HOW BLOGGING SAVED MY LIFE


Have you ever felt like something was missing? Yet, it was hard to pinpoint? I mean, my husband and kids are happy and healthy, my marriage rocks, I have a beautiful home, I seem to appreciate the little things in life and although small, a beautiful extended family. Sure rough spots popped up now and then but no matter what they were, we would seem to overcome them due to our faith and unyielding love.

Yet, no matter how happy my life was, there was still an ache in my heart. An ache that I had no purpose. An ache that I didn't feel I was making a difference. An ache that friends weren't as loyal as they used to be. An ache that two of my children would be going off to college in 18 months and I really didn't know what I was going to do with myself as a big majority of my life is dedicated to my family. And ache that the positivity I tried to exude often wasn't reciprocated in this world. Couple those aches with an anxious personality, increasing social phobias and curve-balls and there were days I felt like it wouldn't even matter if I got out of bed. 



Yet, you know what always kept popping in my mind was that so many of the blogs I was a fan of DID make a difference in my life. Many of you bloggers would make me smile with an inspirational post, a rocking' outfit, a yummy recipe, words of advice and basically just seeing that there was still so much good in the world. For the past three years, every time I finished reading a blog post by a favorite blogger, I thought to myself, why don't I start a blog? Just maybe I'll brighten someones day and jotting down my thoughts in that kind of format might be therapeutic.

I walked into our living room one day and said "Honey, I'm starting a blog!" A week later, I hit the publish button, then again the next day, and the next. Guess what, I wanted to get out of bed. Blogging inspired me! Heck I even lost 3 pounds the first week because I was so busy blogging in my spare time that I was forgetting to eat. I became even more organized and prioritized even better than before. When people started commenting, I felt like hey, even if I just make one person smile that's something!

I found the blogging community to be so kind, so supportive and so unselfish. I found myself wanting to get up early in the morning just to check my feed so I could comment on other people's blogs and let them know their content had meaning to me. If you're taking the time to write a blog post you're a special person and it means that your whole heart is in it.

I mean, it's not that often that I blog about something serious but even if it's just a funny post, a fashion post, a family post or yummy post, it's something. I may only be a minuscule speck in this whole wide world of Internet but it's my speck and it saved my life. Maybe not literally but figuratively, it lifted me up out of the pit and gave me a safe place to stand.


Cheers to this fun ride called Blogging, cheers to YOU, who put your heart and soul out there everyday and cheers to those who take the time to read and truly smile with you. 

xoxo


"Do what makes you feel good. Remind yourself of what you're good at and make sure you do that."
~Jessi J




37 comments:

  1. I love this post Andrea. Thanks for sharing it with the world. I also had a pretty similar experience with blogging which arrived in my world at a time when I had no idea where to go next. Now, like you, I can't wait to wake up every day and I'm so thankful that I've finally found my purpose. I love blogging and even if no one had to ever read my posts, they still make me happy just putting them out there.
    XX

    Jonelle

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    1. Oh Jonelle I am so glad you can relate. You have such a big and joyful heart!!! I hope you're day is as wonderful as you are. We readers are very happy you keep hitting publish!!! :-) Hugs!!!

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  2. That is just amazing what an impact blogging has had on your life!! I'm so happy to have found your blog recently and also happy because you are so positive that you inspire me! :) xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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    1. Biana you always make me smile with your comments and awesome posts. Thank you and I hope your Wednesday is as wonderful as you are!!!!! xo

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  3. First off, you look beautiful in that picture! That dress is flawless on you! Moving on.. hehe. Even though I just started following you recently, you are such a positive and happy person. It is very inspiring. :-) I look forward to more fun posts and to getting to know you better. :-) Have a wonderful day!!! :-)

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    1. See, this is why I adore you and feel the same way. I appreciate you reading, commenting and making me smile. You're a precious and beautiful person Caroline!!! Hugs, hugs, hugs. :-)

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  4. Andrea, wow, I loved this post sooo much! Thank you for putting into words what a lot of us feel! YOU are a total inspiration to me, every time I see you've posted I race over to your page. You are such a beautiful, inspiring person, and so kind! Thank you for being my inspiration!

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    1. Awe, Kim that brought a sweet tear to my eye. Thank you, Your comments mean so much to me and I feel the same way about you!! I hope your Wednesday is as wonderful as you are. Hugs to you, my friend. :-)

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  5. Happy Wednesday! This is so beautiful, and it makes me SO happy how blogging changed your life in a positive way! You are such a beautiful person, inside and out!!! Glad we connected!!!
    Hope you have a great day!
    xoxo, Vanessa
    www.whatwouldvwear.net

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    1. You inspire me Vanessa!!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope the day is just as lovely and beautiful as you are!!! xoxo

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  6. Anonymous29.4.15

    I love blogging. I have tried to quit many times but I seriously do enjoy it very much. In order for me to start enjoying blogging, I had to rid of all of my social media because the promoting part of it is what always burned me out.

    Anyways, happy Wednesday!

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    1. So understood Natalie!! I'm glad you enjoy it too and we readers appreciate that you do!! I hope your day is as amazing as you are!!! xo

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  7. I too love blogging and it is fantastic to hear how much it has changed and improved your life, from happiness to being more organized! I think it is always the little things that make us the happiest!

