Four blogtastic years

I missed my blogiversary again - it was on Monday. Four years of blogging in this space (well, three years technically, as the first year was hosted by Blogger.) I can't believe it's only been four years, as sometimes it feels like i have always been doing this, that's how important this place is to me. I feel antsy when I haven't posted in a while, wanting to come here to share and connect, to write out my thoughts or have a little moan (see yesterday's post ;) It would not be an exaggeration to say that this blog has changed my life. Just over a year after my life had changed for a much more devastating reason, I opened a Blogger account and took the leap, not knowing what this place would come to mean to me, or what magic it would bring into my life. I've made friends and found an amazing community; I've healed my pain and shared my story; I've had a place to let my photography blossom; I've opened up to possibilities like teaching and book writing. Who knew all of that would come from writing a few words on the internet every few days?

Next week Ink on my fingers will be no more as I relaunch my website and start blogging over at susannahconway.com... and for some reason this is making me really nervous. I mean, I know it's just a blog, so why does it matter where it is in the blogosphere? But ... it matters to me. This is my online home, and now I'm packing my virtual boxes and heading out to a new space. I'm taking all my archives and comments with me, and now I've had the decorators in it's looking pretty snazzy over there and I'm excited to show you the result next week, but still there is this strange lingering sadness to saying goodbye to my inky blog. The irony is, i have more ink on my fingers these days than ever before, but it's time to blog under my own name... officially. It's all part of that pesky expand word I chose for this year. (what was i thinking?!)

I'm going to be quiet here for a few more premenstrously unproductive days and then, if all goes to plan, I'll be opening up the new space for visitors on Tuesday. I really hope you'll join me in my new digs!

UPDATED: As part of my online make-over I've changed mailing list provider which means all my lovely subscribers will get an email asking if they are happy to stay subscribed to my list. We can only import half of the list at a time, so the first half got an email this afternoon..... with my SURNAME spelled wrong. People, i am mortified! I believe this stage of the game is called teething troubles.... oh dear.

So if you got an email from some chick called Susannah Conay today, please know that it is truly me and I'd love it if you stayed on my mailing list :) The email is going out again tomorrow to the rest of the list, and fingers crossed I will spell my own name correctly this time.... sheesh

Comments

[Brigitte]

Happy blogiversary! I just discovered your blog last year. When I stumbled over here, I was immediately drawn in. I went back through the archives...I must have made my way through every post.

Simply put, your writing touched my heart. I've been following ever since.

[Rachel B.]

Can't wait to see your new *virtual* home!! I'm sure it's amazing!

[Lisa]

How very exciting! It seems the transformation bug has bitten across the web...(I just opened my new site - though I long for a decorator! - and am loving Wishstudio and Crescendoh...)

I can't wait to check out the new digs. I completely understand the nerves - I think an online space can speak to the soul just as much as a real home. Best of luck with the transition - see you at the new home!

[Zavila]

I'll be looking forward to the same blog in a new space! Good luck!

[Kate M]

Hi Susannah,

I just wanted to say I know a little of how you're feeling - I have only really just begun my creative journey and had a blog for just under a year. As my business has started to expand I have felt the need to swap from blogger over to a blogsite - my new site has just gone live today and I am nervous about using my website as a basis for my blog - I'm so used to having them as two separate things!

I know your new website and blog will be great - your words and pictures are always so inspiring :)

Good luck with the new launch next week,

Kate

[Amiable Peculiarities]

Oooh! Exciting times, congratulations! I really understand how you can feel excited and nervous and a little sad about leaving here and starting there. Rest assured, we'll all follow you! Good luck, Jane

[Dang]

Congratulations on your new site! :D I'm sure it'll be great! ;)

[Katherine]

Oh goodie--I can't wait to come by for your open house next week!

[kerri]

really excited to see your new site!

[Jill]

So jazzed for you! I teared up reading this post. . .it amazes me how "space" or "ether" or whatever the "internet" truly is has cultivated connecting. I'm still a blogging newbie and I feel the power of it each time I post. Not knowing who will read it or when or why or how. But just knowing it exists in this complex code in space. It's amazing.

Congratulations - and I can't wait until next Tuesday to visit your new digs :) xoxo Jill

[Dana N]

I really enjoy reading your blog and seeing your photos. Happy belated blogiversary!

[Rhianne]

oh Susannah I'm so excited for you, I can't wait to see how it all looks next week :)

[Leslie]

veryveryvery exciting!
hooray for you and your lovely expansion :)
perhaps i should hop a plane to come celebrate with you.....off to buy my lotto ticket!

[Mel]

Congratulations on all fronts. :) going to be ace either way

[Cathy]

I'm a fairly new reader, but it's been a great read for a few months so happy blogiversary! Looking forward to checking out your new home!

[Tina]

I'm excited for next week!! and for you and the new changes you are making. I know it will be awesome. I got your little email and did not think twice about the error and signed right up! Happy Blogiversary Sweets!

