As February draws to a close – the month of my blogging anniversary – I thought that this was as good a time as ever to reflect on what this past year of blogging has taught me.
I can sincerely say that it has been an eye-opening experience. Finding the one thing that I can call my own, the one thing (besides my family, of course) that I have fallen in love with, the one thing that has given me serious cause for self-reflection. WRITING.
Looking back… I have always looked to define myself through personal achievement and succeeding at the goals I set for myself. For example, I got my first qualification in Education, my second in Human Social Sciences (both on my own dime and while working full-time), then – when that wasn’t quite enough – I got qualifications in Play, Art, Puppet, and Sand Therapy. Perhaps this is because I grew up never feeling “good” enough. Never feeling like I had what it takes to show people that I was actually capable of more than what they expected. I felt that if I had a piece of paper declaring I was good at something, then that would be accepted.
Roll forward to the day I became a mother and suddenly (for me) everything I had done before – to seek personal satisfaction and a sense of achievement seemed futile and completely irrelevant. I remember my first moment of parenthood,  looking into the eyes of my sons and thinking this is what it’s all about. This is MY purpose.
Parenting has by far been the most difficult yet rewarding experience of my life. All the mistakes I had made as an ignorant teenager/young adult, all the difficult experiences that I was far too young to have gone through, became life lessons on how to raise my own children.Â
I was now able to look back on my life (albeit a young one) and see it through different lenses. Instead of holding on to my anger, I was able to turn those experiences into life-changing moments. A life of experiences that shaped me into the person I am today. Funny enough, I can laugh about most of them, and write about them, openly and honestly, so that my children and maybe other people can find some form of comfort in them.
And what blogging has given me, essentially, is a platform to share that with others.
So… What has blogging taught me?
- To live without fear of being honest. I’ve always been a “say it like it is” kind of person. Maybe too much so. :) Blogging has taught me, to be honest without fear of what others might think of me. To say what is on my heart in a kind and loving way. Showing respect and understanding.Â
- It’s OK to be me. I’ve been asked what my “niche” is? I have absolutely no clue. I just write. And that’s OK. There are times that I wish I could write hilarious comic posts or academic articles, posts that go viral, however, I have come to realize that I write as I feel. And that’s OK. That’s who I am.
- To live without shame. It’s easier to write for people you don’t know but when you know that you are sharing a part of yourself in a sometimes “raw” manner with people that are close to you, you can’t help feeling a little apprehensive about how you will be perceived. I remember my mom chatting to me about a post I had written, she commented on how she had never realized that I had felt so deeply about a particular experience. It opened up the door to such a beautiful and meaningful conversation, one I will never forget. We all have moments we regret, but there is nothing we can do about that, except to acknowledge it and move on.Â
- To challenge ‘self’ more. There is no point in becoming “stagnant” in life. It only leads down an endless stairwell of dissatisfaction with the gifts we have been given. Blogging has taught me to push myself more, to expect more of myself, and to reflect on the example that I want to leave for my children. Nothing beats knowing how hard you worked to achieve that mountainous goal that you never thought you would accomplish.
- Showing emotion is not a weakness. I’ve learned that I am an emotional person. I feel things deeply, people and situations touch me on many levels. Instead of my usual attitude of brushing it off, I’ve learned to engage in those emotions, write about them and share them in the hope that others might be empowered to share of themselves as well.
Wow, what a long post! Thank you to each and every one of you for your unending support, encouragement and for continuing to read my humble ramblings!Â
I look forward to sharing what this Messy Mama has in store for 2017 – watch this space :)
Blogging is like free therapy! We can learn so much about our selves through blogging and see things we never really saw before. It’s definitely eye opening, but in the best way possible.
Congratulations and your first year and good luck on the next!
Debbie
Thank you Debbie! Very kind of you to say! xx
Blogging is my therapy I have no niche I just enjoy writing like you. I found I have a voice that I never knew existed super post Thanks for linking to the #THAT FRIDAY LINKY come back next week please
Oh yes, blogging is definitely a way to get things out! Thanks for stopping by Nige.
Super blog post hun. Blogging is so wonderful for so many reasons. Thanks for linking up to #ThatFridayLinky
Absolutely!
Hmm…. now you’ve got me thinking… what has blogging taught me? Maybe one thing is how better to balance speaking (posting on my blog) with listening (reading others’ blogs). Great post here, cheers!
Amen to that!!
Very heartfelt and emotional. I was expecting to read what you’d learnt about blogging. I think number three is a big one. It’s easier to write openly and honestly to strangers than to people who know us. Blogging is a really good tool for self awareness.
