Mary Gets Her Groove Back!

Sep22

I had something exciting happen to me over the weekend. I won a contest. You all know I LOVE contests. This one was a contest by Allison Worthington, also known as Mrs. Fussypants. See her link down there on my blog roll? I love her. She's also the editor of Blissfully Domestic, the online lifestyle magazine I contribute to.

Alli put out a tweet on Twitter last week asking people to submit their idea for a new Blissfully Domestic tagline. The prize? A piece of jewelry from her boutique, Fussypants Designs. When you see this jewelry, you'll understand why I started brainstorming.

I don't consider myself a very creative person, but a cute tagline idea did come to me, so I decided to tweet it to Fussy. I didn't give it another thought until yesterday morning when I received a message from her saying, "morning. You won the BD tagline contest. Email me your address, OK? I haz bling 4 u!" Ooh, bling! I was ecstatic.

Then I realized that I wasn't happy simply because of the prize itself (although I do love beautiful jewelry, don't get me wrong), but because of the other gift Alli gave to me - validation that my ideas are good. You may remember that I left my previous job as a college adviser due to a negative work atmosphere, with people who really brought me down. I spent a long time in that working environment, feeling like my ideas didn't matter and wouldn't be received favorably. I allowed my self-esteem to plummet.

Since leaving my job, I've worked very hard to get back to my former self. Starting this blog has helped me more than I can express. Receiving a nod from Alli and the Blissfully Domestic editors that my tagline was the best submission for the magazine means the world to me and helps me to remember that I am a smart and savvy woman with some great ideas. Thank you so much for choosing my entry and helping me to regain my sense of who I am.

** I will not divulge the tagline yet, as I'm not sure what Alli and the Blissfully Domestic editorial staff have planned for its unveiling.

14 Comments
by: marybabysteps
Filed in: personal-development, monday-magazine-motivation Tags: contest, monday-magazine-motivation, blissfully-domestic, self-esteem, confidence

posted by Serene

Mon, 09/22/2008 - 8:52am

This is really amazing! Congratulation! Keep up the good work, I know you have all the qualities to be the winner of this contest. You deserve it!

Have a great day!

posted by Sarah

Mon, 09/22/2008 - 9:31am

Good job! I just saw your tweet about being awake. I couldn't sleep either.

Great blog. I just saw on Twitter that you are from Butler, PA. I am in Phoenixville, near Valley Forge. You should sign up with Philly Mom Bloggers. Lots of great stuff in the works.

Have a good day and get some sleep!

posted by Kelly @ Pass the Torch

Mon, 09/22/2008 - 1:45pm

You ARE smart and savvy! I can't wait to read the tagline when it's revealed!

Congrats!

posted by Caroline

Mon, 09/22/2008 - 1:48pm

Woo hoo! Congrats Mary! I could not be more understanding of how GOOD it feels to be validated by your own blogging and writing - esp. after losing your confidence for awhile. I so get that. You DO absolutely deserve this. I can't wait to hear the tagline! Congrats again.

posted by Melissa @ The Inspired Room

Mon, 09/22/2008 - 2:49pm

Congratulations! That is so exciting! And what an honor to be chosen, certainly you must've picked a winner!

Blessings,
Melissa

posted by Connie

Mon, 09/22/2008 - 2:50pm

What wonderful news! The validation part is so much better than the prize (nothing against Alli's jewelry). Accept, believe and focus on your accomplishments because you have come so far in such a short time. I'm so very happy for you!

posted by Alli {Mrs. Fussypants}

Mon, 09/22/2008 - 2:57pm

We'll put our heads together FOREVER!

You rawked the contest!

We'll announce it this week! Eye-wink

xoxo, Alli

ps- one thing I love about blissfully domestic is what a loving and supportive community of women we have built. It is huge blessing to me to have all these new friends!

posted by ::Sylvia::

Mon, 09/22/2008 - 3:03pm

Mary,
I was so surprised to read this post! I can't for the world understand why someone like you would be low on themself! You are such a beautiful woman and talented writer! I do understand how negative people/atmospheres can beat a person up though. Don't ever let people get you down on yourself, I haven't even known you that long and I have already seen so many admirable qualities!!

I just wanted to say how absolutely happy I am for your accomplishment and I look forward to seeing the unveiling of your idea!

xoxo,
Sylvia

posted by chicklitgurrl

Mon, 09/22/2008 - 8:58pm

Congrats, chick! Your ideas ARE good, and this is just one of many examples that will illustrate that, Smiling

posted by Tess

Mon, 09/22/2008 - 10:52pm

Wow! So cool and I'm glad to see that a blog can make all the difference in a person's life!

posted by nadia

Tue, 09/23/2008 - 3:13pm

Yay, congratulations! I knew you would win a contest soon Smiling Good work, Mary. If you start an online magazine someday, I'm applying as a writer Smiling

Can't wait to read your winning tag line!

posted by Jaime

Tue, 09/23/2008 - 7:22pm

Good for you! Congratulations. Doesnt it suck when you feel like you need validation from other people? I try HARD to not feel like that but I think its something that a lot of women go through. And I am in a similar situation in my current work environment so I totally sympathize with you on that one.

posted by hookedonhouses

Wed, 09/24/2008 - 1:12pm

Mary, did you come up with the "Your Life. Your Bliss," tag line that's on the BD site now? Love it!

Congrats on your big win and your bling. That's so fun. And what a great way to get your groove back! -Julia Smiling

posted by Angela Moore

Wed, 09/24/2008 - 7:20pm

You go girl Smiling You've always had your groove. You just had to figure out how to show it. You're amazing and you have so much to offer the writing world! Keep it up!

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