Newbie Tuesday Round-up: 2013 newsflash

2013 newsflash: Helen, of Actually Mummy, has undergone a major headspace transformation, returning from the 2012 Christmas break unrecognisable to all those who know her. Except her children, who have emerged from the festive season wearing an expression of mild surprise…

First up, let me tell you my news: I’m planning a new direction. This Christmas, for the first time in nearly 2 years I let 10 days lapse between blog posts, and then only wrote my post about crafts you can do with an old Christmas card because 12th night was snapping at my creative heels! I forgot about Twitter for days at a time, and do you know what? I didn’t starve, I didn’t plummet into a pit of self-despair, fingers twitching, and murmuring “but I’ve only had 287 views today…”! NO, instead, my eyesight improved from looking at normal things all day instead of a lap-top, I stopped speaking in txtspk, and we finally managed to open the board game for 5-8 year olds that has been hanging around since GG turned 6 – 2 years ago. Eventually, guilt-stricken, I went to see the blogging equivalent of the doctor, and asked Twitter what was wrong with me:

Right then, time for a change. Time for me to stop wittering randomly in my little corner of the internet, and start writing some really decent stuff. I’ll keep you posted (pun intended)

Meanwhile I was inspired by some new bloggers who can still remember why they began to blog. Well so they should, I hear you cry! They are but mere infants on the scene of the wearied masses who travel through Blogland. Ah, but they are fresh! They are motivated. They are on it, and they are quite simply writing some very cool stuff. First on my list to copy emulate is Sharon, from Honesty and Humour. Not only has she already written and published the book I was planning to write, but she has just penned a version of the letter to my daughter that I had in mind when I began my blog; it’s still in there, somewhere at the back…

So, what exactly is wrong with my blog..?

Sponsored posts are the work of the devil, right? We all know that… Well shoot me now, because I’m starting with a sponsored post that not only gave me an insight into the blogger’s personality and life, but made me laugh, and had me nodding along in recognition. Think you can’t get paid and maintain your blogging integrity? Take a look at Mummy Never Sleeps latest paid effort and think again…

Onto that next blogger bug-bear: the review post. Bloggers looking for products to review are the blogging equivalent of lepers, or so some would have you believe. Review posts are dull, only fit for the Google-searching hoi-poloi, n’est-ce-pas? Well personally I believe that good reviews provide a fabulous resource; statistics say that buyers trust a blog post review more than any advertising promise and are more likely to make a purchase on the basis of a review. Take a look at this newish blog and see if you agree with me – gorgeous design, stunning photography, and useful content (you may recognise the author’s style – it has a certain je ne sais quoi).

What I love in a review blog is a sense of purpose, the feeling that the author has set out to create something, and is staying true to his/her goals. Such is Kids Days Out Reviews, a website which covers a huge chunk of the country, despite the blogger’s geographical location, and explains with authenticity the pros and cons of the experience so you can decide for yourself whether to give it a go. Lucky kids…!

Another new blog with a very clearly stated direction is Anya’s The Healer. I had no idea that Older Single Mum was a healer, but it does not surprise me. The first time we met I was struck by what a lovely, bright presence she is. She practically radiates calm, funny, but gentle personality, and I would counsel anyone feeling a need for more balance in 2013 to follow her new venture closely.

At this point I feel it important to confess that I have a new crush. The Dad Blogger, middle-aged just like me, bit sarcastic – like me, currently off alcohol for the whole month of January – dear God, like me, why??? It’s kismet, I think, meant to be. His New Year Resolutions struck a chord, resonating with my own feelings about family life and blogging, although he is hoping to blog more, where I want to cut down. I’ve got it! I am the Yin to his Yang! See? It’s fate…

Speaking of resolutions, the next post made me feel sick. Literally. Sick with fear, sick with horror, sick with anger at the idiocy of a world in which precious life is so easily dispensed with. I reflected over the break on how many awful things happened in 2012. Since becoming a parent I have panicked ceaselessly about death, illness, abuse, cars, cliffs, the internet, and sleep. I couldn’t get to the end of this post from It’s a Mish Mash Life about counting your blessings in the face of atrocity. But I have come to a realisation recently that worry is not productive. My own resolution sees me attempting to relinquish my fears and look at the incredible good fortune that I have. I have my fair share of crap to deal with, but this year it will not define me. It will not hold me back.

So, how about it? Brand new start for 2013? Here’s a brave lady who has taken the blogging plunge. From what I read in her first 4 posts, she needs her blog. She needs her blog, and she needs us. Go lend her a shoulder at The Invisible Woman 2013. It may or may not be her first blog, but it is definitely her first time blogging for herself.

So that’s me done then. Expect a series of life-enhancing and emotional posts on my blog any minute now. Of course, there’s always room for an occasional funee, no? What would life be without a giggle at our parents? See you soon! *Blows kiss* *Attempts new, image-altering sign-off.* *Gives up and sticks to #frozenwine and #hairylegs.*

And if we’ve not met, please come say hi on Twitter @actuallymummy. I’m looking for inspiration, you see…

About Helen Wills

Helen Wills is the voice behind the very loquacious GG, who blogs at Actually Mummy. She's been blogging for 2 years and still considers herself a newbie in the blogging world. She spends too much time on Twitter and Facebook and reads a ridiculous amount of blogs. She especially loves to lend an ear to new bloggers, having navigated the waters of blog set-up with the invaluable support of more established bloggers. In her free time she is a freelance writer, blogger and social media professional.

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