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. Perhaps a surprising number of posts about my uterus (okay, only two, but somehow that feels like a lot: here and here, if you’re suddenly curious). 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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