It's the end of Blogtoberfest as we know it...

Well the end has arrived. I had my doubts about my ability to make it to the end when I began this journey way back on the 01/10/10 (or 10/01/01 for my American friends!), but here I am...

Seriously. Who am I kidding...

 I've been partying... Singing... and taking it easy!

I was a hopeless Blogtoberfestie, and didn't even attempt to post every day as the lovely host has done. I also haven't been able to visit very many other festival goers, but it has had some benefits for me that I would like to share. Apart from anything else, I managed to post 15 times this month. That is an improvement of nearly 100% on my previous total number of posts!!

Blogtoberfest has rekindled my interest in blogging and I believe it has come at a time when I am beginning to start contemplating my study again. I began this blog to document my PhD journey. I swiftly put up a few posts, then stopped. This mirrored my study journey really and as I have mentioned previously, I then gave up - both study and blogging - for various reasons.

 Now, I'm not one for new years resolutions, but this seems like a good time to make a resolution, and mine is this:

I will continue this blog as a way of developing a community of interest, which will (hopefully) mirror - in some ways - the process of my study.

Blogtoberfest has introduced me to a lovely new community. As I said I have not been around to visit many of you, but my plan is to continue on this journey of discovery. I am interested in the process of how things happen. It is about the journey not the destination and all those other cliches floating around.

I think one of the reasons I have such a passionate interest in process is that I have become quite immediate since I got sick. I believe this is because of the nature of my illness and how it relates to energy, so for years I have felt the need to get things done now before I run out of energy - and also time.

Ironically what this illness continues to teach me is the importance of taking time to stop and get the process right because it can have a huge impact on the outcome.  I don't enjoy having a chronic illness, but as a firm believer in everything happens for a reason, I had lessons to learn, and I may not have learnt them any other way.

So Blogtoberfest, I bid you farewell but not goodbye. I thank you for providing me with the impetus to get back on the horse (so to speak); for the joy of meeting new people and catching up with old friends and of course for the opportunity to learn. It is my great joy in life and I am lucky to be able to pursue it as I want.

It's the end of Blogtoberfest as we know it... But not the end of this little blog. Thanks Tinniegirl. XXX