Top10 Blogs of 2024: Inspiration for Baby Boomers
Aside from looking back at last year’s memories – the ups and downs, achievements and disappointments – I usually check out my top 10 blogs.
It’s always enlightening and helps me provide blogs on subjects that interest my readers.
This year, the top 10 blogs of 2024 ran the gamut, from choosing the right Grandma name to running the Spartan Race after turning 60. From personal growth to retirement tips, these blogs prove that engaging content can make a lasting impact at any age.
But before I share my top 10 blogs, I want to give all of you who have visited Baby Boomer Bliss a BIG heartfelt thank you. I’m amazed and humbled that over 100,000 people have stopped by over the years.
Your time, support, and engagement mean the world to me. Whether you stopped by to read an article, share a kind word, or simply explore, your presence fuels my passion for creating content that inspires positivity and empowerment.
So without further ado, my top 10 performing blogs of the year offer plenty to explore.
Let’s take a look at what makes them shine and how they can inspire your journey. Enjoy!
Choosing a Fun and Modern Grandma Name
A Facebook follower, Stacy Sterling Robinson, sent me a message on my author page. She was trying to pick a modern grandma’s name. Something “fun, sweet, sassy, but still elegant.”
That message inspired me to write this blog.
It’s no surprise that grandmothers today are searching for chic grandparent names. Arguably, more active and healthy than previous generations of grandparents, we baby boomers are redefining aging. We still rock out, just not in rocking chairs!
Plus, it serves a practical purpose as well. With people living longer, many grandchildren have a gaggle of grandparents, great-grandparents, and maybe step-grandparents too. If everyone went by “Grandma,” the grandkids’ heads would spin trying to keep everyone straight.
So, what are the 10 most popular grandma names? What are some other choices for more unique grandma names? Check it out!
The Happiest Words in the English Language
As a writer, I am in love, captivated, and addicted to words.
And with good reason. Words are powerful and sometimes even magical.
Cruel words can cause pain or anger, make us cry, and bring disharmony to the world.
On the other hand, inspiring words can lift us up, bring joy, motivate us to do good, offer hope, heal, and excite us.
That brings me to the subject of this article: What are the happiest words in the English language? The least happiest? You’ll have to read the blog to find out.
Surviving the Spartan Race After 60!
When hubby and daughter-in-law excitedly signed us up for the Spartan 5K Sprint, I felt nervous. What would it be like running a Spartan Race after 60?
Hiking uphill through rough terrain, crawling under barbed wire, climbing walls, jumping over fire, throwing a spear, and dunking under a wall in a mud pit?
That doesn’t sound like me. Especially 61-year-old me.
But I did that and more.
You can read all about my experience – written with utter honesty and humor – along with tips for older racers.
5 Ways Imitating Jesus Can Make Us Happy
I’m pleased this made the top 10 blogs this year. But, to be honest, this one surprised me.
But maybe it shouldn’t have. Because whether you’re spiritual, religious, or simply seeking wisdom, Jesus’ example speaks to qualities we all value—compassion, integrity, humility, and the power of love.
These are ideas anyone can appreciate, regardless of their beliefs.
I was inspired to write this blog after attending a three-day convention, “Imitate Jesus!”
I list five ways we can imitate Jesus and conquer the world, and yes, be happy.
5 Ways to Become a Happy-Go-Lucky Person
This blog consistently shows up on my top five performing blogs every year.
I think it’s because people realize how important it is to simply relax.
Perhaps being cheerful and endlessly optimistic is a bit annoying, but who cares? Actually, I am envious of those people because, although I have my silly moments, I am WAY too serious most the time.
If you can become more of a happy-go-lucky person, I’d lay bets that you’ll find life more enjoyable and even more fulfilling.
In this blog, I list five ways to get you started on the path of that devil-may-care attitude.
10 Boomer Phrases Grandkids Won’t Understand
Recently, I asked my 12-year-old granddaughter, River, to hand me the gun. I was talking about the remote control for the TV, but River looked at me utterly shocked and puzzled.
It was the same look I got years ago when I made the fatal mistake of calling my flip-flops thongs.
When I explained that I meant the remote, River asked, clearly perplexed, “Why do you call it a gun?” Her tone of voice insinuated that was the dumbest thing she’d ever heard of.
That got me to thinking about all the boomer phrases that our grandchildren – and sometimes our own kids – won’t understand.
