So I didn’t realize this, but I was nominated by twice for The Spirit Animal Blog Award. Even after reading about this award, I’m still not quite sure what it means, but I want to thank both Charles French and Jennie for nominating me.
However, I do not feel that I am deserving of such a nomination at this time. I do not feel I have done enough with this blog or gained enough followers to deserve any sort of nomination. I still have a long ways to go before I reach the level I want to be at, and I need to work a lot harder before I feel I deserve any kind of recognition. There are bloggers who post more often than I do and who come up with some amazing content and those are the people who deserve nominations and recognitions, not me. So as of right now, I just cannot accept this nomination.
I’m sorry if it seems disrespectful to the people who nominated me and to the award itself, but from a very young age I have always believed what we get in life is based on how hard we do or don’t work. And in my opinion, I do not feel I have worked hard enough at this blog to deserve a nomination for any sort of award. I need to feel like I’ve worked hard for it and earned it, the same way I do with my grades in school or to get a paycheck at my job, and I don’t feel that way right now.
I want to work hard and provide enjoyable and helpful content for the people who read my blog as well as any new readers who come along and I want to continue to communicate with others, sharing stories and ideas and experiences. So these are my goals and motivations right now, and I hope everyone who has supported me this far will continue to do so because things can only get better from here!
mythoughtsonwritingandreading 
I visited a person’s blog once, left a comment and was automatically nominated by them for an “award.” Which I might add would have had me stop whatever I was doing and spend time writing a post I both didn’t think of or want to write in the first place. I don’t even know if they even visited my site. There are also time-limited “challenges” people nominate you for from time to time. To each his own but I remain award, challenge, nomination-free, etc. I just do my thing and if someone enjoys my stuff that’s awesome. I admit to displaying the WordPress “Freshly Pressed” logo because for whatever reason on two occasions back in the day each site had a post featured by WordPress and – since my viewership jumped like 2,000 percent those couple of days – I figured that deserved some “publicity.” I totally get where you’re coming from and there is no disrespect intended. I have found most all bloggers get the fact we are aren’t all-in on that part of the experience.
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I understand what you’re saying. Thank you for understanding where I’m coming from because most people wouldn’t. I know I want to do more with my blog and that I want to reach more people, but it’s hard to balance everything, ya know?
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One of the mistakes I’ve seen bloggers starting out commit is just cranking out posts and not even commenting back to those who have been kind enough to leave a comment. That mistake gets multiplied when they don’t then go to the other blogger’s site and leave a comment there. It is hard to balance posting, responding and reaching out but to me that’s the way to build an audience. One blogger at a time. In time you’ll get into a rhythm where you can set aside time for posting, for responding to comments and for visiting commenter sites. (I still reach out to those leaving a “Like” behind and visit their site to return that favor…connections are made from them as well!)
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I see your point. Thank you so much for all your advice, I really appreciate it 🙂
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Michelle, I feel like you do, often like a underling in the world of blogging. I teach full time, and do my best to write on my blog and read the blogs that I follow. You are a great writer and have much to say, and that’s why you were nominated, by me. I’m sure Charles French feels the same way. So, please don’t underestimate yourself. This wasn’t some willy-nilly vote for a someone thing. You inspire me, and I thank you for that. Keep on writing!
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That is really nice of you to say, thank you! 🙂
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You are welcome, and I meant every word.
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