Thank you! Yes YOU reading this!
As we draw the curtains on 2008, I want to say a big THANK YOU to all my readers for making Joyful Days the blog that it is today.
When I started this blog in late August just to find something useful to do with my free time, I gave myself till Christmas to see if I wanted to continue with it. Thanks to the community that I found in the blogging world, I guess the answer is YES!
Special Thanks
I appreciate every single person who reads and contributes to Joyful Days. At the same time, there are a few special people I want to thank for specific reasons:
Tamsin, for her encouragement in the early days and being the first person to Stumble one of my posts.
Snigdha, for her support and sharing which showed me for the first time that blogging can make us friends around the world.
Middle Way, for tagging me in a recent blog meme and making me feel like I was a ‘real’ blogger!
Celes, for inspiring me with her enthusiasm for life and blogging, and reaching beyond the blogger persona to the person behind it.
Lance, for being the quintessential nice guy with his constant behind-the-scenes support, and leading me to some other wonderful bloggers.
Joyful Days Make-over
I’ve been tinkering around with the site to make it both look better and work better. Some of you sharp people may have noticed already, but I thought I should update everyone.
New look
There’s a solidly coloured header now, to make it look more like a normal website for people unfamiliar with blogs, and a plain white background to keep things simple and clean.
Addition of creed
The purpose of the blog – how to live joyfully – is now clearly displayed just below the shimmering sun logo on the top left. This is the personal creed I try to live by, so my blog now serves as a reminder each time I look at it.
Removal of daily categories
My apologies if you liked the Smart (book review) Sundays, Manic Mondays, Thoughtful Tuesdays, Wise Wednesdays, Tip Thursdays, Fun Fridays routine. Although it provided structure, it resulted in posting for the sake of posting. I’ll post only when I have something to say. It’s more respectful of your time as a reader, and less stressful for me.
Enormous RSS feed icon
I fell in love with this RSS feed icon when I saw it! One of the things that make my days joyful is pouring over the papers every morning for as long as I want while sipping coffee. This icon captured my mental image of joyful living, plus it helps decorate the page!
Display of Adsense
Some readers suggested adding Google Adsense so I can start making money to at least cover the cost of running the blog, and hopefully eventually enough for me to live joyfully in a big bungalow overlooking the ocean! ;)
Coming up in 2009
Carnival of Personal Development – 3rd Edition
Thanks to Jeremy, I’m hosting this carnival on 5 Jan 2009. As of now, there are about 80 entries, so it’s going to be quite a show. Look out for it! If you’re not a regular subscriber yet, subscribe for free now to make sure you don’t miss this huge collection of excellent articles!
Interview with Lance at Jungle of Life
What originally amazed me about Lance was that he would post a one-sentence quote on his blog, and get tons of comments in response. I mean, the guy didn’t even write anything original and yet has this amazing community of readers who just seem to love him.
Later when we had more personal contact, I started to understand why he is so well-loved. He is just one of those successful people who is really really nice. Hear how he does it in his own words!
More unknown changes
I’m sure I’ll be tinkering even more with the blog design, trying out new post formats, experimenting with revenue generation etc. I’m never happy with what I’ve created so far, which I’ll happily take as a sign that I’m a true artist! I’ll try to keep it as stealthy as possible so you won’t be too bothered as a reader.
Please do leave a comment or email if any of the changes annoy or please you. That will give me a chance to adjust accordingly. If not, I’ll just do whatever I like and you’ll have to live with it! :)
Happy New Year!
… from the bottom of my heart, to you, yes YOU reading this!
13 Responses to “Thank you! Yes YOU reading this!”
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December 31st, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
YES, Of course, Daphne -I was reading this post of yours. Howsoever busy I might be, how can I miss out on checking your blog on a special day like 31st Dec ? It was worth it, I swear – you know, it feels great to be members of mutual Appreciation club, Ha, ha !! Thanks for remembering me. Now seriously, I admire the way you place your thoughts. And I most certainly liked the new look of blog – I basically like things very simple . AND Thank God, you have discarded your STRUCTURE for daily posts – I had that apprehension that over time, it would most likely be something other than you wanted initially – i.e. to express your thoughts and thoughts – mostly- do not conform to daily routines!! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO U and all your loved ones !!
December 31st, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
Hi Daphne,
I think you know already, that I love the new look! Especially your personal creed on the left – it brightens my day just seeing this! You really do shine here, Daphne. That you think of me as a nice guy, that really means alot! Thank you, really, for being a shining light here – and making my life better because we have crossed paths. I know that 2009 will be an awesome year for you, and I’m looking forward to being along for the ride! Happy New Year Daphne!
January 1st, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
@ Snigdha, I love your comment about thoughts not conforming to daily routines… how true, and how silly of me to have tried. Still, it was a fun experiment for a while, like much of life is too. Thanks for dropping by and voicing your honest thoughts… I really appreciate hearing them! In fact, you write so sincerely that I can almost HEAR you saying those words. Thanks again.
@ Lance, I’m glad you like the look. It was your observation that partly resulted in this post. I thought I should stop flying under the radar and own up to all the changes I’d been making over the weeks.
Honestly, I’m still getting used to the concept of blogging being a personal thing and thriving on a relationship with readers. I’m learning a lot from reading your amazing blog and understanding better what blogging is all about!
January 2nd, 2009 @ 11:13 pm
I love your look, RSS feed icon and your creed.
Thanks for inspiring the rest of us as we move in the New Year joyously!
January 3rd, 2009 @ 3:11 am
Hi Daphne!
Happy New Year! Congratulations on creating a new style and method for your blog! It really works.
I look forward to the carnival. I know you will do an awesome job hosting!
January 3rd, 2009 @ 11:15 am
Happy New Year! I like the look of your blog (it’s easy to read, bright, and clean). I’m in the process of chaning my look too. Looking forward to a great 2009!
January 5th, 2009 @ 12:06 am
Hi Daphne
I wasn’t around the “old” site for long, but the creed is really great.
Love how you let us know what is on the cards.
All of the best for this year.
Juliet
January 5th, 2009 @ 1:42 pm
@ Tess, thanks for the thumbs up! I’m excited about moving boldly into the new year as well. Love your blog name, by the way.
@ Middle Way, happy new year to you! Glad you like the new look. By the way, the carnival is now up, with more than 80 entries!
@ Stacey, thanks for specifying what you like about the look. I can’t wait to see what your blog holds in store in the coming weeks, both in look and content.
@ Juliet, that creed bowled me over when I chanced upon it in a shopping mall. I’m putting you on my blogroll; love reading your posts! Have a great year!
January 18th, 2009 @ 7:18 am
Aw sorry, I’m way overdue in my reply to this post! Thanks Daphne, you’re so incredibly sweet! :) I’m glad my writing connects with you – at the same time, I love your posts myself! Keep this up and I’m sure you’re on your way to your big bungalow in no time! :D
January 19th, 2009 @ 12:25 am
Hi Celes,
No worries. And on my part I must apologise that your comment didn’t appear immediately. For some reason it was sent to the moderation queue. Anyway, I think it was you as a person more than your writing that touched me, though of course your writing is excellent. Your blog is going places… hey maybe we’ll be neighbours in big bungalows overlooking the ocean someday. ;)
April 9th, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
And THANK YOU :)
April 10th, 2009 @ 9:10 am
Phyllils,
THANK YOU too! I am grateful when readers leave a few words to let me know they are reading and benefiting. This makes the blog worth writing.
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