I love blogging, I make no secret of that. Blogging encompasses so many wonderful things and has changed my life, helping me in ways that I could not have foreseen when I typed my very first post. I started blogging when Baby was five months old, two months before I was diagnosed with PND. Before Baby I had a job I loved, which was the centre of my social life too, most of my friends were tied up with work, so I saw them most weekends and I was always in contact with people. I would work in the evenings and at weekends and that was fine, because I loved my job. Then Baby came along (after a long wait) and everything changed; I was on maternity leave and most of my friends fell my the wayside. Blogging has given me back my feeling of self-worth, a purpose (outside being a mum), sanctuary, therapy, support and the most wonderful friends.
I know that blogging enhancing lives is not unique to me, so I asked a few friends how blogging has changed their lives. Here’s what they had to say.
Hannah – Mums’ Days / Live. Love. Blog
I used to be an avid memory keeper. I had tones of scrapbooks filled with them. Over the years I stopped collecting; I stopped taking as many photos or keeping cards. Blogging has allowed me to get back this passion and to challenge myself to keep improving the way I present them. It’s a scrapbook for my little family as we navigate life together. What is even more amazing is that in sharing my own memories and the things I’m interested in, I have been able to connect with other women in a way I never thought was possible. Creating a community where we can all help each other through this wild journey that is motherhood has been awesome and allowed me to support myself financially whilst doing what I love!
Kat – Beau Twins
Blogging has bought me an incredible gift. It’s united me with like-minded people and became a strong part of my healing process through PND. It’s help rebuild a confidence I never thought I would see again and connected me with amazing, supportive, loving and caring friends. Through my writing, I have been fortunate enough to reach out to people in similar situations which to me, is just incredible.
Amy – Mr and Mrs T Plus Three
When I had my first baby I was just 18, I had my second a year later at 19. Although I’ve always worked I’ve never done anything I’ve truly loved until I started to blog. I have always collected and written stories and it isn’t until now that I realise my writing is a hugely important part of who I am. My blog is a place for me to have a voice in my own right, something that has been truly cathartic for me. It has been entirely life-changing helping me to find inner-sanctum, a confidence I didn’t know existed and best of all form the most wonderful friendships.
Em – Snowing Indoors
Over the last couple of years blogging has had a positive affect on my life. It’s helped me make some wonderful new friends, improved my confidence, has allowed me to give my family new experiences and provided me with an outlet where I can totally be myself. On top of that, it’s pushed me to improve my photography and writing skills, all very positive things in my eyes.
Kate – Pouting In Heels / To Dream Of Dresses
If I had to sum up in one word, what blogging has brought into my life, it would have to be (without a shadow of a doubt) this one – OPPORTUNITY. An opportunity to make new friends, an opportunity to have new adventures, an opportunity to use my voice more wisely, an opportunity to learn and grow, and not just as a blogger but a person too. Blogging has enriched my life because of the many, many opportunities it has brought my way and the wonderful thing is, it can and does do the same for everyone!
Katy – What Katy Said / Live. Love. Blog
I have only been blogging for a year but in that short time it has most definitely changed my life. Reading other people’s blogs has inspired me to make changes to my own life, to be a better friend, a better wife and a better mother. I am naturally very shy but blogging has given me a confidence I never knew existed. I have a social life, attending blogging events and meeting up with fabulous bloggers that I am proud to call my friends. The biggest change has been the way I view myself. I have never given myself much credit for anything but blogging has ignited a passion for writing and photography and I the fact that readers come back time and time again makes me feel proud, proud that I have achieved something of my very own. I am proud to be me.
Julia – Rainbeaubelle
When I started blogging, I wanted to write about the lighter side of life – I work as a news journalist and I’d had a traumatic year where my husband had been critically ill and was still extremely poorly. I wanted a bit of escapism, to write about things that made me happy – my family, fashion, maybe a bit of food thrown in too. I never realised how many connections I would make through blogging, how many friends I would make through this new venture.
Then when my world was turned upside down again this year and my husband was diagnosed with inoperable cancer, I found so much strength from blogging it’s difficult to see how I would have made it through without that outlet. To be able to write through my emotions and feel so much love and support from people who would read my words, that has just shown me how powerful writing can be and how grateful I am that I started my blog in the first place.
Leigh – Headspace Perspective
I started dabbling in blogging a few years ago, but really only invested significant time and effort in it after the death of my baby son, Hugo. He had been born very prematurely because I had a life-threatening pregnancy complication that I had never heard of before I was diagnosed. I used my blog as a platform to write about the life of my beautiful son, promote awareness of the condition that nearly killed me, and to write about my life after Hugo – I call it Hugo’s Legacy. It is not an understatement to say my blog has been my lifeline: it has given me a purpose, a reason to get up in the morning. My posts are written from the heart, very open and honest about my grief and readers have got in touch to thank me for putting into words feelings that they had been unable to articulate. The blogging community is wonderfully loving, kind, and supportive – I am so grateful to everyone for helping buoy me up during dark times.
