BUPA Nominations
I’ve been very fortunate to have been nominated three years running for the BUPA Blog Awards – 2016, 2017 and again this year 2018. I’m not sure who nominated me. It’s a bit of a mystery! It could be just one person or maybe more than one person but whoever you are – thank you so much!
2018 – something a little different!
This year though, something a little different has happened. I was very surprised to receive an email notifying me that I am a BUPA Blog Award FINALIST in the Personal category!
I know!! To say I’m surprised is an understatement! I’m also really chuffed, touched and heartened.
Chuffed and Touched
I don’t blog to get awards. I blog because I enjoy it – the writing; the creating; the connections you make; the therapy it provides; the learnings I gain from the research I do, the posts I read, the people I meet, and what I learn about myself; the possibility of being of help to even one person in my own small way; the technical learnings; the keeping my brain active – there are too many reasons to list!
Regardless, it is lovely, really lovely, to feel seen and recognised for the words I put within my little space on the internet. Blogging can be a lonely endeavour at times. We don’t have workmates sitting nearby to bounce thoughts and ideas off or to chat to or go out to lunch with through the day. We don’t have line management providing feedback, encouragement or guidance, or pats on the back for a job well done. We are responsible for our ideas, our own motivation, and our own pats on the back! We mostly work alone, though we do make some awesome connections online who we hopefully get to meet in person too (I’ve met several of my blogging friends), and we fit our love of blogging in around all the rest of what life demands from us. It takes a lot of our time and it costs quite a bit of money to keep it going too.
So, it is really touching to think that 1) someone thought enough of my little blog to nominate it, and 2) the judges thought enough of my little blog to choose it as a finalist.
After six (6) years of tapping away on my keyboard sending words and thoughts out into the interwebs, this truly means so much to me. I’m not invisible. My words have been seen and do have some value. That means a lot to me – YAY!
Heartened
It’s heartening to know that you don’t have to fit a specific mold to be in the running for an award or to be noticed. You don’t have to be a particular age, look a certain way, follow a precise blogging formula or style, be the most popular, or the most extroverted, or the most creative, or the most prolific poster, etc! You just have to be you, chipping away, trying your best, being authentically yourself.
So here I am – quiet, introverted, little middle-aged me – a BUPA Blog Awards Finalist! I never ever imagined I would be, but I must say it does feel really quite bloody lovely!
What’s next?
The process from here goes a little like this:
24 September 2018 – Finalists announced
24 September 2018 – Peopleโs Choice voting opens
15 October 2018 โ Peopleโs Choice voting closes
25 October 2018 โ Winners are announced at an exclusive event
29 October 2018 โ Winners are published online
To have been selected as a Finalist, I have to say that I already feel like a winner. I will be floating on air for a long time just on being a finalist. It’s such a privilege and honour! However, as you can see above, People’s Choice voting opened yesterday. If you would like to see quiet, introverted, vertically challenged, middle-aged me accumulate a few votes, then I would love your vote! You can go HERE to do that (note that the finalist badge is also in my sidebar now and is linked to the BUPA page where you can vote). Thanks so much!
FREE STUFF!
Meanwhile, in celebration of me being a Finalist – I’m giving out FREE HUGS FOR ALL!!
(well I’m not Oprah but if I were, it’d so be cars for sure AND free hugs!)
Ciao for now,
Linking up with Denyse Whelan Blogs for #LifeThisWeek and Sue of SIzzling Towards 60 & Beyond and Leanne of Cresting the Hill for #MLSTL (Midlife Share the Love)
40 Comments
Congratulations Min, it’s awesome to see you being recognised for all your hard work. Well done ๐
Thank you so much Lyndall! xo
Congratulations again Min – this is such a wonderful endorsement of your blogging and what you bring to the table. I’ve voted for you and I hope you link up with us tomorrow at #MLSTL so a few more get to celebrate your success and vote as well.
Have fun choosing a dress to wear to the awards ceremony!
