Happy Thursday, friends and fam! I am so glad that you decided to stop by today, because today is a very important and special day here at CWS. Today is Coffee With Summer’s 3rd Blogiversary! *Affiliate links
I started Coffee With Summer 3 years ago today. When I first started CWS, it was simply to have an outlet to write about whatever I wanted, so that I could better connect with others. Over the years, my purpose and vision for blogging has changed from hobby to profession, and it’s been one of the most life-changing experiences of my life.
I originally had a blogging Q&A post planned for today, but due to the unexpected hustle and bustle of life the last couple weeks, I forgot to ask you all for questions, haha! I’ll be doing one of those posts soon, but today, I have something else in store. Today, I’ll be sharing 8 ways that blogging has made me a better person.
[bctt tweet=”8 Ways Blogging Has Made Me A Better Person” username=”SummerTelban”]
1. Blogging Has Made Me More Passionate // I used to always consider myself a passionate person, but I never realized that passion was something I could grow in, until blogging showed me that. Before starting a real blog, I had cultivated a very large following over on my Tumblr blog. There, my passion for connection started to grow, but it wasn’t until starting CWS that it clicked with me that passion is something you’re always growing in… if you allow yourself to.
Being completely transparent, I was struggling with finding any kind of enthusiasm for life before I started to get serious about blogging. Yes, I was grateful for my life and happy with some things, but I didn’t have a driving energy that made me immensely passionate about anything. Blogging helped to remind me of the passion I really do have deep inside of me. It’s helped me to better develop that passion and to focus it on where I truly need to.
[bctt tweet=”Passion is something you can always grow in… if you allow yourself to.” username=”SummerTelban”]
2. Blogging Has Made Me A Thick-Skinned Fighter // When you’re a blogger or any kind of creative entrepreneur, you get a lot of flack from people who are uneducated about what you actually do. Over the years, I have gotten some insanely rude, hateful, and completely ignorant comments and messages from some internet trolls. Most of those comments have been about the fact that blogging is my profession. Yeah… I know, it’s beyond shocking that some people lash out because of my profession and gifting. There’s a fine line between constructive criticism (in a private conversation) and downright shaming and bashing. It used to get to me really badly, but not anymore!
I don’t have the time or the energy to focus on people who want to tear me down. They’re 99% of the time uneducated on what I actually do as a blogger and social media strategist. Whether they’re lashing out due to jealousy or complete hate, I won’t pay any attention to those who have completely closed minds. It’s not worth it.
Blogging has taught me how to pick and choose my battles when it comes to those hating on me. Blogging has taught me how to be a fighter when others are against me, when I’m struggling in a dry season, and when I’m down on myself.
[bctt tweet=”Haters gonna hate. Bloggers gonna blog.” username=”SummerTelban”]
3. Blogging Has Helped Me Grow In Life Skills // One thing that I really love about blogging is that it doesn’t just grow me in my blogging skills, but it also helps me grow in general life skills.
Blogging has taught me how to better prioritize everything. I have always been the type of person who’s held everything as a high priority, but that is 1. not accurate at all and 2. not productive at all. By forcing myself to decide whether checking my email is more of a priority than going on a photoshoot (and vice-versa, depending on the context) has been huge. Learning how to correctly prioritize has helped me in my real life, as well. Grocery shopping is more important than re-organizing my office. By knowing how to prioritize, I have also learned how to be truly productive.
[bctt tweet=”Blogging has helped me better develop life skills: productivity, prioritizing, & time management! ” username=”SummerTelban”]
4. Blogging Has Made Me A Better Educator // I have always had a heart to help people grow into all the envision for themselves to be. With blogging, I’ve learned how to be a more effective teacher and general educator. I have learned how to break things down so that others can better understand something and I have learned how to better get my thoughts across to others. I’m always going to be a work in progress, but I’ve come so far in this area, because of blogging.
I love, LOVE blogging about blogging and social media. I have learned so much over the years about strategies and community, and I love sharing that with you all. This is why I decided to take the bold step of starting my 1:1 Blog & Social Media Consultations. They’ve been going AMAZING so far! If you’re looking for someone to come along side of you, reach out to me and we can see if I’m a good fit for you.
5. Blogging Has Made Me Rock Out My Confidence // Through most of my life growing up, I was a pretty confidence girl. Dancing was a huge part of my life, and as a competitive dancer (soloist & company member), I couldn’t not be confident. But then college came around. That’s when I really started to struggle with confidence and my self-image for the first time in my life. My want to be better and to always do better ended up growing into an unhealthy focus of mine.
Blogging helped me to realign my focus to be more positive about myself. I am loved! I am unique! I am chosen! I am beautiful! I am gifted! Blogging has helped me to remember all the good that God has blessed me with. Blogging has reminded me that I am one of a kind, and that’s something to be proud of.
[bctt tweet=”Blogging has reminded me that I am one of a kind & that’s something to be proud of.” username=”SummerTelban”]
6. Blogging Has Challenged Me To Always Keep My Mind Open // In today’s day in age, it’s hard to always want to learn more about differing opinions from your own. Millennials completely suck at this (sorry not sorry, it’s the truth). Somedays, I truly dislike being wrapped into the group of Millennials, as I rarely align myself with their ways of thinking. For me, I’m always wanting to remain malleable and teachable, and blogging had helped me stay in this state of mind.
An open mind is something I love to keep, but don’t get me wrong, having an open mind will not sway me from my set in stone convictions and beliefs. It’s important for each other to learn about opposing views, as this is truly the only way we can grow as a society. Just because I might not agree with you does NOT mean that I hate you, am against you, or anything else negative. Why do people jump to thinking that if someone respectfully disagrees with them, that that person is against them? What an unhealthy way to think, right? I choose to challenge myself to not be closed-minded and to always stay educated on beliefs and views that aren’t my own.
7. Blogging Has Helped Me To Grow In Compassion // I have met and connected with so many people in the blogging world, both bloggers and non-bloggers. The community that blogging has is incredible. Compassion is something that the world needs more of. Love, empathy, and compassion… all things everyone needs more of.
The blogging community has showed me how to grow in compassion. It’s taught me to reach out to others, even if it’s uncomfortable. It’s taught me to give to others, even if I don’t have it for myself. It’s taught me how to be a true friend and how to love others no matter what.
[bctt tweet=”Blogging has taught me to be more compassionate and accepting.” username=”SummerTelban”]
8. Blogging Has Made Me Grow In Authenticity & Intentionality // The overall focus and mission for Coffee With Summer is to encourage others to lead an authentic and intentional life. With this being my main focus for CWS, it’s really pressed on me to lead by example. This has been stretching for me in some seasons of my life, but being transparent here and on social media has been so empowering for me.
It’s my heart to be open, raw, and real at all times. This is how true connection and community are formed. I never want to hide behind a mask or fibs. That’s not how you grow or form connection. You’ve got to open yourself to be uncomfortable in order to experience growth. This is what I always want for myself, and blogging is the perfect opportunity for me to grow in this.
[bctt tweet=” You’ve got to open yourself to be uncomfortable in order to experience growth. ” username=”SummerTelban”]
SHOP THE POST:
These gorgeous white shorts are on sale for only $19.99 right now! They are super comfortable and don’t ride up. Such a summertime staple!
Thank you for being a part of the CWS community and for always being there for me. You have no idea how much you mean to me. So, thank you!
Thank you for celebrating Coffee With Summer’s 3rd Blogiversary with me! Let’s see what the future years bring!! I love you all!
