This past week has been a bit of a blur, my thoughts have been going in a million different directions since Tuesday. I’m sure there were plenty of life lessons I could have plucked from this week but it was the lessons I learned from this space that really stuck out.
Blogging gives you support and community.
I am overwhelmed by all the kind comments to Wednesday’s post and all the offers of contacts and help. When I started blogging, the socializing side of the experience caused me the most anxiety. I’ve never been that active in socializing online, it was just not something I really did, even on Facebook my interactions were/are somewhat limited. I felt so awkward reaching out to people I didn’t know, writing comments and interacting on social media did not come naturally to me. I agonized over what to say or if I should like this or retweet that…do I come off weird, do I seem like a stalker, are people like who the hell is this…these were just some of my thoughts in the beginning. The more I interacted the easier it got. Wednesday’s post made me really reflect on how far I’ve come with this aspect of blogging. The other thing that smacked me in the face is that the blogging community is that, a community and that the people here are kind, thoughtful, and are there supporting you and cheering you on. When I started this blog a little over 6 months ago, I would have never thought I would feel this level of friendship, or be making plans to meet other bloggers in person. Blogging has expanded how I think about friendship/socializing.
Blogging gives you connections you didn’t even know you needed.
It’s funny how life works and what people are put in your path. Shannon from Brass Honey, was the first blogger I connected with, she became my first blogging friend, and she has supported and encouraged me with blogging. I hoped one day P and I would make it out to San Diego and I would get to meet her for a drink. I never thought I would be chatting with her on the phone, and planning on moving to her city. I think it is incredibly serendipitous that my first connection made through blogging, happens to be living in the city we are now starting our new adventure. P and I were hoping for a move somewhere this year, we wanted a new adventure, in a new city. When we started talking about it, we didn’t really think San Diego would be a strong possibility for his position with the company. A month ago we were thinking it might be Philadelphia. A meeting with his CFO, changed that direction, and after a month of anxious waiting, we are planning a move!! It makes the move that much less daunting to be able to talk to Shannon and get advice from someone who has made the move from the East coast to the West coast. I can’t wait to get to hang-out in person and now she will be the first blogger I meet in real life!!
Blogging changes your perspective.
Blogging helps to get things out of your head and gives you an added purpose to everyday activities. I mentioned Wednesday, that I’m worried about the cross-country drive (and I am) but I’m also excited, even more so because I realized, hey, it will provide me some great blogging material! Even the logistics of making and planning the move will provide me with at least a post or two 🙂 While the next few months will bring challenges and stress, as we work it all out, I love that the blog gives me a place to document this journey. I promise, not every post will be moving related…don’t unfollow! 🙂 Blogging helps provide added purpose to tasks that I find daunting, and gives me a place to vent and to ask for advice.
I’m really grateful I started my journey in blogging, I’m grateful for all of you who take time to read/comment, for the friendships/support/connections made here, and to have this space to provide me focus and help me in times of transition.
What has blogging taught you recently? If you have a post on that or any other life lessons, link it up below!!
I never thought there was such a community in blogging- a nice surprise!
I love this post! You’re so right that blogging changes your perspective on things. There are so many fun things that happen that can be made into the blog that you never thought!
I absolutely agree with all of these, and I love the people I have met, even though before I ‘met’ anyone, I used to roll my eyes when bloggers talked about communities etc. I was like, as if. Now I text and email my blog friends more than my in real life friends, lol
the connections you make with other bloggers is amazing! it’s what keeps me coming back and although i sometimes don’t post, i do read and comment as much as i can before work shits all over my life again.
Your California news is so exciting! And blogging is so great! You’re right — the socializing part feels a little awkward at first, but real friendships can come out of it! YAY!
Awww I love this!! I seriously cannot imagine my life without blogging, even if it’s just here and there postings!
I agree completely! Blogging has been so rewarding for me in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve never been a big social media person either(actually, I really still struggle with it), but the support and friendships that have formed from blogging communities have been awesome. Congrats on the move, by the way! San Diego is an amazing city!
Love this viewpoint! Blogging really is such a fun thing–especially since it links you with a community of like minded people. Kind of a win-win situation 🙂
agreed! it’s a little weird at first.. but i’m always surprised how easily i can connect with bloggers when i meet them in real life. we’ve done the cross country drive 6 times. it gets a little trickier with cats and all your stuff loaded in a truck.. i was super stressed out about it.. especially the cats situation, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought!
I feel like you have mastered the social aspect of blogging beautifully! I can’t believe you have only been blogging for 6 months, you are becoming such a pro at it.
The way you describe your friendship with S and the crazy and unlikely way how you will end up in the same city really is serendipitous!
Blogging definitely is an awesome journey. It opens up new worlds and opportunities, and you just never know what might happen next. It’s exciting!!
Aaaaaamen! The friend that I went out of town this weekend with came from blogging and I was thinking how lonely I was a year ago compared to now. It’s a world of difference! And I too see things and think “hmmm, well at least I can blog about this…”
M, this is such a beautiful post, and not just because you’re getting all lovey dopey with me :). I would have stopped blogging months ago if it weren’t for the friendships and community. Can’t wait to meet you! I’ve already started chatting Dar up about a beer tour for the 4 of us!
Blogging community is the best! Have fun in SD!
I also love the blogging community, it is hard to know how great it is until you are in it though!
I completely agree! I love the community aspect but then when you explain to other people that you have friends you have never met you can understand why they might give you the side eye…. But I still love it! x
*still excited for you!!* Traveling across the country is going to be the best part. I drove from NYC to PHX and it was crazy seeing how different and vast ‘merica really is. You’ll love it.