As part of my Over To You theme, I was asked to write this post by Katie from Mummy In A Tutu.
Katie asked me to
write a letter from my current blogging self to my blogging self when I first started out, in particular, what I would tell myself, what I would warn myself about and what I would encourage myself with.
So here goes, thanks Katie.
Dear Past Me,
I look at you sitting there, your nervous little finger hovering over the publish button. It’s your first ever post – do you hit publish or not?
Does the post need changing? Will people like it?
Let me tell you, it makes absolutely no difference, because no one’s going to read it.
Why? Because you’re doing it all wrong.
You should have joined Twitter at least a month ago, or at the very least today. You definitely shouldn’t have waited almost two months, that was stupid. How did you expect anyone to even know you were writing a blog, let alone that you were wasting hours posting to it everyday hoping Harry Potter would stop by and wave his wand to get you some readers?
But you know what? You learned eventually, I can forgive you that mistake – you were new and had absolutely no idea what you were doing, or even if you were going to stick it out.
I smile watching you debating if you will do this long term. It’s been over a year now and to say you caught the blogging bug fast would be an understatement. That bug is still with us, if anything, 
it has an even stronger hold on us.
We’ve made friends with other bloggers, real friends who we talk to, not just about blogging, but about more than that. I won’t tell you who they are, you’ll find out soon enough. They know who they are, and I’m worried I’ll miss someone out.
I must tell you, you will go self hosted one day and it won’t be anywhere near as scary or hard as you think it will be, but you’re right to wait. You still know nothing about themes, HTML, running a site. To jump into that too soon would only put you off.
Use the time you have on Blogger to learn and experiment, and build up your readership. Every time you see someone else has gone self hosted, and every time you feel like cursing yourself for being on Blogger, remember even after you’ve been self hosted for over seven months, there will still be days when you miss Blogger.
Here’s a warning that will save you many meltdowns, tantrums and wondering if you’ve bitten off more than you can chew – don’t mess around with your theme’s coding until you know exactly what you are doing.
You will lose posts, pictures and have to go back in and try to figure out what you did and put it right. For the most part, you will put it right, but some stuff will always be lost. Take the time to learn about coding properly before you start messing around rather than waiting until after.
Speaking of pictures, take notice of all those posts that tell you about using images in your posts. I know you think that what you’re writing about doesn’t need an image – you say it with your words.
All those posts that tell you the internet is visual, and readers like images to accompany your words? They are all completely true. Of course, you’ll see that in time, but if you could just see it sooner, it would make your life so much easier.
That being said, trust your gut instinct when it comes to blogging advice posts. Remember, these are only someone’s opinion. There are no rules when it comes to blogging. What works like a dream for one person may not work for you.
You will read so many posts telling you your blog needs a niche. Here I am over a year later telling you that’s not true at all. Your voice is, and always will be, your niche. You don’t need to limit yourself, talk about whatever you want to. That’s kind of the point.
You organised a posting schedule pretty quickly – that was good. Without that, you would be lost and have no idea what
was going out when, which you know would only stress you out. Winging it is fun for so long, and it’s good to go off schedule now and again when the mood takes you, but generally speaking, it would be very hard to wing it every single day.
Try not to worry too much about stats. Sure, it’s good to check them, see yourself grow, but remember you will have bad days too. That won’t change. I don’t think it will ever change, so accept it now.
You need to know that blogging will change your life. I know that sounds corny, and little newbie you is sitting there rolling your eyes, but it will.
You will make new friends who share a passion for writing, you will be running two successful linkys (which you need to join in with as soon as you can so you can learn how they work) and co-running a Facebook group with three fantastic girls.
You will have finished your first novel, published your first book of short stories and started out ghost writing for other people. For money. Often more than you make at work. I kind of wish one year from now me could send me a letter telling me whether I should quit my day job and go for this, or whether I should wait it out a bit longer.
The most important thing I can tell you, which you must never lose sight of is that blogging should be fun.
Sure, it’s hard work and it’s very time consuming as your obsession develops, but it should never, ever feel like a chore. When it does, because inevitably it will at some point, you need to take a step back. Have a week off.
The world won’t stop turning, and your readers will come back, as will you – with a new motivation and fresh ideas.
