Alas, It’s Been a Year

It's Been a Year

Alas, It’s Been a Year

Another year has passed and this marks the one year anniversary of this blog. Although this is not my first go at the rodeo, there is a mix of feelings and emotions that comes with this realization. Many look at this accomplishment as a goal post, the end of a hard fought journey. There is triumph in lasting in the blogging world this long. Alas, it’s been a year and I can’t say that I am happy about it. There is something glorious in the act of becoming and rather passé’ in just plain old being.

For various reasons I have looked forward to this date with a touch of dread. Instead of playing a highlight reel of my utter fails and unfathomable successes (tongue in cheek), I thought I would elucidate a few reasons for the aforementioned dread.

New Kid On The Block

At this time last year, I was the new kid on the block. I had absolutely no expectations from myself or my handful of readers. If I put a blog post out it was considered great. If I missed a few days…no biggie.

Anything above average felt spectacular. Most don’t write the way I do. So my style was interpreted as fresh and uncommon. Each post was looked at as exciting and new.

Alas, it’s been a year now and I have lost the advantage of surprise. Those coming to this blog know exactly what they are going to get. Maybe some of the ideas change, but there is truly nothing new under the sun. I am who I am. My readers have already realized who that is.

It's Been a Year

Brilliance Fades

The first few months of a blog are ridiculously creative. Years of ideas and beliefs have been stewing in the mind. Energized by the art of beginning, one enunciates the most sacred and carefully kept ideas for the public eye.

But this can only go on so long. Even the deepest of wells eventually runs dry if one keeps on drawing off water. While true that ideas and blog posts evolve over time, the original bite of new thoughts becomes nuanced.

One has already released the manifesto by the half year period. It’s been a year now, and I spend much of my time refining and fine tuning that which I have already released out into the world. I can refine my ideas about half retirement or front loading as much as I want in a new blog post, but the most impactful period was undoubtedly when the terms were introduced in the first place.

New Is No Longer An Excuse

How many times have I not reached a milestone and used the blogs newness as an excuse? Whether it be page views, features, or the other million prizes we fight for with our blogs.

It’s been a year now and there is no longer this most basic of excuses.

I have accomplished much in some areas and made very little headway in others.

Que sera, sera.

Final Thoughts/Beginning Again

I know this is not your average blogaversery post. And like a middle aged person on his birthday, I am only half joking as I begrudge the passing of time. It’s been a year now and I can never look at this blog as new again. I am no longer the new kid on the block. I have used up all those defining blog topics that separate me from everyone else.

I have been in this place before. I wrote about medicine for years and understand the ebb and flow of a blog.

Addicted to new beginnings I have started The What’s Up Next Podcast. This venture is only a few months old.

So I have bought myself a little more time.

Doc G

A doctor who discovered the FI community but still struggling with RE.

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18 Responses

  1. Hustle Hawk says:

    Congrats on the blog anniversary.

    “I have used up all those defining blog topics that separate me from everyone else.” Doc, sorry to burst your bubble but *tounge in cheek* there is nothing new under the Sun when it comes to personal finance topics. Well, there was Bitcoin, but we all know how that turned out for now 😛

    From my perspective it’s not the topics but the delivery that keeps drawing me back. Maybe I have a better idea of what to expect from your writing style but, as they say, if it ‘ain’t broken don’t fix it’.

    “I am who I am.” Yes and no. Are you the exact same person you were 5 years ago? How about 10 ago or 15? I think we are continuously shaped, moulded and changed by the ebbs and flows of the experience we call life. And that’s just fine.

    Enjoy the journey.

    HH

  2. VagabondMD says:

    Congrats on your one year blogaversary! Bringing My B-game is still my favorite, and I still share it often with my mid/late career professional friends. Cheers!

  3. Your anniversary seems like a “real” one since you write every day. Congratulations on that true commitment.

    To quote you, from one of my favorite of your posts, titled When The Thrill Is Gone, “May you never reach your dreams. Better to make it 90% of the way. There is beauty in the process of striving.” I hope that writing here has not lost its luster. I look at that post and your sentiment here and it makes me wonder your feelings. I’m glad you’ve launched the podcast. The format of the panels is really working great and I love it.

  4. Gasem says:

    Doc G you’re the man with the plan! The decay of newness is the essential sequence of return risk, but then that’s the cost of success. Podcast, lecturing tour, a book?, “How to” course? Ask about our fried chicken!! The well is bottomless.

  5. Bill Yount says:

    Doc G you are 45 years old on the human scale and 1 year old on the financial blog scale. Chronological and Developmental ages are most definitely not the same. In my mind you are a mature blog toddler who has so much growth and change ahead. Your potential is limited only by your imagination, grit, and ability to accept the risk of falling on your face and bloodying your nose. Happy First Birthday! Go smash your face in the cake and enjoy the innocence and pain and sweet taste of childhood. Who knows maybe you are Peter Pan and never have to grow up!

  6. Xrayvsn says:

    Congratulations doc G. I am honestly shocked you have had this blog only a year. I guess the experience from your other blog makes you feel like a much more seasoned blogger.

    I hear you about the creativity burst in the beginning.. I’m at the 8 month mark myself and hopefully can continue putting out quality content. You doing a daily post still astounds me as I would definitely run the well dry already if I took that pace

    Happy new year and look forward to seeing what you have in store next year

  7. Que sera, sera Doc. I’m with ya.

    But here’s the thing. You show up. You put the work in. Commitment and a genuine voice stand out, and that’s why people come here.

    Keep doing you brother.

  8. Congrats DocG. A daily blogging schedule is no joke. I’d have burned out long ago. Keep up the great work and happy blogversary.

  9. Deanna says:

    Happy anniversary. I love reading your stuff so keep it up.

    Cheers to a healthy & prosperous new year!

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