    Rebecca
    www.winnipegstyle.ca

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    1. Yes it is the small things. So sweet of you to say and I'm so glad you love blogging too because I love your blog!!!! Hope your day is lovely!!!!

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  8. I enjoyed reading it!! Great post.
    Xoxo
    Check out my new post
    http://www.sweetsimpleday.com

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  9. This is incredible! Blogging is such a commitment that only some people find worth it- but those who do get so much out of it! So glad to have "met you" in this blogging world!!

    XoLindsay
    Sugar & Something

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    1. You too Lindsay!!! What a sweetheart you are!!! May your day be as wonderful and full of smiles. xoxo

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  10. I am so happy to be able to hear your story. I can really relate to it a lot. After I had my daughter I was not "working" for the first time in my life and I didn't know what to do with myself. I felt like I was going a bit crazy. I have an absolutely amazing husband and my daughter is the sweetest girl in the world, but like you said, I felt like something was missing too. I think I craved the social interaction that I was so used to when I worked. When I started blogging it really helped me feel like "me" again. So glad that it has seemed to make such a big difference for you as well <3

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    1. Oh Julie, I am so glad you can relate. Thank you for sharing your story with me and thank you for putting your heart out there. I hope your day is as wonderful and beautiful as you are!!!! Hugs!!

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  11. Thank you for sharing something so personal! I agree with you about the value of a humble blog and the positive changes it can bring because mine was sort of necessity, too. And it helped and inspired and changed my life and some things about me beyond imaginable. Long story short - cheers to blogs and blogging! X

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    1. Thank you for understanding and thank you for relating! I am so glad that your blog is giving you the same positivity and helped your life more than you ever imagined. You're a very sweet person and I hope you're having a lovely day! xo

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  12. Andrea this is so beautiful..thanks for sharing! I too felt the same....My last one is off to college this fall....so lots of changes...mom's need something to focus on besides kiddos. I love your style, your voice, and so glad I connected with such a kewl lady!
    xoxo
    Valerie

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    1. Valerie, you are the sweetest!!!!! I feel the same way about you, you beautiful and precious lady!!! I adored your bright and beautiful outfit the other day and I adore you!!! xoxo

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  13. Beautiful post! I absolutely LOVE the blogging community as well. I was talking to a blogger friend of mine who commented on how much negativity YouTubers receive on a daily basis. It then dawned on me that I've never really seen a negative blog comment. Everyone is always so supportive, understanding and helpful.

    Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Bloglovin’

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    1. Isn't it great Connie! I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day sweet lady!!! :-)

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  14. Thank you for sharing a beautiful story! I went through anxiety and social phobia too. Still do, but blogging has really helping me a lot too! I'm so proud of you! Cheers to you! <3

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    1. Oh and I am proud of you my sweets!! One day and one publish button at a time and beautiful blogging friends like you!!! :-) xoxo

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  15. I love this post so much because I feel exactly the same way :-) thanks for always being so uplifting and inspirational!

    Wishes & Reality

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    1. So glad you can relate, we are all in this together and its wonderful to lift up each other on this journey!! You, your style, your pretty face and sweet words on your blog always make me smile! Have a wonderful evening sweet lady!!! xo

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  16. Andrea, I love this post and happy to see that you shared with your amazing friends. You have been my inspiration since the day you were born and you are the reason I get out of bed in the morning!!! Not only are you beautiful on the outside, but you are even more beautiful on the inside. I am so proud of you! xoxo Mom.

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    1. Oh mom, thank you so much. I love you and any beauty I have inside or out, comes from you!!!!! xoxo

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  17. Aww this made my heart melt. I started blogging because I realized that I have a thing for writing, that i love fashion, i love reading, i love taking photos and everything related to it. I a young and have yet to experience so many things. Blogging actually brought me to where I am now, the life I never thought I am capable of having. I gained friends although virtual friends only but hoping to meet them soon, including you Mommy Andrea. :) I just feel blessed that I am able to express my feelings and share my stories through my little blog. Thanks for the inspiration. I'm happy to have met you in the blogging world. Enjoy and put your heart in every post you publish. I'm looking forward to see your next posts!

    Have a great day, Mommy Andrea!

    xoxo,
    SHAIRA
    www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com

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    1. Awe sweet Shaira! So glad blogging has brought you all joys and happiness too! What s beautiful person you are!!! :-) Hugs to you!!!

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  18. I completely understand what you mean. I'm also the happiest person in the world when I'm writing my new post or even when I'm just connecting with other bloggers. It means a world to me. I finally feel like I'm complete. :) So cheers to you and keep on blogging! xo

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    1. So glad you can relate beautiful Adela!!! I hope you have a wonderful day full of smiles!! Hugs sweetheart!!!

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  19. Great post! And so brave to talk about your anxiety and distress in such an open way. I feel you, blogging gives you something very special - you can create your own little world, inspire others and get inspired by other bloggers.

    I hope it will continue to push you :)

    Stefanie xx
    http://www.thefashionrose.com/

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  20. What a great reason to start blogging! And yes, it's actually a space where women are nice to each other. Imagine that~

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