Caro – The Twinkles Diaries
Blogging has changed my life in so many ways. When I began my little blog it was purely for cathartic reasons. Starting an ‘online diary’ was a way of coming to terms with my pregnancy. Writing it all down was almost an affirmation that everything was going to be OK — that I was finally going to become a mummy, after such a long and difficult journey. Two and a half years on, I still use my blog as a diary but it’s now changed my life in other ways. It’s introduced me to a new circle of friends. It’s given me the opportunity to utilise so many of my skills that I’ve built up over my working life. And excitingly, it’s even opening up the possibilities of a new career. I never — in a million years — thought that setting up that free WordPress account, back in 2012, would impact on my life as positively as it has. My blog has been an incredible learning curve. It’s offered me a place to confide my feelings, new friends, new skills and now a possible change in career. My blog is the bringer of much positivity, in so many ways. I can’t imagine life without it now.
Karen – Stopping at Two
On the surface it may not appear that blogging has had much of an effect on my life. Before the blog I was a happily married mother of two girls and part-time teacher and 16 months on I still am. Blogging has changed my life, but it has enhanced it. Blogging has increased my self-confidence hugely. I have never been much of a writer, but putting my work out in the public domain and getting feedback from people who have actually read what I have written and then fantastic comments about how they have enjoyed what I have written or it has helped them in some way is the best feeling you can get from writing. From reading other people’s blogs I have met some amazing women from across the country, who I would never ever have met if I hadn’t started my blog. I am privileged to be able to call these women my friends and can’t imagine their not being in my life. Finally, the blog has helped me focus on my life and evaluate what is important in my life, how I spend my time and what I want to get out of it. So nothing life changing, but a definite improvement in my life has come from my blog.
So there you have it, some pretty inspirational stories. Has blogging changed your life? I’d love to hear how.
Comments 40
I love this, as I read through everyone’s pieces, I found myself nodding along to them all. Blogging can be so therapeutic, from getting your feelings out to just writing a list of things that make you happy. And nothing beats the feeling when you’ve poured your heart out in a post and people leave comments of support. People leave such lovely comments on my blog and I think seeing them is one of my favourite parts!
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
Gosh, this has given me goosebumps. Amazing article Aby, thank you for putting it together and for inviting me to take part. Really really lovely xx
Author
Glad you liked it love and thanks for being involved xxx
You are truly inspiring beautiful lady and that’s why you have so many wonderful people in your life. Thank you so much for including me huni. Love you lots. What a motivating post and proves that we all do it for the pure love of writing and reaching out. Xxx
Author
Ah thank you lovely, you are so kind. Thanks for being involved xxx
I loved reading about everyone’s individual blogging journeys. I found myself agreeing with most, that’s the lovely thing about blogging – it’s easy to find so many others who are on the same page.
I started my blog because after losing my first child (he was stillborn at 41 weeks) and his father leaving me – later meeting my husband and having our two lovely girls I found it difficult to grieve for my son but still be happy in my present. I felt guilty for leaving him behind. Blogging about my journey has helped enormously, from comments and emails I have learnt I’m far from alone. After feeling isolated for so many years that has been a revelation.
Blogging has also brought me back around to writing in general and has had such a positive effect on my business. Lots of exciting plans for the next year.
In a word, blogging has been amazing!
Xx
Author
You have such an amazing story, thank you for sharing it and I am glad blogging has helped you too xx
A Fab Post. Blogging has chnanged my life. As someone who is chronically unwell and ill, I would sit in bed- not knowing what to do- wasting time watching tv, shows, reading but not achieving anything. Now I feel like I can do something worthwhile while I am ill.
I feel like I have a sense of purpose and my life back (to some extent) This is my new world and i love it! Angela xx
Great post Aby I agree with everything everyone has said. I only wish I had found blogging earlier. But I’m here now and I couldn’t be happier 🙂 xx
Oh wow Aby loved this so much. Blogging is such an incredible vessel of bringing all of us together with a common purpose. Thank you for asking me to take part, I’m honoured xxx
Author
Thanks for sharing your story honey xxx
This is such a lovely post Aby, I’m honoured to be included – thank you for asking me. Blogging really is such a wonderful, positive way to spend your time, help you deal with problems, help yourself and others – as well as make the most fabulous friends. There are fantastic bloggers in this list, and I am proud to know you all xxx
Author
As we are you Leigh. Thanks for being involved xxx
What a lovely post Aby. It’s great how blogging can become so important to people. It has completely and utterly changed my life in so many different ways. It’s enabled me to work from home and watch my babies grow up, it’s given me the most amazing opportunities, it’s bought me best friends and lots of other friendships, it’s given me a passion in photography and it’s helped me have a creative side. x
Author
Thanks lovely. I am so glad that blogging has given you so much too x
That is such a beautiful, heartfelt post! What a fab group of inspiring ladies, in so many different ways. Blogging changed mg life, too, and I can’t imagine myself without it.
