Monday, May 4, 2015

A-Z Challenge Reflections

Now for the last formal part of the A-Z Challenge  Reflections



I was so relieved when I finally did the Z post for the A-Z Challenge, I didn't think that I would post again for a while. But that wasn't correct. I was happy to get back to the unrestricted posting of yore. I did a Second Look post the very next day because my yard was teeming with things to share.

So, what did I think of the whole A-Z exercise? Quite frankly, it took more time than I should have let it take. At times, there were more important things to be done than to think about what I was going to do for the letter J. But a challenge is a challenge, and I was determined to finish it.

Even though I gave the Challenge a higher priority than it should have had sometimes, I liked the creativity of coming up with a post for each letter. Because of it, I wrote some posts that I would never have thought about before. And some of them meant a lot to me. I also visited some interesting blogs and made some new friends. Some of the blogs I visited were not subjects that I would normally be drawn to, but I found them interesting all the same.

If I do the A-Z Challenge again, what would I do differently? First of all, I would anticipate it and start collecting ideas for posts ahead of time. This time, I signed up at the last minute and didn't really understand the whole thing. I was always scrambling to get something ready for the next day.

Do I think I will do it again? I'm not sure. I'm thinking about a 6 months challenge with a new letter every week instead of every day. That would be more my speed. We'll just have to see when next year rolls around what I will do.

Also, a quick note. Thanks to the sponsors of the challenge. It was well organized and I can't believe that the few of you visited each and every blog several times. I was amazed that you took the time to do this and I was thankful for your encouragement. 

18 comments:

  1. Hello. I’m visiting from A-Z. I found you on the reflections linky list. Congrats on finishing the challenge. I took a few minutes to read a couple of your posts. Your photos are fantastic. The reason I carry a camera is because it makes me stop and notice the little details of life. You know, staying in the moment.
    Congrats on finishing the challenge.

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    1. A camera does help with taking time to notice the details of what's going on around you. What I have to be careful with is not taking too many pictures which can also prevent me from experiencing what's around me.

      Thanks for visiting.

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  2. As a non-participant just reading your blog, it was a lot of fun to read and also guess what you would use for the next letter. Never in a million years would I have guessed your X

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    1. For X, I was on the path that many people were--looking in the dictionary for words that begin with X that I could write something about. Then as ideas do, "X with a tail" popped into my head. That turned into was a small story about a teacher I really respected and remember fondly all of these years later.

      You should do the challenge next year. I'm sure you have plenty of food stories and recipes you could tell.

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  3. Following along from the A to Z Challenge. Great reflections. I hope you will join next year too. I find it easiest to have a theme and start writing my post early...

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    1. Early--that's one of the key elements I'm sure. I enjoyed reading some of your posts during this challenge and you had a good theme.

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  4. I know it had to be a lot of work to do the A to Z challenge, but it was so much fun to read! I didn't have much time to check out others who did the challenge--there was one who did a Dr. Seuss challenge which I thought was great--anyway, I would enjoy it if you did it again, but I completely understand how it might feel overwhelming to do.

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    1. (Lost my first reply somehow.) I'm glad it was fun to read. It was fun to write--most days.. I bet that was really fun to read a Dr. Seuss theme. I'm one of those people who likes Dr. Seuss although I understand that are some that don't.

      May you should make your blog debut next year during the A-Z challenge. :)

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    2. I think that, for now, it is more fun for me to read and comment on a few blogs that I enjoy rather than to start one of my own. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

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  5. I didn't find your blog until the reflections list. It's such a more doable list! I was thinking that if I wrote two letters a month, by next April I would only have 2 posts to do. will I do that though :D

    Finding Eliza - Cleages A to Z

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    1. Planning and doing ahead would certainly be a good way to do this. I'm still not sure what I'll do, but good luck with you two letters a month idea.
      Thanks for visiting.

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  6. I didn't think I would post right away either but I was afraid I would fall back into my old habits. I hope to see you next year but I understand if you don't. At least I'll be able to follow you regardless :)

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    1. The challenge was a good way to start posting more. I had kind of hit a wall. I was doing a couple of my regular features, but not much else. Good luck. Look forward to hearing more of what you have to say, Lisa.

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  7. I felt much the same way you did. I was excited to publish my post for Z and get back to the freedom of posting that came with the end of the challenge. I don't know if I will participate again next year but if I do I will approach the entire thing differently.

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    1. I enjoyed the feeling of freedom also. Maybe we could make up our own challenge.

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  8. Hello there.
    Congratulations on completing the challenge! I didn't get to visit your blog during the crazy month of April so I'm popping over today from the Road Trip/Reflections linky.

    Entrepreneurial Goddess

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    1. April was kind of crazy with the challenge, wasn't it?

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What do you think?