I can hardly believe my blog has been public for one year! I remember being so nervous last year when I shared out that I had started a blog and that it was live with its first posts. So much has changed since then and I have learned so much.

I started off this journey with my blog knowing absolutely nothing about WordPress and constantly calling my dad for help. My dad would send me videos he found on how to use wordpress and helped me so much from the beginning! Finally, I got the hang of things and it became easier. If you are nervous about starting a blog, but feel passionate about it, I highly suggest just taking that leap of faith and trying it out!

In honor of my blog being one year old today I want to share some things I have learned along the way! Hopefully this can be helpful to you in starting your own blog!

1. Ask for Advice

Last spring and summer I started going to blogger meetups in my area (DC Bloggers) to listen to bloggers give advice and share out things they have learned. It was SO helpful! I went with one of my friends and we learned a lot about different apps, how to be consistent, and how to share out things. I think many areas have Blogger Unions so depending on where you are, see if they have these and try to go to one of their meet ups. Also, make friends with others who are also starting out a blog. Ask them questions and help others when you can!

2. Be consistent

Right after sharing out my blog, I became pregnant and the first trimester exhaustion hit me, so the last thing I could do was work on my blog. I felt embarrassed and discouraged because I couldn't post much, but I knew my body needed a break. I didn't post much for long periods of time on my blog, but I started to set goals for myself and by setting goals I became better at achieving them! Now I am able to produce 2-3 blog posts a week and I really really enjoy it. I feel more comfortable and at ease when producing the posts. It's like an incentive for me. I finish the work I need to do for school, with Andrew, and around the house, then I can make a post.

3. Look for easy to use templates

I wish I had known this from the very beginning. I actually JUST discovered this and it has made everything SO much easier. You can go to Etsy and search for Blog templates. There are so many amazing ones! If you don't feel comfortable installing it on your page, many stores will install it for you at a price. I found my current template on Etsy and installed it myself. The girl I bought it from was so helpful and her instructions on install were very easy! I used to hate the layout of my blog before I found her template. It's incredible.

4. talk about your blog on social media

One way I have found to increase traffic on my blog is to talk about it on instagram. I use instagram all the time so for me it is the best resource to share out my blog! I share it on my stories and in posts as well. It might even be helpful to do quick screen recordings to share how to navigate your blog.

5. don't get discouraged

This is one of the most important things I have learned that I still have to remind myself. Nothing that is good or worth it is going to come easy. As with anything you do, you have to try and work hard. Some days I felt like there was no purpose in it, but then my husband would remind me that this is what I love. And he is right! I love to share clothes, makeup, and anything that works for us. I love to talk to others about those things! It's one of my passions and as long as I feel that way, the blog serves a purpose for me and for anyone else who is interested in reading!

I still have so much to learn when it comes to having a blog and sharing things but I feel so excited for that and for what's to come! Thank you so much for reading and following along. It means so much to me!

Xo,

Jess