WHY I STARTED BLOGGING AND WHY I CONTINUE

Do you ever wonder why people start a blog and what keeps them writing posts week after week? The reasons might surprise you. #blogging

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BLOG?

I shared a lovely guest post from Erica (from Behind the Scenery) in February and she mentioned that a trip to Iceland was the trigger point for her to begin writing, and then to launch into blogging. In the comments section several people said it was an interesting reason to start blogging; and it made me wonder what motivated others to begin their blogging journey - especially if they started in their 50's or later. 

Then I also wondered if the intitial reason to "push the publish button" was what kept them blogging week after week, year after year.... or whether things gradually changed and their motivation for writing became driven by something else.

BEGINNING THE BLOGGING JOURNEY

I've noticed a lot of bloggers say that they thought about starting a blog for years and did a mountain of research and preparation before they launched their blog and wrote their first post. Some even paid tech people to get their blogs up and running because they realized there was a fair amount of technical knowledge needed to get things looking professional and to have it all running smoothly. They knew exactly what they wanted and where they intended to go with their blogging.

I was SO far from that point when I started my blog. I had NO idea of what blogging entailed, no idea that there were different platforms to choose from, no idea of all the background coding and technical stuff (I didn't even know what HTML was and that you could change the appearance of your blog from the basics on offer). I was a complete novice and just thought it would be fun to put my thoughts down somewhere other than in the journal I wrote in occasionally.

WHAT TRIGGERED MY FIRST BLOG POST?

Looking back at my life when I wrote my first post, I think I started blogging as a bit of a reaction to how unsettled my life was five years or so ago. I was in a job that had become a bit boring and repetitive, my kids had both left home and were married and settled, and my marriage (that I thought was fine) had hit a really rough patch that almost ended in separation. 

Navigating my way through all the changes, and adjusting to a different way of life after 20 years of parenting, and working to help with the bills, and assuming that my husband and I were both on the same page (when obviously we weren't!) left me thinking about life as a middle aged woman and what that actually meant to me. I think I needed somewhere to process all that information and to share my thoughts.

HOW THINGS CHANGED

Initially I thought I'd be writing something nobody would find and nobody would know about. I truly believed I could be anonymous because I was one of the 4.4 million blog posts published every day (can you believe that number??!!) and I thought I'd probably write half a dozen posts and that would be the end of it. Little did I know that things would gradually change and my blog would become a huge part of my life.

The first change was "meeting" a few Midlife bloggers through a G+ group (anyone remember those?) and they gave me the courage to enable commenting on my blog (I'd been too scared to before that). Then I got braver and added a profile picture of myself and a bit of a Bio, then I found a couple of Facebook groups, and then a link party or two, and before I knew it, I'd started to find my "tribe" of Midlife women who blogged and shared and encouraged me to do the same.

Do you ever wonder why people start a blog and what keeps them writing posts week after week? The reasons might surprise you. #blogging

WHY I BLOG NOW

After the first year or so, I finally realized that blogging was going to be my "thing" - it would never make me a fortune, or a household name (Oprah and Ellen seem to have overlooked my words of wisdom!), or win me an army of followers, but it made me happy. It introduced me to friends all over the world, it connected me to people I've become closer to online than I am with a lot of my IRL friends. Blogging had changed from something I did to sort out my thoughts, into something I do to share ideas, build my confidence, and to embrace this stage of life.

Midlife blogging has moved me from dreading being "middle aged" and "invisible" and taken me on a journey of self-discovery that has made my 50's so much better than I could have imagined before I started. It's allowed me to recognize the really great stuff that life has to offer, it's opened my eyes to the importance of choosing my attitude, to making braver choices, to self-compassion, to vulnerability, and to honesty. Most of all it's given me connection to other like-minded women who've taught me to love this age and stage. So, that's why I blog now - to stay connected, to be vulnerable, and to share my journey in case others are following behind me and need cheering on.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

What was the spark that kindled your desire to blog? Is it the reason you continue, or have other factors come into play? I'd love to hear your responses in the comments.

