Alas, It’s Been a Year

Another year has passed and this marks the one year anniversary of this blog. Although this is not my first go at the rodeo, there is a mix of feelings and emotions that comes with this realization. Many look at this accomplishment as a goal post, the end of a hard fought journey. There is triumph in lasting in the blogging world this long. Alas, it’s been a year and I can’t say that I am happy about it. There is something glorious in the act of becoming and rather passé’ in just plain old being.

For various reasons I have looked forward to this date with a touch of dread. Instead of playing a highlight reel of my utter fails and unfathomable successes (tongue in cheek), I thought I would elucidate a few reasons for the aforementioned dread.

New Kid On The Block

At this time last year, I was the new kid on the block. I had absolutely no expectations from myself or my handful of readers. If I put a blog post out it was considered great. If I missed a few days…no biggie.

Anything above average felt spectacular. Most don’t write the way I do. So my style was interpreted as fresh and uncommon. Each post was looked at as exciting and new.

Alas, it’s been a year now and I have lost the advantage of surprise. Those coming to this blog know exactly what they are going to get. Maybe some of the ideas change, but there is truly nothing new under the sun. I am who I am. My readers have already realized who that is.

Brilliance Fades

The first few months of a blog are ridiculously creative. Years of ideas and beliefs have been stewing in the mind. Energized by the art of beginning, one enunciates the most sacred and carefully kept ideas for the public eye.

But this can only go on so long. Even the deepest of wells eventually runs dry if one keeps on drawing off water. While true that ideas and blog posts evolve over time, the original bite of new thoughts becomes nuanced.

One has already released the manifesto by the half year period. It’s been a year now, and I spend much of my time refining and fine tuning that which I have already released out into the world. I can refine my ideas about half retirement or front loading as much as I want in a new blog post, but the most impactful period was undoubtedly when the terms were introduced in the first place.

New Is No Longer An Excuse

How many times have I not reached a milestone and used the blogs newness as an excuse? Whether it be page views, features, or the other million prizes we fight for with our blogs.

It’s been a year now and there is no longer this most basic of excuses.

I have accomplished much in some areas and made very little headway in others.

Que sera, sera.

Final Thoughts/Beginning Again

I know this is not your average blogaversery post. And like a middle aged person on his birthday, I am only half joking as I begrudge the passing of time. It’s been a year now and I can never look at this blog as new again. I am no longer the new kid on the block. I have used up all those defining blog topics that separate me from everyone else.

I have been in this place before. I wrote about medicine for years and understand the ebb and flow of a blog.

Addicted to new beginnings I have started The What’s Up Next Podcast. This venture is only a few months old.

So I have bought myself a little more time.