Enjoy it – every single day.
Yours Sincerely,
Future You.
P.S. Get your social media follow buttons on your side bar now. No one is going to think you are special enough to hunt down, make it easy for people to find you.
Thanks for the question Katie 🙂
What would you tell your past blogging self? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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This is lovely to read, as someone who is still very much in the early days of “fling a lot around and see what sticks”. What has struck me most is how fast the blogging world moves, people who have absolutely zero experience one day can be hosting a linky a few months later and I find that incredible and motivational. Had you already written part of your novel before the blogging took off or did that come after? Either way, if the blogging has been a catalyst in you fulfilling a dream of being published, then that’s fantastic. What would I tell myself from a month ago…oh, turn off that auto DM from the Crowdfire app, you silly woman! Xx
Thank you 🙂 Yeah, it’s mental how fast everything moves in the blogosphere!
I had an idea in mind of what I wanted the novel to be about. Then I started my blog, and the whole idea changed completely. I started it about 3 months into blogging. Lol, I hope you’ve turned it off now haha! x
I don’t think I’d tell my early blogging self anything. I still have no idea what I’m doing.
For what it’s worth, I think you’re posts are fab so you’re definitely doing something right 🙂
This all made me smile – I was so green when I started (and I’m still pretty green around the edges) My saving grace was that I never expected anyone would read my blog and I had nothing that identified me for a long time. Finding a blogging community, making friends, having people tell me they read my stuff and love it is SUCH a blessing and the icing on the cake. One day I might self host but in the meantime I’m really happy in my little world and just wish I’d started doing it sooner!
It’s lovely when you realise people actually not only read your posts but like them! If you’re happy where you are then it does seem pointless moving. I wish I’d started sooner too!
fab post Debs. I enjoyed this and seeing your journey! Angela from Daysinbed 🙂
Thank Angela 🙂
I’d tell myself not to depend too much on people leaving comments. 🙂
Yes, another good one! A lot of people who read the posts don’t necessarily comment 🙂
This is a great post. There are quite a few things that you would have told yourself that I wish I could tell myself too, especially about using images. I still have a long way to go with my blog, but I have learned so much so far that I wish I had known before.
Thank you 🙂 I don’t think we ever stop learning with our blogs, but when you look back, you always wish you had known more sooner.
Brilliant post! Interesting thought, what would I tell myself and would I change what happened. I wrote a post ages ago that you may have missed where I spoke about how I write under a pseudonym, my real name is Kylie if you missed that. I think if I went back I would have the courage to write under my real name, as sometimes I feel it creates a barrier. I did it for safety reasons at the time, and now I regret it in a way, even though I know I had strong reasons for doing it. Now I have such a large following and my ‘brand’ is known as mg, it feels hard to change all that, like starting over. Anyway I feel I am rambling. Thanks so much for the fav badge this week I was so surprised and excited xx #Anythinggoes
Thank you, I really enjoyed writing this. I did miss that one, I had no idea MacKenzie wasn’t your real name! I started out kind of anonymous, I didn’t use a pseudonym I just didn’t use a name at all, looking back, I don’t even know why really. I think changing now would be hard as people associate you with your brand. You’re not rambling, I love long comments 🙂 You’re really welcome x
Thanks lovely, and thank you for the advice x
Ohh love this and wouldn’t be great if you could get a letter form your future self to see if you’re still blogging in a year? I knew nothing when I started blogging either, I used Twitter from the start but it still took longer than I thought to get people reading. You’re so right about blogging should be fun, I’ve taken a few breaks from it all when it starts to feel hard work as it’s supposed to be a hobby not a chore after all.xx #anythinggoes
Thank you 🙂 It would be fab wouldn’t it! Yes, it’s definitely supposed to be fun and it’s awful when that goes away x
This was so good to read and a clever format. I still feel so new to it all, that I probably can’t tell myself too much at the moment. I just know that I love writing! Actually, I would tell myself about linkys and the importance of Twitter – I loved your comment about Harry Potter, waving his wand, that’s so true! Alison #AnythingGoes
Thank you 🙂 I think loving writing is the most important part, the rest comes with time. It would be good if he was around lol
This was a nice read. Its always nice to see how far you’ve came as a blogger. I’m 2 years in and i still feel like a newbie sometimes.
