Three years ago today, I clicked publish for the very first time at my new home: The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist. (Here’s the first post!)
I’d had a fairly well-established blog that was accidentally deleted; after taking a month or so to lick my wounds, I came back with a newly designed space (a huge shout-out to Kae for the inspiration to include a lighthouse in my logo). For the most part, I haven’t looked back.
Over the last three years I have:
- Published 776 posts; today’s is #777. (Three years, three sevens. Surely that’s a good sign, right?)
- Written 910,005 words. That’s… a lot of words. (Almost the equivalent of the entire Harry Potter series if you were curious.)
- Been a guest on three podcasts (The Finance Girlies, Best of Both Worlds, and The Reframe.)
- I started a biannual Walking Club.
- I started an annual gratitude practice in February (the FIG Collective).
- I was accepted in the Mediavine ad program at the end of 2025 and for the first time was able to make a (VERY modest!) income off my blog.
- I’ve met 10+ bloggers IN PERSON, including: Sophie, Kyria, Birchie, Suzanne, Sarah, Kae, Catrina, Nicole, Rachel, and Coree.
- I started a Patreon community.
I have written about a broad range of topics. There is a lot of discussion about books. I talk about Happy Things and Hard Things. I talk about Christmas and travel and minimalism and parenting. I talk about how many people misspell my name, and I have written a lot of posts about things I have Never Ever Done.
And none of this would exist without you. The posts might be here, but what brings this space to life is the people. And that is all of you, dear readers.
I know in some cultures, the birthday person is the one who hands out gifts, and while I wish I could give each and every one of you some wonderful prize (And you get a car! And YOU get a car!), for now, my heartfelt thanks will have to suffice.
Thank you. Sincerely and from the bottom of my heart.
For the kind words and support you offer not only to me, but to the broader commentariat (borrowing that term from my friend Kristen).
In lieu of sending me flowers (I’M KIDDING), I’d love if you left a comment to say hello.
If you need some fodder, feel free to answer the following questions:
- Tell me your favourite birthday memory.
- Share your favourite one-line joke.
- Tell me about the most beautiful thing you’ve seen today.
- Name something you’re especially grateful for in this exact moment. (Coffee! I’m grateful for coffee!!)
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Birthday celebrations when I was growing up weren’t the Pintrest worthy events they are now, but they were so nice! Mom would fix a nice supper and a chocolate cake, there would be a homemade outfit and a nice gift or two. My grandmother would usually come over with a card with $5 in it. Simple, precious times!
Birthday’s most certainly look very different! We’d have homemade cake (always chocolate), a few party games, and that was about it. But I loved them!
Things were so much simpler, but also wonderful.
Happy Birthday, Optimistic Musings! Boy- time really does fly. You have really done a lot with this blog in a short time.
In this exact moment, I’m grateful for the opportunity to sit down to a leisurely breakfast before going to work. And, Earl Grey tea, obviously!
I know. I did a bit of a double take that it’s been three years?! And I also did a double take that I’ve posted that many times. Yikes.
Hooray for leisure time before work and a delicious cup of something warm. I’m curious what mug you’re using 🙂
Happy Birthday, New Blog!!! You’re a threenager now!
I have a photo frame on my desk with pictures of my travels over the past few years, and it always makes me smile when “our” photos come up. People who haven’t been to your part of the world just have no way to understand how beautiful it is.
I’m on my couch with a big ol’ cup of coffee right now, enjoying life!
You have “our” photos as part of a photo frame loop?? This makes me so happy.
Nova Scotia really is a gorgeous place to visit. Hard to believe it’s been over a year since you were here in person. Those were some very special adventures.
Hello! I am grateful for all your Nova Scotia and PEI travel hints on your blog! My mid-Missouri family of 5, kids ages 8-14, made good use of them in June! Happy birthday 🎂!
This makes me so happy! I hope you loved the Maritime region of Canada.
Beatiful thing I’ve seen this morning- my big cat curled up at my son’s feet.
Thankful for indoor plumbing- a hot shower is just what I need right now!
Happy blog birthday ! Thank you for sharing your travels, your life, and your humor here! It’s such a welcoming place.
Cats (for you) and hot showers (for both of us!) are consistent bringers of great joy.
Thanks for showing up and being such a positive contributing member to this community <3
Happy Birthday to your wildly successful blog!! I’m a big fan!
Something that made me happy today- I’m working on a blog post about my sunflower field and it’s making me happy to look back over the pictures of the beautiful blooms!
Is there a flower on earth that could better epitomize joy than a sunflower??? I can see why it’s making you happy.
Congratulations on this milestone!
Today I’m grateful for the change in temperature. I’m in the Southeast US and it is finally below 80 degrees (farenheit) today. I wore a sweatshirt this morning! That’s something else I’m grateful for: it was a sweatshirt I bought as a souvenior on summer vacation so it reminded me of that wonderful trip.
I love when vacation souvenirs pay joy dividends like the sweatshirt situation you’re describing.
I do love crisp, cool air this time of year.
