Why I Love Baby Boomer Blogging

People blog for many reasons. Originally, I started my blog the end of 2013 as a platform for a book I wanted to write to help baby boomers find happiness.

Blog ButtonThe irony is, although it’s in the works, I have yet to finish that book! But I’m still blogging – and loving it.

In fact, I’m writing this article to celebrate my 200th blog! (You can take a look at my top ten blogs below.)

It’s so easy to get frustrated when you first start a blog. As a technically-challenged person, I had to learn WordPress. Then, I spent a lot of time promoting my blog and trying to find my baby boomer audience.

As with most bloggers, I quickly became obsessed – and depressed – with the numbers – how many visitors, subscribers, and Facebook followers I had on any given day.  Turns out building up readership for a blog takes a LOT of time, effort, and patience.

But as time passed, I realized my blog provided much more than an author platform and it wasn’t all about the numbers. Blogging served a different and more profound purpose. I would even say that it’s changed the way I look at and live my life.

That’s why if you’re a baby boomer thinking about starting a blog, I’d highly recommend it. That is, if you’re blogging for the right reasons.

If you’re starting a blog to get rich or even to eke out a living, well, don’t count on it. Monetizing a blog is super hard these days. In fact, after three years, I’m still not making money from my blog. By the way, don’t believe all the hype from people selling online courses that try to convince you blogging is a great way to make passive income or get rich in retirement. Make no mistake, writing and promoting a blog is a ton of work. There is nothing passive about it.

So Why Blog?

Some people may disagree with me, but I think blogging shouldn’t only be about making money, drumming up business, gathering a huge following, chasing fame, or trying to sell books.

Blogging can serve as a creative outlet to voice ideas, thoughts, and feelings. On top of that, writing a blog provides a wonderful opportunity to inspire and touch the lives of other people in a positive way.

How Blogging Changed My Life

My blog has certainly seen me through many ups and downs these past few years.  I’ve written about joyful moments like a trip to Chicago with my husband to celebrate our anniversary, a day spent playing in the snow with my grandchildren, watching Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones at Desert Trip, and a quick weekend trip with my kids to San Francisco.

I’ve also poured my heart out while caregiving for my Mom who suffered from Lewy Body dementia and wrote about her eventual death. I shared my angst when my mother-in-law died from ovarian cancer and my son went through a painful divorce and custody battle that same year. (Ironically, shortly after I started writing a blog about happiness, I had the worst year of my life.)

Yes, I love reading, which provides a welcome respite from my troubles, but writing is my real escape, outlet, and passion. When I write, I become so focused, my problems fade away for awhile, giving me a much needed break. In fact, if you’re truly a writer, believe me, it is a life-long addiction!

The process of putting my thoughts and feelings into writing has brought me comfort as well as help me relive happy moments.writer

As I’ve written about my life, my blog helped me think about what’s important to me and determine if my life is headed in the right direction.

Since I can’t write about every event, idea, thought, and feeling, blogging provides a sort of filter, clarifying my life. My blogs have helped me understand what is most meaningful to me. I’ve discovered along the way that sometimes it’s the simplest moments that make me the happiest.

Embracing Creativity

As a professional writer, my blog gives me wonderful creative freedom to express myself. Not to pop anyone’s balloon, but writing sounds more glamorous than it is in reality. For most of the past 25 years, I’ve written articles on subjects that magazines, newspapers, publishers, and clients choose for me.

True, I’ve written two young adult books, travel articles, humorous pieces, and feature stories on fascinating people that were fun. On the other hand, in order to make a living, I’ve also written articles that bored me to tears. I’ve tackled technical articles – and one technical book – that gave me an Excedrin headache and drove me nuts . I’ve written on demand, meeting other people’s deadlines, writing late into the night as my brain is desperately trying to call it quits.

Don’t get me wrong. I may sound whiny, but I fully realize that I’m darn lucky to have made a living at something I love. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

The point is, my blog is my baby. I write on subjects I’m interested in and feel passionate about and hope my audience will enjoy as well. My blog allows me to stretch as a writer, explore, experiment, and try new things whenever the muse hits. Writing professionally has given me the discipline to publish a blog every week, but I write my blogs when I choose. And believe me, that’s not at the crack of dawn or 10:00 at night! That is luxurious.

Thank You for Joining Me on My Journey!

So, those are some of the ways blogging has changed my life. But, as I mentioned earlier, the huge bonus is that blogging can change other people’s lives as well.

Some of you have left comments letting me know that I have in some small way inspired you or provided useful information and that always brings me such joy. Writing a blog has provided an opportunity to connect with readers and other bloggers, which has been so rewarding.

I’m beyond grateful for the 23,000 people who have visited my blog, for my 5,000 subscribers (click here if you’d like to join them), 5,000 Twitter followers, and 1,300 Facebook followers who have shared this journey with me. A HUGE THANK YOU!

When I hit milestones, I like to review which blogs have been most popular with an eye to giving my readers more of what they enjoy. It’s always interesting to see what resonates and hits home.

