Today, May 1st, is a strange mixture of emotions.
On the one hand, I am fully pumped and thrilled that I simultaneously have managed to complete two month-long challenges:
&
On the other, there are a series of thoughts that run through my head as I think back on April.
First thing that I feel today is satisfaction. Β That emotion that comes from a job completed and that quiet sense of happiness that I (and so many capable others!) managed to stick it through to the end!
The second emotion is relief! Yes, I am happy that I don’t have to worry about a post a day for some time to come. Although it’s been exhilarating and invigorating, it has also been tiring. This probably means I will take a break from frequent blogging, at least in May.Β
Next emotion is that of gratitude. A to Z, especially has been a very rewarding experience, in terms of meeting new bloggers and getting to know hidden facets about some seasoned ones π I have discovered some gems in the blogging world, thanks to this amazing worldwide challenge.Β
This post would be incomplete if I did not mention the faithful visits and comments by so many of you on my posts!Β
Although this isn’t exhaustive, here are some regular visitors/ fellow A-Z bloggers who lifted my smile everyday:
Sreeja, Srilakshmi, Psych Babbler,Β Tulika,Β Vidya Sury,Β Swathi, Aditi, Jayanta, Carol, Cat, Beloo, Nabanita, Rajlakshmi, Corinne, Richa, Proactive Indian, Sunila, Eli, Sulekha, PhenoΒ , Kathy, Suzy, Shilpa, Sfurti, Danny, Monica, Ananya, Inderpreet, Gauri, Prasanna, ShaliniΒ and I am sure I have missed mentioning many others!
That feeling of camaraderie lasted all through April and although I haven’t done enough justice to some blogs all this time, I have bookmarked all these lovely blogs and intend to catch up on their posts over the coming months. Let’s face it, we all love comments, whether they pop up immediately or after a hiatus. So, fear not, dear fellow bloggers. If I have omitted your blog, I will make it up to you over time.
Although this isn’t exhaustive, here are some regular visitors/ fellow A-Z bloggers who lifted my smile everyday:
Sreeja, Srilakshmi, Psych Babbler,Β Tulika,Β Vidya Sury,Β Swathi, Aditi, Jayanta, Carol, Cat, Beloo, Nabanita, Rajlakshmi, Corinne, Richa, Proactive Indian, Sunila, Eli, Sulekha, PhenoΒ , Kathy, Suzy, Shilpa, Sfurti, Danny, Monica, Ananya, Inderpreet, Gauri, Prasanna, ShaliniΒ and I am sure I have missed mentioning many others!
That feeling of camaraderie lasted all through April and although I haven’t done enough justice to some blogs all this time, I have bookmarked all these lovely blogs and intend to catch up on their posts over the coming months. Let’s face it, we all love comments, whether they pop up immediately or after a hiatus. So, fear not, dear fellow bloggers. If I have omitted your blog, I will make it up to you over time.
This, then, is the air that I breathe today.Β That air is filled with love, happiness, friendship and satisfaction.
My post on How to Survive a Blogging Marathon in six steps is now up too. Do check it out!
β€Β Did you participate in either challenge?Β β€
What are some of the feelings you have at the end of it all?
β€Β Do share in the comments below πΒ β€
Congratulations on successfully completing the challenge…
For me it was a challenge in more ways than one π
A2Z was wonderful. I enjoyed it immensely. Now, on to a certain award I was nominated for by someone awesome!!! π
This was my first time and it's been quite a ride! Great to have finished it altogether! Been a great A-Z walk with you! Fellow SUrvivor!
Aha! I second you on all these pointers! There's a sense of achievement and also that 'we did it' despite hectic schedules and days with no internet connectivity! And all this surely calls for a big party!! π
COngratulations! And yes you did it perfectly well and your enthusiasm over the challenge was infectious π
Richa
It was my first challenge and loved every moment. The new friends and interesting post contents were worth the time spent blog hopping. Congrats on being a survivor! Michelle
http://www.writer-way.blogspot.com
Congratulations, Shailja! I enjoyed visiting your blog and hope to continue doing that beyond the A-Z π Whoa…it was indeed quite an experience writing and sharing, and commenting and replying, wasn't it? Relax and be happy for a job very well done.
My feeling is one of happiness. Glad we connected π
Echo your feelings Shailaja!! This was a beautiful experience! And you lady have been an inspiration to so many of us! Thank you for being there always! π
Great Blog! I worked so hard finishing the A-Z Challenge that I didn't get a chance to read as many others as I'd of hoped. Glad to be a new follower π ~Rhondi http://yagottalaughaboutit.ca/
I think that is the best thing about a challenge- the fact that it pushes you to discover greater things about yourself and your abilities! Glad to see you do it, Shine!
