Three Years And Still Blogging
For me, this blogging lark all started on March 1st, 2014. To be honest I had dabbled on Blogger for about a week and a half, before deciding I didn’t like it and wanted to self-host my blog. I got a bee in my bonnet and started learning everything I could about self-hosting. I ‘studied’ so much it hurt and spent much of that time in a daze.
It took me about two weeks of blood, sweat and tears from deciding I wanted to self-host to getting my site up and running. Before that I had never touched coding, I didn’t even know what coding was. And as for widgets and plug-ins? I hadn’t a clue!
Tweet ThisSigning Up With My Hosting Company
Back then I signed up with my hosting company for a three-year plan. Half wondering what the Dickens I was going to write about and whether I would get to the end of my chosen plan still blogging. Having spent some time writing on HubPages I knew I had ideas on a weekly daily basis, but wondered if I would be able to keep that up for the next three years?
The Good News Is…
That I did! I’m still blogging! I have managed to waffle my way through three years of posting on a regular basis and I can’t imagine my life now without my blog.
Many of you will know that blogging is about so much more than just writing. It’s about connecting with people too and don’t mention the ‘behind the scenes’ work! At times it all seems endless, doesn’t it?.
For me, the blogging community was the biggest surprise. I have ‘met’ (virtually speaking) some really nice people from all over the world through blogging. When I’ve asked for help or advice I have always received it and I have made sure I do the same when I have been able to. They are a very supportive community, far more than I ever expected.
When I first started out I had no idea how big a part of my life blogging would become, but it’s honestly one of the best and most rewarding things I have ever done.
Things I Have Learned Through Blogging
Photography And Editing Images
If it wasn’t for blogging I probably wouldn’t have developed an interest in photography. I have gone from a person who rarely took photos to someone who is happiest when out and about taking photos, with a dog close by. It has given me a strange kind of confidence, it’s almost as if the camera acts as a barrier, between me and the world.
Editing and optimising images to use in posts is also something I would never have learned had it not been for keeping a blog.
Coding
There comes a time in many bloggers lives when they have to dabble in coding. I have learned that the word ‘coding’ has a bark far larger than it’s bite. Don’t get me wrong, it is technical stuff, but I am happy to dabble with not so important coding when I have to; always copy and past the original code so you have something to fall back on when things don’t work as they should!
And if you are unsure, don’t be afraid to turn to Google for advice and guidance if need be. It’s much better to take time and do things right than to rush and tear and make mistakes.
As Many Of You Know
Blogging is not easy. It takes a lot of time and dedication to keep one up and running. There are times when life gets in the way and we have to take a step back and slow down. Sometimes we find ourselves swamped with ideas for posts, but no time to sit and write them. Which sometimes I find frustrating and at other times I don’t mind, after all, it was the tortoise that won the race and I realised a long time ago, I am no hare.
There are also times when ideas elude us, they are there, but not quite within grasping distance. It’s enough to make us want to cry.
What Next?
Of course, I renewed my hosting plan for another three years. From the very beginning, I started putting aside a little money so I knew I would have the money when it came to renewing. I will soon start to put money aside for my next renewal in three years time.
Ideally, though, I would like to start earning through my blog, even if only enough to pay for my hosting fees. As with anything blog related there is always a learning curve, so that is going to take time as I’m not very good at putting myself out there… Baby steps… Baby steps.
Most importantly, though, I hope to continue enjoying everything about blogging and to be still blogging for a long time to come.
How long have you been blogging and what has surprised you the most?
© 2017, Debbie. All rights reserved.
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