50 Things I've Learned From Blogging

Wednesday, August 24, 2016


Let's be real- blogging is one big learning experience. Most of the time, in hopping into the blogger world, you're entering a world that's completely new to you. So naturally, as with any new experience, you learn a lot. Here are fifty things that the last two years of blogging have taught me. 

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1. Good lighting is everything.
2. When suffering writer's block, obviously the best idea is to procrastinate on twitter.
3. VSCO and A Color Story are lifesavers.
4. Staring at a screen long enough will make you want to stab your eyes out.
5. You can take 1000 photos, but you'll be lucky to get two good ones.
6. The number of followers that you have really doesn't matter.
7. That being said getting a new follower is basically the most exciting thing ever.
8. There's lots of screaming and flailing.
9. Blogging is a great excuse to introvert.
10. You're never done. Never.
11. Social media is the greatest thing ever.
12. It's also the worst thing ever, but we're being positive here.
13. Sometimes you just have to give up and go eat chocolate.
14. Comparison will make you miserable. Don't go there.
15. Bloggers are literally the most helpful people ever. Don't be afraid to ask if you need help.
16. Everything will take an hour longer than you think that it will.
17. Canva will be your best friend. It's free. Use it.
18. DON'T use lousy iPad apps for your header images. Learn from my mistakes.
19. Just because someone has a blog with a large following, that doesn't automatically make them arrogant or scary.
20. The more white space, the better.
21. It's totally normal to have 89382981 drafts.
22. Just because your blog doesn't look like A Beautiful Mess doesn't make you a failure.
23. Make a contact page.
24. Talk to people. Reach out. Bloggers are some of the coolest people ever- get to know them.
25. Be yourself. Trust me- if you're being fake, we can tell.
26. Write about what you're passionate about. Don't be something that you're not just because you think it will get you pageviews. Write with passion. THAT'S what people want to read.
27. Reply to comments. Leave comments. ALL THE COMMENTS.
28. Similarly, if someone's doing a fabulous job, TELL THEM! You'll make their day.
29. Don't look back at your first year of posts. It will make you cry.
30. Give credit where credit is due. If you got an idea from someone, say so. Don't steal it.
31. Time management is a very important skill.
32. The word "aesthetic" will soon become a staple in your vocabulary.
33. Don't feel like you constantly have to be perfect. You're human. It's okay.
34. Sometimes a post will randomly not get any comments and it's not your fault.
35. Pageviews can be amazing one day and terrible the next. Oftentimes it has nothing to do with you.
36. You'll quickly gain an incredible typing speed.
37. Taking aesthetic photos of food is fun because then you get to eat the food.
38. Sometimes the most random ideas for posts are the best ones.
39. Keep a notebook for blogging. Write down any ideas you have, because otherwise, trust me- YOU'LL FORGET.
40. You can get a blog post out of almost any experience.
41. Set a schedule, but don't stress over it. If you post a day late, it isn't going to be the end of the world.
42. Have a stockpile of generic posts ready. You're going to get busy, and it's nice to have something already written.
43. Read as many blogs as you can. You'll gain friends AND inspiration.
44. Guest posts are the most fun and exciting things ever.
45. If you try to do a cute DIY or recipe and it fails, post it anyway- I dare you. ;) It's fun to look back on.
46. You'll start to acquire tons of random items used for no other reason than blog props. It's okay. They're pretty. And trust me- it never hurts to have extra props around.
47. People are either going to think that you're awesome or you're crazy. (Or both) It doesn't matter either way.
48. Bloggers have the best book recommendations. (Looking at you, Olivia)
49. Sometimes, you just need a blogging hiatus to save your mental health.
50. You end up blogging for no other reason than the fact that you simply love it.

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What have YOU learned from blogging? 

34 comments:

  1. I LOVE this post, you're so smart in the way you write and you're funny too. You're definitely an awesome blogger.

    -T.
    x

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    1. Oh my, thank you so much Tane! That really means a lot ♥

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  2. Awesome list, I can definitely relate. One thing that I've learned from blogging is that I learn more about myself through what I write than I ever expected to. It's definitely a fun journey. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. It really is crazy how much you can learn about yourself through blogging! It's the coolest. Thank YOU for reading!

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  3. I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! *claps* You're just sooo inspiring. <3

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    1. You're so sweet, Hannah! I'm so happy that you enjoyed it.

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  4. This is so wonderful, I've learned so much from blogging :P I've learned that being outgoing is good and that trying new things is important. LOVELY post <3

    ~Noor

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    1. Trying new things is VERY important- still working on that one, haha. I'm glad that you liked it, Noor! :)

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  5. All of this was so accurate and applies to me *laughing emojis*

    Lottsssss of lessons are learned when you start blogging. Lots.

