Another November full of blogging and reading and commenting is behind us. It was a lot of fun. In fact, I’d say this was my favourite NaBloPoMo yet!
I’m on the fence about whether I’ll participate again next year. It’s…a lot! A lot of reading. A lot of commenting. A fair amount of writing (I already tend to post 5x/week, so the writing of posts is actually the least time-consuming part of the process). But it’s also fun! Decisions, decisions. I have a few months before I need to figure it out!
This year I “cheated” in various ways – which really made it feel more sustainable.
- I didn’t respond to every comment left on my blog.
- I didn’t read every blog post put out by bloggers (and did prioritize reading and commenting on established blog friend sites).
- I didn’t post on Sunday OR comment on NaBloPoMo posts that were published on Sunday.
I remember getting to the end of November last year and being exhausted! Having a day off each week really helped! Telling myself it’s okay to not complete everything as written is…fine. Nothing bad happened because I didn’t post or comment on Sunday.
A huge thank-you to San for leading the charge once again – for organizing lists and people and being a hub of connection in this blogging world.
Thank you to everyone who read our NaBloPoMo posts, thank you to everyone who engaged in various ways, and congrats to all my fellow bloggers who participated in this month-long event.
Your turn. What’s something you did every single day in November? If you participated in NaBloPoMo this year, do you plan to do it again in 2025?
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Tobia | craftaliciousme
I will most definitely participate again next year. I may not be such a good commenter next year but it was a lot of fun specially getting to know new blogs.
The writing part wasn’t my most time consuming part either. There have been days when I was not writing or commenting and once it piles up it starts getting hard being on track.
I loved the many posts you did and you know I will be back for more reading outside of NaBloPoMo – if not as frequently as I will do more batch reading.
Happy December for you. It is after all your second favorite month if I remember correctly.
Elisabeth
You left so many comments, Tobia! Gold stars.
December is my second favourite month. What a great memory <3
mbmom11
I read blogs every day in Nov! I appreciate the efforts you guys go through, which is why I try to comment on most posts. This way, you know your words are reaching someone.
I did nothing much else every day in November. Unless the daily routine of breakfast-making, kid-waking counts. And stressing about my usual worries, and crying in the car every day going to work. ( It’s how I cope! ) I hope to get back into walking every day, but I don’t think a December walking club would be a bit hit with most of your readers 😉.
Elisabeth
I so appreciate your wonderful comments <3
I'm sorry life is so tough. You've had a hard year and I know some of your struggles don't have a finish line in sight. I'm sad you cry in your car every day, but I am glad you have a mechanism that helps relieve some of the big emotions. It's so important. I think it is such a blessing God gave humans the ability to cry!
Nicole MacPherson
I definitely put boundaries around myself this NaBloPoMo and as a result, I enjoyed it SO much more. It’s so much more enjoyable to be like “yay, my friend wrote another post” and “omg I HAVE to comment AGAIN and what do I SAY.” Does that make sense? Anyway, enjoyed all your posts this month!
Oh, also I missed the first week plus, being away and all! And I didn’t really try to catch up on those.
Elisabeth
Yes! You know the theme of my last year has been JUST MAKE SOME BOUNDARIES, ELISABETH. So it was extra empowering to do it this time around.
Colleen Martin
I agree – so many good posts to read in November because of all your hard work thanks!
Sarah
I always love reading your blog, but I am generally way behind with NaBlo reading and commenting. I am doing the outside everyday thing in December because I loved it so much in October. I am aiming for 12 minutes for the 12th month 🙂
Jenny
Yes! I will definitely participate in NaBloPoMo 2025! I love it so much. The first year I did it, I read and commented on every single post that every single person wrote. But there were only 7 or 8 of us. It was a much smaller group. This year, I read and commented on every post for the people I know and follow regularly, and for everyone else I tried to stop by their blog as much as possible. When it’s this big a group, I don’t think it’s feasible to read and comment on every single post. I do feel a little guilty about not reading every single post, so I’ll probably go back this week and catch up on a few I missed.
Elisabeth
I skipped commenting a few times on my “core” blogging friends, but for the most part did it every day BUT Sunday and I loved having that day off!!! I wasn’t quite so great at getting to new blogs 🙁 Maybe next year? But I wanted to make sure I kept things fun and it WAS really fun!
Allison
I think it was my favourite too, other than maybe my first, which was my first year blogging and really cool to discover that I COULD write every day, and that it helped me want to write more.
I’m planning to catch up on the nablopomo posts i missed now that it’s december and some people will be blogging less, because I really enjoyed the ones I read, and it’s a fun thing to do on my break at work.
Elisabeth
I can’t believe you’ve been doing this FOR SO LONG! It’s amazing and a testament to your dedication to blogging <3
Ernie
Congrats on completing NaBloPoMo the way that it worked for you. I enjoyed reading what you shared. I won’t decide if I’m doing it again next year until . . . maybe the 11th hour? My focus on blogging, reading, and commenting was a bit of a strain on family life at times, so I’ll wait to assess whether or not I think I can manage it sometime in October, maybe. I always enjoy meeting new blogs and welcoming new readers.
Elisabeth
Agreed – no need for me to decide now! A year is a long time and a lot can happen.
Birchie
Yay for NaBloPo!!! I highly approve of what you call “cheats” and what I call “keeping it fun/sustainable”.
