Happy First Blogiversary! (+7 Lessons I have Learned From Blogging)

Sometimes I look up, smile and say, “I know that was you God, thanks!” 

 

Ahoy my friends!! It’s a sugar plum kind of day today,  as we celebrate Scrapbook Journeys’ first Blogiversary!! Oh the joy! 😀

A year ago, today, I took the plunge into the unknown, and started this blog… I was quite nervous, making the temptation to hide in the shadows and never take that step into blogging feel viable… But, in my heart of hearts, I knew that I wanted this much, much more than the fear.

 

 

Enjoy being bold, and if that’s scary at first, marvel at your ability to walk through the fear ~Rivka Solomon

 

Nerves and all, I hit the ‘Publish’ button on the very first blog post: ‘Charity Begins With Sun-chasing in Kinangop‘ And now here we are! We made it, yes we made it through the 1 year mark! Hooray! 😀

It hasn’t been a walk in the park, but if I had to-I would do it all over again, and I’d still choose YOU to come with me on these journeys!  Thank you my friends, for reading, commenting, sharing  my posts-I love you for it! In marking this blogiversary, I invite you to join me as we reflect on some of the lessons I have learned along the way.

 

1. Start Where You Are- Just Do It!

Before I published the first blog post, so many ‘what ifs’ crossed my mind. Moreover, I wanted to wait for the perfect moment, the perfect circumstances… but in the end, I just had to do it!

Because the truth is- the timing will never be ‘just right’, and the circumstances will never be perfect, and neither will the money ever be ‘exactly right’! I am thankful that I did, because we wouldn’t be here today right? 😀

 

2. Throw Yourself Into The Deep End, And You Will Find That You Can Swim!

*Okay, this is figuratively speaking.*

If you recall, I started posting about the blog on Social Media , sometime before the blog materialized. All this while, I was having doubts on whether to push through or not…

But there was no going back… I had already created the anticipation, and shared my vision with others. This gave me the courage and push to do what I had said I would.

And, when you dive into the deep end, the interesting thing is, you actually find that somehow the strength to swim is right within you. 🙂 *once again, figuratively speaking*

 

Believe you can and you are halfway there ~ Theodore Roosevelt

 

 

3. Nothing Is Ever What It Seems-You Are Not Alone!

 There have been moments when it’s seemed to me as if my industry counterparts have ‘it all together’.

Recently, I got to sit down with fellow bloggers on what was the heartiest lunch I’ve had in a while. Hearty-well because of the food, but more so- the heart of the conversations. People were talking openly about their blogging journeys, and the different ways they deal with it.

It was encouraging to realize: ‘I am not alone’. Fueled by a love for what we do, each person is going through it, but giving their best. And when all’s said and done, isn’t that what truly counts? 🙂

*Stay in the game.*

 

 

4. Don’t Quit> Rest, Reflect, Recharge and Repeat!

In the past 12 months, I’ve had moments when I questioned: ‘ Am I making a difference? What I should change..?’  All these are necessary questions to the journey of life; I trust that we have those moments when we ask such questions of ourselves, perhaps in different ways.

Then came the times when I could not write a blog post for the life of me! When the words refused to come, and the inspiration had seemingly left the building!

Through it all, I am learning that it’s okay to take time out to rest and reflect. And as I recharge and consider ways to grow in the journey, I will resume as a better person: *a better writer, not a quitter*.

 

 

5. Consider Each ‘No’ As a Redirection

This is probably one of the greatest lessons that I am consistently learning. Part of this ‘job’ entails sending email proposals, some that come back with a nicely packaged ‘No’. On those days, it helps to remember why I do what I do.

Plus, the best thing about one person saying no, is the fact that it might lead to a bigger Yes down the road… or it simply wasn’t meant to be. 😀 So, when it’s all said and done, it means gaining a stronger backbone, and learning to *aim much, much higher*.

 

      6. You are Stronger Than You Know

Sometimes life throws us all sorts of curve balls, and we don’t know how strong we are until we come out on the other side.  From learning WordPress, tackling all sorts of technical terms, living on Pinterest, trying to maintain balancing act on social media platforms-there is hardly ever a dull moment!

I hope to do a ‘Tips on How to Start a Blog’ kind of post someday, for someone out there like me. 🙂

 

      7. Fall More in Love with Your Art & Have Fun with It!

I love what I do, I genuinely do. 🙂 And through the ups and downs, this love certainly keeps me going. The best part- it’s super fun. It’s really that simple…. I want to keep doing this, learning and getting better, and best of all> to have a ball while at it! 😀 😀

 

>>I’m looking forward to many more blogiversaries and lessons in the future! Hopefully my 5+ lessons have inspired you, one way or another.

 

**************

 

I love, love, looove sharing my travel experiences with you; plus hopefully inspiring you to go out and make some amazing memories of your own! For that, I feel especially grateful.

 

 

To Wanjiku Thuo and to my sister Shiku, my second eyes and partners in crime;  to Wiza, who’s played the role of  web-developer, near-therapist, adviser and now friend, at different points: a special thank you. 🙂

It has been such a fantastic ride, Thank You for sticking with Scrapbook Journeys! I appreciate YOU my dear readers and now my Scrapbook Journeys’ family. 🙂 There aren’t enough words to say thank you. * I heart you* 🙂

As always, I love hearing from you, be sure to leave a comment/question or feedback in the Comments’ section below.

 

<Sending you lots of love. Stay Inspired Always.>

 

 

Photography Credits: Wanjiku Thuo