I’m so thankful you did the Meet A Reader on Kristen’s blog two years ago!
Awww <3
Happy bloggy birthday! So glad you started this journey and are using your gifts in this way!
Thanks for cheering me on each step of the way!
Happy third bloggy birthday! I’m so glad I found you, I love reading your blog, and I’m so grateful for all the wonderful blogging activities you host! Here’s to many, many more blogging birthdays!
One thing that routinely makes me happy is reading about the antics happening in the dollhouse so thanks for putting such fun content out into the internet.
Awww, happy birthday to the blog! When I was having all those tech issues with my blog I thought how yours disappeared and wow, was it motivating to get mine fixed! Anyway, I’m always happy you’re here and happy to read all your thoughts on things. The most beautiful thing I’ve seen today…well, the leaves are changing, so it’s super pretty around here!
It was SO devastating at the time, but now it feels like fortuitous timing!
Fall foliage season IS STARTING!!!
Oh wow, three years already! Time does fly. Happy birthday, OptimisticMusings! 🙂 What a wonderful space you have created here! Thank you, thank you for your always engaging, entertaining and thought-provoking posts! I am grateful today for a coffee (always), a piece of my plum cake (my afternoon treat) and a lunchtime walk along the American River! 🙂
Coffee. If nothing else, it brings delight to each and every day!
Happy blog birthday! Thanks for creating this lovely corner of the Internet.
Right now I’m grateful for my bed. And for my husband who made time to get a card and money for the wedding we’re going to tomorrow.
Also, it’s my birthday tomorrow! So, I’ve planned a couple of fun things to do this weekend 😊
John and Indy are off buying a card and presents for some upcoming birthday parties and I am delighted to not be involved.
Happy early birthday. I hope the day is fabulous.
Happy birthday to your blog! I’m so glad you’re writing here!
It was a GORGEOUS fall day here and after supper this evening, everyone was playing outside and running around, and my two youngest were helping my husband fix a fence. Then they got to ride back on the tractor and had the biggest smiles on their faces. It was such a beautiful moment that I hope is a great memory they look back on.
Those moments can’t be scripted or predicted but they really are magical when they happen. I’m so glad you all got to experience that joy together.
Happy Birthday to your blog! Thank you for many words, your fun ideas, and good advice. I enjoy reading even if I don’t always have time to comment.
I’m thankful for a cool day today. Maybe autumn really is here!
Thank you, Joy!
Our fall has been CHILLY so far.
Happy 3rd blog birthday, Elisabeth!🎂 So glad you persevered after losing your other blog, which I remember reading.
Leaves are falling and changing to those beautiful reds, yellows and oranges of fall🍁 My favourite season has arrived 😊
We are season sisters! Fall is my absolute favourite 🙂
Congrats on your blogiversary! I so appreciate your voice and perspective and humor and this lovely community. I am grateful for comfy pants after a hard pants day. And, the moment a video call ends. AND, crisp fall mornings!!
ALL the gold stars to comfy pants!!!
I’m thankful I came across your blog! I thinknit was through The Frugal Girl’s Meet a Reader post.
I’m so glad we “found” each other!
Happy blog birthday!! I’m so glad you created this beautiful corner on the internet, and especially glad you didn’t throw in the towel after your original blog disappeared. You have a gift for fostering community and thoughtful conversation and I’m grateful to be part of it!
In this moment, I’m also grateful for crisp SUNNY weather. Our temps right now are in the upper 40s/low 50s overnight, and low 70s during the day. Absolute perfection.
Also grateful for big opportunities coming up within the next year. Greta’s school choir was one of 25 groups selected to perform at the White House during the holiday season (I wish it was under a different administration, but still an honor and great experience for them)! My dad, Greta, and I are planning a trip to Kenya next June with the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision (including a safari at the end — I still can’t believe this is actually happening). Greta, Nick and Cece will be traveling to various eastern European countries in July with a pilgrimage group (the same group and similar itinerary to the trip Nick and Cece took last summer but this time Greta is joining). The confirmation for all of these trips happened in one week’s time. My head is still spinning but most of all, I’m incredibly grateful to be able to take advantage of these opportunities (and my dad’s generosity — he is covering the Kenya trip costs, otherwise it definitely would not be feasible for us on top of the other international travel!).
A perfect fall day is literally perfection in my mind.
WOW! That is an incredible honour for Greta. Political challenges aside, that is an incredible opportunity.
And the incredible things keep coming. Those volunteer and travel opportunities truly sound amazing.
Happy Blog Birthday to you, Elisabeth 🙂
Happy blog birthday! I always appreciate coffee!
Happy birthday to Optimistic Musings! I know I am not alone in saying how much your blog uplifts my spirits. I’m so glad you were able to relaunch this space after losing your other blog. <3
Happy blog anniversary! I can’t believe it has been only 3 years. It feels like I know you for a long time Elizabeth! You’ve accomplished a lot in such short time.
it’s 5am here and Cookie came to rub my legs when I came out from the room, just like old times. she seems to be recovering well.
I am so glad Cookie seems to be recovering well from her surgery!!