Carly's Ramblings Blog - Style

Celebrating the Trials and Triumphs of my Life

Blogging Birthday Bastion 2024:

Prompt 3. Sept 3.
You can achieve all the things you want to do, but it's much better to do it with loved ones around you; family and friends, people that you care about that can help you on the way and can celebrate you, and you can enjoy the journey. ~John Lasseter

Your most significant other(s) is/are....! Write about your loved ones (furry or not).

I do think it is important to celebrate the journey and having friends and family around to appreciate your accomplishments make them that much sweeter. I have several groups of friends that hold me accountable to my writing and other various goals I have set for myself. I get to cheer them on and they cheer me on. They also talk me off the ledge when I am feeling overwhelmed and I offer the same safety net.

Some groups are online,; one is in person. All have there merits. Covid has changed a lot of our ways of connection. Zoom has pulled in friends from around the world. I think this concept is rather wonderful.

One of my accountability groups has one woman in Singapore and one in North Carolina.

I also have writing friends in Paris, France and Wales, Scotland and England. I joined this particular group through Meetup thinking that they wrote in a small town half an hour away from me in Paris, Ontario. Well, when I realized it was in Paris, France I emailed to say it was too far for me to go... then Covid changed all that and I found myself getting up at 4 and 5 am to write with them for three hours every Saturday and Sunday mornings. it was interesting to see how Covid rolled as they would have another outbreak and within a month we were dealing with the same thing. We also saw the reverse - when it eased up over there we were assured it would soon ease for us in time.

But the best connection is still in person. Sometimes you just need a hug or a high five.... or someone to do a happy dance with! After so much time online I was almost desperate to see people in person. Being someone who prefers my own company... this was big, even for me.

Having writing friends has helped me grow as a writer and as a person.

I find the encouragement to keep going is almost , if not, more important than having them around to celebrate the triumphs. We grow, stretch and learn more from our foibles and sharing those vulnerabilities with people we trust helps to bond us further. It's easier to take the risks when you know you have people in your corner believing in you.

This is where Writing.com comes in. I have made some amazing friends here on this site. So many. The Paper Doll Gang introduced me to 🌑 Darleen - QoD - my sister from another mister. That group also helped me learn the ropes here on the site and take risks. Lyn's a Witchy Woman has hosted blogging virtual vacations that have been a blast. Not only have I gotten to know these people I have laughed at all the antics we have gotten into. There is no way I could write out or acknowledge everyone I consider a friend here at WDC - I'd been writing this blog all day... but you probably know who you are. I appreciate each and everyone of you!

And then of course, I have my cat. He stays close. His presence is enough to let me know I'm not in this alone. His purr sooths me when I am stressed and he's willing to dance with me if I succeed. Right now he is outside laying on the back mat so that he can hear me... and maybe get a pet if I open the screen. What he'd really like is for me to go outside with him, but it is not overly warm today.

Word Count = 595.