This is a question that I like to ask myself every now and then, just to check that I am moving forward. It’s nice to check that I am achieving something and even nicer when I realize that I have, as well as giving me a sense of achievement.
So when I do look back to when I started blogging in January 2008 (which seems a lifetime ago), I can see how far I have come as well as looking to the future and what I want to do next. It’s interesting to see how my views have changed due to my level of experience and knowledge that I now have. The more information I have learned, the more it has shaped the way I approach my blogging and how I do it, for instance moving from Blogger to Wordpress. The biggest change so far and I think the best. If I didn’t look back and check myself, then I wouldn’t realise how far I have come and how much I have learned. It makes me feel good, and also helps me through the hard times, when I feel like I am getting nowhere because of tech problems or kids being ill etc… It keeps my motivation and enjoyment high and keeps me wanting more.
The more I know about a subject like blogging the more comfortable I feel doing it, it was daunting when I started out and like a new job I found it hard to find my feet. So I find the more experience and time I spend doing something, results in me feeling more comfortable at doing it, and the beginners jitters fade away.
Also I realized that the information I used to start blogging wasn’t right for me and was holding me back. Although it was a hard decision, taking the step to change certain aspects of how I do things (eg changing blogging platforms) was a necessary one, that I had to recognise and act on as part of the learning and growing curve, enabling me to move forward.
So I suppose what I am trying to share is that I feel I have grown, and am constantly growing as a blogger. And that I find motivation and enjoyment from realising that fact. And that it’s ok to make mistakes and feel like a newbie, just keep going and search for the information and contacts (that’s invaluable) that help the most. That will give you the freedom to blog knowing you have some firm foundations behind you, good or bad they all contribute to the experience and make it better.
I didn’t start this article with the intention of sharing so many of my feelings about blogging, so I apologize if I’ve rambled a bit, but I hope this helps similar people who are going through the same stumbling blocks, of trying to start blogging and finding their way through.
