It’s exactly a year since I started this ‘Quarantine Diaries‘ series. I consider this a kind of ‘blogiversary,’ as prior to this, I had only posted the odd short story and a few excerpts from my work-in-progress novel. How the world in general, and my life in particular, has changed over this time!
The first entry
I reread the first entry in this series, to gain further perspective on how the pandemic evolved, and came to take over all of our lives. What I read in that entry is a lot of fear and uncertainty. At that point, nobody really knew how deadly this thing was going to be, how fast it would spread, or how easy it would be to catch. I was looking at the numbers, and decided to pull the kids out of school two weeks before the official lockdown started. Little did I know it would be the last time they would attend school until September, and the last time they would attend school in Spain.
Even then, I realised that writing was going to be therapeutic for me. I didn’t realise that I would end up writing mainly poetry, but I found this to be most therapeutic of all. I chronicled our relocation to Slovenia later in the year, and I wrote my way through all the mixed emotions that this threw up. I’ve also documented my struggle with PMDD, in hope that my words will raise awareness of the condition and offer hope to other sufferers. I am pleased to report that one of these pieces has been accepted for publication in a forthcoming anthology from Indie Blu(e) Publishing.
My writing journey
Over the past year, I have built my audience, both here on WordPress, as well as on Twitter and Instagram. Thank you to all who have followed me and offered words of support and encouragement. I have had my work published both online and in print, and received recognition from outside sources, most recently as Spillwords Author of the Month. This time last year, I wouldn’t have dreamed any of these achievements. I have always been a writer, in one form or another, but for some reason I lacked the self-belief to share my words with others. It took a global pandemic to shake my world up enough to make me get on with it.
The next part of my writing journey is to move into publication, which I will be doing with my forthcoming project, The Anthropocene Hymnal. Submissions are still open until the end of the month, so do take a look if you are interested in raising awareness of the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. I will be donating royalties from this project to WWF, so your words really will make a difference.
A note of gratitude
I wanted to end this entry on a note of gratitude. Once again, to everyone who has supported my work and encouraged me to keep writing over the past 12 months. Secondly, that I have not lost anyone close to me due to covid-19. I know that many people have, and my heart goes out to them. Thirdly, that despite various trials and tribulations I have managed to keep writing, and grow as both a writer and a human being.
A very happy blogiversary. H&D
Thank you 😊 maybe I should bake a cake 🎂 but that would ruin my diet 🤣
🙂
I’m not quite sure what to write Ingrid, maybe I could give you a pep on how talented you are, and how brave you are to tackle the all the challenges that you have already surpassed, and the challenges you are undertaking now in the future…. But I won’t give you a pep talk.. I’m not a preacher man.. nor a wise counsellor.. all I can say is well done and may the gods who favour peace, compassion, and kindness always be in your heart, in all your future endeavours, and I wish you all the good fortune you deserve…
Cheers
Ivor
Thank you Ivor, that is beautiful 🙏🌈 🌏
It is nice to see our accomplishments laid out after a year. You are certainly a dedicated writer! 🎉
Indeed it is! Thank you Tricia 😊
congratulation
Thank you 🙏
I recently went back and looked over my poetry posts from the past year–it’s good to have a record. Congratulations on all your accomplishments!
Thank you, Merril and the same to you! It was a good year for poetry if nothing else 😊
I am struggling to write anything I dare publish tonight so I thought I would see if there was a post from a year ago I might re-blog. I discovered that on Thursday it will be one year since we took our kids out of school. I can assure you we pulled the plug way earlier (relatively) than you did. I think there were 8 cases in this city at that time. We have been so lucky here in Oz. I think it’s good for me to read about other people’s experiences. It keeps perspective. And yes, congratulations on all your accomplishments!
Thank you! I remember feeling like a crazy mum as there were only 4 cases in our town, but I was watching the exponential growth and getting really worried.
Well, you were proved right. 🙂
I’m so glad to have connected with you! I’ll be mostly away from blogging until I get moved, but will look forward to returning. (K)
Thank you Kerfe, the feeling is mutual! All the best with the move.
Did not realise it was your anniversary. The main reason I follow your posts is just ‘cos I enjoy them. There are a lot of bad writers on here, you tend not to be one of them.
I would hope not! If I do write something bad, be sure to give me a shout 😅
if I’m still awake!
Wow! You have made huge milestones in your writing Igrid and I applaud you on your Blogaversary! 💖💖👏👏👏👏👏👏
I love that you looked back over how the pandemic and writing have shaped your life over the past year! Journals show us how far we have evolved and come and what we have to be proud of.
Thanks Jaya! It is true, and good to keep a record. I don’t keep a daily diary like I used to as a child, but like to note down anything interesting.
Congratulations on your writing accomplishments. I am so happy to have connected with you months ago. I enjoy your varied posts, that cover many subjects, and appreciate your thoughtful comments. 🙏🏻
As am I Michele, I enjoy your beautiful words and connecting with you here on WP! ❤️
🙏🏻🥰
Thank you Michele, I thought you might like this one!
You know me! 😊🙏🏻
Congratulations and all power to your elbow, Ingrid.
It’s been a ride.
x
Just a bit 😅