If you had asked me just a few months ago whether I’d ever embark on a blogging journey, I would have said no without hesitance. In fact, multiple people told me I should start a blog, but I just didn’t see the value in it. I, myself, never took the time to read blogs, so why would others take the time to read mine? I was flattered but always quick to dismiss the suggestion. So what changed?
The Beginning/Pre-Blog
Fast forward to this past May. I had been using Instagram for years as a conduit for my creativity. I started posting home related projects back when we lived in Massachusetts, and it sort of snowballed. Once you get one pat on the back from someone, you want to do it again, and again, and before I knew it I had an audience who actually seemed to like what I was sharing and wanted to see more!
But, I wasn’t really sure where I was going with it. I’d go back and forth on whether I wanted to do interior decorating as a career but knew I wasn’t ready to divert my attention from my girls, especially because the twins are our last babies. I always saw it as me needing to pick one or the other and never really considered what I could do right at home while the girls were playing or napping. All I knew was that I genuinely wanted to connect with people on some level. I honestly hadn’t given it much more thought until Instagram started changing more and more.
I felt like I was in a very competitive space, except I had no desire to compete. I wanted to reach people who wanted to see my content; and of course you want positive comments and ‘likes’ on your stuff, but Instagram (with its stupid, always changing algorithm) was adding a layer of angst. Like millions of others, I was starting to chase ‘vanity likes,’ wondering if people still cared about what I was posting or if they were even seeing it. At the end of the day, why should an app have so much control over, not only what my followers are seeing (that they have asked to see by following me), but how it was making me feel as a content creator?
Time for a Change
It was around this time I had a lightbulb moment. Friends and family had always given me words of encouragement, but one hurtful message triggered something in me. The key takeaway was that we all have something unique to offer – myself included – and it was time to level up. As luck would have it, literally a day or two later, I saw a blogging course offering specifically related to Instagram. I took it, and it changed the game. It echoed all the hurdles I was experiencing and evolved my view of Instagram. Right then and there, I decided to start a blog.
Without stealing Ana from Creator’s Coaching Co.’s thunder, her webinar course (which is free by the way) forced me to think about where I was going with the content I was sharing. It made me realize, I was pouring all this effort into an application I didn’t control. As Ana puts it, we are renting real estate on a platform we don’t own. This means if your Instagram was shut down or hacked tomorrow, you would lose all your content. I don’t know about you, but that makes me extremely uneasy. Like, I-wanted-to-do-something-right-then-and-there uneasy!
The more I thought about it, the more everything just clicked. Why would I store all my hard work somewhere other than a site I own? Not to mention, how many of you actually go back to reference a project you saw months ago on Instagram? Chances are you see it in stories, think “oh, that’s cool” and maybe you save it… but chances are you forget about it. By creating a blog, I have created a library to house my projects which won’t fade away. My content will continue to be evergreen to anyone searching for it on the world wide web (like you!)
But Amy, Why a Blog?
Remember when I said I don’t read blogs? Well, I realized, I actually do. Nine times out of ten when I am searching for something on Pinterest, I am being routed to a blog link. Or, when I swipe up on an IG story, I’m being brought to a blog link containing affiliate links. I guess what I’m trying to say is, blogging isn’t dead lol. I think the connotation associated with it is a little skewed, or was in my case anyway; but I strongly felt this was the right choice for me. Once I decided I wanted to create a blog, I needed the hubs to be on board.
I discussed the idea with him, and you guys, he didn’t even blink an eye. He gave me his full blessing and offered to support me with whatever I needed to get started. (He is a true gem of a husband — Honestly he is my biggest cheerleader and I couldn’t have done this without him.) I’ll be honest with you, it’s not cheap to start a blog, so I wanted to be 100% sure I was ready to commit. And commit I did. I signed up with my blogging coach the next day, and the rest is history!
Own Your Influence
Now, I’d be lying if I said it was smooth sailing getting my site set-up. You guys, starting a blog is hard work! The words labor of love couldn’t ring more true lol. I cannot imagine doing it all on my own (the idea was so daunting), and thanks to my blogging mentor, I got my blog up and running in under 60 days! My blogging coach, fyi, is actually the same amazing entrepreneur who gave the free webinar! She truly knows her stuff, and if you’re at all interested in starting a blog or learning more, her Own Your Influence blog course is well worth the investment. Truly not trying to sound sales pitchy, lol, but you guys, I can’t not talk her up — Ana was such an integral part of this whole journey! She literally walks you through the entire process and takes out so much of the guesswork! I would have wasted so much time (and money) in the long run if it weren’t for her guidance. Ana was also there every step of the way if I had questions and still makes herself available as a resource to this day. [End sales pitchy rant] But in all seriousness, if you are on the fence about starting a blog, or even if you’re not, her free course is eye-opening to anyone who uses the platform.
We’re Live! …Now What?
Now that my blog has launched, I feel like the real journey begins! That’s the fun (and kinda scary) part. Stepping out of my comfort zone… hm, not crazy about it. Not gonna lie. But I love interacting with other members of the blogging community to bounce ideas off of and improve what I offer you! I am definitely navigating as I go, but I’m pretty much sharing the same sort of projects I always have! Just on my blog versus relying on social media.
Welp, if you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading! I am truly so appreciative of every single pair of eyes that visits my site and interacts with me. Having this creative outlet has been so fun and therapeutic for me as I juggle being a wife and mom. I have always loved writing, whether it was in my diaries as a kid (omg, speaking of which where the hell are those?!), and even ended up getting my BA in Journalism back in my college days. Never made it to the big leagues, but hey, I have you as my audience and I couldn’t be more grateful you’re here.
Thank you for showing an interest in my blogging journey! I hope it encourages you to take the plunge into a journey you’ve been wanting to start. *And if nothing else, maybe provided a little bit of insight and self-reflection. 🙂
Until next time. ♡
FOLLOW ON THE GRAM
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