I have been blogging on and off for years and years now. It all started back in high school when I created a Blogspot blog for the first time…and I posted once every month, if that. That didn’t last long.
I then picked up my blogging journey before my senior year in high school on the micro-blogging site known as Tumblr. There I learned how to really cultivate community and grow a following. I realized that while I loved blogging on Tumblr I wanted more of a “real blog” where I could continue to share my voice to reach more people. I started to take blogging seriously almost two years ago, and it’s one of the best decisions I have made for myself in the online world.
Today, I want to share with you why I made the dive into going after my blog dreams.
When I made the decision two years ago to blog regularly, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I knew that it’d be a challenge and would be time consuming. But, there was something about my love for it that wouldn’t let me stray from making that decision. And that my friends, is something called passion. I didn’t know how I could be so passionate about something before being immersed in it, but there was no way I was going to bury my passion. So, I dove in.
WHY I DECIDED TO PURSUE BLOGGING SERIOUSLY:
Connecting With Others //
Blogging is all about community and connection, and that’s really the heart of the foundation as to why I decided to blog the way I do. Though, I am an introvert, I’m actually quite outgoing when it comes to reaching out and connecting with others online. I knew that blogging would be a great way for me to form new friendships and to really, just connect with a wide range of people.
It Would Help Me Grow //
Sometimes people will give me a funny face when I tell them that blogging doesn’t just grow me as a blogger or social media influencer, but it also grows me as an overall person. But seriously, it grows you more than you’d expect. I knew it’d stretch me when it comes to going after I want, whether that be teaming up with bloggers or pitching to a brand I want to work with.
Owning My Voice Stronger //
I have always been one to speak my heart and mind, as I want to live a life full of authenticity and honesty. I knew that projecting my voice in the form of blogging would help me better own my authentic and true voice. It’d help me in the area of confidence in myself and in the area of using my voice and story to encourage others, which in turns, humbles me and lets me know that I do make a difference.
It Would Help Me Learn More //
I was excited to take on blogging more seriously, instead of it being just a hobby, because I knew it’d help me learn more. From learning more about social media and the back-end of online community, all the way to learning about new things and point of views from fellow bloggers. It’s always challenging reading a post with an opposing viewpoint than I have, but when I have a right heart about it all, I can then learn more. Honestly, I’m learning more everyday when it comes to blogging. Since I was never a person who loved school, it’s encouraging to me that I love learning in this way.
It’s Relational //
I am all about being relational and connecting with others. I knew that blogging would allow me to open up and share my stories – the joy and the pain, and that in that, others would be able to relate and find comfort. This is one of my most favorite things about the blogging world – the relationships and friendships formed through sharing our stories. Please, remember that your story is powerful and has the ability to change lives.
It’s Encouraging //
The fact that blogging can be encouraging ties into my last point about ti also being relational. Both points go hand-in-hand. I want my blog to be a source of encouragement no matter what. This doesn’t mean that my blog is all happy and upbeat all of the time. Instead, I share in an appropriate way about how life really is going, even if it’s not the most pretty or joyful at the time. This even goes for how my blog goals are going, as well as blog and social media tips. Believe it or not, sharing a real authentic story from your life can be encouraging. After all, we don’t have perfect lives. I feel like we’re always searching to know we’re not alone in our life struggles, and I want my blog to be one of those sources that people can come to and know they’re not alone.
If you’re someone who blogs seriously, as in, more than just a hobby – what were some of the reasons why you decided to dive into that? Are some of your reasons the same as mine? Are some more specific? I’d love to know in the comments!