RELATED POSTS


Do you ever wonder why people start a blog and what keeps them writing posts week after week? The reasons might surprise you. #blogging
Do you ever wonder why people start a blog and what keeps them writing posts week after week? The reasons might surprise you. #blogging

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Cresting the Hill - a blog for Midlife (Middle Aged / 50+) women who want to thrive

52 comments

  1. HI Leanne, Great post! I started blogging because I had done a bit of it when I was traveling with students - mostly to keep parents informed of what we were doing and to be ahead of the "What did you do today? (answer) Nothing." I wanted to be sure parents knew we were doing lots - and they loved my blogs. I guess I think that by the time we reach this point in life, we've done a few interesting things to share about. I have changed my blog a few times - the newest iteration is a Travel/Lifestyle Blog www.shareacuppa.com - that I'm working on growing. I mostly do it for me as I enjoy the writing and sharing - even with only a few!

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  2. Hi Deirdre - I'm so glad you found our link party and have joined our little Midlife crowd. I think part of why we continue to blog is the connection we make with others - for you it would have been the parents when you started, and now it'll be other like-minded bloggers. It's such a fantastic way to keep our minds active and to share a little of ourselves isn't it?

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  3. Blogging has been a great way for me to meet others and feel engaged with the world. I started out writing about our travels, mainly so that family could stay in touch with us but it soon morphed into a lot more. I also decided to use my creativity while working in a correctional centre locked down environment where my personality had to be hidden away to some extent. I now love the midlife blogging tribe I am part of and enjoy reading a range of ideas and thoughts from generous women such as yourself, and from all over the world. I must admit some friends and family wonder why I put myself out there the way I do, but I see it as a form of self expression and a creative use of my time - some people sew or paint and I just happen to write and share photos! Great to read your thoughts on why you started and how you continued blogging :)

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    1. Hi Deb - I have friends and family that wonder why I do it too. They think it's like airing your (not too dirty) laundry for the world to see. I see it differently, it's more about being real and vulnerable and sharing life's journey with others who can cheer you along the way. I love the blogging community that I've become part of and often wonder how I'd be going right now without the warm and wonderful women (yourself included) who have befriended me and supported me over the last few years.
      Life is so good and blogging has played a big role in that for me - now I just need to learn to take more photos!

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    2. Thanks for your comment including me in your list of warm and wonderful women you've met through blogging! I have shared for #mlstl

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    3. Of course I included you Deb - the warmth reaches across the continent! x

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  4. I blog because I just love to write!!!!! I don't get to visit or connect with other bloggers much these days but love to pop in when I can ;-)

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    1. Well I feel very honoured to have you visit Janet - I'm less busy these days so I get to pop in all over the place to say Hi to other bloggers and catch up on their news. It feels like lots of little chats without leaving home (or getting out of my yoga pants!)

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  5. I actually started blogging as a way to showcase (and possibly sell) the cards and mini-albums I make but I found that I just liked writing about things and sharing what was going on in life around me so that's why I keep doing it. I have "met" and follow some wonderful people that I wouldn't have being the introvert that I am. It really helps to find like-minded people and know we aren't alone out there. Great post, Leanne!

    Janet’s Smiles

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    1. Hi Janet - I think blogging makes introverts into online extraverts! I love that we visit each other and have little conversations in the comments section - and I'm glad I got brave enough to turn my comments on all those years ago or I would have missed out on all the lovely friendships I have all over the world. It's a wonderful hobby!

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  6. I started because I was learning astrology & wanted to write as I learnt. Then I wanted to write about other things and andanyways was born. It's continued to evolve but I think these days I'm closer to where I want to be with it. Blogging has shown me just how small the world is and through it I've made connections that I otherwise wouldn't have made.

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    1. I feel the same way Jo - who'd have thought I'd have friends in Queensland and NSW and Victoria and the US and Russia and Canada and......? I LOVE the friendships and I love that I enjoy writing so much. It just flows off my fingertips and I think that's why I keep going - because it's easy and fun and social - what's not to love?

