Hi everyone, how're you doin'? Guys, I am SUPER EXCITED to write this post! Can you believe I have reached the 🎉50 Posts Landmark🎉 so soon?!🥳 Yes, this is the 50th post on my blog, and I can't explain how happy I am while writing this up🤩 Today, I'll be sharing you the WHOLE of my blogging journey till now! It's a 1000+ words post, so be ready😉
It has been a long time since my first-ever blog post was put up on this blog. Back then, I was just planning to make a 'static website' and count it as an achievement. But something better was kept in store... Well, I shared a portion of how I started blogging in the about section. But today, it is going to be MORE THAN A PORTION! Let's begin:
It was in June-end 2020, when I was sitting at home in lockdown and waiting for schools to reopen. There was nothing I wanted to do, including my favourite CRAFT PROJECTS. Seeing me sitting disappointed by the pandemic, my dad said I should try exploring site-making. Of course I loved computers, but never thought that a website could be made from HOME😳 So, I went to the heavenly place called 'Google Sites' and started making a site right away!
MY JOURNEY OF BLOGGING
How The Idea Sprouted
But, I did not know ANYTHING about what to put in a website. So I thought it could be a self-help area and people would gather to get motivated. (All this I'm talking about is of the site I made on Google Sites, not this blog.)
Yes, it has been a long time, almost a year from when I initially started... And I am a bit proud of myself, although there's a long way to go! Now I am going to share a NOTICE with you all. It isn't that pleasing, but I hope you will acknowledge my decision:
After I was done with my so-called website, I came to know that it isn't going to be a 'www.xyz' type of site! Its URL wasn't of my choice. THUS, I searched and found this wonderland, Blogger👏
Coming to know about Blogging
Okay, when I found blogger.com, I was asked to put a blog's name and start making a site. I initially made my site with name 'Brighter Suns'. But it sounded common, and I wanted it to be unique. Okay, then I kept thinking of a better name....SOON AFTER, BRIGHTER ALLEYS WAS BORN! (🎺trumpet sound🎺)
Even then, I didn't know what REALLY a blog means. So I googled up the term, went through tons of website in the next few weeks, and finally liked the idea of blogging. Then I wrote my first post and published it on August 5. Then I waited for it to get viral😂
However, I realized that something was amiss... My blog wasn't looking the way 'other' sites do. Instead, mine was flat and dull, probably because of the original blogger theme I used. And also I was unaware of the whole 'blogger' stuff, so I couldn't figure out where the problem was...
New Looks and Makeover
I was determined to get my website the looks I desired. I got way too busy searching for 'Free Blogger Themes' online. I finally found one, applied it onto my blog and tadaaa! It was still not perfect😜 There were some minute things which I wanted to be better. I went to the html of my site and finally decided to try my hands over there!
I definitely was too daring, for I could've spoiled the whole website with a silly mistake!! Anyways, as the quote says, god himself helps those who dare. I went on and on for 30 to 40 days, improving my blog -day by day. As everything was looking better, I wondered if ANYONE actually knew about my blog. Now was the time some viewers showed up!
New Aim: Get Noticed
From June, it was October, and the only thing that changed was my blogging routine. I was posting more frequently, making my own cartoons and discovering tools for my blog. What remained same was the people who knew about my blog. Some friends, my own family and I were probably the only ones visiting my blog. I wanted to do something for it, but there was no 'Krabby Patty Secret Formula' for it!
I just had to wait, keep up the quality of my posts, and be consistent. Finally, a blogger contacted me to do a collab with her. I WAS THRILLED! I was finally going to get noticed. I soon put up my first collab, which gathered pretty much views.
How I Reached Here:
Slowly, I discovered other blogs and their way of writing. I took inspiration from almost all of them and just continued posting. I realised that when I starting interacting with other bloggers, both of us benefitted exponentially! But I also focused on posting more and more. There were some obstacles all this way, be it tests, procrastination, writer's block and everything a teen blogger could get.
The key was to keep going. I was also inspired by a blogger, who was blogging for the past 7 years!! (many of you might be already knowing her) That was a big motivation... And slowly, I felt more confident in writing my posts, was feeling better at all the images I created, and was very satisfied. That's how I reached here: (I mean the image below!)
Dear Viewers,
My blogging schedule is now changing. I have been having a lot of studies lately, as I am now in class ninth. It is also getting harder for me to post every four days, like my previous routine. So I have taken a tough decision for myself and my blog: I WILL BE BLOGGING JUST ONCE A MONTH OR NOT AT ALL.
However, this blog will remain active and I might even respond to comments. The only thing that'll change is the routine of posts. Also, I want to reply to my post 'Dear 20 Year Old Gauri' and that convinces me well enough to keep this blog till the end of time.
Gauri :))
