“If you keep a thing for seven years, you are sure to find a use for it.”
Walter Scott
Thanks, Spidey, for that one!
Oh, my goodness!
Seven years. I’ve been blogging seven years.
Where did that time go? I remember it well, that morning I opened Facebook and a friend had posted that she had started writing about he depression, to help her, and here was a post. Would we like to read it?
Why, yes. Yes, I would love to read and support her.
So off I went, and read her post, and began to comment, when I was asked to create an account. Fine. I did that.
Then a little thing pinged up saying ‘Why not start a blog!’
The thing is, I actually had no idea what a blog was. However, in my infinite wisdom, I decided that yes, I would like to. I’d learn, and muddle along, and probably give up after a few days.
Name? But I Smile Anyway was the first thing I thought of, because it is, pretty much, me.
What was I going to write? Who knew? I certainly didn’t!
But, over the years, I have posted thousands of times, thought pieces, humour, poetry, fiction, reviews, life… And with those posts came you wonderful readers.
Some of you have been with me since the beginning, some joined in along the way. And I love my (not so little) blogily. I have been fortunate to have met some of the awesome bloggers I befriended, over the years, and honestly, you guys are genuine friends (and, some, like family).
You have encouraged me, laughed with me, cried with me, and generally put up with my nonsense for SEVEN years!
If it wasn’t for you, I would have never thought to publish a poetry book. I don’t think my debut novel would have ever come to life. And book two would absolutely not have been in the pipeline!
Oh, and I wouldn’t have had a second (not so used) blog, either!
You guys.
Thank you so much for being with me on this journey. Long may it continue!
“We’ve been together seven years. We’re pretty much like family.”
Shane Filan
So, do you know how long you have been following me? How long have you been blogging?
Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!
But I Smile Anyway... 
Dec 14, 2021 @ 01:20:15
Congratulations
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Dec 14, 2021 @ 01:22:50
Thanks, Rae!
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Dec 02, 2021 @ 17:15:20
ON the whole, Ritu, I also like blogging very much. I can get a little stressed when I get behind with reading posts like this week which has been a madhouse.
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Dec 02, 2021 @ 17:36:51
I have learned how to step back a bit now, because I’ve needed to. It’s not easy, as I love it!
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Dec 01, 2021 @ 02:53:42
Happy Blogaversary, Ritu! Seven years is cause for celebration.
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Dec 01, 2021 @ 06:25:19
Thank-you Jennie xx
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Dec 01, 2021 @ 13:40:38
You’re welcome!
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Dec 01, 2021 @ 01:21:14
Still amazed at the community on WP.
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Dec 01, 2021 @ 05:59:45
Me too!
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Nov 29, 2021 @ 12:54:01
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 21:11:34
Congratulations, Sis! Great to have you here. Enjoy a nice upcoming week! xx Michael
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 21:24:45
Thanks, Bro!
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 21:09:55
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 20:36:35
Happy blogiversary, Sister! Seven years and counting. Thank you for your inspiration always 🙏🏽💜
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 20:37:15
Thank YOU Brother, for always being there!!! 💜
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 20:43:50
Always around, Sister 💜💜💜
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 19:03:24
Congratulations on your seven years, Ritu.
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 19:04:26
Thank you, John 🤗
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 18:12:22
Happy Blogaversary. Not sure how long I’ve been following you but it’s probably been four or five of those seven years. Congrats!
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 18:35:01
Thank you Janet! I remember, we got to know each other through one of Linda’s JustJoJan prompt years!!!
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 17:10:44
Well done you, that’s brilliant, and I love following along with your blog, not least because you work full-time and you’re a writer as well, which is inspiring for me. I have just checked my blog and it has been nearly nine years since I started posting and nearly 1.5m views which surprised me, I don’t really keep tabs on the stats. But it’s such a lovely community and I do love connecting with people. You have motivated me to try and post a bit more. xx
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 17:20:59
That is amazing !!! Well done, you!
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 15:38:10
Happy blogerversary my dear Sis, I think I have been with since the beginning…
I have been blogging ten years now. Here’s to the next seven years💜💜💜💜
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 15:49:37
Thank you, my dear, dear Sis 💜 ten years is momentous!
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 16:05:17
Lol , it flies by dosen’t it 💜
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 16:05:34
It sure does!
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 15:18:22
How exciting to have this momentous occasion to celebrate! Here’s to the ever-evolving, wonderfully smiling blog of Ritu!! ❤
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 15:48:44
Thank you so much, Sis, for all your support 💜
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 15:03:19
Good
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 14:22:26
I´m not sure how long I´ve been following you but I think it´s about 5 years or so. So glad I found you. I´ve been blogging for 11 years now. Ever since my publisher suggested I create a blog.
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 14:51:14
I’m glad to have found you, too, Darlene! And 11 years! Wow!!!
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 13:22:45
Congratulations Ritu.
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 13:32:59
Thank you xx
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 12:31:01
How is my old friend from Arunachal Pradesh?
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 12:48:40
He’s still going!!!
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Dec 01, 2021 @ 05:43:14
Wish him well…. The Chinese have eyes on him…
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 11:56:57
CONGRATULATIONS, RITU 🎉🎉🎉
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 11:59:01
Thank you, Chris! Youe been there, right since the beginning!
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 12:46:10
🤗❤️🤗
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 11:32:08
Lovely
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 11:32:47
Thanks!
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 11:18:00
Congratulations Ritu! I see you are fast approaching 10k followers too!! Hurrah! Well deserved.
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 11:33:50
Thank you, Di! I know I haven’t been as active, the last year, or so, but this blog means the world to me, as do all those I interact with!
Hope you are well 💗
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 12:01:44
You’ve been busy, but your posts have been coming through OK. We are good thanks. Been a bit of a rocky year, but we’re still here! Take care.
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 12:03:51
Oh, hasn’t it, just! Take care, Di! Xx
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 12:40:03
🙂
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 10:07:13
It is stunning how much our blogs have influenced our lives. So much has changed over the years. Some bloggers came and left again, some have been with us from the beginning on. Some became friends, and some we were allowed to meet. Our blogging habits changed or adjusted due to what changed in our habits through blogging… And I can only join in to say thank you for all I was allowed to receive through this big and growing blog family.
Thank you, dear sister, we are of those who followed each other almost from the beginning on. Thank you for the inspiration and smiles you spread, and the insights you have been sharing.
So, cheers to y(our) 7 years anniversary… here’s to many, many more years 💖🥂💖
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 10:09:56
Aw, Sis! My first ever Blog Sis abd member of my Blogily!
Things sure have changed, and I’m so, so grateful to have been able to meet you in person, too!
Love ya! 💗💗💗💗
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 10:19:52
I won’t ever forget us meeting at King’s Cross for the first time with our two other blog siblings. That was so special and so much fun. I hope that in the not so far future we can make that happen again. I am sure it will, love you to, sis 💖😘
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 10:29:51
I hope so, too, Sis 🤞🏼🤗🤞🏼🤗🤞🏼
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Nov 28, 2021 @ 10:46:30
💖🤗💖
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