When I was growing up I had a few close friends, they may have changed as I got older, but they were always a small group. I spent most of my youth riding horses and fell into a serious relationship at an early age. So while I have had my share of nights out, most of them have been as part of a couple, I was never part of a large ‘girl gang’. I never really did the hanging around town thing that most kids do with their friends, as I was always at the stables.
When I got back into horses after moving south my circle of friends expanded. I started to work as an events organiser within the equine industry and consequently ending up knowing everyone! Some friends were closer than others, but when I fell pregnant, developed PND and eventually quit my job, I found that none of those ‘friends’ stuck around. I’ll tell you something, going from knowing so many people with my phone ringing off the hook, to knowing no-one is quite a shock to the system. A few ‘old’ friends remained, but there was a void in my life; a void that if I am truly honest was never really full in the first place.
I used to wonder what I had done wrong, why didn’t I have this ‘gang’ that everyone else seemed to have. I often felt on the outskirts of these friendship circles, not quite ‘good’ enough to really valued and involved. Why didn’t I have friends you could message at any time of the day or night; the ones that would have your back.
That is until August 2013 when blogging changed my life, something I didn’t see coming in the slightest when I typed that first post. Almost 3 years on and I feel I have the girl gang I missed out on when I was younger. I have people who have my back, people who inspire me and people that I love being around. We message frequently, in some cases constantly (Amy and Katy!) and even those who I know a little less well still have a big impact on my life, because we share so much. There’s a common understanding. The amazing thing about blogging is that it helps you find people who are so similar to you and any physical distance doesn’t matter.
My new girl gang is made up of mainly lifestyle/parenting bloggers and I want to introduce these wonderful women to you. I’m sure you will know lots of them, but they really deserve a shout out as they are all incredible.I haven’t mentioned all the wonderful friends I have met through blogging, just those who I feel hugely supported and inspired by.
Amy from Mr and Mrs T Plus Three blogs about her gorgeous family; her three kids and Mr T. She’s the most talented writer and photographer; blogging about family, lifestyle, beauty and style. Seriously this lady could make a bin bag looks like a Channel LBD! The best friend anyone could have, FACT!
Katy from What Katy Said is my blogging rock. She’s so generous with her time to everyone and, as well as writing her fabulous family lifestyle blog, she’s a collaborator with me on Live. Love. Blog. I’m so lucky to have her in my life.
Em from Snowingindoors. Em is such a talented and humble person. A hugely talented photographer, she blogs about her family life with her hubby and to gorgeous kiddos. We’ve had each others backs since meeting a few years ago at Blog Camp. I can’t imagine my life without Em in it.
Katie from Pouting in Heels. It’s not often that people are as beautiful on the inside as they are outside, but Katie certainly is. A stylish Northern mama with an inspirational writing style.
Lucy from Hello Beautiful Bear. Lucy is such a warm hearted lady and her kindness shines for all to see. Writing about her life and her lovely little girl, Lucy’s wonderful personality pours from her blog.
Hannah from Make Do & Push is such a cool lady. She blogs about her two gorgeous kids and a bit of everything else too. Hannah’s such a beautiful person and I love spending time with her. She was one of the first bloggers that I really looked up to when I started my blogging journey.
Kat from Beautwins is someone I’m so happy to have met. She’s a real force, juggling twins, being a single mum and running her own business with ease. She would walk over hot coals for the people she loves.
Emma from Island Living 365. Emma is a newer blogger, but I was immediately hooked by her wonderful writing style and warm personality. Having now met her, I feel like we’ve been friends for a long time, she’s such fun.
Hannah from Budding smiles is such a beautiful lady. She works in social media management/copy writing, but also has her own blog. Now with two kids she’s another busy mama.
Mim from Love from Mim. Some people are just an inspiration plain and simple; Mim is one such person. Moving to Australia, then being diagnosed with cancer would floor me, but Mim kept spreading her inspirational story and her warmth, where others would have crumbled.
Mackenzie from Reflections from me. Mac lives in Australia, so we’ve never met, but I know I would love her. She’s such a kind and generous person, I’m so grateful for all the support she gives to me and my blog.
