I remember the day very well. It was July 2011. I woke one day and decided I would start a blog because many of my natural friends had been asking about my hair and how I maintained it. I figured it might be a good idea to document it all in one place so I could easily share it with them.
Petrified would be a good word to describe how I felt. After all, I was putting myself “out there”. I had no idea what I was doing when it came to blogging. I literally googled “How To Create A Blog” and followed the link for Blogger(dot)com. When I was done, I told my husband “I started a blog”, to which he replied “well alright, go ahead then”. At least I had one supporter 🙂
For the first year or so, I was a “closet” blogger. I didn’t want anyone to know that I had a blog. I’ve always been pretty reserved and private (I still am to some extent). My mom, sisters, sister in law and a few friends were the only people who knew my *secret*. Every time I had a new post, I would hound my Mom and sisters to “read it and leave a comment”. HA! True story! 🙂
You’re probably thinking, “Well, why blog if you don’t want anyone to know about it?”
SEE ALSO: How to Start & Grow A Successful Blog
For me starting a blog was a personal challenge to push myself to do something out of my comfort zone.
If I’m being honest, I also think a little piece of me also didn’t want to feel judged. I know I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone, but I also wanted to do it on my own terms.
I also decided to start a YouTube channel in August 2011.
CHECK OUT THIS POST: Change Ahead..We’re Moving
I have grown and learnt a lot about blogging since then. My blog has also undergone a few changes as well. I’m no longer the girl who was hesitant to speak in public. Well….I still get nervous but I’ve come a loooong way 🙂
I love the community I’ve been able to build, and be part of through my blog. It is very humbling and it brings me a lot of joy when someone sends me an email or inbox message, or stops me in public (*welp*) to let me know how one of my posts or videos has helped them. The ladies in our local (Dallas) meetup group are pretty awesome too! I love the sisterhood we’ve built.
Let me be real, it’s not all cupcakes and rainbows. Blogging takes a lot of time and effort, but I love creating content and sharing posts/stories that will inspire, enhance and add value to the lives of the members of my community. Whether that falls under natural hair care/style/tutorials, hosting/speaking, giving back, or just sharing experiences with you, I honestly do enjoy it.
Blogging has also allowed me to make some amazing friends, and it has also given me a great platform to branch off into other things. For that, I’m SUPER grateful.
My friend Ariel, one of the many people I’ve met on this journey, recently featured me in her “Why Do I Blog?” Series. Check it out HERE to read my full interview.
YOUR TURN: If you’re a blogger, why do you blog? If you’re not a blogger, have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone and down something you were scared to do?
Until next time
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blogging really opens up one’s network
Yep, it really does 🙂
I love this! I’m quiet and reserved too and I feel like blogging has allowed me to find my voice. I have also ‘met’ some amazing women through this who I hope someday to meet in person. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Thanks Lauren!
Ok so let me try this again because I got all emotional the first time I commented but looks like it didn’t take…
Thank you for sharing your blog story. I love how confident you are and your willingness to share is so needed. I appreciate our friendship and I am so happy this journey is taking you to great places. ❤️
Aww girl, don’t make me cry. You know I’m a softy. Thank you MJ, I’m so happy we connected. I’m just waiting for the day when we can finally meet. <3
Love it Vee! I definitely started for a lot of the same reasons and was definitely that “closet blogger” for a bit. But goodness, I wouldn’t change a thing with all of the amazing people I’ve had the fortune of getting to know (*wink) through this virtual world we live in. It can be a tough job but it is totally worth it so thanks for sharing 🙂
lol..I’m glad I wasn’t the only one in hiding. Thanks Christine, I feel the same way 😉
Your blog is so beautiful, just like you, Vee!!! And you’re absolutely right that it takes a LOT of work. But we love it, right?
I started blogging to document my life and I never thought it would change my life and open as many doors for me as it has. I blog now to build my platform as a public speaking expert and coach (for bloggers + entrepreneurs)!
Thanks Amber! Yep, we love all the work and all the madness lol.
I can certainly agree with it changing your life. I feel the same way. Plus it’s always great to meet amazing people like you.
Great story! I started blogging for similar reasons, to help friends and family that I know with couponing. I’ve since re-branded to show case more of who I am.
Thanks Stacie! I’ve undergone similar changes. It’s all part of the growth process.
Vee! I am so glad you started this community…because it gave me an opportunity to meet you! Like you, I began blogging to challenge myself. I also started because I thought surely there were more women who could relate to the content that I wanted to see more around the web. I needed to answer that inner calling to create and blogging has been a great outlet to do so.
Thanks Cassie! I’m so happy we got to meet as well. Love you girl!
This is an excellent article! I really enjoyed it. I started blogging because I wanted to help others and inspire them to live a life outside of the ordinary through travel. I would get questions all the time about how I managed to live abroad and said hey, let me start documenting my journey. Now I’m super excited because turning it into a full fledged business, there is no turning back now!
Thanks Nicole. Congrats on all your success!
This is such a great story of why you do this. The journey is so different for everyone but we all have common threads. I was very scared to start and to let everyone know, but deep down I knew a lot of women were afraid to ask the questions I would answer. I always tell my husband even if my numbers are down, If I helped one person today that was enough.
Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. You have to love it and have a heart for sharing, first and foremost.
Thanks so much for letting us in on your humble beginnings and as a blogger. It gives me hope. I feel like such a neophyte but daily I see myself self growing as a writer.
Aww..thanks Kimberly! You’re welcome on your way. Just keeping being true to you 🙂
I really love this post. It reminds me of why I started blogging: because I was good at something and I wanted to share my knowledge with the world. I think the first rule of blogging is to find out what people want, and to give it to them. Because it doesn’t matter if you’re a style blogger, a DIY blogger, a food blogger, a hair and beauty blogger, etc. We’re all cranking out information and personal experiences to benefit everyone else. 🙂
THanks so much Margaret Anne! I couldn’t agree more.