Tuesday was my one-year blogiversary. I can’t believe it’s been a whole year already. I had no idea what I was doing when I started, no idea what I was getting into. But I’m so glad I did.
Like I told in you in my very first blog post, my whole life had changed, and I felt inspired to share. I thought maybe someone else would read my story and feel inspired, too. But I was scared. Why would anyone want to read me? It felt so arrogant to think that anyone would care what I had to say. So even though I was always “writing” in my head and I felt compelled to pour it out, I tried to squash that tiny, courageous voice in my head telling me to just do it.
I squashed that voice pretty successfully for months. Then in September 2010, Hubs and I went to Boston for a wedding, and we had dinner with my dear friend, Stef (and her now husband). I was about thirteen weeks pregnant and just starting to share the news. The four of us were having dinner at a quaint little Irish pub. Everyone else ordered a beer, and I just asked for water. Stef instantly shot me a look across the table. I just smiled at her and slightly nodded my head. Then we both jumped up and squealed and hugged, and the guys had to no clue what just happened.
Like all of my family and most of my friends, Stef lives across the country. She made an innocent, off-handed comment along the lines of, “Well, you could start a blog and post pictures and updates for us.”
She said the B-word. Stef didn’t know it, but that one small comment was the kick in the pants I needed. People would care what I had to say. Even if my only readers were friends and family who wanted baby photos and updates, my blog would actually have traffic. That was the motivation I needed.
So all that writing I did in my head became words on a screen, and then words on the internet. I stared my fears of rejection and judgment right in the face and shared my blog with the world. (After hitting that “publish” button, I felt like I had just gotten off a roller coaster – a little winded, adrenaline fueled, and relieved I was still alive to talk about it.)
The posts quickly became about more than just baby stuff. I wrote about my history, my new life, my metamorphosis. (Because a Blogger profile is free, and therapy is not.) Soon complete strangers were commenting on my posts and following me on Twitter. So I started following them back, and before I knew it, I became part of a world I didn’t know existed.
Now, I just have to get to a blogger conference so I can meet some of these fantastic people in real life (or “IRL,” as we say Bloggydom).
So why do I blog? Not to get paid, that’s for sure. I’m still figuring the blogging world out. That’s why I’m still a small-timer after a year. But that’s okay. I don’t think I ever want to be a big-name blogger. I like knowing all of my readers and being able to respond to almost all of their comments personally. So I may never have PR pros knocking down my bloggy door to get a piece of me, but that’s okay. That’s not why I blog.
I wanted to blog because I had a story to share.
I started blogging because a friend gave me the confidence I couldn’t find in myself.
I didn’t quit blogging because of all the positive support I received from friends, family and total strangers.
I’m still blogging because I feel part of a community of other women, parents and real people who are just trying to do the best they can. Just like me.
Why do you blog? Leave a link to your blog below and I’ll be sure to visit.
