Three Years of Blogging

That’s right, tomorrow (September 1) marks my three year blogging anniversary! I’m not exaggerating or being cheesy when I say starting my blog back in 2015 is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. Today’s post is getting really personal (maybe too personal) by expressing how exactly my blog has impacted my life and where I see it all going from here.

WHY STARTING MY BLOG IS THE BEST THING I’VE EVER DONE

Seriously, it is. This is the behind-the-scenes nitty gritty of how I got here.

As I’m sure some of you may feel too, up until I started my blog, I was someone who’d never really found my niche. As a passionate and driven person, having nothing that I truly loved to dedicate those traits to left me feeling bored and unfulfilled. I’ve tried it all, from tap to ballet, soccer, cheerleading (this literally makes me LOL), basketball (again, I’m laughing), modeling and volleyball. Looking back, each of these felt like I was trying to be someone I just wasn’t meant to be. I was testing the waters and nothing felt quite right. I cried through my private ballet lessons as a kid (call me Miss Drama), I silently mouthed my cheers rather than yelling them (as if I wasn’t already awkward enough as a 5th grader), I ran from the ball during my basketball games and was always picked last when pairing up during volleyball practice. I lacked confidence in my early years and felt so out of place in all of these activities, like a Cinderella without the right shoe, if you will.

Fast forward to my college days — I started my blog while I was working at a job that had me feeling like a battered employee. I barely got ready for work every day (which is so unlike me), spent my lunch breaks sleeping in my car and counted down the hours until I could go home (literally using a tally system in my notebook). My zest for life had diminished in a way (though I’m not sure I knew it at the time), thinking I needed to do my due time before I could get a job I loved. I was craving something new to dedicate my time to that would build me up, solely for my own happiness. Starting a blog was something I truly needed. I needed something that I could get excited about again that was for me. I had played around with website building and logos so many times in high school, but I finally just went for it on a whim while on a weekend getaway with my mom in Louisville.

It all felt right from the very start. They say your true passion or “calling” lies in something you’d do for nothing (without pay), and I’d finally found it. I posted new blog posts every single day for those first two months because my creativity was on fire and finally being exercised in a way I whole heartedly believe it was meant to my whole life. I felt, and still feel to this day, empowered, driven, passionate and more me than I’ve ever felt.

I don’t need to convince you why I was made for blogging, because my blog has nothing to do with anyone else or what people think of me, and everything to do with my own self and soul. I don’t get up and do it every day for anyone but me, and I think that’s why I’ve never given up on it. It truly feeds my soul, stimulates my creative mind and makes me genuinely happy. It really is the best thing I’ve done for myself.

BLOGGING HAS CHANGED MY LIFE

Blogging has helped me be the person on the outside that I’ve always felt I was on the inside. Growing up on the timid side, confidence grew so organically with each post I wrote and continue to write to this day. It really all just clicked for me since day one and I’ve never wanted to stop. I’ve always been a writer and super creative, and those can be weighing traits on someone if they’re not exercised and acted on. They can leave you feeling unexpressed and stifled in a way. A creative outlet is necessary for me and I’m so glad I found one that’s the perfect fit.

Not only has blogging changed my life, I’m just so proud of it. Even if only two people read it (I’m so grateful that so many more people do though!), the joy it gives me is more than enough. My blog has brought along so many blessings, from meeting friends to feeling like I’m truly making a difference, earning supplemental income, and getting to go on sponsored trips that Justin and I wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise as a young, money-saving couple. I’ve gotten the opportunity to work with so many amazing brands, and help other people find their niche online too through branding and advice. This past year of blogging has been a big one for me, and learning along my own path is equally as important to me as sharing with others to assist in their paths too.

MY MISSION

If we’re being honest here, I’m not really like most bloggers. Though I don’t fit the mold of being bubbly, outgoing and extroverted, nor do I want to be a model, I feel like I’m doing what I was meant to do. I hope my blog serves as a happy place for others too where they feel comforted, inspired and driven to achieve their dreams. I strive to be equally entertaining as I am helpful (hopefully I am for you!) to make others smile and help resolve any struggles that someone may be going through.

I didn’t start a blog to make money, gain followers or be an “influencer.” I don’t want to influence/convince you guys to spend all your money. I don’t want you to feel like you need 10k followers to be relevant. I hate the pressures of the industry to “social climb” in a way in order to gain success and recognition. That’s not why I’m here. Instead, I strive to maintain a community that isn’t afraid to be their own person and defy all odds, even when the cards are stacked against you, to achieve your goals.

As my blog continues to grow and morph as the years pass, I want to be able to always look back and know that I didn’t toss my morals aside to gain success — that would go against the whole reason why I started, and I’m proud of all of my decisions to date. I’m here to pursue my dream and passion by building this business of mine & creating a positive impact, and I’m lucky enough to have some people that want to jump in the sidecar with me to see it through. I’m so grateful for each and every one of you for just being here. I can’t wait to see where my blog goes in the upcoming year and I hope the journey continues to excite you as much as (or maybe just a little bit 😉) it excites me.

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Three years in, and I feel like I’ve been doing this my whole life. I hope you guys still read my posts when I’m 80 years old talking about my favorite ways to clean my dentures. Thank you for your support, and whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just yesterday, I’m so happy to have you here. Your sweet words mean everything to me. Here’s to three years (and counting) of living passionately and reaching new heights!

Happy Birthday, abbysaylor.com!