[DawnS]

So excited for you (and for us too)! Can't wait for Tuesday...I know the new site is going to be fabulous :)

[Karen D]

Happy blogiversary Susannah.. I can honestly say I am so grateful to have stumbled upon your blog and classes awhile back, hearing your story and being able to share mine through your class has been truly inspiring. Can't wait to see the new site and to take Unravelling 2... here is to expanding!

[christine]

I can see why you're nervous as this is an incredibly powerful move here for so many reasons. Expand - hell you are exploding in a shining star kind of way. I look forward to your new fabulous home next week.
Peace

[sirja]

Dear Susannah,
what can I say. It was reading your blog that made a nerve-rackingly busy mom like me take up blogging. I must say it's a pleasure I completely ignored. I love writing, posting my photos and sharing with others.
I read every single posting of yours and love the way you put feelings and thoughts into words.
So HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY and thank you for keeping the door open for the others ;-)
Sirja

[angie]

Hello. I rememeber deleting that comment this morning because of the mis-spelling, I thought it was a spammer. How can I now go about staying on the list?

[Roxanne]

Hey grrrrrl! Happy Blogaversary. Blogging changed me and my life, too: made it richer, made me aware of hidden talents, assisted enormously in personal growth, grieving, etc. And the people i've "met" are so amazing. I started blogging in the last quarter of 2005. 800 posts later ~ how time passes so quickly.

Can't wait to see your new site. Change, change is good.

Here's a link to an image that perfectly portrays PMS ~ http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cIMBNHYJbxE/S7Q0hJedG9I/AAAAAAAACqY/EC3B002Fho8/s1600-h/pms_lion-11961.jpg

[kathleen]

Happy Blog Birthday! And all the best with your move. Looking forward to visiting your new home :-)

[Susan]

Happy anniversary. Yes, I rec'd the email & laughed because it's so me. Resubscribed, of course. It'll go just fine...& if it doesn't, then you'll fix it. Right? Now if I could only follow my own philosophy.

ciao

[Charlotta]

Good luck with your move. It will all be fine once you are unpacking the other end! :)

You'll have to throw a 'virtual house warming' party, complete with pictures of what this new space will entail, yummy foodie treats etc. I'll be there!!

Loving the blog so much I have tried to subscribe to your email posts twice.. Seriously, I get so excited every time I am here that I click the button in sheer bliss... only to be told that 'honestly woman, we know you love this place, but do you really have to do this every time..!' :)

Happy end to the week.

xx Charlotta

[Chloe]

I remember somehow finding you on Blogger all those years ago. I was so moved by your words. It has been so wonderful to watch you and your creativity blossoming since then. Happy Days :) x Chloe

[Ariella]

can't wait to see the new space next week!

[Francesca]

Happy Blogiversary Susannah!

I've found blogging to be a very powerful thing, it's helped me heal too, and stretch and play.

While it will be sad to let go of your inky blog (sad for me, I mean!), it'll be exciting to see what happens in your new space.

All the best!!

[Ramona]

well this is very exciting.

[sas]

congratulations lovely. can't wait to see the new digs :)
xxx

[Kathy]

I am very excited for you and will continue to follow your wonderful work and beautiful honest posts. You have inspired me to start blogging and have provided a wonderful education on how to use this amazing creative medium to connect.

[barbara]

So happy for you!!!! YES!!!
i´m sure it will be a new wonderful place....
:-)) big smile.

[Fiona]

Thanks for giving me a much needed laugh anyway :) I'm always terrified I'll spell my name wrong, an irrational fear of mine.
Your blog and me were born on the same day! A few years apart, but still :)

[Christine]

Congrats on four years!

I've been following for a long while, not quite since the begining, but probably close (if I remember correctly, I came over orignially from Denise's boho blog). I have not always been a great commentor (just recently started doing more of that) but have none the less read along and been brought to tears, laughter and inspiration over and over.

Like you I've been journaling forever, and love that a blog is a journal connected to other minds. As necessary as it is to have a private space for pouring out thoughts, it is also so very nice to have a place to put them where other people can actually give feedback and support.

Good luck with the move to the new site! So exciting to have your own name in the url - it's such a statement of claiming the space and declaring it yours! Can't wait to check it out.

[Amisha]

Looking forward to your new space.

[Colette]

Thanks for the invite. I too was feeling nervous about ink closing but I am relieved you are taking the archives and comments. All of this 'Life here' gives me Hope. It gives he hope knowing you are out there. I steered a course to your stream, and swam there with you and dipped in your waters.

[Stephanie]

Best wishes! Onward and upwards!

[neil]

Goodbye, Ink. Hello, new.

[Gitte]

Your blog is so cute !

http://alamodedegitte.over-blog.com/

[Becka @Studio222]

Congrats and happy bloggiversary! Change is scary but life is like riding a bicycle and the only way to keep upright is by keeping moving ;)