It’s easy to stay connected nowadays, isn’t it?
What with everyone cradling a mobile phone, you are always a mere message away from connecting with someone.
And with all the different versions of social media out there, Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, Twitter, Instagram etc. it is even easier.
Heck, you can connect with whoever you want to, whether it is by just following and liking a celebrity’s photos, or by commenting on blog posts!
Then you have all these new-fangled ways to make ‘love connections’; Tinder, Grindr and all these kinds of apps. They are a bit beyond me, I went the old skool way of actually meeting a person, not using photos to reel my man in!
But with the ease by which we can maintain these connections, though very accessible, are they real?
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love interacting with family, friends and Blogily on all these various mediums. I’d be the last person to say they shouldn’t exist!
But what about old fashioned connections?
What about actually getting off our phones, off our arses, and going to meet people? Or what about actually using our phones to shock, horror, speak to someone, rather than sending messages, or forwarding chain mail?
In my eyes, nothing beats the physical sensation of meeting someone, face to face, and being able to engulf someone, or be engulfed in a huge hug!
That is the way I felt last June when we all met up for the Annual Bloggers Bash Awards, take 2!
My life in the blogosphere started in November 2015, and slowly, I built up an amazing collective of bloggers, who I like to affectionately call my Blogily. We interacted on a weekly, if not daily, basis and these names became part of my everyday life.
For a non-blogger, understanding the importance of these folk would be hard. In fact, even though I kinda knew what my blogily meant to me, I sometimes found it tough to comprehend exactly how these virtual strangers had come to mean so much.
But that day in June, finally seeing so many faces, in the flesh, not just that Gravatar photo, was truly amazing!
As I hugged my way across the room, each person became more real. And not only were old connections reinforced, but new ones were established too.
It was a wonderful day!
Let us all connect
In every way possible
Join lives together
We are all of one planet
Let us be of one soul too
My entry for the ABBA Blog Post Competition.
But I Smile Anyway... 
Jan 04, 2017 @ 07:41:48
Does feel like a very special kind of family out there… Very beautiful, Ritu and so very true…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 04, 2017 @ 07:55:52
Thank you Sandra. I love our blogily 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 04, 2017 @ 08:31:16
😘😘😘😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 03, 2017 @ 01:47:32
The idea of not meeting make it more exciting
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 03, 2017 @ 07:44:39
To an extent I agree Sheldon, but there are some connections you want to cement after they’ve developed… and that, for me will only happen with meeting! 😊
LikeLike
Jan 02, 2017 @ 23:28:58
It would be wonderful to meet you and many of my other favorite blogger friends in person but I’ll have to settle for online hugs and kisses. The world is still a big place to travel around. That is why it’s nice to be able to meet and greet so many wonderful people that we would never be able to otherwise. Best wishes to you in 2017. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 23:31:14
One day… who knows, we may actually get to meet! But you’re right, these online meetings are more than we could have! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 10:44:34
Thanks for this piece
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 10:54:31
Thanks for reading 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 09:17:01
This must be the first entry! I haven’t even thought about mine yet, Ritu.
All comments I can endorse – and looking forward to spending more time with you and other bloggers this year
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 10:53:47
Lol thanks Graeme! I was of the thought that if I left it too late I would not get an entry in. Once term starts again things get pretty hectic! I’m Looking forward to June even more so this year!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 11:08:34
And you and I must talk some more this year. It was too fleeting last time
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 11:10:36
Most definitely!!! It’s a deal! 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 08:40:42
“We are all of one planet
Let us be of one soul too”… lovely!! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 10:48:48
Thank you Judith 💕 I only hope it can be possible xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 02:49:19
It’s so difficult for me to stay connected. I swear the more connected is the less my brain allows me to actually reach out Ritu. It’s a conundrum.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 10:47:57
Honestly, I think that for a few, connecting in reality is really truly tough. But for a lot of us, I think we have forgotten how to as we have become so reliant on all these other mediums…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 20:46:26
That makes sense. Guess it’s time for reconnecting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 20:50:04
Gotta be done!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 00:35:13
I believe in connections, Ritu! I am on a simple budget though so will live vicariously through others meeting up! Happy New Year!
