Tuesday 9 October 2018

Happy 2nd blog year


Greetings! My blog's second birthday is on October 10. I've got a photo of a seasonal cupcake to mark the occasion. Natalie the Explorer readership has grown well, based on the volume of comments that I've received. My sincere Thank You to everyone who has read my posts and sent me your comments. I greatly appreciate our virtual dialogues in this space.

What's my intention for this blog?
When I started Natalie the Explorer on October 10, 2016, I intended to use the space to document my explorations in my home city, my travel adventures, and my attempts to live a healthy and fun life as fully as I can. Two years later, my intention stays the same. I have ideas and experiences to write, just not enough time to do them quickly enough, and that's OK with me.

Where is the fun so far?
I enjoy the creative process of writing down my thoughts, sort and attach some photos to my posts, and publish the finished posts, without accumulating paper as I used to do when I maintained my journals.

I enjoy reading other blogs and experiencing the unique writing styles as well as how different each site looks. I also enjoy the virtual dialogue that occurs when I receive comments and reply to comments. Best of all, I feel that I'm making connections with a few bloggers across the miles, and I'm hoping that we'll meet in person one day.

What's next?
In the next few weeks, I plan to do some general clean up on this site, such as choosing a new design theme, removing outdated posts, organizing my labels, and giving more thoughts to what I'd like to focus my writing on in the new year.

Would you be able to help me? If you feel inclined, please let me know:
  1. What do you like most about my blog?
  2. What format or content changes would you like to see made on this blog?
I value your opinion, and look forward to receiving your honest feedback.

28 comments:

  1. Happy second birthday to your blog. I think that your blog is wonderful. Thanks for all the sharing you do on your wonderful travels. #MLSTL

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    1. Thank you, Patrick, for your positive feedback about my blog. I greatly appreciate your comment.

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  2. Happy 2nd Blogiversary, Natalie.
    I also do blog format updates on my anniversaries as well.
    That being said, I really like your current format. It is clean, attractive and easy to read. I also like that you recently added a photo of yourself in your sidebar-- very nice touch! #MLSTL

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    1. Thank you, Donna, for your positive feedback. I like simple and low maintenance designs. I think an annual blog format update and a recent blog author's photo give the blog a fresher look.

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  3. Hi Natalie - happy blogaversary and congrats on reaching two years. I'm coming up to four years and thinking about making some changes too - mainly about cutting back and finding more time to get off my laptop! If you're looking for a new theme, I found mine on Etsy - (https://www.etsy.com/shop/BestForBlogger#items) fantastic value for money (this is from me who spends $0 on blogging) and they install it for free if you don't want to do it. Looking forward to seeing what you have planned.
    MLSTL - and I've shared on my SM :)

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    1. Thank you, Leanne, for your Etsy tip. I'll take a look. I saw one or two free blog themes from Blogger that spark my interest, too. I thought to get a blog name like yours, without 'blogspot' in it, would cost some money. Blogging can be very time-consuming and can lead to burn out. I'm sure you'll find the right balance for your time.

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  4. Happy blog birthday! Gosh, I've been blogging since 2011 or so, but it's hard to believe it's been that long! I also love reading other blogs and getting to know people "virtually" - I've even met up with some bloggers in person over the years. It's so fun! Nice to "meet" you! :)

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    1. Thank you, Amanda, for your visit and comment. Nice to "meet" you, too :) So wonderful that you've been blogging since 2011. I'll visit your blog shortly.

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  5. Happy 2nd blogiversary Natalie! It's always fun to review the look and layout of our blogs. I know I enjoy a change now and then. What do I enjoy about your blog? I like virtually travelling with you and I love that you set intentions to live a happy and healthy life - making sure that it includes a good balance of things that are important to you. #TeamLovinLife

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    1. Thank you so much for your feedback, Min. I greatly appreciate your encouraging words.

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  6. Happy second blog birthday Natalie! Your blog covers a good range of topics that are interesting to read so well done on that score. I think there's too much blankness/greyness on your page and would like to see more photos or illustrations on your blog page. But otherwise it's perfect! #TeamLovinLife

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    1. Thank you, Kathy, for your feedback. I greatly appreciate it. I'll look to add some new visuals to the page without crowding it.

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  7. I've noticed your photo is new & I like that. I too do the occasional revamp - it keeps things fresh & clean. Happy blogoversary.

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    1. Thank you, Jo, for your feedback. I took that photo with my selfie stick and I like it so it goes on my blog :)

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  8. Congratulations on two years of blogging, Natalie. I'm so glad I found your blog. I've really enjoyed reading it. I especially love the beautiful photos you've included. I don't have any specific suggestions for change, but freshening up is always a good thing, and I look forward to whatever you decide to do. Here's to another great year!

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    1. Thank you, Christie, for your kind comment. I'm glad to have found your blog, too. I'm impressed that you took the Blog Aid courses. I haven't devoted much time for the 'behind the scene' maintenance of my blog yet. More learning for me to do.

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  9. Happy 2nd birthday! No advice from me. Other than blogs are ever evolving and are a great mirror of who you are and where you're at in life. Stay true to your WHY. #teamlovinlife

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    1. Thank you, Leanne, for your wise words. I greatly appreciate your comment, your blog, and your Lovin Life linky.

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  10. Happy second blogging anniversary, Natalie. I enjoy reading your adventure and travel blogs the most. Not sure how you could improve your layout and looks on Blogger, though. I like simple formats (which is why I like the theme I use in WordPress for my blog) and you have that already.

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    1. Thank you, Liesbet, for your comment. I greatly value your opinion. I like simple designs, too. I also like to write about my adventures and travels so I hope to keep your attention for a while longer :)

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  11. Happy Blog Birthday, Natalie! Some things I love about your blog are the armchair travels it takes me to places I am yet to explore in person. I also like your wellness and try new things posts.

    Looking forward to this year and beyond!!

    SSG xxx

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    1. Thank you, SSG, for your feedback. I greatly appreciate it. I'm glad you like my posts on travel, wellness, and trying new things because that's what I do IRL so it's easy for me to write about my experiences.

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  12. I think I enjoy what you have to say more than I look at the aesthetics of your site. I know I only tune in weekly (as I do all blogs and online stuff nowadays as I used to spend way too much time online and reading sites!) but I find your exploits and the stuff you do to be really motivational... so for me, I come for the content!

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    1. That's great to hear, Deb! Thank you for your feedback about my blog content. I intend to keep writing about what I explore and experience IRL so I hope you continue to come by weekly :)

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  13. Happy anniversary :) Nice blog, I found you at Our World Tuesday.

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    1. Thank you, Saša, for your kind comment. I greatly appreciate it.

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