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Yay for Typically Jane turning two this month! As a thank you on my blogiversay, I’m doing a little giveaway!
Two years ago this month I hit post on my first blog post. And, what a two years it has been! I started out as a little something I did every once in a while, sometimes posting once a week, sometimes posting once a month. But, slowly it has become not only a hobby, but a passion. One that I look forward to every night when I curl up on the couch, and spend way too long into the night coming up with posts, writing away and editing photos. Not to mention taking the photos, all the photos. My fiancé, aka the handsome hunk can attest to how many photos it is. It’s a lot. That man, who doubles as one of my blog photographers, is a saint.
I’ve learned a lot over the past two years. Much of which is applicable to every day life. So, what have I learned in two years of blogging?
Put Yourself Out There
If you want to be a good blogger, you have to put yourself out there and connect with people. And, of course, this is so true in every day life as well. I try to go out of my way to comment on other blogs every day. This doesn’t always happen, but it’s part of my blogging schedule. And, I put myself out there in my posts too. I try to let my personality shine through. Sometimes, people don’t like that, but that is okay. I saw a post of mine get torn apart on a Facebook group by a bunch of little old ladies. At first, it tore me to shreds. I was so hurt. I had put so much time and effort into the post, and they all hated it. But, just because I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, doesn’t mean I’m not someone’s. You don’t need everyone to love you. That is a good time to remember.
In the next year, I am going to attempt putting myself out there more. Attending workshops or a conference. Behind a computer screen is nice and all, but meeting new people in the blogging community face to face and learning from them I think is going to make a huge difference in my blogging.
It’s Confusing
Wow, is it confusing. Like, everything is confusing. And, come on, how true is that for life as well? Nothing comes with an instruction manual like it should, and you spend countless amounts of time bumbling your way through. In blogging you basically end up teaching yourself how to code late at night watching YouTube videos. Sometimes, it works great! And, sometimes, you email your hosting company because you just deleted your entire site. Just like in life, sometimes you have to call your mom and ask how to fix things. There is so much to learn from SEO, to social media, to bounce rates, and beyond! Buzz words! Which brings me to…
There is Always a Plugin for That
There is always a plugin. Just like there is always an app for that! Whatever “that” is. I love using WordPress. It gives you so much control over your site. It can be totally overwhelming at times, but whatever you want to do, there is a plugin for that! And, I’m still learning which ones I love. So, if you have any that you have used and love, send them my way!
Community Over Competition
If you are going to be a successful blogger, and in life, you have to celebrate other people’s wins. This is just as true in the blogging world, as it is in every day life. Building each other up, is the best way to build a community around you. If you want people who will cheer you on, and life you up, you have to be that for others as well.
Because I love being able to do this, and part of what allows me to continue writing is all of my amazing readers, including over 10,000 followers on Instagram, I decided to put together a little giveaway!
Best advice is keep doing what you’re doing! Love your content and that you don’t just post advertising stuff! My favorite posts are your life lately!
do things that make you uncomfortable … if u might worry or are fearful … try it … u will always find a good side, u will learn more about yourself, will teach u a new lesson and u will have a new experience or 2 under your belt. so fun!! happy Blogiversary!! ( ;
Aw happy 2 years doll!! Hmm life advice: always vote, always be early, always send thank you cards, don’t get in a car with someone who’s had more than one drink, and don’t expect or even want everyone to like you. Those are my personal policies, at least!
I love this blog post, Jane! I’m only about 4 months into my blogging journey and I still have a LOT to learn. I loved the part where you say how confusing it is, because it’s so true! Haha! I still need to dive deep one of these days into learning more about SEO, pinterest, and plugins. As for meeting more bloggers, if you’re ever in the LA area, we should definitely meet up! 🙂
Congratulations my friend! I always enjoy your posts and the content you put together.
Happy blogversary! Cant wait to see what else pops up in your corner of the universe.
Congrats!! Honesty is the best policy is the best advice!
Happy anniversary! This is such a good post! I love, love, love community of competition. We should be supporting each other especially since we all enjoy the same hobby!
Life advice? Hmmm… you can say no. It seems weird, but that was really hard for me to do. Especially when they’re are movies about saying yes to everything. And just know, it’ll be ok. “This, too, shall pass.”
Happy 2nd Blogiversary!!!
My best life advice right now is to live in the moment & be present – don’t forget to unplug from your phones & devices and live in the world around you!
Happy 2 years!!! Just keep doing what you are doing! 🙂
Why bitch about today when tomorrow is not granted?????
Hurrah for 2 years, Jane!! This post definitely hits the nail on the head and love your last point: “community over competition”. I haven’t blogged in a while but I still feel part of the community and love following up on my blogging friends and reading about what’s going on with them!
Happy 2 years! My favorite life advice is to “live in the sunshine.” It always reminds me to seek joy and goodness and betterment.
Best life advice = invest in worthwhile relationships, work hard for what you want and have, and dig deep to find and maintaining a relationship with God. I swear these three things make my world go around all by themselves. Relationships, hard work, and Jesus! 🙂
Yay for two years of blogging!! I think I’ve been around for both of them! So proud of you!!!!
Happy blogiversary!