It’s Almost My Blogiversary!

You may or may not know this, but in just under one month, this little blog of mine is going to turn 2 years old.

It was a fairly average Thursday as I walked into my tech-savvy co-worker’s office two years ago and said, “Hey, so if I wanted to start a blog, how exactly would I do that?”.  After a lengthy discussion about how saturated the internet was with mommy blogs, he set me up with my very own blog, design, domain, and all (he no longer works with me, but has graciously stayed on as my go-to tech support guru, and for that I am very thankful).

Bottom line is, I had thought about starting a blog for years before that day in August 2011, but I could always find a way to talk myself out of it.  My biggest fear?  That I would quit.  By the time I walked into my co-worker’s office, I had knocked down every excuse and decided to dive right in.  “So what if I quit?”, I thought.  And the thought of an over-saturated mommy blogging market wasn’t going to scare me off…although in fairness, at the time I had no idea how many mommy/parenting blogs there really were out there.  Determined to give this blogging thing a try, I sat down and wrote my very first post.  And then the next day I wrote another.  And another.  And another.  Until “this blogging thing” became more of a habit than an experiment.

It’s been just over 23 months since those first posts, and as I brace to see if blogging brings it’s own terrible twos, I can’t help but be amazed at all that blogging has given me.  Because while blogging is far more work than I ever expected it to be, it’s also been incredibly rewarding.   Yes, I still get the glazed over “what is that?” looks when I tell people that I have a blog, but the good far outweighs that.  For example:

Blogging has taken me places.  From local events to exclusive parties to blogging conferences in other states, it’s been an adventure.  A really fun adventure.  I can’t wait to hit BlogHer13 in Chicago next week!

Blogging has allowed me to document our lives.  I take pictures of my kids more now than I ever did before I started blogging, and for that reason we have photo books filled with memories that probably wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for blogging.  When I started this blog I had a 2 year old and a 4 month old; I now have a 4 year old and a 2 year old.  Blogging has made sure I have pictures from every month in between.

Blogging has brought me email from all over the world.  I’m absolutely blown away every time I open my email box to find that someone has written me just to tell me how much they like my blog.  From the east coast to the west coast and so far beyond (Canada, England, Australia, Mexico, Philippines), the idea that people take time out of their day to write me really hits home.  Other people want advice – What jogging stroller do I have/like?  What did I do to train my dog to be good with my kids?  How can they start blogging?  Why did their craft not turn out like mine?  I’m always happy to answer these questions, even if my answers sometimes fall a little short.

Blogging has given me a chance to explain.  There are times when I need to get something out.  Like this post about why we didn’t tell anyone about this pregnancy until mid-way through the 2nd trimester.  Hitting the “Publish” button and telling everyone why we didn’t tell anyone made me feel better – almost freeing – but the fact that friends have come up to me and thanked me for explaining, has reminded  me how important this blog can be.  This is my voice.

Blogging has allowed me to get advice from other moms.  There are lots of times where I have no idea what the hell I’m doing when it comes to this parenting thing.  Way more than I’m comfortable admitting.  This blog has given me the opportunity to ask moms from all over the world what they would do.  And don’t worry, I read and consider every comment.  I love seeing all the different perspectives.

Blogging has given me employment opportunities.  It’s no secret that I make money from my blog (advertising, sponsored posts, etc), but over the course of the past 2 years I’ve actually received several offers for both full and part time employment with various brands.  Trust me, each one of them is truly temping.  Unfortunately, none of which can pay my massive pile of student loan debt from law school so…I’m still here.  I’m not ruling it out though.

Blogging has given me an excuse.  Reviewing products can be a pretty good gig.  Plus, the endless stream of packages arriving at our door has caused my husband not to be able to determine which I ordered and which were sent for review.  I may (or may not) have passed off a few items that I ordered as review items.  Shhhh…don’t tell.

Blogging has given me new friendships.  Okay, I’m not going to lie – I really don’t have many blogging buddies in real life.  But that doesn’t mean that I don’t have blogging friends.  Blogging is really an online world and I’m part of lots of online blogging groups.  I’m constantly surprised at the number of “strangers” that will offer help to another blogger.

So yesterday when I opened my inbox to find an email from SocialLuxe, informing me that my blog is a finalist for the 2013 BlogLuxe Awards, I was absolutely floored.  I was suddenly overwhelmed by all the support that I’ve received up to this point, and couldn’t believe where “this blogging thing” had lead me.  I don’t know what will happen at the award ceremony, but I’m excited to be where I am in blogging and I’m very thankful that I decided to take the plunge two years ago.

Here’s to hoping I can avoid the blogging terrible twos.  Thank you for reading and I appreciate you continuing with me on this journey!