Indeed, I can well believe that π Hope to see you around the blog more and more once you are well settled, Kajal!
So thrilled that you jumped into the Challenge and did amazing justice to it too!
The pleasure was all mine, Danny. Loved the style of your posts- the anecodtes, the bullet points and the quotes. Congrats on finishing the challenge!
And you with a camping trip in between! Hats off woman π
As was yours, Richa. Interesting to read your 'twenties' posts during the challenge!
Wishing you the same, Michelle. Hopping over soon to check out your blog.
SO glad to have connected through A-Z, Beloo. Although I haven't had time to read all your posts yet, I promise to catch up with them all in the coming months. Congratulations on a job exceedingly well done!
You know I give thanks for that every single day!
Always happy to connect with like-minded bloggers, Aditi π
Hope I manage to live up to the expectations, Rhondi! Thanks for stopping by π
Beautifully summed up. Good friends and good reading.
Lovely time. Will do it again next time.
Same pinch – I did the two challenges too!
Yay Inderpreet! Thanks for reading and yes, two challenges at once! Lovely, right?
Lovely reflections, Shailaja. I am so glad I was part of this blogging community, learnt a lot and enjoyed myself thoroughly. Loved reading your posts, have a set of new blogging frinds now too π
Yay! Congratulations. I did a rewind post myself. I tried to read as many as I could and comment too but for some blogs i was just unable too since I am not on G+. Next time I am thinking of signing up for two blogs. Maybe ambitious but no harm in thinking about it is there? π
First of all congratulations on completing the A-Z challenge π It was my first time as well and the experience I carry from this is a lot more than what I could have gained by blogging for an year without taking the challenge! Thank you for ur love and support through out π Hope to keep in touch always π
Thank you Sulekha. Your blog kept me hooked from the beginning! What power in those crisp 55-ers. Hats off, woman π
No harm at all! All it needs is a bit of forethought and planning π Good luck!
I am so very glad to have connected with you, Swathi. Sometimes, the Universe just conspires so beautifully to put us all in touch π As I mentioned on your blog, congratulations for completing the A-Z in style!
Congratulations on finishing the Challenge in style!
This truly was the best year yet. I look forward to keeping up with you.
Congrats on finishing! I'm continuing to blog a-z in May. Though I didn't know about the 2nd challenge….Love the background on your blog, very pretty.
Very tiring indeed! And I never got a chance to check beyond the 65 blogs in my immediate network. I hope to catch up with more of you through the year. Thanks for stopping by, Lenni!
congratulations to you for finishing the challenge. all good wishes for your future.
Thank you very much Sandy! So happy to have you stop by the blog π
Thank you very much, Cecilia π So happy you could stop by!
Wow, It's amazing that you were able to do two challenges at once! I am now very curious to see your challenge posts, so I'll be coming back to look at them over time. π
Random Musings from the KristenHead β A to Z Challenge Reflections (With Gifs and Tweets)
Congrats Shailaja – it was awesome to travel that atoz train with u !! Love reading your reflections … I felt I needed some days with no blogging just after the challenge .. but OH how fun it was! Well done u:-) Big hugs
You were great all along the challenge and helped lots like me to navigate through your timely facebook posts… I plan to post some fictions going forward and would like to get your feedback in case you find time :-).
SATISFACTION – is what we need to feel after any kind of job id done. We put in efforts sometimes its unnoticed by others, but it is satisfaction that gives us the boost to continue !
Thanks for the mention !
Well said! I agree with your reflections completely!
Stopping by as I read A-to-Z reflections,
Mary @ The View from my World
Congratulations!!!! π Thanks for the mention Shailaja… π And awesome reflections post!!
Congrats Shailaja. Enjoyed the A to Z with you and thanks so much for the mention. But enjoyed the google+ picture of you that popped up on one of my posts the most π
Congratulations on completing the challenge! You were a source of motivation throughout the challenge! Thanks! π
Very well put, Shailaja! A fitting tribute to the challenge.
And now, you've got me hooked to this challenge mania! π
I'm so glad the challenge worked for you– congratulations on acing it!
The madness, passion and ritual April brought was exhilarating. Your words here sound soothing and each one of us can relate to these emotions. I am glad A to Z happened π Congratulations π
Aha , silly me, I missed commenting on this post ! Yay, we survived the challenge π That's a great feeling na π We loved your introspections π
Thanks to the A to Z, so many of us are friends now !
Can't wait for the next challenge π
I am so sorry that I am replying to this so late! I do hope we can catch up this April π