1: NaBloPoMo 2021

Hey blog friends, can you believe it’s your favorite time of the year again? It’s time again for NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month), 30 posts in 30 days. I’ve been participating since 2006, when Eden Kennedy first launched the blogging challenge, and even though 2016 was the last year that NaBloPoMo was officially hosted BlogHer, I’ve still been writing and participating every year in November.

As previously mentioned, blogs are still my favorite social media platform and I will forever advocate for them. Focusing more time on writing here in November and connecting with people is something I look forward to all year.

I know, it’s a lot of pressure to blog every day. NaBloPoMo used to have hundreds of participants, but in recent years people have moved on to other platforms or stopped blogging altogether. Many people say that they don’t know what to write about or that they don’t have the time to blog every day. As with so many things, it’s all about what you make time for and a little bit of commitment.

My pro tip

A little planning goes a long way. I’ll admit that I’ve been planning out my November blogging month a bit in advance, and while I will be posting every day in November, not every word will be written on the day that it will be posted. And that is okay. Also, don’t forget that not every blog post has to be a deep, long, elaborate piece of writing. Sometimes sharing a picture or some random thoughts is all it takes to connect with your readers!

In case you do need some inspiration, I came up with a list of 20 prompts for the month to get you started. You can pick and choose from here if you struggle to come up with a blog idea. Use these as-is, tweak them, use them however you like. (I’ll probably use a few of them, but I also like to have a bit of flexibility to write spontaneously about things that come up during this month, so stay tuned).

Writing Prompts

You can write about…

  • who you are. Introduce yourself and tell your readers why you are participating!
  • 10 random facts about you
  • what you read recently
  • your favorite TV/streaming series
  • a new craft project 
  • a new favorite recipe (or three)
  • blogs (or Instagram accounts) you love
  • a review of a new product that you love
  • something you learned about yourself
  • a favorite childhood memory
  • the last time you left your comfort zone
  • your relationship with money
  • current fall favorites (share a list of your favorite things!)
  • your exercise routine
  • one of the many national holidays in November that you relate to
  • a memorable interaction with stranger
  • a day in the life or a snapshot of your day
  • your pet peeves (always a favorite!)
  • a list of small (as in, inexpensive) gifts for the holidays
  • what you are thankful for (appropriate around Thanksgiving)

You’re also welcome to use any of my posts for inspiration if you want. They’re not all going to be originals and some posts are borrowed from other bloggers (because this is what bloggers do – inspire each other and share great post ideas!). If you skip a day, no big deal This challenge is just a fun way to connect with each other and maybe find a new friend in the process!

Come join me

I hope you’re excited to come here a little more often this month. Spread the word! If you do decide to join me, use the hashtag #NaBloPoMo2021, so I can find you (and promote your posts!). I’ll also keep a running list of participants on my NaBloPoMo page.

Oh, and before I go: I am brave enough to think about organizing another Secret Santa (Mug) Swap this year. I’ve hosted a swap for the last few years and this would be the 6th consecutive year. There were a few hiccups last year (mostly because of Covid) and I am planning to move up the deadlines to allow a bit more time for shipping, so packages will hopefully arrive before the holidays. Would you be interested in participating (again) this year? I am also thinking about opening it up to people in Germany (if I can get at least two people to sign up, so I can match them with each other to avoid international shipping charges and delays). Let me know what you think in the comments!

  1. I honestly had never heard of NaBloPoMo until last week! How did this happen?! I’ve been reading blogs for over a decade.

    Kudo’s to you. This sounds like a great exercise – for writing, for overall discipline, and for plain fun.

    One of the things I’ve discovered in writing my blog/life lately is that I can’t do everything. And while I’d LOVE to hop on this particular bandwagon, life is too hectic for me to make it a priority this year. But…now that I know about it and can anticipate it coming up again next November, with a bit of extra time to plan around this, I’m keen to join in next year.

    Can’t wait to follow along with your month of adventures :)

    1. You have never heard of NaBloPoMo? Wow, that’s surprising especially considering how long you’ve been blogging, but that goes to show you that there seem to be “layers” in the blogosphere that don’t always necessarily overlap! I am thrilled though that you are considering jumping on the bandwagon next year (I’d love that! I’ll definitely be here :)).

  2. I agree with you- I love blogs. You’ve been blogging for a long time and I’m sure have seen many changes. Anyway I’m excited for NaBloPoMo! Also I’ll do the mug swap- why not? Thanks for taking it upon yourself to organize things!

    1. So happy that you’re joining this year, Jenny. I am looking forward to getting to know you a lot better :) and yay for being interested in the mug swap. It’s a lot of fun (when the postal service cooperates haha).

  3. I think that list is great for ideas for posts, even if someone isn’t doing NaBloPoMo! Sometimes you just need a little inspiration!

    1. Thanks for joining us :)

  4. Darlene S. Cardillo

    November 2, 2021 at 4:32 am

    I have been blogging since 2008 and never heard of this.

    Great tips for posts.

    I usually post only 3x a week.

    A mug swap sounds fun. There used be gift and cards swaps but they all died out.

    1. Wow, you’ve been blogging for so long and also haven’t heard of NaBloPoMo… that’s so crazy (I mean, the blogosphere is small and big at the same time, it seems!)

      Join us for the mug swap, if you’d like. I’ll probably be posting more info soon.

  5. I’ve never participated in NaBloPoMo but I’m excited to read your posts!

    1. Thanks for being here :) I am glad we met.

  6. I’m so excited to be doing this challenge with you. Thanks for keeping it alive for the blogging community. :)

    I’ve planned out all of my posts for the month already and I’m looking forward to what this month will bring.

    1. You come prepared. I love it :)

  7. Also team blogs! I miss posts from the people whose blogs I used to read on a daily basis! And I enjoy looking back at things I’ve written, especially related to our kids.

    I’ve never done this challenge and don’t know that I ever will? But I appreciate following along while you do it!

    1. I know! I miss reading blogs from people who stopped blogging. :( I wonder what happened to some of them.

      Thanks for keeping your blog and for reading mine :)

  8. Yay for NaBloPoMo! I need to try to do BEWP (Blog Every Week, Please). :) I’m not quite at the point of posting every day, but I love your prompts. And I cannot wait to read your daily posts – I always learn something new about you in November!

    Also glad that some others are on board. :) I love reading blogs – definitely on your side with that one. And I particularly love my “favorites” (many of which are written by the people commenting here… :>).

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