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  7. Leanne, You hit it right on the head. these are the reasons I blog also. I can especially relate to what you said about making connections and building self-confidence through blogging. I also used to journal a lot. It helped me express myself and was very therapeutic. Now, I don't have the need to journal as much, since I started my blog about 2 years ago. Now I'm branching out and sharing my story with You Tube videos. I find I'm really enjoying it, though I'll continue to blog as well. Thanks for this thought-provoking and inspiring post.

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    1. Hi Christina - I journal less these days too - probably because blogging has taken over. My journal is more for my personal thoughts and a bit of a diary these days.
      I didn't know your were you-tubing, how interesting and challenging - good on you for stretching your wings a bit further and creating a wider audience for yourself - it sounds really exciting.

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  8. I've been blogging for 11+ years and I find it quite healing in so many ways. I take breaks from time to time and then come back to it.

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    1. Hi Eliz - wow 11+ years is amazing! That's twice as long as I've been going for, I'm hoping to still be at it in years to come because it really is healing and affirming and such a positive and engaging pastime. :)

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  9. I started blogging fairly recently 2016. The 3 sisters were on their first river cruise, we found that a few people actually a lot had an opinion on us...we were gay etc etc. We found they would ask a few questions then snub us. It was so obvious that we made an alliance with another family of 3 who were also being treated terribly. Oh and the cruise director and another single male. We had a ball and one night perhaps the second after a few drinks I pipe up lets write about it and make it into a book (getting around to it) get famous and then those people who were nasty will wish they had been on our side. lol.... We would sit and chat on who was to play us if it was a hollywood movie/series or Australian or English cast. We had a ball.

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    1. Oh Bree that just made me smile - I love how you turned a negative situation into something so fun and positive. I'll be lining up at the cinema to watch your movie when it makes it to Australia!

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  10. Great to read about how you started blogging Leanne. I’m very grateful that you did as I love checking in with you. I started to share my experience of fun runs etc with a group I was involved with tha can’t from across the country. Now that I’m no longer doing those events I had to make a decision. To change focus? Or to give up blogging? I decided to change to a midlife focus and I’m so pleased I did. I have unexpectedly formed relationships with so many bloggers who really enrich my life. Bit I don’t think anyone in my IRL networks who get it #MLST Sharing

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    1. Hi Jennifer - well I for one am very glad you swapped focus - I'd never have found you on a fun run blog! (even the words "fun run" send a shiver down my spine!) What I love about our Midlife community is the variety and the togetherness and support - it's been a wonderful journey for me.

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  11. I started my mom blog after exiting the corporate world. I used to write business blog posts on a variety of B2B marketing trends. As exciting as it was, it wasn't my calling.

    Blogging as a first-time mom opened doors for me. It became my business and I love it. Still do it today because it's an outlet. Not only for me to share my thoughts, but to have an income while being home with the kids. It's exciting.

    I can see how it can be quite intimidating at first, more so creating connections.

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    1. Fatima I'm always so envious of people who have all the knowledge that you describe. It would make it so much easier to create a beautiful blog - and to make an income from it. Mine was SO basic when I started and I learned everything through Google and youtube - and then promptly forgot it all again!

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  12. My path of blogging has been a windy one, Leanne! I joined an online group a number of years back thinking my calling was in one area of my expertise, which then took a right into a related area... and now I've morphed into my current direction: talking to pre-retirement women about making these years our best years. I love working one-on-one and my current clients are so much fun that I even sometimes don't have time to blog!
    I sure do enjoy the women I've met through MLSTL and enjoy following them via their blogs!

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    1. Hi Agnes - I think you have an amazing life to be able to do what we do on our blogs with IRL people! I hope I can achieve a little of that online as I blog through my various life changes - who knows who we help along the way?

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    2. My IRLs came out of the blue, Leanne, so it will no doubt happen for you! And we'll never know who or how many we help if they quietly go on their way.

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  13. I started my blog for much the same reasons that you did. five years ago I quit my job. I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do next. I have always loved writing. My blog was a way to process what I was going through in redesigning my life. I was learning how to be intentional and how to create a life that I loved. Along the way people started reading my blog and then I found groups and here we are. I stay because it is still a great way to process my personal journey and I love the frends I've met along the way!

