Five years. Wow. mumturnedmom is five.
Five years feels like a long time, but I’m still here, and although I blog differently now (a lot less!), I still love my little corner of the internet.
I’ve taken a few breaks this year, and I haven’t blogged very consistently. In fact, I’ve been completely haphazard. Broken every rule in the ‘how to blog successfully’ book.
If I’m honest, there have been times when I’ve considered jacking it all in.
But then I take a look back at all the memories that I’ve captured, or read some of the poems that I’ve written, or receive another email about my Princess Poppy cake, and I realise that I love it. All of it.
And, the rules don’t matter.
After my first year of blogging I reflected on the amazing blogging community. My second year was all about finding my feet as a writer. For my third year, writing was the focus again and taking a step back. When reflecting on my fourth year of blogging I came to four conclusions: to thine own self be true, comparison is the thief of joy, don’t over analyse and keep it simple, there is no right or wrong – just write. And I’ve kept all of those in mind as I’ve continued to blog (sporadically!).
And this past year? It’s been about finding my purpose.
Again.
This is something that I have struggled with since moving to the US and giving up work to stay home with the kids. A niggle in the back of my mind that I’m not being productive or useful or successful.
BUT.
Right now, my kids are my success story. And really, that’s enough.
But. There’s always another but.
Now that all three of my children are in school, it’s time to find a little something extra for me. Something I can focus on and get excited about, and maybe even build a little business around.
I’ve spent the last few months narrowing my focus, defining my niche(s): asking myself which posts I love to write and (just as importantly) which ones suck the joy out it for me, that I find a chore. I won’t be doing those anymore!
My blogging journey has been pretty wonderful so far. It hasn’t been without it’s ups and downs, of course, and the blogging community and landscape has changed a lot over the last five years (there’s a whole other blog post in that statement) but I’m still here, and it’s been amazing, I’ll be forever grateful that I discovered blogging.
So, here’s to year six and well, watch this space!
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Happy blog birthday!!
Thank you!
Happy birthday to your blog!!
Five years is fab! Here’s to many more years xx
Thank you Kim :)
Wow – congrats! That’s a big milestone. Cheers! And look forward to seeing what lies ahead for you!
Thank you very much Cathy!
Congratulations lovely. What an achievement and it’s been great to follow you over the years xx
Thank you Susan xx
Congratulations! Five years is a big milestone. Blogging has certainly changed a lot in that time. Doing it your own way is definitely the best way to do it. Here’s to the next five years!
It really has changed, hasn’t it! Thank you Sarah xx
Ooh, 5 years is a big one. Congratulations. My aim for this year was to blog less. That hasn’t happened, but I think next year will have to do that, given photos will be limited and harder to come by.
I’m always interested with you being in the US. Your blog has avoided going down the usual US bloggers route with tonnes of ads and all about tutorials and more general business blogging. I like that you do what you want.
well done on five years, I think like all other aspects of our lives things change in five years and we adapt with them.
Love your analogy at the end and totally agree that doing what you enjoy best is the reason to blog. I have often thought about letting mine go as it does not achieve fame or fortune or worldwide recognition, but mine does what it says in its title and that for my family is all that matters.
Good luck regardless of which way forward you take