When I first started Our Redonkulous Life I did not think it would go anywhere. I had been blogging on and off for years. NEVER thought I could or would make it my full-time job. I was just a small-town girl sharing her family adventures in Florida. Slowly morphed into a blog about personal growth and how to go after the life you deserve. So today I want to talk about the growth I’ve experienced as a blogger!
As a blogger, you put your heart and soul into your blog posts spending hours upon hours. Maybe even days upon days making sure everything is right. As a blogger, you wear all the hats as a one-woman or one-man show. Writer, photographer, editor, social media manager, or anything and everything you need to successfully run your blog.
It often leaves you wondering if you are making a difference in this world. I know most of my posts are about me. But I do have my readers in mind when I am writing them. I never know if I have made a difference. Until… I get a comment, a message, or an email from readers. Those make my day so much. I print them out and put them on my wall directly behind my computer so when I am writing. I can look up to read the words that I HAVE inspired in others.
Putting myself out there
I am a very outgoing person in real life, but online I find it a little hard to do. That is one thing I have had to get used to since starting this blog. Especially when it comes to personal growth. It is one thing to write about personal growth. It is another to actually show that you are doing the process and practicing the words you write every week.
I know I still don’t put myself out there on video as much as I should. Slowly, I am still working on it. I get in my head and think what I am saying is stupid. Even if it is stupid. At least I can show anyone who watches my video it’s okay to just be yourself.
Even with the few videos, I have made between Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube. There has been growth I’ve experienced. Tiktok has been the most because of one video of me being silly… Started with a few 100 followers to now over 8900.
If you look on my computer or google photos I have a lot of videos and PHOTOS that I never posted because I got self-conscious. I am slowly… I mean slooooooooooooooooowly posting them because…
The #1 goal will always be
To be real. I never want to put out there on the internet that my life is all rainbows and sunshine. I want to be honest and be myself in all my posts. Including the curse words. Some may not like it but it is me. I have been censored way too much in my life. At 36 I just don’t care what people think of me. I may not be your cup of tea, but I will be someone else’s and that is okay.
If you can skip over the curse words. Take the message behind the post and apply it to your life. The curse words are 0.5% of the post. I promise there is so much good information in there just give it a chance.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS… I want to be relatable to my readers and vice versa. Never will I fake that I live the Pinterest lifestyle. Just call me the discounted Walmart version because I FREAKING LOVE WALMART. I am a small-town girl trying to make something of herself. It is a modern fairytale of rags to riches. Call me James Corden we will do another remake of Cinderella. HAHAHAHA
The growth I’ve experienced
Each week I have written about things I am doing or things I want to do. Like Ciara Strickland or Dustin Ramsdell, I am still amazed by the growth I’ve experienced. I know I still have a long way to go. But my mental and emotional state has had the biggest impact.
Especially sharing my stories with your guys every week. Doing that shadow work. It really has helped me gain confidence and new self-respect I didn’t know I had. It’s those loyal readers who come back each and every week. Who share their experiences that give me the push to share mine.
I know A LOT of people who would rather me just zip it and get over it. But I am not like them. I have to talk about it. WHY?? Because talking about it breaks generational trauma. We are done passing down our trauma to our kids.
In a nutshell
In a nutshell, the growth I’ve experienced in the past 2 years of blogging has been crazy.
1. Got to work through a lot of trauma that I held inside.
2. Learned a lot more about my parents.
3. I got a little bit of closure about my dad’s death.
4. I am loving my body more, not being ashamed of my size.
5. I am pushing myself with the clothes I am wearing. The FUPA is flying!!
6. I tried dying my hair a funky color! It was a fail, but still… I will eventually fix it.
7. I have gained confidence in myself.
8. I have learned who my real friends are.
9. It is okay to set boundaries. It is their problem if they don’t accept them.
10. It is okay to be vulnerable on the internet with a bunch of strangers. Because a lot of us are just trying to “Figure it out”
There is so much more growth I’ve experienced, but these are the most significant.
and that is just the beginning of the Personal growth I’ve experienced or will experience as a blogger… I still have a lot to learn about blogging and myself.
Until next time, have a great day, and remember you are a badass!
I loved reading about your stories and your growth is amazing! Such an inspiring story. Thanks for sharing your ups and downs and knowledge. I really appreciate it.
Thank you, so much Amiee! I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Love this! <3
This is defintely a hard profession to acclimate to, but I’m so happy you went for it. I love connecting with fellow bloggers and learning more about their journey!
I am the same way Rikki! I am all about making blogger friends. We help each other succeed!
That’s awesome you made it to full-time blogger. It’s always a journey to be where we are and glad you doing so well as a blogger.
I am doing better than I thought and will get even better.
I lovelovelove everything you have learned from this adventure and so happy you’ve experienced such positive growth! It’s certainly not easy to do this full-time, but it can be worth it. Excited to see how you grow as a person even more!
It has been an uphill battle.
I love your articles! Inspiring and interesting. Don’t mind what other people say to you. Just do what makes you happy.
I have learned at 36 I don’t care what others think. If I am not your cup of tea, move a long to something sweeter because I ain’t it.
I have been blogging for 14 years and it is now such a big part of my life. I have learnt so much over the years!
What would be the most helpful tip you could give another blogger just starting out?
We all do! I think it’s an achievement and you did a great job! I am happy to take part in your growing journey too.
Thank you so much for your kind comment!
I am glad blogging has being rewarding to you and it has turned into a full time job. It takes time to start ranking and it takes dedication and determination to build and audience. Congratulations.
It does take time. I am nowhere near where I want to be but I am closer than I was yesterday.
I love your blogs and will continue to support your upcoming articles. Always remember that you are amazing!
Thank you so much, Risa! I appreciate your love and support!
Reading you made me reflect a lot also on my path and what can I say I can only wish you to grow and improve!
I wish the same for you! You deserve everything you want and desire in this world!
Looks like you have learnt so many things as a blogger, I have too, I am so thankful for it. My confidence has improved so much
What would be your tip to a blogger starting out?
Love this post – and can totally relate. When I started blogging a couple of years ago, I had basically no expectations. And then it developed into something really great and important. Also, as a travel blogger, I’m now travelling differently.
I also had no expectations about my blog when I started ORL in 2019. This blog has brought so much to my life I cannot explain it.
Very good for you, I think I gained more confidence too.
That is wonderful!
I think the important thing is to be yourself. Also, no one can live up to the picture perfect image there is no point in struggling to maintain a false image.
It is too much work to keep up with the Pinterest perfect life. I couldn’t do it!
So glad that you have experienced this growth and through blogging, I think it really does help us a lot in some ways, and it’s the results that always surprise us when we look back. Hopefully, we will keep growing n the process.
Yes, it has been a knee slapper of an adventure! lol
I am so happy that you have learned a lot from bloggers and got some positive experiences. Blogging is a journey and it is a great one! Like an adventure.
This has to be my favorite adventure!
I think blogging is very enriching and it’s a hobby that might painlessly turn into a job. It’s a nice side hustle too. I love to see how much you grew, especially as a person, knowing yourself better
You inspired my next post. I did write about the growth I have personally experienced. Thank you! How To Measure Your Progress During Personal Growth
I had always loved how u hv always been outspoken. Yes all these parts you had written i need to hear it.
I wasn’t always like this. All of the things I have been through just kinda piled on and on and on till one day I just said enough is enough. I am a very accomodating person but take advantage of me too many times a whole different side of me comes out. I don’t like being argumentative, but when provoked you better hold on to your panties! LOL
I love this post and how honest and real you are! So glad you’re blog has made so much great changes in your life. Keep it up Michele!
Thank you so much Rochelle!
Congratulations! Happy to read how blogging has help you grow. Personally, blogging helped me gain confidence too and that I was able to express myself more in a productive way.
You never think that is going to happen to you when you starting a blog, but then BAM you are 2 years in talking about your PCOS, If your mom killed your dad, and how you were kidnapped as a kid. It is crazy how blogging brings out the side of us we ALWAYS knew existed but didn’t know how to access.
I totally relate to this!! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for commenting!
I am so glad you have found growth & JOY in your experience as a blogger. When you write about your experiences, passions, and share your knowledge with the world, it can be a truly wonderful experience. Keep being REAL and sharing your journey with others!
Thank you for your comment, Eric! It felt like a warm cozy hug. You brightened my day!
You go girl. Putting yourself out there can be so rewarding.
It has been so rewarding.