I’ve been blogging off and on for three years now. Can you believe that! Considering I took such a long hiatus (while I was pregnant and in the throes of early motherhood) I still feel like a brand new babe at blogging, especially since I practically started from scratch this time around. Blogging has truly opened my eyes to an entire world I never knew existed. Sure, I realized the internet was a thing (I mean, I shopped online all the time) but I had no idea the extent of blogging communities, super bloggers’ online fame, and the endless talent that pours out from millions of blogs each day. If I hadn’t been so naive I don’t think I would have had the courage to start pearls on a string in the first place! I had no clue regular, every day gals could master photography, Photoshop, food styling, crafts, beauty, home decor, life, philosophy and package it into a lovely little post that appears perfectly effortless. Actually, I had no idea what food styling even was. It’s truly amazing, inspiring, and intimidating how skilled many bloggers are. Blogging is one of the most motivating, frustrating, and creative endeavors I’ve encountered. It is therapeutic and anxiety-inducing. It is isolating yet provides a sense of camaraderie. It is so many things. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned while trying to grow my blog and improve my skills:

1. Photography is everything.

2. Supporters are surprising. There are a few people I can always count on for a great comment, an encouraging email, or simply acknowledging they read what I wrote. These supporters are people who completely take me by surprise each day.

3. Technical difficulties are more infuriating than returning to your car with a boot on the tire due to unknown unpaid parking tickets. In the snow. On your birthday.

4. Nothing is official until it is done. I have experienced several instances in which an agreement was not honored even though it was promised or written in an email. I’ve certainly learned the hard way to be more particular when working with others. Coming from a healthcare perspective, where people typically do what they say, this has been a big learning curve for me.

5. Maintaining a blog is time-consuming! I never realized how much time, effort, and resources go into blogging. The few blogs I perused prior to starting my own made it seem so easy, yet I understand now the more effortless a blog appears the more work that goes into it. Emily and Joanna are truly masters of their craft!

6. Popular blogs are frequented by many for a reason. Readers cannot be bought and people return for more when there is genuinely good content. Or pictures (see #1!).

7. Blogging is a wonderful way to channel creativity, especially if the opportunity doesn’t exist elsewhere (e.g., working in healthcare or academia).

8. Blogging forces me to continually challenge myself to improve, whether it is in writing, photography, cooking, or even getting dressed for the day.

9. It’s impossible to predict what will resonate with people. I’ve poured many hours and great effort into posts I thought were great, only to be greeted by crickets once published. On the other hand, sometimes a frivolous post garners quite a bit of attention. It’s hard to tell!

10. Photography really is everything. Seriously.