This seems to be the season of lucky number seven for our family. First, in September, we announced that our family of six would be becoming a family of seven in February! Now, I’m happy to share that I’m celebrating seven years of blogging this month! Seven years ago in the beginning of November (November 5, 2010, to be exact) I posted my first blog post sharing the baby leg warmers I had made for my little man. To celebrate seven years of blogging, here are some of my favorite (and least favorite) things.
my favorite things about blogging
Wow, how things around the blog have changed over the past seven years! In my blogiversary post last year I shared a little bit about why I started blogging. I also shared some of the things I’ve learned along the way. This year I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite things about blogging. And some of my least favorite things.
I love the connections I’ve made
I’ve talked about it before but I’ll talk about it again because it is one of the absolute best things about blogging and it has also been one of the most surprising. I can’t believe all the friends that I’ve made through blogging and social media over the past couple years. I feel like we celebrate each other’s triumphs, we mourn each other’s losses, and we have each other’s backs. It’s so nice when your spouse or “real life” friends don’t get it to go to your blogging friends who do.
I hate the cutthroat aspect of it
Y’all. I’m just going to say it. Blogging has become SO overly saturated the past couple years. As a result online blogging groups and forums can start to resemble high school with cliques and cool kids. It seems like some people forget that it’s about community and not competition. Or, maybe they just never got that memo. I really feel like there’s room for everyone to grow and thrive in their own way. That doesn’t mean that your success will necessarily look like someone else’s success.
I love working with brands
It’s true, I love working with brands. When I first started blogging I had no idea that would even be an option someday. Yet, here I am. I’ve been able to work with brands that I’ve loved for years and use everyday like Huggies and Coca-Cola. I’ve also discovered some new favorite brands along the way!
I hate all the negative aspects that come with that
There can be a fine line between selling a product and pushing a product, you know? Over the years I think I’ve developed a pretty good balance of sharing without being too much of a salesman. Yet, I also am pretty sure I’ve lost some followers over it. It can also be hard when some brands don’t recognize your value as an influencer or treat you condescendingly when you’re just trying to be professional.
I love how it has blessed my family
This is certainly another thing that I never thought would happen when I started blogging seven years ago. I never expect to be one of those bloggers that brings in a six-digit income or gets to take my family on vacations that are all-expenses paid. However, there have been plenty of small blessings that have come into our lives and I am so thankful for them! From fun activities that we’ve been able to go on all together, to collaborations that have been for my husband and myself to enjoy, it’s been so
I hate the time it takes away from my family
Even though being a mom comes first, blogging often means that I’m on my computer instead of snuggling. Sometimes it means that a fun family outing or activity is accompanied by a hundred photo ops. There’s always something that needs to be done which means that I rarely have actual “down time”.
I love pushing myself to try new things
Of course, my most important job is being a wife and mother to all my little hooligans. However, I also enjoy having deadlines and responsibilities that are outside the realm of motherhood. Sometimes it can be stressful when everything seems to be due at once. However, there’s also a great feeling of accomplishment when you pull it off or a brand lets you know how much they loved working with you.
Are you a blogger? Do you have favorite things about blogging?
24 Responses to a few of my favorite things about blogging
Congratulations on 7 years! I completely agree with you on your loves and hates. Blogging is such a wonderful outlet though! It’s so fun to meet people! So glad I found your blog this year! Keep up the great work and thanks for all your help with blogging tips!
Aww, thank you so much for your sweet comment! It really means a lot to me Katie.
Such a fun giveaway!
Thank you so much!
So fun; congratulations on 7 years! I appreciate how you broke up the loves/hates of blogging. They are so relate-able to me even as a newer blogger. I have so loved following along with your blog and “getting to know you” a little through your blog and social!
I’m so glad you could relate! I’m so glad I’ve been able to get to know you as well!
I love the lemon doterra oil! It’s the first one I ever tried!
I do too! I use it for drinking in my hot water instead of tea, and I love to use it for cleaning!
Happy 7 years, sweet lady! So glad I got to meet you on this journey!
Congrats on 7 years! That is awesome! Btw, your party was so fun. Love seeing pictures and I️ appreciate your words. God bless!
Oh friend you speak to my heart!! Seven years is awesome! I’m almost at 5… and I can’t believe how much growth there is. 🙂 Keep up the amazing work!
Congrats on your blog anniversary!!
Alix would talk about you blogging and how great you were and now I can see it first hand, you are great!
Oh my goodness, you’re so sweet Laura, thank you!
Wow, 7 years! I remember your 6 year blogiversary post and can’t believe it’s already been another year. I just hit 2 years last month (although I’ve had my personal blog for 9 years). I’m totally with you on the pros and cons of blogging. I think it all comes down to balance, which I’m really working on trying to find more of.
Happy Blogiversary!!! So glad we met through the crazy world of blogging! xo
Wow! You are a strong woman! 5 kiddos congrats! They are lucky to have you. Thanks for the chance to win your favorite things!
Baby #5 welcome to the club!! You’re a pro now. Blogging brings information to others and provides extra finances for your family. Sounds like a win/win!! Keep up the good work. #wedothis #momboss
Thanks for the chance
I nodded my head through this whole post! I started blogging 8 years ago, and while a lot is the same, SO MUCH is different, too. That said, it’s still been an amazing way to “meet” others, connect like like-minded moms, and just have a space to call my own.
YES! To all of it!! Such pros and cons…but I’m so glad we connected!!!!
❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations on 7 years of blogging! I’m glad that we met through blogging, I’m so happy to have you as one of my “blogging besties”!
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