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    1. Michele that's me in a nutshell. I think life just keeps changing (which is a good thing) and it's great having an outlet to put the lessons down and process them through. I'd have been lost without my blog over the last couple of years - and although I've kept a lot of the nitty gritty to myself, the general stuff has been good to share and to have input from others (I love the comments section!)

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  14. I do think blogs are a good way to explore ideas and thoughts without necessarily boring your friends with it all the time. There's no pressure for people to read or not read. A kind of creative therapy. Both for the writer and the reader. #MLSTL

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    1. Exactly Lydia - it's definitely been therapy for me over the last couple of years, and before that it helped me navigate into "middle age". Something I was struggling with because IRL it all seemed a bit grey. Online and with a supportive community, it's been a journey into acceptance and now celebration - can't ask for more than that!

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  15. Your post certainly resonated with me Leanne and I don't think people "get" blogging other than bloggers. It has got to the stage where family and friends say "you aren't going to put that online are you?" :-) There is a wonderful community of bloggers like yourself that are supportive and fun to follow. Like Deb mentioned it does also make me feel connected to the world other than my now smaller environment. Good post, Leanne.

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    1. Hi Suzanne - my family roll their eyes at the way I "share my life all over the internet" but I love it. The connections and the friendships that being open and vulnerable create are so special to me. Following along with different bloggers' journeys and the different styles of blogs just makes me happy - and has enriched my life far beyond anything I ever could have expected when I started.

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  16. My very first blog started as a desire to write something...anything. I deleted it after 3 months because I was afraid someone would actually read it! LOL...Introvert much? Then a couple of years later, I started again.I was looking at my posting history and my very first post was in March, a couple in April and May, one in July and then nothing until November. LOL. Now I have almost 600 posts.

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    1. Hi Jennifer - I started and the momentum just kept rolling along. I thought the well would run dry in a few months, but life kept happening and I kept writing. I've noticed that my posts have gotten more upbeat and positive than those I started with - a good sign IMHO - it shows how far I've come and the benefits I've received from my lovely blogging community!

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  17. Hi Leanne, A great question. I am very curious how other people started blogging? And then, why do they continue to blog? I have heard how many/most bloggers take some sort of blogging break and then they are compelled to return often refreshed and with new motivation. Like you say, Leanne, “...driven by something else.” There are likely other bloggers who do not return to blogging.

    I just YouTubed ‘How to start a blog’ and I have been learning as I go along. I am embarrassed how I was not aware my “comments” were not even toggled on for almost the first half year. I am still on a learning curve.

    I am glad you had the courage to continue blogging. 💕 You have a gift for taking us along this journey with you. We end up reevaluating our life and our choices when you share your perspective with us. I love your phrase “embrace this stage of life.” I also find your phrase “share my journey in case others are following behind me...” always in the back of my mind. I have daughters and friends younger than me. I want them to look forward to all the good things ahead. Great post! xx

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    1. Hi Erica - I think the absolute best part of blogging is the friendships - I love our connection and the way we can live on other sides of the country or other sides of the world and still have such similar life stories. Also, as we share our stories we find commonality and the encouragement I've received has been beyond measure.
      I see all these fabulous Midlife women living life on their own terms and with such joy - who couldn't help but be encouraged by that? xx

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  18. Hi Leanne, I started blogging a couple of years ago with the intent to create a viable business. It's coming along, and I've learned that this business is tough and takes a long time to establish. But I wouldn't change it for anything. Like you, I've 'met' a great group of like-minded women, and learned so much about myself in the process. Thanks for sharing your story and encouraging us to do the same. Shared on SM

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    1. Hi Candi - I SO admire people who start a blog with the intention to moneytize and who actually succeed in doing so. I make a little bit of pocket money from mine, but have never had the drive to turn it into anything more (and probably not the readership either!) I started for the writing and stayed for the friendships :)

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  19. Hi Leanne, Remember reading your early posts and want to acknowledge your progress. I started blogging in 2009, because I wanted to share information about ways to live a healthier lifestyle. My personal experience (including personal growth work) and research I do as a Health & Lifestyle Writer, are the basis from which I write. My main focus is to offer ideas and self-care tips to help others improve the quality of their lives. Blogging gives me the opportunity to interact with fun people and I have never considered taking a break. I love it too much. Will pin this post #MLSTL.

