One pretty amazing thing about blogging is the feeling you get when you hit “publish”.
It’s like ear-marking the page of a good book – a physical reminder of a certain portion or passage that you just really want to always remember. That’s what a blog post is for me.
Blogging for me has always been an outlet, something I could do to feel better, to pause just to appreciate my life, and to pull me out of whatever darkness I had found myself in. I’ve been through some pretty rough times and I can honestly say that having a blog has helped get me through so many of them. I feel like in this space I can be honest, brave, and I can say what’s on my mind. I know that the relationships I’ve made in this space are ones of great support and encouragement. So many of you have stuck with me for years now and I just wish that I could meet you all in person to tell you how much that support has meant.
Some people monitor what they say online very closely and often times hold the “big” things in their lives back. Well, I’m almost the complete opposite – and I am glad. Because if I wouldn’t have opened up about Wyatt’s speech and sensory delays – I wouldn’t have met all of the amazing mothers out there who like me are struggling with the same challenges. If I wouldn’t have talked about Levi’s journey – I wouldn’t have connected with others who have told similar stories. And most recently, If I wouldn’t have talked about my upcoming hysterectomy and Endometriosis I wouldn’t have been able to talk with others who are suffering.
It’s such a beautiful thing, these connections – and I am so grateful for them. Even though no one in my family really quite understands what blogging is or how one “blogs”. But, that’s okay – because this space is mine, not theirs. And it sometimes feels nice just to have a place that is just for me. 99% of my day is lived for those around me but this space, the blank screen, the clicking of the keyboard, this is a place that I can come to soak it all in.
Blogging has also become a way that I can help support my family. It’s something that I never even thought about when I created the blog back in 2011, but now that it’s here and it’s an option – it’s pretty incredible. It blows my mind that I can do something that I love and get paid for it, I’ve never had a job that I’ve loved before. So having the opportunity to do something I really enjoy and being able to stay home with my boys has made my heart so incredibly grateful. I also have spent the past few years doing Virtual Assistant work which has forced me to learn and really appreciate all that goes into having a blog, promoting it, etc.
(If you have any questions about being a Virtual Assistant – please leave them in the comments! I’d love to write another post addressing them!)
Blogging has also given me confidence in myself. I’ve grown so much just by reflecting on my experiences – and I love that I can just flip back to a particular period in my life to re-live it again. Like the first post after Wyatt was born, or when we first realized that Levi was going to be okay. It’s pretty much the best scrapbook ever.
I would love to know more about being a virtual assistant.
Will do! Working on a post 🙂
Silly blogger, I was still typing! I love the community. I miss the community I had before my break due to my pregnancy issues, but it has shown me my true “friends” in the blog world! I love having people to talk to and I always know who to go to for resources or help.
Lol – I love the community too! Some of my closest friends are bloggers!
I’ve met some great people through blogging (YOU are one of them!) and I just honestly love the process. I sometimes think I should be MUCH farther (re: traffic, followers, etc) since I’ve been blogging for 5 years. But I honestly do it for me and the stats don’t bug me. It’s fun to look back at my life and all that changes that I’ve documented. Blogging is definitely one of my favorite things to do.
It is bloggers who have an attitude like this that thrive, be true to yourself and let your blog grow organicly!
Awe, shucks! I like you a little bit too 😉 And you’re right – it’s all about documenting!
I just love you <3
back at ya! <3
I think everyone blogs for different reasons, and I greatly admire those who put themselves out there, rather than hold the big stuff back. I’m kind of a open book, and therefore share those big things too, which has led me to find others going through the same things when I feel like I have no immediate support in my daily life. The community that blogging provides is amazing!
Exactly! 🙂
I love that blogging has helped you with many of the trials you have been facing – it makes me feel bad about writing about fashion…
Hey, there’s nothing wrong with blogging about fashion! I love reading fashion posts!
I love your blog!! I’m not a blogger, but I’m an avid blogger reader. I’d love to know what a virtual assistant is. Thanks for sharing your heart!!
Thank you so much! Stay tuned for a follow-up post on being a VA! 🙂
I’d definitely love to know more about being a virtual assistant! Trying to find ways to be able to stay home after baby 🙂