Happy Two Year Blogiversary, Not So Mommy…!

by Brandi Lytle
Photo of slices of cake with sprinkles, party hats, and candles on Happy Two Year Blogiversary, Not So Mommy..., an infertility and childless blog

Today is Not So Mommy…’s two year blogiversary!  On 11 August 2017, I officially launched Not So Mommy…  Two years ago, I knew I wanted to share my story.  I knew I wanted others struggling through infertility and a childless not by choice life to not feel so alone.  But I never expected the journey that I have been on, especially this last year’s…

Happy Two Year Blogiversary!

Year 2 at Not So Mommy…

When I first started Not So Mommy…, I wanted to make sure that I was reaching people.  So, I checked my statistics once a month, monitoring growth.  This year, however, I have not monitored statistics.  In fact, the last time I checked analytics was 4 September 2018.  At that time, I did not know that in less than two weeks, both my Grandad and my best friend would go to Heaven.  Since then–since beginning another grief journey–my focus has shifted…

I no longer need to check stats.  I know I am reaching people.  Because you all have sent me much love, support, and encouragement as I have navigated the winding path of grief.

Oh, how we’ve grown!

But since it is Not So Mommy…’s two year blogiversary today, I thought I’d take a peek at how much we’ve grown this past year.  And here’s what I discovered…

  • 390 new people have liked Not So Mommy… Facebook in the past year.
  • 428 more have started following along at Instagram.
  • 284 more find inspiration on Pinterest.
  • 176 more see Not So Mommy… tweets on Twitter.
  • 7 more have subscribed to my YouTube channel.
  • 259 more people receive the monthly Not So Mommy… Newsletter.
  • I have written 76 more blogs since last September.
  • 320 more comments have been published on the blogsite.

While some may think it sad that so many people need to be here, I find it empowering.  I am grateful that those living a childless life are bravely seeking community, willing to join public groups on social media and share their thoughts on blogs.  It is beautiful when someone finds the courage to be vulnerable and shares her truth.

I am also grateful for those who are not childless but have become members of the Not So Mommy… community in an effort to support and encourage those battling infertility and trying to accept the what is…  Those who want to be educated about our childless stories rather than placing judgement…

So, as part of our two year blogiversary celebration, here are some of our incredible community’s favorites…

Not So Mommy… Community Favorites

The top six blogs with the most pageviews over the past year…

The Not So Mommy… pages that have received the most views since August 2018…

My Not So Mommy… Favorites

As for my favorite blogs…  Well, it was hard for me to choose!  Here are my favorite ten from year two…

My Children Bark

Published 20 August 2018

Photo of Brandi Lytle, founder and owner of Not So Mommy... wearning her "My Children Bark" t-shirt

As I continue to over-zealously embrace my dog mom role, I am beginning to even more proudly show the world who I really am…  [Read more…]

Embracing a Childfree Halloween

Published 29 October 2018

Photo of suckers with sparkles on them on "Embracing a Childfree Halloween" on Not So Mommy..., a childless blog

I do not normally use the term “childfree” to describe myself.  In fact, I have adamantly stated on more than one occasion that I am childless, NOT childfree.  But this past October, I embraced a childfree Halloween, and I was proud of how far I have come on my journey…  [Read more…]

Not So Helpful: Things You Shouldn’t Say to the Childless – Series Round-Up

Published 31 October 2018

Photo of a woman holding a sweater over her mouth on "Not So Helpful: Things You Shouldn't Say to the Childless - Series Round-up" on Not So Mommy..., a childless blog

I began the “Not So Helpful” Series in July 2018, only two months before my new grief journey began.  Though I had to take a short break from these posts in September, I persevered and finished what I began.  And I must say, I am quite proud of myself for doing so…  [Read more…]

On the Other Side of the In-Between

Published 11 February 2019

Photo of a woman's feet wearing brown shoes while standing on a brick sidewalk on "On the Other Side of the In-Between," on Not So Mommy..., a childless blog

I’m passionate about helping those who come to the end of their battle without a little.  I want them to know that you can have a beautiful life despite…  I want them to know there is a community ready to love and support and encourage as they try to accept what is…  [Read more…]

The Childless Not By Choice Awareness Ribbon:  A Symbol of…

Published 1 April 2019

Photo of the olive green Childless Not By Choice Awareness Ribbon on "The Childless Not By Choice Awareness Ribbon: A Symbol of... - Thoughts from childless, non-mom, and infertility bloggers, authors, and advocates" on Not So Mommy..., a childless blog

One of the things I am most proud of is that I created the olive green Childless Not By Choice Awareness Ribbon for our tribe.  And in this post, I share thoughts from eight childless, non-mom, infertility bloggers, authors, and advocates about what the CNBC Ribbon means to them…  [Read more…]

42 and more than childless…

Published 8 April 2019

Photo collage of Brandi Lytle, founder of Not So Mommy... on "42 and more than childless" blog post

Wearing pink, practicing aerials, and harnessing my inner goddess…  I found my power in this post!  [Read more…]

Through the Ups and Downs:  A More to Life Webinar…

Published 15 April 2019

Photo of a woman holding a colorful bunch of balloons while walking along a country road with her head down on "Through the Ups and Downs," on Not So Mommy..., a childless blog

After finding my power, I then faced my grief head-on, becoming vulnerable, showing my sadness, baring my wounds for the world to see…  I did this in the hopes that it would help someone else find their way through the battle…  [Read more & Listen to the Webinar…]

Not So Alone:  A Global Childless Community

Published 22 April 2019

Photo of a woman holding a silver, glittery ball on "Not So Alone: A Global Childless Community" on Not So Mommy..., a childless blog

The power of the internet has allowed Not So Mommy… to reach people in 25 states and 17 countries…  [Read more…]

On Being Childless: An Autumn Wreath in Springtime

Published 6 May 2019

Photo of several different wreaths on Not So Mommy... "On Being Childless: An Autumn Wreath in Springtime...," a childless blog

I think this is my second favorite blog that I have written this year.  The realization I made while hanging my autumn wreath in springtime…  Well, it’s lovely, if I do say so myself.  [Read more…]

On Being a Childless Aunt:  My Favorite Nephew

Published 17 June 2019

Photo of a person holding a small red heart in between their thumb and first two fingers with sunlight in the background on "On Being a Childless Aunt: My Favorite Nephew . . . " on Not So Mommy..., a childless blog

And my favorite blog from year two is about my favorite nephew…  [Read more…]

 

 

 

THANK YOU, fabulous ones!!

Once again, I want to say, “THANK YOU!” for following along with me on this journey.  The support, love, encouragement, and validation I have received over the past two years is more than I could have ever imagined when I began this blogging adventure.  Truly, I am humbled to have the honor of being an advocate, a voice for the infertility and childless not by choice communities…

Thank you for helping me celebrate our two year blogiversary!  I look forward to seeing where year three takes us, fabulous ones…

 

If anything I wrote resonates with you, please tell us about it in the comments.
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Featured Photo:  Brooke Lark on StockSnap.io

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