Donna from What the Redhead Said. Donna is a marvel, she works, has two kids and still writes a blog that is always in the top 10. Another incredibly supportive person to everyone in the community, she’s really lovely too.
Laura from Dear Bear & Beany. Laura has only been blogging since January, but she’s doing so well already. She lives about 5 miles from me, so it’s lovely to meet up for play dates with our girls. I’m so glad that we met through blogging.
Michelle from The Joy Chaser. Michelle is someone who has it all, a gorgeous house, fabulous kids, a successful blog and a huge amount of talent. However, Michelle has had struggles in her past and she draws on those to help others, inspire and also to be the spokesperson for charities like MIND. I am honoured to call her my friend.
Clare from Emmy’s Mummy. I can’t even remember when I first met Clare, I just know it feels like I have known her forever. A fabulous blogger and an awesome person to have in your corner. We are so similar and I am so grateful for her friendship.
Charly from Podcast Dove. Charlie is exactly what you see on the tin. So straight forward, hugely talented and a joy to be around. Her blog is all about family adventures and fun, with a good dose of beautiful photography.
Vicky from Verily Victoria Vocalises. Blogging is full of kind and generous people and Vicky is one of the best. Always with a kind word and support for anyone who needs it, she’s a truly wonderful person.
Katie from Mummy Daddy Me. Katie’s blog was the second ever blog I read and I’ve been hooked ever since. She’s a super talented photographer, writes like a dream and is such a gorgeous person too.
Lisa from Hollybobs. I probably know Lisa least of all, but I really like her. She’s an awesome person and is really supportive to myself and the whole community.
Emma from Life According to Mrs Shilts. I think I first met Emma at Britmums Live. She’s a shining example of how to run a super successful blog, while holding down a ‘proper’ job too. She’s also a huge inspiration to many people who want to lose weight.
Emma from The Joy of Five. I met Emma in a yoga class at a blogging event (as you do!) and have been friends ever since. She’s a wonderful photographer, although how she finds time to take a single shot with 5 kids is beyond me! Super woman!
Alexandra from I’m Every Mum. Alexandra is such a kind soul and would go to the end of the earth to help someone or to make them feel better. Her blog is fab, as are her videos and photographs.
Emma from Brummy Mummy. Emma is such a fabulous person, she would have anyone’s back if they needed it. She works as a teacher, while also running a hugely successful blog and YouTube channel. Such a funny lady, unsurprisingly she and her posts have been in the media many times.
Eilidh from Mummy and Monkeys. Mum of three and still looking like a model; it would be easy to dislike Eilidh. Only you can’t as she is such a gorgeous, kind person and a beauty to boot!
Nadine from Juggle Mum. Nadine is such an awesome lady. ‘Juggling’ her super successful blog, her role as Britmums Editor and two kids, all with an effortless glamour that most of us could only dream of. She’s such fun too!
Sarah from Taming Twins. There are so many incredible people in our blogging world, Sarah’s one of the best. She runs a food/family blog and her recipes have been known to break the actual internet! Always with time for others and constantly providing a stream of inspiration, she really does rock.
Leigh from Headspace Perspective. Sometimes you come across truly remarkable people, Leigh is one such person. A person that you can never imagine being, as if you had endured what they had, you would no longer be standing, let alone fighting to change the world for others.
Jaime from The Oliver’s Madhouse. Jaime writes a super successful blog and juggles three kids (one being a newborn). She has always been so helpful and is a wonderful person to know.
Nat from Style Me Sunday is primarily a style blogger and a goddess too! Kind and generous, she is a beautiful person and an awesome blogger and friend.
Lizzie from Firstooth. Sometimes you meet someone that you just know you are going to get on with, Lizzie is one such person. A newer blogger, but with a lot of talent and such a beautiful heart.
Please go and pay these ladies a visit, I know you will love them as much as I do. There are some wonderful men I have met through blogging too, Tim, John Al, Papa Tont, Dave to name a few.
