I am always telling my son that not everything is about winning or losing, and sometimes the biggest enjoyment can come just from the thrill of the race.
This is usually when he is not the first of his friends to run to the bottom of the hill after school. Or, when he throws a strop because I beat him in a game of snakes & ladders or Connect 4. He does not like to lose, but I try to help him understand that losing can be good for you. It can make you better, stronger and more determined. Losing can make you try harder next time.
This is something seasoned losers like myself often say.
I did not win a blogging award this weekend. This is not unusual. I have been a finalist in the Brilliance in Blogging Awards, the bloggers’ equivalent to the Oscars, before. But this was my first time in the Writer category; a category I would not have even had the confidence to appreciate a year ago. It’s the big one. If this were the actual Oscars, I suppose it might be like being nominated for Best Actor or Actress. The Outstanding category would be Best Picture, Video would be Best Cinematography, and Style would be Best Costume Design.
I’d be a big fat liar if I told you I didn’t care about winning. Having not made it this far before, I dared to believe I might go all the way. More so as the award was being judged, and I know I don’t have the readership to get through on popular votes alone.
But there can only be one winner and it was not to be me. The winner of the best writer award was a brilliant and funny blogger called Northern Dad. Read this post here about his overstuffed bowl of crap and you will see why.
I made sure to congratulate and chat to Northern Dad after the ceremony, as even though I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, I was genuinely happy for him.
It would be very easy for me to think by losing, it means I was just not good enough; but that would not be fair to the people who nominated me. Besides, is Leonardo DiCaprio any less of an actor because he has never won an Oscar, despite being nominated 4 times? Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise, Glenn Close, Edward Norton, Amy Adams, Annette Bening, Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert Downey, Jr. are other famous nominees, still yet to take home an Oscar statuette.
Does it mean the other finalists in my category, How to Survive a Sleep Thief, Older Single Mum and You Can Take Her Home Now ceased to be brilliant writers, overnight?
Of course not, it just means we did not win.
In many ways, it is a relief for it all to be over. The pressure of trying to write something funny, profound and/or clever has lifted. The self-doubt and nerves have subsided, for now. I can slip back into my little corner of the Internet, quietly do my thing and feel proud to have even been in the race.
Well done lovely. You have a fabulous blog, and you are a great writer too. Lovely to see you again (and hold your hand) at the weekend. X
Author
Thank you for holding my hand! That was a very special moment and was exactly what me and Anya needed! Lovely to see you and hopefully catch up again very soon xx
Ah Sarah you know how much I love your writing. It’s consistently brilliant. Awards are always an odd thing – win or lose. This is a brilliant take on it, and it was so lovely to spend the evening with you. Here’s to an Oscar’s style lunch soon x
Author
Yes we must put a date in! Thanks lovely, it was fab to spend time with you and well done again on your WIN x
It’s so hard at the events, when the blog is being judged by just one person. Essentially it comes down to personal preference and as you say, every writer in that category was brilliant. I have been a finalist 3 times in the Family category and never won, but it’s been just by the same person all 3 times and that person just doesn’t relate to my blog. Simple as! Every time there’s a smart of disappointment but this year I didn’t really want to win because I know it doesn’t mean anything. I’m glad the person who did win got the title because I know she wanted it so badly. Your writing is fab and I really enjoy your blog. Keep it up. x
Author
Thanks Suzanne! We are going to have to make sure you get nominated for a different category next year! x
Congratulations to you and all the finalists in this coveted category. You’re all brilliant writers and that’s all that matters.
Author
Thank you so much!
Wow – you’re in GREAT company, being a loser Sarah. Not that you’re a loser. Oh you know what I mean. You’ll always be one of my favourite writers.
Author
I know what you mean! You’ll always be one of mine too x
I was as sorry not to see you win as I was disappointed not to get my happy ending as I explained to you Sarah! You are a wonderful writer – I love your pace, wit and intelligence and insights. You certainly stand out – and I’m glad you were in with a shout and reached the finals. Onwards and upwards eh? Keep up the good work XXX
Author
Thanks lovely! I was really willing it to be one of us. You will get your happy ending my love, this was just not it. I believe there is something bigger and better waiting for you just around the corner x
The pressure is still on missis, I love your writing and I am expecting even more poignant, insightful and intelligent writing from you 😉 You are all winners in my book and it was a pleasure to spend an evening with you x
Author
It was a pleasure to spend the evening with you too! Thanks so much for your lovely comment x