As I write this post, I am overcome with a lot of conflicting emotions. The dominant one being relief with a tinge of sadness. I am relieved as I survived a month long blogging challenge. I know it probably is not a big deal for a lot of you, but to a newbie blogger like me it means a lot. However, I can’t help but feel a little sad as I will miss the camaraderie and all the fun we had during the month of April.
On a lighter note, when I was right in the middle of the craziness that is AtoZ, I remember mentioning to my husband that AtoZ reminds me of fast track Big Brother. If you watch the American Big Brother or any variations of the show, you will know that during the 12 odd week long game, there is one week where everything from ‘nominations for eviction’ to the ‘actual eviction’ happens in the space of a day, which is otherwise spread out over a week. AtoZ (in the world of blogging) is like that day – over and over again for 26 days. We go through the whole cycle in the span of 24 hours. We write/upload a post, comment, reply, reciprocate and by the time we can catch our breath, the clock strikes 12 and there we go – all over again.
As exhausted I have felt all through April, AtoZ has been an exhilarating, invigorating and an enriching experience in more ways than one. It taught me to write, edit and create image quotes in a limited amount of time. It has made me find simpler, easier solutions for lot of things related to blogging sooner than I would have figured those things out.
But the best thing by far has to be the people I met and the friendships I made during the month. I would not do justice to this post if I do not mention the people who have brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart all through April. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, and if I missed mentioning you, I am truly sorry. So here goes (in no particular order) –
Shailaja, Parul, Swathi, Sundari, Shilpa Garg, Sanch, Shilpa Gupte, Shalini, Prasanna, Sulekha, Vinitha, Suzy, Ruchi, Devika, Soumya, Genevive, Rajlakshmi, Eloquent Mind, Susan, Mee from The Chinese Quest, Eli, Rachna, Chicky, Elly, Little Princess, Sheetal, Aathira, Alison, Courtney, Shali Jay, Salvwi , Meghana Kawle and so many many more of you wonderful wonderful people. *
I can’t thank you guys enough for all the love, support, encouragement you have showered on me. I am so glad to have come across each and every one of you.
I also want to mention here, that due to the paucity of time during April, I have not been able to do justice to a lot of your wonderful blogs that I came across. Nonetheless, I have bookmarked all of them and will surely be visiting you guys over the next few months.
As I sign off, my heart is full of love and gratitude and I look forward to nurturing all the friendships that I made during AtoZ.
Keep smiling and happy blogging! ☺
Special Mention to Shailaja for the Guest Post for Y on Yelling Less. Thank you so much. I truly appreciate you taking the time to do it for me. ☺
*I will be updating this list to include more people, as and when I remember the ones I have missed out.
Eli
I agree- the best is the connection with all other blogger friends – and for me you being one of them:-) Thanks for all kind and encouraging comments – they have meant a lot! I have enjoyed your posts so much – you are a wonderful writer! Keep going lovely lady 🙂 Big hugs
Eli recently posted…A to Z 2015 – my reflections
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Eli. So happy to have connected with you. 🙂 *Hugs*
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Pratikshya
congrats on completing the challenge.. yes the experience is very new and wholesome.. mixed feelings.. I miss the ‘deadline is near’ kind of feeling.. 😀
Pratikshya recently posted…Reflections #atozchallenge
Shanaya Tales
Hahaha… yeah I know that feeling. Can’t say I miss it though. 😛 Nonetheless it was fun. Loads of fun. 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Meghana
Really happy that you completed the challenge successfully. You deserve every bit of appreciation you are getting. Waiting for more of your posts.
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Megh. Your support and encouragement means a lot. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Meghana
So back on the blog.. I am actually waiting for more of ur posts…and thanks for mentioning..:-)
Shanaya Tales
Posts coming soon. Really soon. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Lisa Buie-Collard
Glad to have your blog as well! I’m happy you had such a positive experience, and Congratulations for making it all the way through! Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
Lisa Buie-Collard recently posted…A to Z Blogging Challenge 2015 Reflections
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Lisa. Glad to have come across you through AtoZ. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Somali K Chakrabarti
Congratulations on completing the A to Z Challenge Shanaya. The challenge got us all into the marathon mode. Will catch up with your posts in the next few days. Best, Somali.
