What A Short Strange Trip It’s Been

Today marks the 38th day since I started this blog, my first blog ever, and I can’t believe the changes in myself in this short bit of time.

I started this blog on a day when I was so bored with my Facebook page, and had just done another culling of “friends”. I was just so tired of it all,  and was looking for a new outlet, something I’d never tried before. I had of course heard of blogging, but thought of it as just an online form of journaling, and honestly came here with that in mind. I had no idea how much this “blogging thing” would do to me, and for me, in just 38 days.

First, I had to learn how to set up my page. I changed my theme about 20 times, different colors, and formats, and finally choose a header, and I had to  decide what my blog was “about” (that in itself is still a question). Finally, it was time to write my first post. Oh, how intimidating that moment was for me. I wanted to just write, but it was different knowing that people would actually be reading what I’d written. I must have edited that first post 50 times, and now, I couldn’t even tell you what it was about without going back to look.  I have gone through many changes in my approach to writing in this short time. I have stopped caring as much about my lack of writing skills, grammar, punctuation and even content, and have learned to just be a writer by writing every day, and by learning to just be myself.

Secondly, I found a place to post my photographs, another somewhat hidden passion. I don’t own a good camera, and I don’t know how to use any of the settings on it other than “Auto”, but I was amazed and blessed to see so much positive feedback on those photo posts! I started to believe I could be a photographer, something I had always dreamed of but didn’t think I would ever do with my lack of knowledge and equipment. This has been such a blessing in the way it has opened me up to more possibilities in my life.

Last, and certainly not least…and maybe it should have been first,  I never expected this “space” to be filled with so many amazing people. There are people who have helped me develop more confidence in my talents, people who have become good, close friends to me, some who have become “saviors”, and some who have, through their posts, made me laugh.  It has been so wonderful to log on here every day. I love getting my cup of tea in the morning and sitting down to read the new posts, seeing what others have said about my posts, and yes, watching stats (it’s a newbie thing). This place has given me an excitement about my life that was missing before I came here, and for that there are no words of thanks that would suffice.

OH! And….this newbie made it through NaBloPoMo, even when she had to figure out what the heck that meant! I am so grateful for the “likes” and “follows” that have come my way, the awards, though kindly refused, were really cool (yes, I’m very succinct). Just know that I appreciate all that I have gained from this experience, and that it has made me look forward to my future. I now know what it means when someone says, “I am a blogger”, and I’m proud to count myself as one of them.

Thanks to http://larnidavies.wordpress.com/ whose photo I found on Google and used for this post. Check out her blog, The Poppy Files!