This group is so supportive and we celebrate each other’s successes. Some of us are running our blogs as a business, some are doing other things, but still produce incredible blogs. There is no bitching, no jealously and I am so grateful to be part of this amazing community.
So thank you to blogging for giving me so much more than I could ever have dreamed of.
Linking up to Ordinary Moments with Katie from Mummy, Daddy, Me
Comments 27
Oh you totally made me well up, thank you so so much for your lovely words. You’re truly such a wonderful woman and I feel so lucky to count you as a friend. You’re so generous with your advice and ideas and I just completely adore you! x x x
Oh sweetie, this is such a beautiful post and I’m totally with you on the bounty of friendship that blogging has brought me. I’m honoured to be mentioned alongside so many wonderful bloggers – you, Katy and Amy continue to inspire me with your amazing generosity in the Live Love Blog group and you my dear are a POWERHOUSE of productivity! Thank you so much for your kind words – I’m definitely blessed to have all that we have (we worked damn hard for it mind you!) and proud to be able to share what I’ve learned to help others. Post Natal Depression is still a taboo subject and I’m passionate about bringing my story out into the open to show others they’re not alone and that there is hope and life after PND. Huge hugs honey x
*I’ve something in my eye *
Beautiful sweetheart. Completely agrees that Blogging has a unique of opening up amazing friendships and is so supportive.
Love ya chicken. X
Definitely a group of beautiful, strong and talented woman. They are very blessed to have you as a friend.
I have always felt like I must have done something wrong, not to have that big group of girl friends like others do. But like you I feel like I finally fit in somewhere- just took us a little longer to get there huh? Thank you so much for being there xx
Oh such a lovely post that nearly made me cry. I love blogging and this lovely, supportive community that I have found. You are such a wonderful lady and I too feel like I have known you for ages, which is why I sometimes start demanding that you run conferences 😉 This has really put a smile on my face after what has been a very tough week. I second what the lady above says, I feel very honoured to call you my friend – you rock lovely! xxx
What a wonderful post. Such a great way to support the friends you have made along the way. You sound pretty special yourself madam! X
This is such a lovely post huni. Thank you for including me, how fab is it that we live so close? Lucky me! xx
I’m honoured to be included in this list as we haven’t known each other long at all, but I completely admire you and everything you do for the blogging community xxx
OMG this just made me cry! Not just reading mine but everyone’s. I have so much love for all these women and I feel so honoured and privileged to have you in my life. I didn’t imagine that blogging would bring the friendships it has and I feel so lucky to have this incredible support network. You are the best friend ever. Love you loads. Mwah xxxxxxx
Ah what a lovely post and I’m honoured to be in your girl gang!! I love how blogging enables us to ‘find our tribe’, wherever they may live. You are a very special member of my tribe too!! xxx
This is a post so full of kindness and support and I love it. Thank you so much for the wonderful words you have said about me. I feel very similar to you about friendships and that became even moreso when we moved away from Surrey to an area where I knew no one over 3 years ago. I am glad to say that I have a few friends in the area but I do now count my closest friends as some of the bloggers I have met over the years. Such a great community of people on the whole 🙂 Thanks again Aby xx
Aby when I saw this post earlier it truly made my morning. Such kind words about me, and everyone else and I feel really privileged to be part of this blogging world and to have you as a friend. I’m similar to you in that I have always had friends but the friends I have made through blogging are the ones who truly get me- we are mamas, businesswomen and all in it together. And you my dear are so incredibly supportive and kind, not just to me but to everyone around you. And that makes you a special lady indeed. Xx
What a lovely post. This could totally be replicated by any blogger about their bloggers who they connect with.
There are lots of super ladies (and gents here, I’ve recently connected with and am enjoying papa Tont). I’m a bit shy at events and I wished I’d come over and said ‘hi’ to your at BML as I think what you’ve done with your blog is amazing.
There are lots of super ladies (and gents here, I’ve recently connected with and am enjoying papa Tont). I’m a bit shy at events and I wished I’d come over and said ‘hi’ to your at BML as I think what you’ve done with your blog is amazing.