Thanks for hosting #AnythingGoes xx
Thank you 🙂 I have no doubt I’ll still feel that way in a year too! x
This is such a great post with great advice. I wrote a blog before I started my current one and always wondered why I had no readers, it was because I was not advertising it! Doh! I love your writing, I am glad you hit that publish button! Thanks for hosting #AnythingGoes xxx
Thank you so much 🙂 I’m glad too, I just wish I’d done it sooner x
I wish I had started my current blog sooner too, hindsight is a wonderful thing 🙂 popping back in from #BloggerClubUK
Great tips! I like the advice that blogging should be fun. I always have to bear in mind that this is my hobby and like you say if I don’t write or miss a linky the world won’t stop turning. Thanks for reminding me. #TwinklyTuesday
Thank you 🙂 It’s amazing how easy it is to lose sight of that sometimes!
Ah what a tonne of achievements and you’re right no clue when you first start! I had no clue of the community, I just wanted to write! It’s so funny. The self hosted bit made me smile – what a stress! Xx #twinklytuesday
Lovely post, and very true! I think we all made the same mistakes when we first started out! I’m still getting the hang of blogging but I’ve definitely caught the bug already! Here’s to plenty more years! #TwinklyTuesday
Thank you 🙂 Yes, I think mistakes are inevitable, especially when you’re new. I’ve got the bug too!
For what it’s worth, I think you should quit your job and its rude custommers and go for it 😉 You are very talented and I always enjoy reading your posts. So many good points in here. I am barely starting the blogging stuff and I am nodding when I read it.
#TwinklyTuesday
I already have read and comment this post! 😤 All these linkies you host and your book, where do you find the time?!
#BloggerClubUK
I get asked that a lot and I really don’t know lol, I do a lot on a night!
Thank you. I’m really glad you enjoy the posts 🙂 I really think I will one day!
What a great letter Debbie, you have certainly inspired me. I’ve had so much going on in my personal life lately that blogging has taken a back seat but I’m determined to get back up and get joining all the linkies again! Well done on your books and achievements! Tor xx
Thank you 🙂 Sometimes it all gets too much doesn’t it! Great to see you back again. Thank you x
Such a great post, beautifully written but equally informative. I did laugh at the P.S, that sounds like something my Mum would have told me, people will hunt you down on social media!! #TwinklyTuesday
Thank you 🙂 I’m not sure if that’s good or bad, so I’m going assume your mum is very wise and take it as good haha 🙂
wow this is absolutely amazing, yes blogging should be fun #TwinklyTuesday
Thank you 🙂 It really should be
really great post – thanks for sharing 🙂 lots of points you have made me smile to myself 🙂 #anythinggoes
Thank you, I’m glad you liked it 🙂
This is great. I can’t even remember what prompted me to start blogging really other than I wanted to document Oliver’s progress and so my first blog was born. I was a complete novice and never cared about followers or hits! #anythinggoes
Thank you 🙂 That’s a good reason to start and gives you an immediate direction
I love this – I’m 9 months in and still finding my feet, I didn’t join twitter until a couple of months ago – what a mistake!!!
I think I would tell myself to stop being so scared put yourself out there – I still don’t really know any other blogger. Great post.
Thank you 🙂 Don’t let fear stop you talking to people, the blogging community is lovely. Just hop right in on Twitter and blog comments. I remember wondering if I should leave comments and being in two minds. Bloggers love comments and chatting, never be worried about that 🙂
Great post full of useful things! I used to blog about 12 years ago and really enjoyed it but gave it all up when I met my other half! Just started again now so funny starting from scratch again but lovely to have somewhere to write stuff down again! #twinklytuesday
Thank you 🙂 It must be good coming at it with a bit experience and a different perspective!
This is immensely helpful and quite touching. Thank you. 🙂 #AnythingGoes
Thank you, I’m glad you liked it 🙂
This what shocked me most. How fast this world moves!! Its great though when you get comments and tweets and realise people are actually reading what you blog about!
