an accessible hotel room that isn’t tiny because the wet room is huge. I want to go on a plane. I want to catch the bus without hoping that I’m the only one with wheels. I don’t want to sit at the front in the cinema. I don’t want people to ask if I have a license for that thing. I want to be asked what I want. I don’t want to inspire.
Maybe after the next three years I won’t need to want these things. Maybe they’ll just be.
I’m doubtful.
August is SMA awareness over in The States. At the end of this month I aim to write a post answering some of your questions. I’m fairly aware of SMA, but there are things I don’t even think of anymore, and probably don’t explain very well.
Please comment below, on social media or drop me a message with your questions, about me, SMA, or anything really!
And thanks for sticking around.
Hi congratulations! Keep on writing to inspire people!
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I loved this post.I long for spontaneity. I long to be inconspicuous. Please keep writing.
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Thank you! Writing is my aim. Oh to be inconspicuous…
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That would be nice – if all our accessibility posts became no longer necessary because accessibility was just a normal part of everyday life.In some areas we’ve come a long way, but there is still so much to do!
Congratulations on 3 years of blogging and I look forward to many more posts from you.
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Thanks Kirsty!
I wonder what I would write if all accessibility issues were solved?! Maybe I’ll have never started writing at all. A silver lining to everything eh.
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Congrats on turning 3!!! I look forward to reading more from you!
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Happy Blogaversary! I love your blog. I really hope that in three years time, your wish list doesn’t need to be so long. Keep writing.
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I hope so too, things are changing slowly. Let’s hope I’m still writing in three years time!
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Congratulations Gemma on three years, I will be one year in October. Blogging is truly a great community and I always enjoy reading your words.
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Thank you. It still feels like I’m new, but also like I’ve never not blogged.
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Happy Anniversary! So happy to be what I consider one of your blogging tribe. To continuing to get awareness out and educating the rest of us!
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And a great tribe they are 😀
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Congratulations! That’s a huge achievement (coming from someone green with envy, who keeps reluctantly stopping and starting her own blog 😉)!
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Thank you. I go through periods where I blog less or more. But at least we’re all here when the words do come!
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Wooohoooo! You’re an absolute gem in the blogging world, and you’re achieving so much to be proud of. I’m very glad to have ‘met’ you in the blogging world. Congrats on the 3 amazing years! Here’s to lots more happy blogging 😊
Caz xx
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Thank you Caz! Ha, gem, I like it 😉
So glad to have met you too.
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Congrats Gemma, it’s always great to pop by and see how your are going and what you’re writing about! I agree with the reasons for blogging and the best bit being the community around us! Stick with it, you’ve got millions of words left to share 🙂
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Even though sometimes it may feel I have no words, they always come eventually! Thanks for sticking around.
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Three years – wow! I’m coming up to two years next month. You’re so right about how supportive the blogging community is and my friends are the same – they don’t mind me taking pics of food when we go out.
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Often my friends are the ones that remind me! Congratulations on two years yourself. It goes so fast.
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