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    1. Hi Nancy - I think I've come a long way too - I'm so much more positive and so much more centred and confident in who I am and how I want to live this second half of life. Blogging has played a huge role in that for me - so I'm grateful for it every day and can't imagine ever stopping. I don't have a specific message to share, but I have my heart that wants to speak and connect, and that's enough for me xx

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  20. I started blogging to share advice on weight loss and a healthy lifestyle for midlifers. It's hard to talk about those subjects without sharing my own journey with weight loss and health challenges so it has slowly changed to being more personal. I've enjoying connecting with other bloggers and the networking has become perhaps the best part of blogging

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    1. I think it's always good when you have a purpose behind your blog - I never discovered my "passion" or purpose, so I just wing it and share my thoughts about whatever is on my mind currently. That's why I'm so surprised by how wonderful blogging's been and the amazing connections I've made over the last 5+ years.

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  21. Hi Leanne, I started blogging around the same time as you and for me it was to fill a void when I took early retirement. I knew nothing about blogging but I knew that I wanted to perhaps inspire women 50+ to become active and healthy to enjoy their Third Age. I've met some beautiful friends like you my BBB and others who I have been so fortunate to meet in person. I think Bloggers really only 'get' bloggers but that is good enough isn't it? Thanks for co-hosting #MLSTL I had no idea what a link party was when I started blogging LOL:)

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    1. Hi Sue - I had no idea about link parties either (did they exist? Or were they blog hops?) I love the friendships that blogging has brought into my life - wise, wonderful women like yourself who have encouraged me and cheered me on (what would we have done without those blogging conversations we've had??) Blogging definitely fills a void for me now I'm retired - so I guess we have that in common too. xx

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  22. Hi Leanne,

    My trigger for starting my blog, way back in 2004, was a deep desire to share my thoughts, on just about anything that interests me, in an informal manner, rather than in the formal manner of publishing in a newspaper or magazine.

    I have discovered that this is a good medium to get to know people who share interests in similar topics.

    They are still the reasons for blogging. I don't blog very frequently, but I have been consistent.

    #MLSTL

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    1. Hi Pradeep - you sound a lot like me in your reasons for starting and continuing to blog. It starts with ourselves and then becomes about others - the social connections and sharing ideas is really inspiring isn't it?

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  23. My love for writing and expression was my reason to start blogging.

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    1. I didn't know how much I loved writing until I'd been blogging for a while. It reminded me of how well I'd done at English in high school and why I enjoyed reading so much too.

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  24. I can relate to your post. It sounded like you were writing about me. I'm only about 6 months into blogging after many months of researching. I'm visiting from Bloggers Pit Stop.

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    1. Ahhhhh you're one of the clever people who actually figured blogging before you started! I just fell into it, but I found that I love it so much and now 5+ years later it's taken on a life of its own - and the opportunity to keep meeting new people like yourself (which I absolutely love!)

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  25. Great post. I read the one about your husband and depression and it is so unfortunate that not 'everyone' understands it as a very real and treatable condition. I started my blog because I was encouraged by others who did in Australia back in Dec 2010. I also felt very socially isolated after stopping work and caring for my husband. Many different types of blogging since, I finally went to my name as my blog and one blog only. Too long a story and since 2015 it has kept me in contact with like-minded people from around the world. I love the connections and sharing the stories which is why I blog. Denyse #mlstl

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    1. Hi Denyse, I had no idea about blogging before I started and really wish I'd discovered it years before I did. Maybe I needed to wait until I was ready in my life to share my thoughts without being caught up in negativity or self pity? I really enjoy what a positive experience it is, and also the lovely people like yourself who I've connected with along the way x

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  26. I'm so glad you started blogging, Leanne. I admire your consistency and commitment and the wonderful connections you make and sustain through your blogging.

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.