Keep going! you are one of my favs 🙂
Lx
#TwinklyTuesday
It flies by! It really is a great feeling when you start to build up a readership that interact. Especially when they leave a lovely comment like this one, thank you 🙂 x
I love this idea, I would tell myself so much! I code for a living and I’d still warn myself about the dangers of messing around with it, haha, so you’re not the only one. #bloggerclubuk
Thank you 🙂 It’s good to know even the pros worry about messing with code!
This is such a good idea for a blog post. There are quite a few things I’d tell my past blogging self. One would definitely be not to worry too much about stats. So many bloggers are obsessed by them. #BloggerClubUK
I’m sort of in the middle with stats. I like looking at them, I like knowing them, but I still post whatever I want. I usually have an idea what won’t do so well when I post it, but it goes out anyway – and sometimes, those posts surprise me!
This should be required reading for every new blogger. Like you, I waited WAY too long to join Twitter (and even longer to join Facebook). I would have told myself to get social sooner – not to help my stats, but because social media is a great way to get involved with the fantastic blogging community. I’d also tell myself not to worry so much about page views and followers – as long as I’m proud of my writing and enjoy what I’m doing, then I’m totally winning. #BloggerClubUK
I could write so many of these to myself about a number of things. Blogging wise I’m still just going with the flow, but I totally need to do this social links thing too. Not a bloody clue. Haha! #bloggerclubuk
Going with the flow is a good way to do it 🙂 I still feel clueless over half the time lol
I would have so much to tell myself and I only started out 2 months ago. The fear of self hosting is now upon me. Researching the life out of it! Ekkk. I think I’d cry if I lost a post- probably slightly obsessed with this blogging malarkey:) nice to read your tips to yourself #bloggerclubuk
Just remember it’s really not as hard as it sounds. Take each stage as it comes instead of looking at the entirety of it. I’m totally obsessed too (and I did cry a bit lol). Thank you 🙂
Debbie this is brilliant – what a great question from Mummy in a Tutu – I so agree about the twitter – I also waited 2 months – felt like too much to learn what with only just having learnt how to write a blog. Also good advice about social media buttons too! And I love that you write ‘enjoy it – every single day’ – I do and I feel so lucky to have joined the blogging club #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 It was a fab question. If people only take one thing from this post, I want it to be the part about enjoying it, everything else is just part of the package!
Ahhh I needed to hear this today! Thanks 😊 Lovely post! X
Whoops! Forgot my hashtag #BloggerClubUK #firsttimer !
No worries, welcome to the linky 🙂
Thank you, I’m glad you liked it 🙂 x
Hey Debbie! I loved this. Especially when you said ‘You will read so many posts telling you your blog needs a niche. Here I am over a year later telling you that’s not true at all. Your voice is, and always will be, your niche. You don’t need to limit yourself, talk about whatever you want to. That’s kind of the point.’
The niche business has had me fretting for months. Trying to balance things. Problem is, there’s so much I like to write about.
You’ve come so far!
What social media sidebar plug in is this? I like it.
Thanks for sharing. I really do like using the letter to self idea to look back on your blogging life. It makes it a really engaging post. ~BloggerBlubUK
Thank you 🙂 The niche was something that really scared me, I’m glad I didn’t give in and try to limit myself. It’s the first time I’ve written like this and I really enjoyed writing it.
The sidebar: The sharing one on the left is SumoMe. The follow buttons on the right aren’t a plug in, it’s just a code in a widget box. If you mean that one, send me an email and I’ll send you the code to use.
BloggerBlubUK!!!!! I’ve created my own linky….I mean #BloggerClubUK
Lol, a linky for us to sit and have a cry haha 🙂
What a wonderful journey your blog has taken you on so far and so interesting to read what you would have said to yourself when you first started based on what you know now. In all honesty, I think there are many things we have to learn for ourselves along the way and that it what helps us grow as bloggers and as people. I do love your comment about your voice being your niche – that’s such a good reminder that you don’t have to fit within a certain box if you don’t want to, that you can just be yourself and write about the things you want to write about. #bloggerclubuk
Thank you 🙂 It’s funny because when it’s happening, you don’t see how far you’ve come, and writing this post made me see it. It took me a long time to see that my voice is my niche, when I did it was like a eureka moment!
Good to know I’m not the only one who has no idea what they’re doing.
You’re definitely not alone in feeling that way!
