Happy Blog-a-versary Weight Off My Shoulders!
/Happy Blog-a-versary to mmmeeeee
Happy Blog-a-vesary to mmmeeeeeeeee
Happy Blog-a-versary to Weight Off My Shouldersssssss
Happy Blog-a-versary to @IrishEyes1982!!!!!!!!
I am in total shock right now. Very rarely do I end up speechless, but this may be one of those times!
Where oh where has the time gone?
On May 26, 2011, I nervously penned the first-ever blog post on Weight Off My Shoulders. I had no idea what blogging entailed or what role blogging would play in my life. I just knew at that time I needed help... and this was my next step!
As I've already stated I'm speechless. You can all wipe that shocked look off your face. ;)
I'm having a hard time putting into words how much Weight Off My Shoulders has impacted my life and the amazing opportunities I've had because of this little slice of the internet.
While some blog readers (still amazing you are out there :)), write to me to say I motivate them - it is really YOU that inspire and drive me to be a better person!
I've shared pieces of my life - especially the struggles - that I thought would forever lay buried in the deep dark caverns of my brain. This space allowed me to release those and not feel alone or judged. That judgement free zone is the atmosphere I wanted to create through the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media platforms.
My minuscule comfort zone has expanded to the size of a hot air balloon because of the support and motivation I have received in the online community. I would never have imagined being the person tackling a multi-race weekend let alone the Dopey Challenge, a Half Ironman or my first ultra marathon last year. But knowing you were all in my corner allowed me to dip my toe, then my foot then my leg into the nervous unknown waters.
Weight Off My Shoulders has given me a platform to share causes near and dear to my heart, especially Stroke Awareness. With the help of friends, family and this community, I have been able to raise over $35k to #FightStroke and complete five marathons with Tedy's Team in honor of my Stroke Heroes! The generosity of readers here and your joy of taking part in my virtual races is amazing and soo sooo soooo appreciated!
What's to happen next? No one knows. But I will continue sharing my journey and helping you all with yours however I can!
Oh and let's not forget the selfies... :)
The friends I have met through blogging are some of the kindest and supportive people I have ever met... or have NOT met in person. ;)
Who knew you could find people that totally get you all over the world through social media? But now I have. Some of my closest people are folks I have found thanks to the interwebs and this blog.
The best thing about these people? Is being able to reach out at any time of day knowing there is someone on the other end who "gets it" and "gets me!"
While every blog post has a different meaning to me, I opted to share my Top Five (in no particular order):
^ Emotions - where I shared that it's okay NOT to be okay
^ How To Get A Race Crowd On Your Side - tips to get those amazing spectators/random strangers to cheer for YOU
^ The Aftermath of Marathon Monday - the thoughts surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing
^ Well That Happened - the day I finally tried on a bikini and shared the pic publicly
^ How To Take The Perfect Mid-Run Selfie - I don't know much, but I know how to snap a mid-run selfie and post it... safely!
I really cannot thank you all enough for making Weight Off My Shoulders what it is today!!! Here's to the next 6 years... :)
