I never really pay much attention to dates but this year, I was thinking about when I started this blog. I knew the anniversary of the date I started was right around now, so on a whim last night, I checked the date of my very first post ever.
September 9, 2009
Well, I couldn’t let the day pass without an acknowledgement of sorts. I’m no longer a baby blog. I’m not even a toddler blog anymore. I can fully walk and talk and form sentences and I seem to be growing up nicely.
But it’s a good time for reflection and gratitude.
My very first post was called What’s My Theme? When I read it last night, I was surprised that, while I was pretty naïve about the world of blogging, my thoughts were coherent and pretty on point. And I haven’t really changed my ideas much since that first post.
At the time, I was recently laid off from a job I loved. And it wasn’t a “this hurts us more than it hurts you” kind of lay off. This was a small company and it was personal. And I vowed never to work that hard for someone else only to be tossed aside in the end.
But I never stopped working. I formed a rather unsuccessful partnership with some former co-workers. (It’s okay. I learned that you really need to know your business partners well before entering into a business partnership with them.) And I kept looking for steady work. I felt I was missing something. My writing.
So I started my blog as a writing portfolio. A chance to talk about the world of marketing and social media and maybe exercise a little creative writing.
I fell in love with writing but I was a pretty sporadic blogger. Then I attended my first blogging event even though I felt more like an observer than a participant. But I saw the community aspect of blogging I hadn’t seen before. And blogging had my heart.
It’s three years later.
I’ve gone from a Blogger blog to a self-hosted WordPress blog. I’ve used multiple templates and themes. I started another blog about the business of blogging. I’ve partnered up on three other blogs (some successful, some not). Clearly, I’m embracing this world.
But I wouldn’t have embraced this world if it weren’t for people that came to my site and read what I wrote. I even posted recently about how much comments fuel a blogger’s passion. And I’m grateful for every single comment and every single person that visits my corner of the internet. Without you, my husband would have made me get a “real job” long ago.
On one of my many online profiles where I had to create a bio, I wrote a quick description of my blog and I’d like to think it still holds true. Thanks for reading!
“I write about whatever pops into my head and hope it makes you feel or laugh or cry. But more importantly, I hope it makes you read more.”
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Speaking of reading more, I have a lot of early posts that never really got read much. So if you’re looking for the lost posts of all.things.fadra, consider these a good place to start.
Behind the Counter – A little perspective on customer service
The bane of my existence – It might surprise you! This one even got a retweet from @TheBrandBuilder
I couldn’t hurt a fly – My super soft squishy nature when it come to all creatures great and small
(If you’re looking for more vintage Fadra, I have a little tiny dropdown buried on my right-hand sidebar called “Oldies but Goodies.”)
Happy Blogaversary! So happy to have been around for most of this journey. Only good things to come!
Me too 🙂
Happy blogoversary!
I’ve been writing a blog for 2 years now (though not the same blog) and it amazes me how much I learn almost every day. My current blog (still a very young 1.5 years old) is still growing, still changing. I’m finding my place again as a writer, albeit slowly. My traffic still sucks but I’m confident that over time things will change. I’m okay with where I am currently at for once.
You’ve clearly done well with blogging and although I may lurk more than comment (sorry about that), I’m glad I found your blog. Hope you have a great blogoversary!
No apologies! If you read, I am happy. Traffic is a tricky beast. After 3 years, I’m still not awesome but I’m happy. And that’s what really counts!
Happy Blogoversary! Glad I found you recently. And a big old THANK YOU for spelling it ‘Blogoversary’ as I couldn’t find the authority on that term and as it happens- I spelled it the same way as you 😉
I’ll admit, I googled the spelling but this is the one that just felt right 🙂
Congrats on your 3 year blogaversary. I’m coming up on my 1 year and as the date approaches I’m really quite surprised by how much I love blogging and how much it has just completed me. I even just got my first blogging “paycheck” and that was a big deal to me!!! So, hooray for us bloggers. So glad I found you.
Oh, CONGRATS!!! Isn’t that a great feeling? Like, “I did this!” It’s a great outlet no matter what you make it.
Happy 3rd Blogoversary, Fadra!! I may not always comment, but I do love following your writing journey. Keep up the awesome!!
Thank you, Kelli. I love getting to know you through your vlogs. I feel like I know you!
Happy Happy Blog-o-versary!!! We started the same year! I was just a month behind you!!! Here’s to many more blogging adventures!
It took me a while to find my groove but I’m proud of my little corner. I hope you’re proud of yours too!
Happy Blogoversary! 🙂
Thank you!!
Congrats! I can only hope to grow up as tall and strong as you. 🙂
I’m short but I’m working on strong. Thanks 🙂
Happy Blogoversary! And many more! 🙂
Thank you!!!
Happy Blogoversary, dear lady. I will always remember how PERFECT it was to meet you and spend time with you at my first BlogHer.
This past BLogHer that was impossible, but we’ll always have our sweet time together from SD.
That’s how I remember it: you were a lifesaver.
xo
I would love to have some time to just get to know you better one on one. I suppose I could just read your blog more 🙂
Happy Blogoversary! I love reading whatever pops into your head. I still have hopes that we’ll meet someday soon. I wish you many many many more years of blogging and sharing in this community.
We will, we will. I can’t imagine leaving this wonderful world anytime soon!
Many happy returns of the day (belatedly)! Your blog is one of the ones that inspired me to start writing my own blog, which is very much in its early days but I take a lot onboard of what you write about. So thank you. Here’s to many more years!
Wow. You have no idea how much that comment means to me when I go through days (like today) where I feel like I’m floundering!
Happy Blogoversary!!!
Thank you!
Congrats to you! I just stumbled upon your blog for the first time, and I’m so glad to read about your journey in starting this blog. Thank you for sharing that. It’s a great inspiration, and I look forward to learning more about your blog!
Happy blog birthday! Incredible to see what simply writing our hearts and thoughts can open up.