“Blogging is constant” - Some chick on the E show Fashion Bloggers
A few months ago I caught the commercial for the E show Fashion Bloggers. I know, totally late to the game on this one, but it takes awhile for things to reach this little island I live on. Anyways, as I was watching the commercial of these bloggers describing their lives one thing they all said, it has stuck with me, and I think it is the perfect way to describe this hobby I am hooked on.
Blogging is constant.
If I were asked to describe blogging I couldn’t have said it better myself. Rarely does a day go by when I am not working on something for the blog. From posting on social media to taking pictures for new posts. Writing those new post while at the same time trying to come up with ideas for more posts.
The blogging to do list is never ending.
The last few months I have dealt with what feels like never ending blogging issues. From posts being deleted to plugins not working it has been one frustrating thing after another. The thought of just pulling the plug on the blog and stepping away crossed my mind a dozen times.
One very frustrating night in the midst of a slight meltdown over my blog where I am sure I did some form of a teenage Kaelene outburst I was just ready to give up. My Viking, who had the pleasure of witnessing this meltdown, ever so calmly said, “okay then just quit.”
I wish someone was around to capture my face. All I know is I made some sound that was between a grunt and a sigh that I am sure I made frequently during my teenage years while I said, “I can’t quit, I love blogging.”
And that was the when it hit me.
I love blogging.
And all that other stuff just doesn’t matter.
In my element, a glass of wine in one hand, a camera in the other, blogger life can be pretty great!
Sometimes it is tough to not get caught up in the pageviews and number of comments, sometimes you forget to write for yourself and you start writing what you think others want to read. But when I write posts just for the pageviews and comments, well those are the posts that I don’t really like myself, and those posts that I write just for pageviews tend to be the most difficult ones to get the words out. But when I write just for myself, well the words seem to just flow and I am reminded all over again why I love blogging.
With my little blog baby turning two this week (such a proud mom) I think now is the perfect time for a little reminder to myself of those aspects I love about blogging. These reasons are what keep me coming back to this blog of mine even during those frustrating times.
I love how it challenges me
Each week, really each day, I am faced with a new list of things to do for the blog. New html code I want to learn, new social media trends to look up, new tutorials to read, not to mention all the daily tasks of running a blog, everyday is full of lessons. And you know what, I love it, it is so much better than just sitting on the couch binge watching Empire (although that is important in my life too) and it keeps that creative side of my brain happy.
I have friends all over the world
Blogging friends count as real friends in my mind! Expat life can get a bit lonely at times, especially in the beginning. When I first moved to Iceland and discovered the world of expat blogs I felt like I had found my own personal support group.
Following so many great bloggers on their own amazing adventures I feel like I get to travel the world with them. From seeing beautiful places in their pictures to relating to their struggles of life abroad it is such a wonderful community to be apart of. And, the real bonus, when I get to meet them!
I have an online journal I will always cherish
These past two years have been full of adventures, from moving to a new country to traveling around Europe, I feel so lucky for all the amazing things I have gotten to experience. Even better, I have all of those adventures documented here on this blog for me to easily look back on and remember exactly how I felt at that time. Reading some of my posts from my first few months in Iceland, those are my favorites, and always a great reminder for how much I have adjusted to Iceland in the past few years.
I get to share my adventures with my loved ones back home
While I wish I could bring all my loved ones with me on every adventure I have yet to figure out how to do this, so for now sharing my adventures on the blog for them to read will have to do. It can be hard sometimes talking with loved ones back home and not having them really know what your life and surroundings look like. By sharing these things on my blog it has helped me feel more connected with those back home, and it makes it easier to be like, “oh you know that trip we took last week?” and my parents will be like, “ya we read about it on your blog.” Until I get all my loved ones over here my blog will have to do for bringing them on my adventures with me.
A throwback to the early days of blogging in my favorite cafe
A whole new world has now opened up to me thanks to my blog. I have found a community that I can completely relate to on this crazy expat adventure, learned about cultures from all over the world through my blogging friends posts, and gained confidence in knowing that my abroad meltdowns are totally normal and my blogging friends don’t think I am crazy (at least I think so). The benefits blogging has brought me, they are more than worth all those hours I have spent in front of the computer and the many meltdowns I have had.
Tis the season to be thankful, and I am so thankful for this space of mine. Thanks to all my readers for making this blogging adventure such a wonderful experience. And for all the advice you all have given me. I hope you all keep following along with my adventures, and keep having amazing adventures of your own!
PS: Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for your chance to try some tasty Icelandic treats!
Question of the Day?
What is your favorite hobby? What are you thankful for this year?