Language evolves with every generation, and these phrases are proof of how quickly things change. While they might puzzle our grandkids, they also give us a chance to share a bit of history and a good laugh.
Next time your grandchild looks at you like you’re from another planet, take the opportunity to explain the stories and traditions behind these quirky expressions. Who knows—they might even start using them themselves (if only ironically)!
Structuring Your Time in Retirement
So, me and hubby semi-retired a couple of years ago. Loving it, by the way!
However, without a schedule, I began to mindlessly react to unscheduled events and life swirling around me. As a result, I wasn’t accomplishing some of the things I wanted to in retirement.
Obviously, I needed to structure my retirement life with intention. Now, I’m not talking about rigorously scheduling every moment of the day. By the time we retire, I think we’ve all had enough of alarm clocks, rushed days, and deadlines.
But I realized setting goals and priorities was important to make sure I was productive and accomplished what I wanted to do. Of course, at the same time, I realized the importance of setting time aside for enjoyable activities and rest as well.
This blog shares some tips I’ve been learning along the way.
Sure, there’s some famous stuff to see here.
The world’s largest tree, the well-known General Sherman, Moro Rock with its stunning views from the top, and a walk among the giant sequoias to name a few. These and other famous sights aren’t to be missed if you’re visiting this majestic national park for the first time.
Since my son lives about an hour away from this national treasure, we’ve been there at least a half dozen times and seen these famous sights, but it’s only recently we found a few hidden gems in Sequoia Park.
Which leads me to a cliched life lesson that turns out to be true. Sometimes it’s the little things in life that are the most important. In fact, the smaller things in life often create great moments.
With that in mind, I’m sharing some small treasures waiting to be discovered in Sequoia Park. I’m sure we could visit this national park a hundred more times and uncover new sights and trails, but here’s some not as well-known sights to get you started!
As a young teen in the 70s, I fell in love with all things Snoopy. He was just so cool and there was something a bit cute and quirky about the beloved dog.
I loved to doodle Snoopy cartoons and, of course, I had my favorite Snoopy stuffy.
Who am I fooling? I still love Snoopy. I mean, who doesn’t?
But can cartoons give us wisdom?
I say yes, especially when it comes to Snoopy. In fact, now that I write a happiness blog, I’m impressed with how much wisdom Charles M. Schultz cartoons contain. So with that in mind, I’m sharing some of my favorite Snoopy quotes that support the science of happiness.
Put them into action today!
Is it just me or have you noticed that a lot of people have, well, let’s say, a less favorable view of us boomers?
I’m sure you’ve heard some of the baby boomer-bashing terms going around these days. “Okay Boomer, ” “Boomerphobia” and worse yet, during the pandemic, some sadistic person came up with the term “Boomer Remover” referring to our susceptibility to become severely ill and die from COVID. Really, people?
Which is why I wrote a blog about five positive traits of boomers.
Because I’m of a certain age, I won’t dwell on all this too much. Thankfully, I really don’t care what people who don’t know me think or say. That’s the beauty of getting older. And of course I know not all millennials, Gen-X and Gen-Z feel the same way about us boomers.
But it’s worth a blog before putting it behind me. Because I wish we would quit lumping generations together as we hurl insults at each other. Can’t we all just get along? Everyone deserves to be treated with respect.
I hope you found my list of the top 10 blogs both enjoyable and inspiring! Do you have a subject you’d like to see featured in Baby Boomer Bliss that deserves the spotlight? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear!
In the meantime, here’s to another year of boomer stories and ideas waiting to be discovered!
I remember most of these, Julie, so fun!
The one, what to call “Grandma” made me laugh.
I get there has to be changes in the name when there’s more sets of grandparents. It helps to not confused to who the child is referring to. I’m officially “Grandma” now.
I love the post about happy words and how to be happy. So many of us needs those reminders.
The words and phrases one had me busy this summer learning a bunch of new ones. We laughed because this “Grandma” never used them correctly. I gave up, ha!
You always have the best posts and I enjoy reading them.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year, Julie.
Thanks so much! Appreciate all your support. Have a great 2025, Rosie!
Hi Julie, it’s great to look back and see what posts are the most engaging. Sometimes it can be quite surprising, but looking at yours, it’s all pretty obvious, that all your posts are engaging. Keep up the great work and keep entertaining us with your knowledge.
Aw, thanks so much!