The Accidental Blogger

If you had told me 10 years ago that at 83 years old I would be writing blogs, moderating events, coaching, speaking publicly, building a website and FB group, launching a Substack, and encouraging women to uncage themselves, I would have belly laughed. Because none of this was part of some grand strategic plan.

I definitely did not sit down one day and announce, “I shall now become a blogger.” I doubt I even understood what a blog was.

What I did know at that time as I transitioned from full time caregiver to self awareness was this: Something inside of me was restless. Not unhappy. Not broken. Just…nudging.

So I started opening doors that showed up in my line of vision. One small but very uncomfortable door at a time. First came learning about Whole-Food, Plant-Based Living. Then certification programs. Then coaching training and more certifications including 200 hours of practice coaching. Then there was volunteering and becoming a Moderator at the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies (CNS). Then speaking. And along the way, quietly writing little reflections. Then writing more and more reflections. Until I wrote what I am now referring to as Blog 66.

Somewhere along the way people started reading and commenting on my reflections.

I definitely had things to say.

Not because I was an expert. Not because I had a perfect life. Not because I had everything figured out. Nope none of the above.

I was willing to say:

“This is what I am learning.”

This is “what I am struggling with.”

“This is what I am noticing.”

AND

“Maybe you feel it too.”

Oddly enough that seemed to matter to people.

Here is the funny part. I kept thinking I was preparing to someday do something meaningful. It took 6 years of walking through uncomfortable doors and on the side quietly responding to a gentle “nudge” to comment on life. My very own rather startling awakening came after I penned Blog 66, “The Cage Was Never Locked”. That realization hit me like a lightning bolt. Driving down the road just last week, the title popped into my head like a giant neon sign. “THE ACCIDENTAL BLOGGER”. I almost pulled over to digest my new reality. Because suddenly the last 6 years made sense.

The certifications, hours of volunteering, meetings, very awkward beginnings, tons of self doubt, huge imposter syndrome, experimenting, being courageous, being scared, exhaustion, reinvention and the revelation, none of it was wasted.

Every step removed another slat from the cage’s door. And without realizing it, I slowly uncaged myself. Not through fame, or money or perfection but through expression.

Yup, through expression, combined with a huge dose of fear, curiosity, service, showing up, continuing and through using my voice before I fully believed in it.

That was the biggest surprise of all. I spent years trying to prove I was worthy to speak. Only to discover the speaking itself was what created my confidence.

Clarity truly comes from starting. Not from waiting until you feel ready. Or have a perfect plan.

And now?

At this stage in my life?

I feel lighter.

Not because life suddenly became easy. NOPE! Because I stopped trying to force myself into some image of who I thought I should become.

I have learned, I do not need an empire, I do not need to go viral, and I definitely do not need to become someone else. I simply want to write. Share. Reflect. Encourage others to be their best. Spark ideas. And perhaps help other women realize they are not too old and it is not too late.

Maybe that is what uncaging really is.

Not becoming someone new.

But finally giving yourself permission to become more fully yourself.

Soooooooooooo, apparently I became a blogger.

“ACCIDENTALLY.”

AND, honestly? I could not be happier about it.

The Accidental Blogger,

Suz xo