Blogging Tips

What The Last 8 Months of Blogging Has Taught Me

by Olivia

I cannot quite believe that I re-started this blog a whole 8 months ago, and wow let me tell you blogging has taught me so much. In July 2020 I came back into blogging with no real idea of the way that I wanted my website to go. I had no plan or anything in place and just kind of went with the flow. Blogging has taught me so many wonderful life lessons, and enabled me to do some pretty amazing things so far.

One thing I was pretty naive about was the fact that I under estimated how much of my time it would take up. I had no idea that I would be taking on another full time job, along side my real full time job. Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking blogging is a walk in the park, because it really is not. I have had my fair share of ups and downs the last 8 months and also really good times too. When you come into something with zero expectations I guess they cannot be let down or met. Because I really had no idea what I wanted to do.

I cannot quite believe I re-started this site with 160 followers and today I have over 4 thousand beautiful people choosing to follow and support me. It truly means the world, more than you will ever know! Thanks for being here with me, and loving and supporting my little website. I feel like we are such a great army of people and I am so happy to be here. So, for todays post I will be sharing a few things that I have learnt about blogging but myself over the last 8 months. Let’s get started!

BLOGGING IS HARD

The struggle of blogging is real sometimes. Even sitting here writing this post is alot of time and effort out of my usual Sunday routine. But I do this because I love it, not because I have to! Blogging is really hard at times, but it’s has taught me to keep going. Its taught me that doing the hard things are worth it. Some days I really have not felt like writing, but I know there are people counting on me. So, I keep going.

Sometimes, my whole day is dedicated to blogging. Whether thats me writing or doing admin for my blog. Or interacting with people on Instagram or Twitter. There is always something to do. One thing I really appreciate about blogging is how its given me a drive and purpose and its really kept me busy. Especially through the last year and the pandemic, it’s been such a nice distraction for me.

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VULNERABILITY

Never in my life did I think I would ever share some of the things I have chosen to share with my readers. Sharing about my grief and the loss of my best friend, or opening up my family to be interviewed for everyone to see. Blogging has taught me that it’s okay to be vulnerable. But is also taught me that being private, and keeping some things to yourself is just as important. There is a very clear boundary on my blog between being vulnerable in things I choose to share, and sharing personal things or information.

I always talk about how being vulnerable is good to help you connect with your readers, and it is. But, I have learnt to keep that boundary very much in place. As its important for me to keep my life and my blog seperate.

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BLOGGING IDEAS ARE EVERYWHERE

More often than once I have found myself brainstorming blog post ideas at the most random times. One of my new favourites is in the shower or bath. I’m guessing as thats the time where I really allow myself to relax. When I was somewhat of a new blogger I rarely ever thought about my blog post ideas. An idea would pop into my head and I’d sit and write it then and there with no thought at all. I am pleased to say my process is alot more in-depth now.

I feel like I really have created a new mindset when it comes to blogging and writing. I’d never consider myself a writer. I like to think I am a content creator. Meaning I do a list of things, which is true. But I didn’t realise how inspired I could become from everyday things and scenarios. I mean as soon as I had my covid-19 vaccination and I started getting awful side effects the first thing I thought was ‘Oh this will make a great blog post’. And that was when I realised I have turned into a real blogger.

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IT’S OKAY TO CHANGE

Looking back to the content I was creating 8 months ago VS now, it’s like I’m a completely different person. Alot of the original posts I published are now in the bin or private but its so crazy for me to see the growth in me and in my content. When I first started blogging I really aspired to be like so many other big bloggers. I wanted to be just like them and do everything that they did. And I guess its human nature, and as humans we make mistakes. But now as I have grown as a person and a writer, I realise its so important to wear your own shoes instead of trying to fit into someone else’s.

It might take some time, but you do find your feet and sort of come into your own. You start to establish yourself as you, not as you trying to be someone else. And I think thats one of the most important things that blogging has taught me. How to be myself.

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How long have you been blogging? And what has blogging taught you in that time?

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart for being awesome and being so kind and loving to me. I really have enjoyed blogging and I hope we can look back in another 8 months and see all of the great things we have achieved together.

Olivia x
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57 thoughts on “What The Last 8 Months of Blogging Has Taught Me”

  2. I started at the end of December. It’s been 4 months. I need open space to grow my blog. But I am not using other social media for now. I have to work on the basic idea and theme of my blog.
    For me, it is very important to speak my words. I want to speak to the millions, I always say.

    I imagine myself on a stage with endless people in front of me. I want to tell them what my heart says. With time people have lost living and enjoying life. Somewhere technology is one of the biggest reasons for depression, anxiety and loss of lives. Our intentions should be positive, in the favour of humans and humanity.

