4 Incredibly Inspiring Female Bloggers

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