4 Incredibly Inspiring Female Bloggers

DenaFebruary 22, 2011

Click here for a list of my favorite inspirational posts.

Have you ever read something and then felt as though you were kicked in the stomach—but in a good way? I’m talking about something that picks you up, turns you over, and then shakes the life out of you—something that opens your eyes, permanently alters your perspective. You know what I mean, right?

I’ve been blogging for two and a half years and in this time I’ve met & started to follow some truly incredible people. Today I want to share four of my biggest inspirations with you. You know that feeling that I was talking about above? These ladies give me that feeling. If you’re not following them, you should be. These women are in possession of the three most important character traits: authenticity, generosity, & brilliance.

Andra Watkins
Blog: Andra Watkins

A favourite quote: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” —Albert Einstein

Advice for creating a life of light: Creating a life of light, for me, is a set of decisions: to embrace the moments it throws my way, even if it means I’m acting with five-year-old glee; to shut down negative thinking as soon as it crosses my mind; to see the good in the past instead of things I regret; and to take risks to accomplish what matters to me.

I love her because: Andra and I met back in September when I was doing research for my trip to Paris. She was incredibly helpful & reassuring that I would have an amazing time. I thought our friendship might end there—as so many online friendships do—but I was very wrong. Andra kept in touch & became one of my very best virtual friends. I fell in love with her blog & with her. She is one of the most genuine, authentic people that I’ve ever met. She has been there for me through thick & thin. 2010 was a beautiful & trying year for me and Andra was there for support every step of the way.

The thing that I love about Andra’s blog is her ever-present positive outlook & her hilarious sense of humor. This woman has spunk! She is clearly a seasoned & legitimate professional, but she can make me laugh for days. Be sure to check out The Accidental Cootchie Mama & connect with Andra on Twitter.

My favourite Andra post: The Things You Taught Me in 2010


Jeannie Mark
Blog: Nomadic Chick

A favourite quote: “Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you’re a man, you take it.” —Malcolm X

Advice for creating a life of light: Taking action means delaying short-term pleasures (impulse purchases, expensive outings) for long-term goals. If you keep focused on your goals, they won’t run away. I recommend placing power in a talisman, a necklace or charm to keep you tethered to action. Even placing a meaningful picture as your screen wallpaper at work or on the fridge stops you from straying into inertia. My motivator was putting up images of the very first place on my itinerary – India. Dream up yours.

I love her because: In her late thirties, Jeannie was stuck in an unsatisfying desk job and courting a growing resentment towards the North American lifestyle. After swearing to change her life on a file folder, she sold her earthly possessions and set off in June 2010 to travel the world.

She just finished an incredible stint as a volunteer at an orphanage in India. I eagerly await all of her updates. Jeannie’s posts are eye-opening and liberating. I love her writing because she is so incredibly real. There is nothing fancy, poetic, or edited about her work. She tells it, and shows it, like it is. She is such an inspiration to would-be women travelers everywhere.

My favourite Jeannie post: The 7 Stages of Unplugging from the Cubicle


Gala Darling
Blog: Gala Darling

A favourite quote: “To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.” —Oscar Wilde

Advice for creating a life of light: Gala believes in pink lingerie, sequins, stardust & candy-coloured Cadillacs. She believes in making mischief & the triumph of magic over the brute. She believes in short skirts & lip gloss & bringing about the radical self love revolution. She believes life doesn’t have to be serious, that you create your own reality & that beauty is all around us.

I love her because: What’s not to love?! Gala’s blog is the first that I ever subscribed to way back when I first entered the blogosphere. I immediately fell in love with her ever-present positivity, energy, and spirit. Gala’s blog is about style & beauty, but it is also about living your best life. She has recently launched an insane & amazing Radical Self Love revolution which I can not get enough of. Gala is a bright pink firecracker of love, light, & pixie dust. If that sounds good to you, you’ll love her blog as much as I do.

My favourite Gala post: Radical Self-Hate? Stop The Madness!


Danielle LaPorte
Blog: White Hot Truth

A favourite quote: “Worrying is using your imagination to create something you don’t want.” —Abraham Hicks

Advice for creating a life of light: Genius is about making connections … between ideas + strategies, desires + beliefs, between that flame in your heart and your full potential.

I love her because: Danielle is the queen of authenticity. She is also devilishly good at crafting the written word. Her blog posts tend to burst through my computer screen, smack me around a bit, and then encourage me to make GREAT things happen.

My favourite Danielle post: the manifesto of encouragement

Comments (13)

  • andra watkins

    February 22, 2011 at 3:46 pm

    Dena, first of all, thank you for your glowing commentary. I’m crying happy tears.

    Thank you also for introducing me to more uber-women to follow and get to know. I am honored to be included with this spectacular list of ladies.

    1. Dena

      February 22, 2011 at 4:56 pm

      @ Andra – You are ever-so-welcome! I could not ask for a better friend & inspiration. Thank you for being exactly what you are: incredible. 🙂

  • Dena Botbyl

    February 22, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    evolution you | 4 Incredibly Inspiring Female Bloggers http://bit.ly/g8UDRd

  • andrawatkins

    February 22, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    I'm very honored to be cited in Dena Botbyl's article "4 Incredibly Inspiring Female Bloggers." Thank you, Dena! http://bit.ly/fYmD4c #fb

  • lauramovetoportugal

    February 24, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    RT @denabotbyl 4 Incredibly Inspiring Female Bloggers http://bit.ly/dOnYZe <— great choices Dena!

  • Dena Botbyl

    February 24, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    RT @lauramtportugal: RT @denabotbyl 4 Incredibly Inspiring Female Bloggers http://bit.ly/dOnYZe <— great choices Dena!

  • Dena Botbyl

    February 24, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    @lauramtportugal Thx so much, Laura! Glad you agree. They're some pretty fantastic ladies | 4 Inspiring Female Bloggers http://bit.ly/dOnYZe

  • Jeannie Mark

    February 28, 2011 at 10:33 pm

    Dena, I’m bowled over. Your glowing write-up of my site and person made me smile through the sick. 🙂 The #1 reason I started Nomadic Chick was to encourage people to take freedom and live their dreams whatever their dreams are. Thanks! And thanks for introducing me to some great female bloggers.

    1. Dena

      March 2, 2011 at 9:25 am

      @ Jeannie – I am so glad that you enjoyed the post and that the write-up made you smile. Every word is true. You are a true inspiration. I’ve been thinking of you non-stop. I hope that you are healing. XOXO

  • Kay

    February 29, 2012 at 9:50 am

    Thank you for the websites and the wonderful kind words that you mentioned about each young lady. I will take a look at their blogs based of the words mentioned above.

  • Luna Darcy

    July 28, 2015 at 5:50 pm

    Hi Dena,

    Love this list. Will definitely check them all out!

    Thanks for the inspiration.

    Luna

  • Collect Life

    July 7, 2017 at 3:18 pm

    Wow, what a great list. It will inspire me to continue writing new and uplifting content on my blog.

  • shine

    March 17, 2018 at 5:18 am

    Thanks for sharing this information. i have also started a motivational blog last month. By the way, your blog looks awesome. keep posting such great stuff

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