My Top Ten Blogs

So, without further ado, here are my top ten blogs in order of popularity. Feel free to click on any of the links of blogs you’d like to check out:

happy go lucky

Five Ways to Become a Happy-Go-Lucky Person

Every year, this is my top-performing blog by far. Merriam-Webster defines happy-go-lucky as blithely unconcerned and carefree. Synonyms include affable, laid-back, low-pressure, and mellow. I guess we all want some of that!

 

Bobby Rydell and meGolden Boys in Concert: Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, and Fabian

I was asked to do a book review of Bobby Rydell’s autobiography. This led to an interview, free tickets to his Golden Boys concert with Frankie Avalon and Fabian, and a backstage pass to meet Rydell in person. This was a nice perk that came from blogging! The day they posted my concert review on Rydell’s Facebook page, my visitors increased by 3000% for the day. No joke!

menopause dwarfsKeep Laughing with the Seven Dwarfs of Menopause

This blog has held a top-three spot since I began blogging. Hey, it’s either laugh or cry through menopause, and wouldn’t we all prefer to laugh?

 

happy despite problemsStaying Positive Despite Problems

Everyone has problems that make us feel powerless and defeated, so I’m not surprised this blog made the top ten. I offer three simple tips on how we can control our outlook and still choose to be happy despite our troubles.

 

happiest momentsWhat Are Your Life’s Happiest Moments?

If you look back on your life, which moments would you count as your happiest? What would be your biggest regrets? That’s the question one study asked participants aged 70 and older. I share the results of their insightful answers in this blog.

 

happy old coupleWhy Older People Are Happier Than Baby Boomers

Aww, my very first blog that got Baby Boomer Bliss off the ground. The idea for this blog was based on studies that show, in general, older people – and even the younger generation – are happier than us baby boomers. One study confirmed there is a U-shaped happiness curve with the early 50’s as the lowest point of well-being.

happy 1 2 3Happy as Easy as 1-2-3

“I want my day to feel like there is boundless beauty and possibilities and joy to be felt, discovered, explored, and expressed. And you know what? I can and so can you,” I wrote. This article got discovered on Stumble Upon, bringing me my second (after the Rydell concert review) all-time record high number of visitors for one day to my site.

menopauseStaying Happy Through Menopause

I wrote this article after Hot Flash Daily hired me to write humorous articles about menopause to launch their new website. I had never written humor before, but had a blast doing it for them!  I happily shared it all – the scorching hot flashes, insane insomnia, annoying forgetfulness, and crazy panic attacks that ensued for years. Yes, YEARS!

happiness grandchilddrenFinding Happiness with Grandchildren

This blog was an easy one to write. To be needed and wanted by these delightful little beings is a wonderful treat and privilege. Like many people, I find that the rewards of family life only grew richer and more fulfilling as each new grandchild was born.

 

snoopyFive Happy Snoopy Quotes

Okay, this one surprised me a little bit. But hey, don’t we all still love Snoopy? Now that I write a happiness blog, I’m impressed with how much wisdom Charles M. Schultz cartoons contain on the subject.

 

So, those are my top ten blogs so far. What will my next 100 blogs bring to the table? Stay tuned to find out! And if you have any ideas or subjects you’d like to see on Baby Boomer Bliss, please share in the comments below. I’d LOVE to hear!

Images courtesy of Stuart Miles and khunaspix at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

juliegorges

Julie A. Gorges is the author of two young adult novels, Just Call Me Goody Two Shoes and Time to Cast Away and co-author of Residential Steel Design and Construction published by McGraw Hill. In addition, hundreds of her articles and short stories have been published in national and regional magazines, and she received three journalism awards from the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association while working as a newspaper reporter. Julie currently lives in southern California with her husband, Scott, and has two grown children and three grandchildren.

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22 Responses

  1. Hi Julie, I loved your blog today! You asked for a favorite and I liked them all! 🙂
    The one that hit me the hardest today is “Staying Positive Despite Problems.” That’s a great one to keep in mind always. The part you mentioned about doing something creative is what I try and do. Drawing, crafts, projects in general usually does the trick.
    Something our mother taught us when we were very young and we couldn’t get pass the sadness, disappointments, or angry in life, we should think outside ourselves for a bit. She said, “go do something for someone else, it will make you feel a lot better.” Boy does it ever! It really takes your mind off one’s problems and allows one to see things in a different perspective. Those creative things I mentioned in my above comment, is a great way to find a way to help someone else. Even if it’s something small like making a card for someone.

    Thanks again for sharing this today!

    Rosie

    • juliegorges says:

      Your Mom had some great advice, Rosie! And making a card for someone to brighten up their day and do something creative at the same time is a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing!

  2. Congratulations Julie! I’ve been blogging for 7 years now and I also love it. While it serves a purpose for my work, there’s no question I would continue blogging just because I find it worthwhile and (especially) value the people from all over the world that I have met who are on similar journeys. Wishing you all the best. 🙂

    • juliegorges says:

      Thanks Marquita! In your comment, you shared one of the great perks of blogging. In fact, it is how we connected and I’m grateful we did! It is indeed a privilege to meet people from around the world who are on similar journeys. Well Said!

