Additional menu

#moneyhungry

Reflections on Blogging-How blogging has given me focus
You are here: Home / Blogging / Reflections on Blogging-How blogging has given me focus

Reflections on Blogging-How blogging has given me focus

posted on

Pin
Share
Tweet
0 Shares

In 2011 I became intrigued by the idea of writing a blog. I loved reading other people’s stories, triumphs, heartaches, and happiness. The blogs that touched me were all different. Sometimes it was the gruff voice of a guy who I imagined with a full beard and a baseball cap typing furiously through out the night. Another blog had the tremulous voice of a shy girl who used the blog to create her voice. Another blog had the tone of a badass New Yorker just telling it like it is.  I wanted to write about something, about my struggles with finances, stress, and the loneliness that always being in that mental space causes. But it wasn’t the right time. I was still too overwhelmed by all the stuff in my head and I couldn’t find my voice. So, after 3 months I quit.
A year later, I kept reading personal finance blogs and had become invested in the journeys of several people who had compelling stories that I loved reading. I was rooting for these people and wanted them to beat their demons and succeed. In less than 2 years several people paid off all of their debt, lost weight,  found love, changed jobs, started businesses and moved forward.
So, I  half-heartedly began to blog again. It was 2012 and I’d just had a big birthday and nothing had changed. THIS SUCKS! I was drowning in the mind numbing sameness that was my life. Wake up, walk to the bus stop, take the bus, fall asleep-listen to the other passenger snore, get off the bus, walk to work…steps dragging slower and slower to work each day. I had a stressful job situation that felt like it would never end.
The following video from the movie “Office Space” sums up how I was feeling at the time.

Then I discovered that FINCON12 miraculously was being held in Denver. It was a sign. I couldn’t believe it. I had to go. That conference would either solidify my intention to blog or convince me that this blogging stuff was beyond me. So, I went to the conference not knowing what to expect. I won’t lie, I tend to be a bit reserved in some new situations. I like to sit back and observe, so I probably didn’t make a good impression. I didn’t know what to expect and I felt like a fraud. What did I know about personal finance? Other than the numerous mistakes I had made and the good choices that I had lucked out on who was I to write about finances? I decided to give FINCON 12 a chance and I’m glad I did! I left FINCON12 inspired, amazed, and believing in myself.  Here was a group of people who were basically like me, struggling to find their way and trying to live “the dream” whatever that was. Some had made it “big” others had just made it to the other side of their struggles. And a number of people were still actively involved in their persona; journey.
The Monday after FINCON12 was when I embraced blogging as a life changing practice. To me blogging is a practice similar to yoga, jogging, or anything else that makes the practitioner self-reflect and work through whatever it is that they are dealing with. Blogging has enabled me to focus on something new. Something besides my job and my dissatisfaction with everything that hasn’t been going well in my life. Now I am actively focusing on something outside of my regular life that is positive, challenging, and very rewarding.
One of the by-products of blogging has been my becoming a part of a greater community. I love hearing from people and the thoughtful and sincere comments that they have begun to leave via blog comments, twitter, etc. It has  helped me to understand that I’m not alone. My blog is a constant source of self-reflection and challenge for me. I don’t want to let myself down or my readers down. Finally, I feel 100% engaged in something that has the possibility to really change my life. My journey will take some time because what I am doing-cleaning up debt and changing my habits is a marathon. But, none of the blogs that I am reading are written by people who say that the journey to the other side is easy. These bloggers talk about the fact that sometimes they stumble and fall (metaphorically) then they get dust themselves off and keep on doing what they need to do.

 

So far I haven’t

  • Made any money blogging
  • Done a guest post
  • Had a ton of daily visitors
  • Had a guest post on my site

But, I am so excited about the possibility of this happening!

I have

  • Met great people both in real-life and online
  • Shifted focus from what hasn’t been working in my life to what is.
  • Had fun

I also have discovered a supportive cast of characters 🙂

It’s so cool learning how to run a blog.   It’s scary, but I am embracing the challenge. I am learning  photography, editing, grammar (apparently I use the passive voice a lot), community building through social media, time management, SEO strategies, and marketing. Like many people I have worked the same job for awhile. Learning new skills outside of the scope of work  was a challenge. I was so busy that it was difficult to  get involved in volunteer work or intern at another organization that would allow me to learn new things and connect with different people.

I love the challenge of trying to figure out how create a community or even a following. But, not a cult!

Recently, my mom observed that I sound different when she talks to me. Since I whine to her the most she would notice any big changes in my attitude. The mental shift has been huge I don’t want to exist in that murky mental space anymore where I am overwhelmed by the messes that  I have in my life. I am addicted to the idea of focusing on and creating my future successes. I want to let you know when I pay off my sh$t. I want to shout it from the rooftops. And it will I happen because I finally want it to happen. Blogging has also given me back my “voice” and I love using it.

What do you focus on outside of your regular life? What do you consider your “practice?” is it running, photography, sewing? Writing computer code? Hiking? What do you think your doing (that’s new) that you believe will change your life? I would love to hear! If you haven’t started a practice to change your life, why haven’t you?

I feel different now. I feel empowered and ready to kick some a@@. Watch out, here I come!

 

  1. **Please do not watch this video if violent imagery disturbs you!
  2. Common sense alert-I don’t condone violence anywhere! But, this video is great.
  3. Hitting people is bad, but the guy who got hit was sleeping his friend’s girlfriend.
  4. We are now all on the same page 🙂

 

The following two tabs change content below.

Michelle

I am an obsessive foodie, but not self-righteous with it, love travel, meeting new people, helping you look good, and am freaked out by people who don't enjoying reading...something! Grab a Perrier, read my blog, feel free to drop me a line! Hope to hear from you soon.
Pin
Share
Tweet
0 Shares

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Budget & the Beach says

    I LOVE this post! So much of what you said is exactly how I feel. It’s my “thing” that has become such a huge part of my life. I’d had blogs before, but none like this one. Sometimes it takes stopping and starting to find your niche, or your voice. I’m glad we’re connected here, and so glad I can finally comment! LOL! And hey if you EVER want to do a guest blog on my site, I’m going to be slammed in feb with work so I could use the help!

    Reply

    • Michelle says

      I just checked my comments!!! I went to bed early last night because this Vegan diet is making me so tired. Thank you so much for your support. Tonya, you really made my day!! I would love, love, love to write a guest post for you. Will begin working on one this weekend.

      Reply

    • Michelle says

      I have to admit I was feeling pretty lonely (until I found this community)…in terms of the money messes in my life. It’s amazing how many great people are out there wanting others to succeed. People rock!

      Reply

  3. Don says

    Totally agree! Blogging has changed me in ways that I had no idea that it would.

    Other than the Yakezie site, I haven’t done a guest post yet either. I think that might be a good new goal for this year! Thanks for the idea 🙂

    Reply

  4. Shawn M. says

    I love reading your blog! It’s nice to have a positive young female writing about life’s everyday challenges. All of what you write about is so relatable and genuine. I am working my way through paying down my debt and navigating life and happiness! it’s a breath of fresh air to read your blog posts a couple of times a week. Keep up the good work 🙂

    Reply

    • Michelle says

      Hi Shawn, thank you so much for the kind words and positive feedback. I do have to mention that I am a proud GenXer so, I might be a little older than you think! LOL. I will take the compliment and savor it though. Keep me posted on your progress. I love progress updates! Wishing you all the best on your journey. Michelle

      Reply

Trackbacks

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *