We all love to take a trip down memory lane once in a while and that’s what I am doing today. First up I was thinking about my blog and what I’m doing here, where I want to go, what I want? Naturally then I start to look back to my first blogging experiences. Way back in 2003 I started an online diary of my trying to conceive journey, not so much a blog, but I guess it was really. I had my own website, not a blog site and I had to write in the entries back to front so that they would appear chronologically! I still have the transcript somewhere. Here is a little snippet found on the Wayback Machine.
click to view |
Then I had a Babycentre blog when my wish finally came true and I became pregnant with Star (I found out on Boxing Day 2004)
My first actual blog was started in August 2008 and to be quite honest it was really boring to start with, then my mum was diagnosed with cancer and suddenly my blog became my crutch where I could record my feelings and let it all out. It was very intense in the few weeks leading up to her passing, yes it was a total of four weeks from being admitted to hospital, diagnosis then death. Then straight afterwards I was hit with another tragedy. The following months my blog gave me an outlet for my grief and emotions, I was truly grateful for it.
click to view |
Then I settled back into the more boring every day stuff. My blog was a diary, nothing more nothing less. Then I went to Blog Camp and found out that people were actually making money from their blogs and getting to review fabulous items. I went home and decided that’s what I wanted to do. First step was to start a new blog. I already had a baby blog (baby number five was born 2010) a business blog (my shop was born in 2009) a cake blog and my original personal blog. However, in my mind, none of them seemed the right sort of blog for doing reviews and writing posts for payment.
So that sort of brings me back to where I am now. Why do I write my blog?
I love writing! I know I’m not a brilliant writer, I’m not witty or funny, or clever or opinionated, I’m not one for stirring up trouble or emotions. I just like to write things down, anything really. I really do actually enjoy writing reviews, in fact I’ve been writing reviews for far longer than I have been blogging. Many moons ago, way back on Windows 98, I joined a website where you could write a review and earn a couple of pence every time someone viewed it. (oh yes, those were the days!) You even had to pay for your own product to review!!
I’ve always kept journals, or diaries. I have a shelf in my wardrobe stacked with handwritten ones. Yep, I started before the internet was around.
So I guess it’s natural that I blog, for me anyway. I blog because I write and because I like to write about the things I do and the things that I have in my life. I like to write about my precious family and what matters to us. So forgive me if I’m not unique, or full of fascinating information. Forgive me for not being funny and giving you a giggle every time you visit. Forgive me for not showing how to make fabulous craft items or tell you the very latest trends in make-up or fashion. Forgive me for not having the foggiest idea when it comes to interior design (eeek, and I have an entire house to decorate come September!!)
I’m just me and I write my blog because I like to write. I like to connect and tell you about me and my family. It’s not exactly going to rock your world, but you may learn a thing or two along the way.
Thank you for reading, if you like my blog then please Subscribe to Raisie Bay
If you are interested in reading the story of my mum’s cancer you can find the archive here.
Keep'em coming, I don't read them all but the one I do are always well written and enjoyable to read.
Thank you Andre 🙂
You write well Anne and as long as you enjoy it, that is the most important thing.
I think the most important thing is to blog for you, along as you are happy and enjoying what you are doing then brilliant! if you aren't change something 😉 xx
As long as you're enjoying blogging then that's the main thing, I enjoy your writing 🙂
I write about the same as you. V little creativity, and don't generally make up my own recipes.
It's great to have a history of recording memories and writing though
Lovely journey and so many blogs 🙂
Sometimes I wonder if I should split my one a little and maybe post cooking somewhere else…
Wow you have been blogging for a long time – don't think I could have coped with blogging like it was back in 2003! I think as long as you enjoy your blog that is the main thing. I have come close to giving up a couple of times but I am always drawn back to it!
Wow, you are definitely an 'oldie' 😀 I didn't blog about my infertility but did use forums back then, so your words brought back memories of that for me. I think it's great that we have something to look back on in later years which will help with the memories. x
So interesting to read this. I planned to start a blog for about 3 or 4 years before I actually did. Then i set one up on wordpress and couldn't figure out how to use it so it just sat there for another few years but thankfully I get on with blogger and so have stuck with it this time! x
This is so interesting to read…You have been blogging for such a long time compared to me and others….I do love your blog and I love reading about you and your family.
I love that you have been doing this so long, like you my blog is a journal with bits thrown in. Sadly like you I lost my mum suddenly. Just a week, she caught pneumonia and was gone. My whole life changed but I didn't blog then, maybe I will write a post about it. #Blogtober16
One of the reasons why I love blogging is because I'm connected to so many fantastic writers. Which I just love. #Blogtober16