Five Years of Blogging

Yesterday marked the day of my anniversary for five years of blogging. Things have changed so much since I first started, I never thought I would still be writing five years later and I definitely didn’t know it was going to become such a huge part of my life. It sounds silly that writing on the Internet is my life but I love it and I thought I would reminisce over the past few years.

PIN IT!

In 2011 I took the plunge and decided to start my own blog, I set it up on Blogger wrote a welcome post and then left it for a couple of days. I then went back to it and decided to write my first proper post which I think was about a Fudge hair product. Back then I had named my blog Claudia – Beauty and Fashion, absolutely awful I know but I just put any old thing down. I was also with someone who moaned every time I was on my laptop and nobody knew what I had started.

Fast forward a blog rebrand and five years later and I am in a very different position. I am now with someone who high fives me every time I get another follower, documented my first pregnancy, worked with some amazing brands and made some wonderful blogging friends. I spend most of my day (when I’m not with George) glued to my laptop, taking photographs, emailing, tweeting, Instagramming and using the excuse “It’s for blogging inspiration” whenever I’m shopping. It has become such a big part of my life, I love that I have a blog, everyone now knows I have one and I’m so glad I didn’t hide it for long, I’m proud of my little space on the net.

Of course I have my down days, I actually have them a lot and numerous times I have nearly tweeted about quitting but never have. I don’t have a huge following like some, it’s hard when I see other bloggers who started around the same time or after me and have a huge following and doing really well, of course I’m thrilled for them however it’s tough to not compare, to wonder what I’m doing wrong. People say it’s not about the numbers but everyone wants to see their blog grow and reach a wider audience, it’s only natural. To be honest I didn’t start taking my blog seriously until about 2 years ago and I love what I have achieved, I work really hard on my blog and I’m doing some form of blog related task every single day and I am proud of how far I’ve come but it is hard, however it also pushes me to work harder. If you feel the same as me don’t compare yourself to others, but use that questioning of whether you’re good enough as a force to push yourself harder. Spend that little bit longer on Pinterest, brainstorm any ideas you get, communicate with bloggers on Twitter, it has all helped me so much.

It’s strange how things work out, back then I had a full time job that I absolutely hated and working for myself was all I ever dreamt of. I could never have imagined that thanks to blogging, I would start my own business selling blogger products that I have designed to other people, it’s madness to think I’ve made a passion into a job, a part-time one at least. Although I work on my blog full time I don’t say I’m a full time blogger as I don’t make a living from my blog, as much as I’d like to take things to the next level I don’t know how to, I’m like a full time volunteer if you will.

This post has kind of turned into a rambling waffling talking about whatever gumpf I’ve got to share type post and I don’t really know what to say but these past five years have been amazing and I can’t wait to see where it takes me. It’s strange to think I’ve been writing on here for half a decade….ok now that makes me feel old.

Wrap it up….

Thank you to everyone who reads my blog, likes/comments on my Instagram, tweets me and most importantly the people that have supported and backed my blog and new business adventure, you’re all incredible.

Here’s to the next 5 years….

PIN IT!