  3. Millen says:

    Congratulation on your blogging milestone, Julie! I couldn’t agree with you more – blogging is a great opportunity to connect and impact people all over the world! As a wealth building strategist for entrepreneurial women, I mostly write about money, wealth building and financial freedom. But I also love to share about personal adventures and challenges so that women could realize that nobody’s life is perfect and life is a fascinating journey indeed.

    • juliegorges says:

      A big thanks Millen! I just read your latest blog and you indeed share your personal journey and challenges to help others overcome their obstacles – which is a great example of what blogging can accomplish. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

  4. Congratulations, Julie! ⭐️ 🎉 🎈 🎂

  5. Julie, I’ve been blogging for about 3 years and use my blog as the ribbon which holds all my life-activities together. It is also one of the biggest bricks in my platform for being an author because I use it to pull together my Internet TV Shows, book chapters, and life-moments like being a guest on the Dr. Oz Show the beginning of February. Love your blog.

  6. Hi Julie, firstly, congratulations on your blogging milestone! I saw your article shared by Kathleen (Kat) O’Keefe-Kanavos on linked in – liked it & opened it using our biz account. I enjoyed reading your “Why I love blogging” as I love writing & I love sharing. I love reading people’s experiences, there’s so much to learn. I couldn’t agree more with you and what Millen said about blogging – blogging is a great opportunity to connect and impact people all over the world.. & I love what you quoted about blogging – Blogging can serve as a creative outlet to voice ideas, thoughts, and feelings. On top of that, writing a blog provides a wonderful opportunity to inspire and touch the lives of other people in a positive way. This is what my husband & I are doing now after many years of putting it off. I’ve been doing it for about 2 years – part time. I normally just share experiences on Facebook but now we’re blogging it on our newly launched website. Thank you again for your blog! Looking forward to reading more of your blogs.

    • juliegorges says:

      So glad you found my blog – and a big thank-you to Kathleen for sharing it! I checked out your FB page and new website. Your sight looks great, so professional. It was fun to read your amazing story on how you and your husband met and are now living out your dreams in Vanuatu. Best of luck with your new blog. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

      • Not as happy as I am when I found it Julie! Your blog is full of humility & encouragement. I enjoyed reading it and I learned new things. Thank you again for your blog and for publishing my 1st comment, it’s truly appreciated. Thank you also for visiting our site, your kind words & encouragement. When you have the chance to visit this part of the world, let me know & we’ll show you around! Anyhow, I know that I’ll be enjoying your blogs – I’ve been with ‘happy go lucky’ and been ‘snooping’ around! Take care! Cheers to your blogs Julie and more to come. I hope more will find it! I’ll definitely be sharing it!

  7. Joyce Hansen says:

    Thank you, Julie, for sharing your inspirations for blogging. When I started out I was not sure what to write about and even less certain about how I was going to comment on the posts of others. Conquered both, and I’m enjoying every moment. So, let’s blog on!

  8. Jeanne says:

    Thanks so much for sharing!! It’s interesting to read how/where you began and what motivates you to keep on blogging. I am not a “polished” blogger in terms of the overall appearance of my blog, but I hope to inspire others. At the same time, writing helps me organize my thoughts and feelings so they don’t overwhelm me. I would like a more professional look to my blog and to increase my readership. Any suggestions?
    Jeanne

    • juliegorges says:

      I took a look at your blog, Jeanne. I’m certainly no expert on designing a blog, I used a simple, standard one from WordPress myself. I read that the appearance of your blog does not mean as much as your content, and I’m a believer that is true. I did notice that you didn’t have an obvious place to leave comments, which can be a useful guide to seeing what people like and don’t like about your blog. Increasing readership is a slow process and takes a lot of patience and perseverance – the same as a writing career. Knowing your target audience and publishing on a regular basis helps, but there are no magic shortcuts or formulas that I have found. The weird thing is – the largest numbers of visitors have happened on their own. It seems when I try too hard, I only get frustrated. So whatever it’s worth, that’s my advice to you. Best of luck with your blog!

  9. Hi Julie, what a wonderful post, thanks so much for sharing. I really enjoyed your perspective on all things blog related and couldn’t agree more. If we write for ourselves we stay true to our self, and if along the way we manage to help or inspire just one other person than we are doing something good. I haven’t read many of your past blogs yet, but they are certainly on my to do list. I am enjoying getting to know you recently and look forward to your future posts.

    • juliegorges says:

      Thanks so much, Sandra. You made a good point. “If we write for ourselves we stay true to ourselves.” Just that simple. And I wholeheartedly agree, if we can help just one person, it is so rewarding and inspiring.

  10. Cat Michaels says:

    Julie, big congrats on hitting it out of the park 200 times and still going strong. Your advice to newbie bloggers is spot on. I remember reading many of your posts and canot pick my fave. I remain deeply moved by your journey of caring for your mom and dealing with her disease. Book there, Girlfriend!

    • juliegorges says:

      Thanks Cat! And because of your encouragement – and others – I have finished the first draft on that book about caregiving and am currently in the editing process. Thanks so much for all your support!

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