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  4. I can totally relate and I am sure many of us can. Along with my full day job, when I started this blog I had no idea that I will be so giving a huge piece of my time into blogging. I agree and feel your point of blogging being another full time job. But the good part about it is, I have so many blogging colleagues (in the process of making more blogging friends), whom I can look at to learn from their experience and use it to groom myself. Thank you once again for putting up this for us. 🤘🏻 Cheers

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    1. Its like another full time job, but it doesnt feel like work. I don’t dread it or not enjoy it. Its something fun, that takes up alot of time!

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  5. This is so true. I had never known how much time blogging would take up. Researching, writing, responding to comments, removing spam comments, sharing, commenting yourself – it is an arduous process – but all the bit more rewarding when it works out !

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  7. I’m so happy you returned to blogging! You’re the very first blogger who participated in my 5 Questions With Blogging Series, and without you, no would engage to my blog. You’ve also given me helpful advice which I’m very thankful for. I agree with your point on blog ideas are everywhere and that blogging is a tough task to bear. People think it’s super easy when it’s not. Thanks for sharing, Olivia! Awesome content as always.

    http://www.lifebeginsattwenty.com

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    1. I am so happy to have you here! And I remember when you first joined. I hope we both continue to grow and prosper over the next 8 months in our blogging journeys! 🙂

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  9. I’ve been blogging for 7 months, but it’s taken so long to see growth. I’m finally starting to figure out Pinterest and getting organic traffic. Definitely slow growth when you only post once a week 😅

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  10. Nice piece! Informative for a newbie like me. The golden rule does appear to be regular and frequent blogging, something I shy away from, because why would anyone want to read something by me everyday🤔🤔Especially as there’s already a glut of content out there..
    One thing really nice about this community of bloggers is how friendly and supportive everyone is of each other. I found this very refreshing. Very different from the social media platforms! So, more strength to bloggers and blogging!

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    1. You need to get rid of that mindset! If everyone thought like that, none of us would blog everyday. You’ll be surprised that actually people love to see new content on a regular basis. If your audience likes your stuff, they like your stuff!

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      1. Appreciate the advice. Thank you. Will work on shaking off that mindset! The thing as you said in your blog is to create that biggish chunk of time in a day for regular blogging. If one can sort that one is sorted☺️ Will def try and blog more not for anything else but for the fun it is and also for the blogging community being a really nice warm space to be in😍

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  11. I started blogging in 2018. Third year now. Despite finding hard to dedicate more hours on it with a full time job, I am still enjoying it – mainly because I am part of a larger community network! 🙂

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  12. Aw Olivia —you make me so happy. Very proud of what you have achieved so far😘

    This pretty much sums it up “But I do this because I love it, not because I have to!”. 💕Like you I feel I have evolved, matured and changed since I started my blog. I realised it’s okay to change and do different things for your blog. Mainly because I enjoy writing, the whole process to me is quite uplifting🌼 xx

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    1. For sure! I think alot of people are afraid or apprehensive to update or change their blogs over time. But with anything, things change. Its important that we evolve our sites as we evolve as writers and bloggers. Who wants to stay the same?!

      You are killing it. Keep up the good work! xx

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  13. I’ve been blogging for about 5 months now. Blogging has made me more confident. I am more willing to share feelings and thoughts that I would not have otherwise shared. I found blogging at the right time and I’m thankful for all the blogging friends and support I have received.

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  15. “got my covid vax and had terrible side effects: great blog post!” I FEEL this lmao. Luckily it’s a way to make things more positive which is always good 🙂

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  16. I just recently started blogging, but it has taught me so incredibly much. For example, that their are so many amazing and supportive people out here!

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  17. I also started blogging in July. I agree with everything you have said about blogging. I have had to teach myself to be happy no matter what has happened to my blog because it is natural to always want more but you need to be proud of what you have done so far because as you said, blogging is hard.

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  19. I started in December.. It’s still so new and I love it even when I’m struggling on content to write about and if I should have a schedule and how often to post… Every post I do is a step forward. I want to be me and share that with others.. I hope to get content ideas in the shower some time soon ☺️☺️

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  21. I have been blogging for about 7 months now! I have definitely not devoted as much time to it as I’d like to though. You’re right, it is hard. I do love it though and it gives me a little extra purpose when I finally sit down and get to writing.

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  22. I’ve been blogging for about 10 months now, and I’ve learnt that the blog and my feelings about it will fluctuate. There are times when I don’t feel like blogging even when it is booming, and other times I keep writing even when my views are down. It’s definitely not a linear path!

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  27. I’m only 3 months in and I already found out blogging was rough. But you’re right! It’s so fun I love stressing myself out anyway. I know it’ll be worth it in the end 😂

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