I have been drafting/thinking about how blogging has changed my life for the last week. Hope to publish with celebration giveaway later this evening. I have not found my “tribe” yet but can’t wait until blogging conferences next month to get completely over well with inspiration. Thank you for organising such an amazing group of people.
Author
Hope to meet you at one of the conferences lovely x
An amazing post, lovely Aby. It is inspiring how blogging can change lives. Blogging has done so much for me. It is hard to put it into words. But I am most grateful for the friends it has given me. Wonderful, inspiring and beautiful friends who would otherwise not be in my life. Thank you for reminding me why blogging is so fab. Hugs Mrs H xxxx
Author
I am so glad it is helping you too huni xxxx
Wow Aby, there are some amazing stories in there. Thanks for sharing. So nice to see how blogging has made such a positive difference to people’s lives. It has really helped me get my head back together since having my baby, and has opened my mind to new ideas and possibilities. On the other hand I never knew being a mum and blogging would be two full time jobs I’d have to juggle together. I’ve been so so busy since January! I suppose if I go back to the reason I started blogging, to find my voice again, move from baby brain to me again, and get myself ‘work ready’ it has done that!
Author
So glad it has helped you too x
Beautiful post, it actually made me well up a little. Motherhood is such a beautiful journey but with PND/other issues it can also be very challenging. It’s amazing to see how much blogging has helped people. I’ve never really thought much about it. When I started blogging, it was to give me something to do and share information I was coming across but if I think a little deeper, I think blogging helped me get through the last two years of moving back to London, separating and getting divorced and now parenting as a single mom. I read blogs and know I’m never alone in my thoughts which is comforting xx #TheList
Author
Lovely story, I am glad it had helped you too, such a powerful thing xx
love this post blogging has bought me so much, I have never been that passionate about anything but i love my blog and working hard on it. Its made me more confident more outgoing an given me and my family some wonderful opportunities! x
It’s amazing all of the positive things that come from blogging!! It means so much to every blogger I’ve met so far and so much to me. It really is a wonderful creative outlet, and great way to meet like-minded people. #TheList
Aaah you clever thing. WHAT an amazingly inspirational post!!!!
I feel SO proud to be part of this fabulous article. Reading what the others — and you — wrote about blogging makes me feel so grateful to have stumbled upon this amazing community.
Thanks so much for including me darling — I feel really honoured xx
Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
Author
Ah thanks hun, I am so glad you were part of it xxx
Definitely – and was nodding along to those excerpts. I’m having a blast and learning so much every day. #TheList
This is so lovely and so many lovely things about blogging. So glad I plucked up the courage to start #thelist xx
What a lovely post and such an inspiring and lovely bunch of ladies. Blogging has helped me in so many ways too and meeting lots of the ladies here (and you) and knowing we all have each other backs is brilliant! xxx
Author
Amazing isn’t it xx
A beautiful read … it’s insightful reading about what blogging means to different bloggers that one has ‘met’ in the blogosphere. We all blog for so many different reasons but uniting all of them seems to be the outlet that blogging gives us. #aNoviceMumTwitterFeed.
Fantastic post Aby from an inspiring bunch of ladies x
I was nodding along to so much of that, it’s amazing how similar some of the experiences are and how Blogging really has helped transform & redefine lives
Lovely piece you’re put together
#SomethingForTheWeekend
This is such a great read, thanks for sharing it. I always love reading things like this
I love such positive posts and comments. Like so many bloggers I have made a huge career change from busy city worker to mum, then expat. All my support networks and social groups have changed dramatically over 5 years but I couldn’t be happier with the transition. The remuneration is much lower but I now really understand when people say there are more important things in life than money. Look forward to connecting with many of you at #britmums
Wow I found this blog post very touching and heartfelt. Leigh had me nearly in tears from reading her reason behind blogging. I’m also touched that some of the writers have come to my lil piece of the internet to leave comments. Thanks for being so open and honest.
Writing on the internet has certainly changed my life from making friends through an online community ie. h2g2 to meeting, marrying and having a baby with my wonderful husband who I met online. It’s funny to think that without the internet none of that would have happened.
Author
The internet is so powerful and it has enriched my love so much x
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