    I LOVE YOUR WRITING STYLE AND I LOVED THIS POST YOU'RE AMAZING :''')

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    1. So. Many. Lessons. *stares into the distance recalling trauma*

      ASDFGHJKL THANK YOU I LOVE YOUUUU <3

      Delete
  6. Love this list!! Very relatable x)

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  7. Okay so just some...things I related to were 9, 36, and 41. A lot of them were relatable and very encouraging! This post is awesome. And I have a question. What apps do you suggest for the main picture telling about your post. I don't really know what they're called.
    Ellie R.
    www.uniquelyyou1.blogspot.com
    I'm having a giveaway btw! :)

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    1. I love that you could relate, Ellie! :)

      I typically use Canva for my header photos. It's free and super simple to use:)

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  8. AAH I loved this post!
    I honestly am loving this blog series so much. I literally came home today, grabbed a snack, and read your post first thing. xD They're just so funny and relatable and awesome and SO TRUEEEEEEE.
    Your writing style is the best. <3
    #4 and #16 are SO TRUE IT MAKES ME CRINGE WAHH

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    1. OH MY GOODNESS THAT MAKES ME SO HAPPY!!! XD I'm so glad that you've enjoyed it, Autumn:) I know I'm just now replying to the comment but seriously when it first popped up in my email, I couldn't stop smiling:)
      YOU'RE THE BEST!
      AREN'T THEY??? Sometimes pain comes with blogging. XD

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  9. This list!!!!! You're the best at lists! I love this post sooo much.

    With love and all joy,
    Allie D.
    www.alliesblogdesigns.blogspot.com
    www.friendlovesatalltimes.blogspot.com
    www.sincerelyallied.blogspot.com
    www.spreadingmyjoy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hahahaha!! That one about the first year is so true though . . . my posts from my first year of blogging are like . . . ??? EWWWWW SAVE ME. ;)

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    1. SAMEEEEE! I just don't look back at those. It's not worth the mental trauma. XD

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  11. I love this, because it is SO STINKING ACCURATE!! I can completely relate to basically crying about my first year of blogging! Thankfully I switched blogs sometime along the way and I ended up deleting the other one! :p I still have some cringe-worthy posts somewhere in my archives though! :p

    Fabulous post, Grace! :)

    ~Megan<333
    (megans-journals.blogspot.com)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha, I have to admit, the thought of deleting some things definitely has popped into my head occasionally. I just try to ignore those archives;)

      I'm so happy you liked it, Megan!!! <3

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  12. Haha this post made me smile, so great! I think I have learnt some similar things. :)

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    1. I'm so happy that it made you smile, Jessie!:) Thank you so much for reading! ♥

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  13. THIS IS WAY TOO RELATABLE! Especially when you said it will usually take an hour longer than you expect. I agree that everyone in a while a Blogging Hiatus is 110% needed hah.. I tend to use this excuse way too often though, gotta get back on track! Lovely post!
    -Lauryn
    www.ElegantChances.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Like, you sit down thinking it will be an easy post and two hours later you're crying over formatting. I just checked out your blog, I love it! Following:)

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  14. "Sometimes you just have to give up and go eat chocolate." < yes and amen.
    "Comparison will make you miserable. Don't go there." <YES AND AMEN.

    So many good ones! That last one I copied and pasted... so true for literally every area of life.

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    1. It seriously is...so easy to write, so hard to actually live, haha.

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  15. YES to all of these! It's amazing that you learned all of this in 2 years. I've been blogging for 4 and feel like it took me forever to figure things out...haha.
    ~Jessica
    Jeans and a Teacup

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    1. Haha! Well, I just looked at your blog, and it's FABULOUS- you don't seem to have struggled too much;)

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  16. Loved this post Grace! <3 I could relate to so many of them, and lots I found really helpful! <3

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    1. I'm so glad you liked it, Hannah! Thanks for popping in!

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  17. Hi! I just found this blog from Bernie's blog (https://uniquelyyou1.blogspot.com/), and I LOVE YOUR LIST!

    I especially like 2, 5, 21, 32, 41, 47, and 50. I'd elaborate, but my comments are usually 194339587x longer than anyone else's, so I'll just summarize--AMEN TO ALL OF THEM!

    It's nice to meet you, *fsr assumes your name is Grace* *scrolls up to check* *am surprised and think I'm a mindreader* Grace!

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    Replies
    1. I'M SO GLAD!!!!!

      XD I feel you- I'm always that person who leaves a blog comment longer than the actual blog post!

      YAY FOR MINDREADING! It's nice to meet YOU! I'll have to check your blog out:)

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