365 days (and counting) of blogging: What I’ve learnt

This blog celebrated its 1st birthday in August and, even now, I can’t comprehend how I’ve been blogging for a year. I’m by no means the kind of “blogger” I would aspire to be: the kind that goes to the cool events and has people coming back each time they post (not to mention they almost always have a boss Instagram ) . Though, like I’ve said, I’ve only been blogging for a year so I can only keep on learning, right?

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

It’s actually kind of nice to talk about you

I’ll admit, I wasn’t the loudest person in the school corridor and that’s something I’ve never really grown out of. I’m naturally an introverted, shy person so the thought of talking in depth about myself and my interests was scary.

Luckily, writing (in its various forms) is my way of expression. With uni, I’ve gained confidence I never thought I would in myself and my writing. It was also originally because of uni, and its inevitable end, that my blog began.

I wanted to use it as a boredom reliever once uni cooled down but it’s definitely been much more than that. I’ve kept up with posts, payments (even though costs to keep blogs running are sky high!) and I’ve realised how nice it is to be able to express myself: my likes, my dislikes, my life. It’s also encouraged me to be more active in real life and I’ve realised I’m actually worth talking about.

Blogging is like a job

I could, somewhere down the line, see myself blogging full time. Honestly, the post-uni job search hasn’t been kind so far and, when I think about it, blogging is the most interesting, diverse and enjoyable job I’m probably ever going to have.

That’s what it is though. A job. I’m by no means where I imagined I would be blogging wise but, when I’ve looked at the über perfect bloggers online, I’ve realised that – even for small bloggers – it’s a lot of effort keeping your blog going! I guess I never thought about how much goes into it all and I really appreciate people who do this on a daily basis.

I’ve connected with so many people

Anyone over the age of about 30 has probably said on one occasion or another “I don’t understand online friendships”. To be fair, there was a time (probably immediately after the time at school when we were shown a dodgily filmed, but still very important, film about internet safety!) that I didn’t get it.

Since I’ve started blogging, I’ve engaged in social media a lot more than I used to. Although it can be draining and toxic, social media has meant that I’ve not only been able to get my blog and myself out there, I’ve also connected with so many people who are (or at least their online personas seem to be) the loveliest people, always interested in what I (and my blog) have to say…even if it is a load of rubbish most of the time!

It’s kept me motivated

Finding fun stuff to do when I finished uni felt impossible. Doing pretty much anything that wasn’t lazing by the pool or drinking a fancy, fruity cocktail seemed impossible. That being said, blogging has kept me from going too crazy!

I’ve also rediscovered a love for writing and it’s kept me motivated, as well as making me realise just how much I want to get my writing (in whatever form it may be) out into the world.

It’s not about everyone else

It’s very easy, I’ve found, to get in a “blogger bubble”. You can only see yourself and the über successful bloggers and, some days, that makes you feel pretty shit about yourself and the writing you’ve produced.

Unfortunately, I think I struggle with jealousy. Half of me is bursting with pride over people’s achievements but there’s another, more sinister half that’s green with envy. This extended into the blogging world.

That being said, I’m learning. I’m learning to enjoy people’s success with them, I’m learning that everyone has low views, days when their posts flop and days when they just want to hang up their blogging hat and give up.

Doing what you love is a scary, trial and error process but I’ve loved learning about it as I go and connecting with other people- whether they be experts or not! I have no idea where my blog will go in the next 365 days, or indeed where the writer will go, but I’m excited (once I get over the inevitable nerves) to see.