Bloom Anywhere is One Year Old. I Am Better for It.

Hi. Welcome to Bloom Anywhere. I'm Gwen Moran, a writer, editor, author, and problem-solver. My goal is to share information, ideas, and resources to help you overcome obstacles, reach your goals, and find more joy in life, even when things are messy. Thanks for joining me. (If you got this from a friend, subscribe here: Bloom Anywhere.) I'd love your feedback and suggestions for future topics. Please send me an email: connect@bloomanywhere.com.

The Bloom Anywhere concept came to me roughly a decade ago. Current events were sapping my energy. I felt like I needed to put something good into the world and find new ways to connect with and help others. I also needed an outlet for my own voice and ideas. But I also had joy in my life. I wanted to focus on how to amplify that joy, even amid challenges. After more than a decade writing about career and personal development, I thought that I could share some of the wisdom I’d collected, as well as my own experiences, including being a cancer survivor and making a go of two businesses. I thought I could deliver helpful resources, insights, research, and hope, even to a small audience.

After the initial idea, I fretted and let imposter syndrome and “busyness” get in the way for a few years before I built the website. The resulting newsletter turns one year old tomorrow.

What a year it’s been.

Each week, I have been humbled, entertained, touched, and even brought to tears by readers’ responses. The newsletter received some attention, including mentions in other newsletters and podcasts, and a shout-out on a nationally syndicated radio show. But the real gift has been the interaction with readers. During the past 12 months, you have taught me so much. As I think about what it means to have written Bloom Anywhere for a full year, this is what comes to mind.

Being Open Is the Key to Connection

There have been times when I’ve held my breath on Tuesday mornings because I wrote something deeply personal. I’ve shared my feelings about being a swimmer in a larger body. I’ve shared my feelings about loneliness, not being present when I needed to be, and finding space for faith. I wondered what people would think. Would clients be turned off by my honesty?

Vulnerability can be uncomfortable, especially when you’re also out in the world, making a living as a professional. But it can also be transformational. Writing about my breast cancer experience and treatment motivated (at the time I stopped counting) more than 100 women and one at-risk man to get first-time or overdue mammograms. Each time I have shared such experiences and feelings that were hard to reveal, I have been met with responses that made being open worthwhile. Readers have responded with correspondence, opening up about their own struggles and vulnerable moments. In the beginning, I hoped that people would feel less alone and that my words could help. Seeing that it has come to fruition has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my life.

You Never Know Who's Reading

I’ve received email messages from people in all areas of my life and people I don’t know at all. Classmates and co-workers from high school, college, and previous jobs. The person who was my ultimate role model when I was a baby freelance writer. Complete strangers who confide deeply personal stories—stories of fear, forgiveness, inspiration, taking risks, finding love, and so much more.

When you’re creating content on your own—or even for major publishers—it can feel like no one is reading or that it doesn’t matter. Each week, you dispel that notion with your responses. It’s a wonderful dialogue, and I learn so much.

People Can Be Remarkably Generous

I’ve also been floored by how generous people have been with ideas, resources to help grow the newsletter, and support. Newsletter publishing and marketing professionals have offered advice about optimizing reach and growing subscriptions. So far, the newsletter has grown mostly by word-of-mouth from subscribers, but I have a collection of ideas I will use going forward.

Perfectionism Is the Enemy

When you’re creating something you care about, putting it out into the world can be tough. At first, I questioned everything from my credentials to my ability to keep up a weekly publishing schedule. As the Voltaire quote (kind of) goes, perfect is the enemy of good. If you have something to say, say it. If you have something you are called to create, do it. It’s soul food.

Thank you for being a subscriber or reader. I am so grateful to each one of you and for this experience.

In the coming months, you'll see some changes. A new logo and format are in the works, for example. And I'm pondering some other changes, too. As always, I welcome your thoughts, feedback, and ideas for future newsletters. Please share them with me at connect@bloomanywhere.com.

Onward into Year 2!