What a gorgeous post that completely sums up who you are as well. That you would write a post just bigging up other people because that’s what you do. The way you run your blog, not just as a business but to enable and empower others to run a successful business, you shine brighter than the brightest star Aby. Your heart is pure, your intentions beautiful, and I’m so privileged to have clicked with yourself and Amy and a lot of the other beautiful women you have mentioned in this post. I’ve always been someone who didn’t ‘fit in’, I was never part of ‘a’ group at school and college but was friends with all the groups, I’ve never been clicky and I don’t like gossip. You beautiful women are the most likeminded souls I’ve ever found on this earth and I’m so grateful. This is a beautiful post, thank you for your lovely words, not just about me, but everyone, you were born to do this job. You are a master encourager, connector, influencer and I pray your business goes from strength to strength and truly believe we’ve only seen you scratch the tip of the iceberg for the level of influence you will attain in your career xx
Oh Aby, what a super generous and kind post, thank you so much. I feel privileged to be included in such an amazing group! THANK YOU! You’re super inspiring yourself, and your organisation tips and advice have already helped me heaps. Xxx
Oh Any what a lovely post! Thank you for including me in it and for your wonderful kind words, they really moved me. I too didn’t have a big group of girlfriends growing up. I always fm felt different, and with blogging and the wonderful community I have the confidence to be myself. We always support each other which is fantastic. Love you all! XXXX
I feel so honoured to be considered as a friend. It’s lovely how we can just click with people and considering we’d never met before it was just like friends catching up. That’s really made me smile thank you for being so lovely about me. You’re a gorgeous girly inside and out too, certainly one of the friendliest people I’ve come across online and most of the others are all featured in your post too! They’re all wonderful women (and daddys below). Like you I’ve never really had a huge girly group other than in school and college. It doesn’t take long for people to disperse once everyone settles into careers and family life. I’m sorry you once felt so alone but look at your fab girl group now. I hope to continue to keep the lovely bloggers as friends and make many more, it really does mean everything to have girls to chat to. Outside of blogging, like you again, I only have a small selection of girly pals. It’s hard to keep strong friendships when running a hectic life but the friends we have are ones that just get it as they’re in the same swings of life as us and they’re lovely people of course. So looking forward to catching up again soon, if only the UK were a little smaller! xxxx
What a lovely inspiring post. I think the blogging community is amazing. Those who are honest and genuine shine through. Blogging friends rock 🙂
This is just so, so lovely – and thanks so much for the mention! xx
I too have found that I am making new friends through blogging and its wonderful.
I can not even begin to explain what this truly means to me. Funnily enough I was just saying to one of my besties the other day that I love the blogging community so much, and one of the main reasons is because it is not bitchy or competitive, I have found women through blogging so inspiring, helpful and generous. I know I have mentioned to you before how wonderful it is that you share all your blogging tips, you are so generous and your kindness shines from your blog. To be all the way over here and for you to mention me honestly feels amazing. Thank you so much for making me feel welcome. Hubby and I plan (but not official yet) to hopefully make it to England late next year I really hope we can meet up somehow I would love to meet you and some of the other lovely bloggers. And of course if you ever make it to Australia we must get together xx
Hope you and Baby are feeling better too!!
Do you know lovely, I read this yesterday and had tears in my eyes, one, because it’s a typically selfless post from you and two, because I agree with so much of what you have said. Blogging has so many positives but without doubt it’s the people that I have met (the good apples!) which has been the best bit of all. Thank you for your incredibly kind words about little ol’ me. You know, I know we don’t see each other often but you’ve been nothing but a supportive and wonderful friend to me since we were introduced so thank you darling. You should know – that like SO many others – I think an awful lot about you too. You’re a great, inspiring, kind and hardworking woman and I’m proud to know you. I have to say I’m in the best company too as these women in this list are just incredible also. Many of my favourites here. 🙂 Thank you darling. xxx
Love this list – there are a few there I want to meet in person as I have chatted online but not yet met! Katie and Emma esp I’m wanting to hug as I have a girl crush on both!
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