Thanks for liking my newest trio of posts about the year of the rooster. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 00:58:20
Happy new year my dear!!!
LikeLike
Jan 01, 2017 @ 23:21:27
Thank you for this post Ritu. For some of us, social media provides a safe way to break through the isolation that results from agoraphobia and other kinds of social phobia. I’ve met people and touched lives without leaving my home. My life would be almost devoid of other people were it not for social media. But I hope that one day I can meet the people whose words and lives inspire me. I hope one day to shake your hand and say hello. Happy New Year, Ritu!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 23:49:37
Oh yes Rob it is indeed amazing to have these avenues!
Without WhatsApp and Skype I would miss seeing my nephew grow up too!
But here’s hoping one day I the near future we will get to meet!!! 😊
Happy new year dear Rob 🍾
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 03:28:10
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 21:59:18
This is wonderful Sis. I agree that it is better to meet face-to-face although I must say, I found it easier once I had met you all online first! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 22:39:21
Yes… there is that lol!!! Though I think you kinda know me now… I’d just chatter away no matter what! But the bonus of finally meeting was so worth it all! Looking forward to June again now! Are we train buddies again? Xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 09:09:42
Oh yes, I think so! I can’t commit 100% yet (More in a couple of weeks). xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 10:50:13
Ohhh noooooooo! Don’t say that! Erika has already said she can’t come!!!
But then, I know how it is… life gets in the way!!! Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 19:26:13
Oh I am sorry that Erika can’t make it. I will know soon, hopefully 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 20:36:31
I shall keep my fingers crossed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 02, 2017 @ 20:57:12
Me too Sis 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 21:38:27
Couldn’t have said it better. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 21:56:49
Happy new year John! Thank you 😚
LikeLike
Jan 01, 2017 @ 21:21:23
I would love to have a real life meetup with some WordPress bloggers but it would be really expensive to do so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 21:56:08
The blogisphere makes our world so small but reality reminds us otherwise… it would be so great to meet you though!
I’m sure a US one is in the office g though
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 21:56:19
*offing @
LikeLike
Jan 01, 2017 @ 20:29:50
Fabulous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 21:02:14
Thanks! 😚
LikeLike
Jan 01, 2017 @ 20:11:07
Well done you Ritu, you are keen !! I still have my thinking hat on!!… Okay better get my skates on and get into connections!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 21:01:28
Lol! Willow I had to do something or it would just hang and I’d forget… with school and all that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 21:48:08
Well done great start A star!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 21:57:12
😃 thanks!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 21:57:59
Credit where credit is due !!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 17:51:28
You said something so true which I experience over and over again. It is impossible to explain someone the joy and magic of blogging! Non-Bloggers cannot understand what it means to meet the world and “real” people although only through the net. That is what makes a real meeting even so exciting. It is like meeting long known friends-celebrities!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 18:42:18
Exactly sis!!!! The joy I felt that day is still alive in my heart right now!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 20:06:42
In mine too, sis! And that even nurtures the excitement for every future meeting 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 21:00:34
So true! One day sis xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 22:33:28
Definitely 😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 17:40:00
Lovely post, Ritu. I agree, it is great to meet people face to face.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 18:40:52
Thank you! I love hugs!!! And talking … lots of talking!
LikeLike
Jan 01, 2017 @ 15:25:50
Wonderful post, Ritu. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 15:33:42
Thank you Teagan! Happy new year 🍾
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 14:16:50
Lovely, Ritu. I, too, can’t imagine being without my blogging friends. Tell me more about that day in June. Happy New Year! 💥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 14:35:44
Oh Jennie it was a great day! Meeting like minded individuals, some of whom have become so close!
I posted about it here
Take a peek!
And I Look forward to the next one this June!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 14:43:42
Reading it just now. Sounds wonderful! Wish it were not across the ocean. Where was the bash the past two years? One day… To enter the contest, does one have to attend the event? I would think so, as the bash wouldn’t be the same without ‘live’ winners.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 14:52:30
It has been, and will be, in London. There were international winners in the awards too. So if that was the case prizes are all sent to the winner! A fab day though! I’d highly recommend!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 01, 2017 @ 14:55:26
Thanks, Ritu!
LikeLiked by 1 person