Thank you so much for your lovely words Leanne and thank you for voting for me! Yes I will link up this post with #MLSTL tomorrow for sure. I’m not even sure if I get to go to the awards ceremony. I’m not really sure of what the process is to be honest LOL
Hi Min – I’ll be really interested to hear what the entire process for a finalist entails – do you get to bring a plus one to the awards night? Do they pay for your flights, do they do airport transfers, do you get a cushy motel suite as part of the package? It’d be pretty sad to spend hundreds of dollars only to turn up without a partner, knowing nobody, and clap for someone else! Keep me posted! #MLSTL and I’ve shared your post on my SM ๐
I’ve heard more now Leanne and I’ve been invited to the event. No partners. Financial support. It’ll be fun and exciting but my anxiety has been triggered! Nevertheless – I’m determined to not reduce my world and opportunities and experiences based on my silly anxiety issues! ๐ xo
Min I am so thrilled for you! And yes, it’s an encouragement to know that a regular person (and a very lovely one I might add) can become a finalist. Here’s hoping you bring home the award – but even if you don’t you’re still a winner in my books ๐
Thanks so much Janet! What lovely things to say – thank you! I very much doubt I will win but hey you never know. I feel like a winner already anyway! ๐ xo
Congratulations Min!!
Thank you! ๐ xo
How exciting!!! Congratulations!!
It is a bit exciting isn’t it! lol Thanks Kerrie! ๐
Congratulations, Min! I just used the link and voted right now!
#MLSTL
Thank you Donna and thank you so much for your vote! ๐ xo
Congratulations, Min! I just voted for you. #MLSTL
Thanks so much Natalie for the congrats and the vote! ๐ xo
Congratulations Min! After the last year you have had this is such wonderful news and I’m sure you are very excited. I did try to vote but can’t see where??? You deserve this and I’ll be sharing on social media. Fingers crossed and don’t forget your tiara if you attend the awards LOL:)
Hi Min I’ve voted for you, good luck! xx
Thank you Sue! xo
Thanks so much Sue. I am excited though probably would be more so if I were well! I see you’ve worked out the voting now and voted for me – thank you!! BTW – I don’t have a tiara – perhaps you have one I could borrow? ๐ xo
Congratulations and good luck! #MLSTL
Thank you Jennifer!
I think this award is well deserved Min! Itโs been a tough time but this is great news for you. Good luck! Have shared for #mlstl
Thanks so much Debbie! It’s a huge surprise. Thanks for your kind words and thanks for sharing. xo
Congratulations!! Sending you good luck vibes and will be keen to hear how it goes.
Thanks so much Becky! xo
This is exciting news – well done! have shared.
Thank you Christine and thanks for sharing! ๐ xo
Wow, what an achievement. I’m happy that you have been recognised in this way Min and I’ve voted for you.
Thanks so much Jan for your kind words and for voting for me! ๐ xo
I love your hugs. I wish I was more computer savvy and could figure things like that out. Congratulations on get nominated three years in a row and this year being a finalist.
I love hugs Victoria so it was fulfilling a natural need of mine even if virtually! LOL Thank you so much for your kind words!:-) xo
Well-done Min. You needed some sunshine in your life right now and this is terrific news. Your blog is always a high quality read and I hope you do well.
Thank you for linking up for #lifethisweek. Next week’s optional prompt is Share Your Snaps! Denyse
Some sunshine in my life is certainly very welcome – yes, thank you Denyse and thanks for your kind words! ๐ xo
Congratulations Min and good luck. I have voted for tou #MLSTL Will share on SM
Thank you so much Jennifer – for your congrats, the vote, and sharing! ๐
Congratulations Min! That really is lovely. I accept your free hug and will go vote. #MLSTL
Thank you Christie! So glad you’ve accepted my free hug too! ๐
Congratulations on your nomination!
Sharing for MLSTL
Thank you Trisha! ๐