I walked every day in November, mostly with the dog. The only days that we didn’t walk together were the two days of my West Virginia trip.
Idk if I’ll ever do NaBloPo again, but I definitely can’t say never. It just depends on what my life is like next November. Last year I did Week in the Life in December, and I’m debating whether I want to repeat that. The reasons why I wouldn’t is the time commitment and the fear that my life is deadly boring and repetitive. The reasons why I would is to see what’s changed since last year and to document all of the puppy mayhem. Plus I loved Nicole’s DITL post this morning. Stay tuned!
Elisabeth
Yay for daily walks! You and Nicole and Engie are so faithful with that (I think having a dog really helps with the accountability!).
I LOVE reading posts about everyday life and schedules and the mundane stuff. It is never boring and repetitive, so if that’s what is holding you back…kick that idea to the curb.
Alexandra
I had so much fun and made so many new connections and found so many wonderful blogs to visit and read, so yes, for me, it was a big success. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though it was, as you said, a lot of reading, writing and commenting. But, in the end, I think, for 30 days, it was worth it. So many interesting posts and people.
As for next year? Oh, indeed, I’m more than happy to go again. And I love the idea of taking Sundays off because, well, family life and life in general. That’s one reason I scheduled a book review for Sundays. Kind of cheating really.
Meanwhile, yes, bravo to everyone who participated, who wrote, commented, and did their best to support. What an achievement!
Elisabeth
I’m so glad we connected during this NaBloPoMo. Happy writing in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
Alexandra
Me too. It’s been a delight to get to know you throughout this month. And I’m so looking forward to reading more fun posts from your good self in the months to come.
Michelle G.
Yay! Congratulations on completing NaBloPoMo, following your rules, and keeping your boundaries. That’s a huge success! Your posts were delightful to read, you had some wonderful giveaways and interviews! (Thank you for choosing me for both!)
Here’s to a wonderful December!
Elisabeth
Aww. Thanks. I’m going to look at UPS next week to get you your planner because it is the time sensitive giveaway!!! It doesn’t look like our postal strike will be resolved any time soon 🙁
Lisa’s Yarns
Congrats on completing this challenge! I love that you made changes to make it more sustainable for you! I enjoyed reading along and commented as much as I could!
Something I did every day in November was read!! Both books and blogs!
Elisabeth
I read a lot of blogs but I didn’t read a single book! *Gasp*
I mean, I read my Bible most days + always the accompanying 2-page spread about the reading, so I guess I need to start counting that because it is clearly reading! But no “regular” book!
I have Meditations for Mortals on my nightstand now, though.
Steve
I definitely plan to do it again next year.
Elisabeth
The list of participants seems to grow year over year! Again – three cheers for San <3
Central Calif Artist Jana
I never heard of NaBoMoPlo or whatever it is. . . yeah, I could look again but this was more fun. I have blogged 5 days a week since 2008 and don’t want to do it 7 days a week. So, my hat’s off to you for participating but with your own version and strong boundaries.
I love The Frugal Girl’s blog so much that I wish she had participated so we could get more of her great wisdom, humor, and encouragement. And I am so glad to have found you through her Meet-A-Reader!
The only thing I did (almost) every day is read the corresponding date’s chapter in Proverbs, something I do with 3 other friends, over and over, month after month. And I ate. I eat every day. I go to bed every day too, but sometimes sleep eludes me.
Elisabeth
That is such a tremendous blogging streak! I can only imagine how many posts that adds up to (too lazy to do the math right now, but I know it’s a lot)!
Agreed about Kristen’s blog. It is such a delight and my only regret is not discovering it earlier.
That Proverbs plan is so good! I’m currently doing The Bible Recap (highly recommend). I’m not going to finish it in 365 days – that’s okay! – but I only have two more days in the OT before hitting the New…the timing for early chapters of the gospels seems rather perfect given the season!
Daria
Congratulations to all of us on finishing! I’d do it again, and this year I made sure I wrote everyday but reading and commenting was just about 15 minutes a day, most days. I got to whoever I got to and that’s it. No regrets!
Elisabeth
It really is impossible to read and comment on everything AND write and do life. I agree. No regrets!
NGS
I walked the dog at least twice a day every day in November. I feel like that must be some sort of record for the two of us.
I’m also on the fence about whether to do NaBloPoMo again next year. I’m so behind in blog reading and I wonder if I could actually engage with other blogs more if I didn’t post so often myself. Oh, well. I have lots of time to decide.
Elisabeth
Go Engie! I do think my walking game would be significantly improved with a dog.
I’m with you. I don’t have to decide today what I’m going to do a year from now. Also, a lot can change so maybe the decision will be made for me in some ways?
Stephany
I am ALWAYS on the fence whether or not I want to participate again… but then the FOMO gets to me. I do really enjoy the writing aspect of NaBloPoMo. It’s all the reading/commenting that can get overwhelming. I have to figure out a better system for next year.
Elisabeth
I am…tired. I think it hit me this week? It was awesome and I know I can think about it next year and decide then but it might be time to take a break??! Stay tuned 😉
San
Way behind on commenting, but wanted to say: thank you for taking part in NaBloPoMo, even by making up your own “rules”… I loved having your voice in the mix (as always :)).