Happy anniversary, too! #globalblogging
I know. I have read so many posts where bloggers talk about their Stats and writing goals. I thought I’d make this one a little more introspective. Thanks for reading Lucy! x
this is lovely round up and I can resonate with a lot of your blogging lessons. I really wish id found blogging a lot sooner than I did. ive blogged now for just over a year. I used to write diaries as a teen and should have continued my random musings online hehe :) it is definitely an eye opener and I’ve learnt so much :) #globalblogging
I am sure those diaries would be amazing to read so many years on! :)
Great post. There are so many life lessons you learn from blogging and from other bloggers – good and bad. You’ve got me thinking, I wonder what mine are now as I’m sure they change over time. Happy blog birthday :)
Back again from this week’s #globalblogging
I can only imagine how our goals and insights from blogging change every year. I look forward to seeing how mine change too! Thanks for popping by Mrs Tubbs. x
Happy one year anniversary lovely!
#globalblogging
Thanks lovely!!! x
What a great round up! Really enjoyed this! #globalblogging
Thanks Pam, so good to have you visit! x
This is a lovely post and I think you highlight all the positives of blogging beautifully. I hear you about – it’s ok to be emotional. I also hear you about how parenting is the hardest thing yiu’ve ever done!!! Thanks for inviting me to do-host this week. Xx #globalblogging
Thanks Hayley! It was so good to have you co-host! Thank you very much! x
I wish that I was as brave as you about writing “raw.” I completely agree with the statement that it is easier to write for strangers, and I have a real problem writing about difficult topics knowing that my family and friends will be reading. Congrats on the anniversary! #globalblogging
It is a hard one, sometimes I hit post and then think – oops, maybe I shouldn’t have written that :) … Thanks for visiting Mary!
Congratulations on a year! Look at all that you’ve done, from mastering social media to hosting this linky!
Thanks for your kind words Katy… Mastering… erm – hahaha! We try , don’t we!
Go Girl! Happy Anniversary! Love reading your stuff – keep it coming! #globalblogging
You are way too kind! Thank you!! xx
Great learnings, expesially To challenge ‘self’ more. I have learnt that I tend to set myself some really crazy difficult goals, but that achieving them is enormously satisfying. #globalblogging
Exactly. I have realized that it does not matter how long it takes to achieve a goal, as long as you keep striving to get there! Thanks for your comment Jeanette!
Congrats on hitting the year! #GlobalBlogging
Thanks Heather!
I Love your blog! Honesty is key! Happy Anniversary
#globalblogging
Thanks lovely! Amen to honesty being the Key! xx
Agree with all the points, beautifully writtten. It’s very hard to find your balance: where does your privacy ends as a blogger. As long as you don’t feel pushed, it’s fine I think. #globalblogging
I couldn’t agree with you more :) Thanks Eva..x
What an inspiring post, especially for someone like me who is new to this blogging game – it sounds like it has given you so much and brought you so far in just a year. I love that you just write what you want to write, and don’t worry about fitting into a niche. Thanks for sharing #globalblogging
Thank you Susie! I think once we fall into the trap of writing just for the sake of getting a post out, it becomes way too stressful and we stop enjoying it… Thanks for your comment lovely! xx
yay! Happy first blogging anniversary!
I’ve only been blogging for coming up to three months but I can completely relate to this post! I feel like blogging is my therapy, I make things sound funny but even the things that really do upset me or cause me stress always feel better when they’re written down!
Well done on such a successful first year, you must be so proud of how far you’ve come.
#globalblogging
Amen to that! Just putting your thoughts down on paper can be enlightening. 3 months is great! Such an exciting time for you… Keep it up! xx
Hi Jaqui! I blog like it’s therapy, and it sounds like you get the same effect too! What a provocative and authentic post here at #globalblogging <3 <3 <3 Happy to share this space with you this week! M'wah and Mazel Tov!
Thanks Lisa! It’s been great sharing the blog with you this week!!!! Thank you for co-hosting …
So true about writing for strangers! Happy bloggiversary #globalblogging
Isn’t it just!
Thanks for reading Rhian!
Happy Blogoversary! Blogging has definitely helped me learn it’s ok to be me and given me something I didn’t know I was looking for x
#GlobalBlogging
I couldn’t agree more !!! Thank you lovely!
Beautiful thoughts on your blogoversary! I think it’s amazingly important to write from the heart. I struggle with the idea of a “niche” as well. I like to write about all sorts of things, so I do!
All the best for you and your blog!
~Jess
#GlobalBlogging
Whatever touches us becomes the best writing! Thanks for reading Jessica! xx
Happy anniversary! Such a positive and uplifting reflection on the year and your life. #GlobalBlogging
Thank you Peachy’s mommy :) …. xxx
Happy Anniversary!! I love your post and it’s true! Blogging is about a journey to the inner self! ;-) And I agree, I haven’t found a niche too, but for me, that’s not important! It’s important to bei me!
Thank you so much for your lovely posts!! #globalblogging
– Emmi
A journey of the inner self – I love that Emmi!!! Thank you for commenting !!!! xxxx
Never apologise for being uniquely you. You are fantastic and don’t forget that. Your niche = you and your passions. Happy Blogiversary – wow only one year in. #globalblogging,
Amen to that Helena! Thank you for your lovely comment!
Great post. And agree it’s good to not fear being honest! It is the best policy after all, ha!
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