Somali K Chakrabarti recently posted…Branded Hilsa on a platter
Shanaya Tales
Marathon mode indeed. It was loads of fun though. Thank you so much for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Shailaja
I’m more than glad I connected with you. You write incredibly well and with heart. It’s the best way to write. Thanks for the mention and the guest post opportunity 🙂
Shailaja recently posted…The Myth of Being Connected
Shanaya Tales
You are very welcome, Shailaja. 🙂 I have a lot to thank you for. Let me start by thanking you for being awesome. 😀
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Susan Gourley
Thank you so much for being a terrific Dragon Soldier. Your posts were all thought-provoking and interesting.
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Susan. It was a pleasure to work with you. So glad to have found you through AtoZ. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Tanya Miranda
Congrats on finishing. It was exhausting, but totally worth it. I’m glad I came across your posts! Happy Blogging! 😀
Tanya Miranda recently posted…Celebrations Friday & A-Z Summary
Shanaya Tales
Oh yes. Extremely exhausting but immensely rewarding. Thank you so much for stopping by. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
G Angela
congrats shantala, I truly enjoyed reading all your posts, and thanks for mentioning my name, I feel honoured to be in your list. I am yet to write the reflections, am still visiting some of the blogs to comment and appreciate… meanwhile also joined another 21 day challenge on gratitude. Thanks and God bless you !!
G Angela recently posted…21 Day Challenge – Day 4
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much for your constant support and encouragement. So glad to have come across you through AtoZ 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
The little princess
I enjoyed your posts as much Shantala!! I loved your writing and your creativity…and it has been a pleasure connecting with you!of course we’ll stay connected to keep reading more of each other.
Love and hugs
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much. 🙂 I am so glad to have found you and your blog through AtoZ. Hugs. <3 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Parul
Such a great recap Shantala and thank you for the mention! I loved your posts and I agree – the bond we all shared and the way the challenge progressed was awesome! Cheers to our success and good luck for the days ahead 🙂
Parul recently posted…Taste of Punjab
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Parul. Your support and encouragement meant a lot. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Alison Williams
Thanks for the mention 🙂 Your posts were really lovely to read.
Alison Williams recently posted…#AtoZChallenge: Z is for Zeugma and Zzzzzzz
Shanaya Tales
So glad that you enjoyed them. Your AtoZ posts are a very valuable resource for writing and editing tips. Glad to have connected with you. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Vinitha
It was indeed an enriching experience and I’m truly glad that I found you. Your posts were simply amazing, Shantala. I think I have missed some of the posts in between. I am in the process of catching up now. Will be definitely reading all your posts hopefully soon. 🙂 All the best dear! You were an inspiration to me. <3
Vinitha recently posted…A Thank You Note..
Shanaya Tales
Humbled by your kind words and grateful for your support. Thank you so much, Vinitha. Beyond glad to have come across you. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Tim H
It was a joy to read along with your posts this month. I hope you keep producing uplifting content on this site.
Tim H recently posted…The Headspace Experience: What to Expect from FREE Guided Meditation
Shanaya Tales
Glad that you enjoyed the posts. Thank you so much for your kind words. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Devika Fernando
I’m so happy we ‘met’ through the A to Z Challenge. I enjoyed all of your posts that I managed to read. 🙂 Thanks for the mention!
Shanaya Tales
You are very welcome. I am glad to have found you through the AtoZ. Looking forward to reading Saved in Srilanka. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Inderpreet Kaur
I loved whatever little I read and will be back for more. Thanks for your support. It kept me going. Still trying to finish.
Inderpreet Kaur recently posted…The Indian Trumpet @happytooting
Shanaya Tales
Glad you enjoyed the posts. I have found several good authors/books through your AtoZ. Happy to have connected with you through AtoZ. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Shilpa Gupte
Congratulations, Shantala, on completing the challenge! I enjoyed reading your posts. Wish you greater success in every future challenge you participate in.
Shilpa Gupte recently posted…Will I?
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Shilpa. Your support and encouragement means a lot. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Sundari Venkatraman
Your posts were just awesome Shanaya! Loved reading every one of them. Thanks for the mention and link. Glad to have met you via A-Z Challenge 2015. Hope to be in touch! 😀
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Sundari. Glad to have met you too. 🙂 Will surely be in touch. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Rachna
Loved your posts. Glad you had such a great time and finished the challenge. Thanks for the mention.
Rachna recently posted…Our best pal!
Shanaya Tales
Glad you liked them. Thank you for all the support and encouragement. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z
Geets
It truly was a learning and fun experience.. Glad to have found you Shantala..
Cheers
Geets recently posted…AtoZ Reflections
Shanaya Tales
I am glad to have found you too. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement, Geetika. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…AtoZ Reflections #AtoZChallenge 2015 @AprilA2Z