Whoops! Forgot my #BloggerClubUK
This post really made me smile, I can relate to so much of it – especially publishing my first post and thinking I’d get traffic. (and needing to get on social media, and not messing with the coding!) For me doing it all wrong is how I learned, so I wouldn’t change a thing – except maybe having more page views 🙂
I know what you mean, in some ways I’m glad I did it wrong early on before I had many people to notice! More page views would be fab 🙂
Oh reading this makes me realise there are so many things I need to tell my future self. One of them being just relax. I am only 6 months into blogging and rome wasn’t build in a day. I am doing this as a hobby. my full-time gig is my 4 kids. Sometimes i put myself under pressure to do more and get better and SEO and followers. All in good time……thanks for sharing this.
I definitely agree about relaxing – blogging should be fun not stressful 🙂 Thank you
I use blogger (I do love it though!!) and everytime I read a comment about leaving blogger for sh WordPress it makes me wonder if I am making a huge mistake by staying. Is it possible to be successful at blogging on blogger?? I know brummymummyof2 uses it and a few others, but definitely in the minority! I am coming up to a year of blogging in a couple of months and I’ve learnt an awful lot but still a long way t go!! #twinklytuesday
I wondered the same, which was a big part of the reason I moved. I know a fair few successful bloggers who are on Blogger. I think the main differences are on self hosted, you have complete control – you can post what you want and not risk getting shut down. On Blogger, Google own your content and can shut your blog down if they decide it’s broken a rule somewhere. Also, I find WP is easier to customise, but honestly, if you’re happy where you are, I definitely think you can be a successful blogger on Blogger.
Thanks for the reply – I’ve come back to your post via #bloggerclubuk so thought I’d have a read of the other comments and responses (that IS one thing that annoys me about blogger – no response notifications) I have signed up to WordPress just to be allowed to comment on some blogs, but I don’t use it – I logged in a few weeks ago just to have a look and noticed loads and loads of notifications where people had replied to comments of written Whilst logged in – oops!!
lol oops! I always reply to comments, if someone takes the time to comment, I think it’s common decency to reply, but I don’t think many people check back to be honest!
I absolutely loved reading this! I am completely new to blogging and, yes!, I also made the mistake of starting off before even figuring out how to use Twitter (still figuring it out!). Themes and HTML-yep, still means not a lot at the moment but I’m hoping my site looks a LOT better by the end of the year-if I even get there! Maybe I should start writing a letter to my future self about…
Thank you 🙂 You will get there, it might not feel like it now but you will. It’s a steep learning curve, but an extremely fun one. Enjoy the ride!
haha.. its literally like reading a letter to me when I started 6 weeks ago lol – so many things you can do, will want to try, will get wrong etc etc but as long as you still love it and enjoy it, thats the main thing! I love reading your posts, so keep doing what your doing! Oh I need to get my social media on a side bar too… thanks fro reminding me 😉 #bloggerclubuk
It’s definitely a learning curve, but it is loads of fun too. Mistakes will be made, but like you say if you still love it after the mistakes, you know it’s for you. No worries 🙂
I think I would have told myself not to lose sight of the fact that blogging is fun. Not to get too serious about it or caught up in stats and followers. Just write… because that’s why I started blogging #bloggerclubUK
That’s such good advice, it’s too easy to get caught up in stats and forget why you started in the first place
Aww really interesting to see your thoughts looking back, quite an emotional read! You’ve done way more than I can imagine ever doing in 5 or 10 years of blogging! 🙂 It’s great (and reassuring) to read that despite a few teething problems, blogging has brought you so much positivity. #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 I felt a bit emotional writing it! It really has brought me so much positivity and it’s shown me anything is possible!
What a fab letter your past self…to be honest I agree with most of the points you mentioned, but even though I have been blogging a year nearly sometimes I still have no clue what I am doing. Lol. I’m sure we will all get there one day. #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 I’m the same, some days I still feel so new!
I have been nodding along to your post, which is fab by the way. Out of everything, going self hosted is the thing that plagued me the most when I first started out and then realised that perhaps I should have gone self hosted from the beginning. But it all worked out in the end. A letter from me to me would be a brilliant series or tag post 🙂 #BloggerClubUK X
Thank you 🙂 Yes, it does all work out in the end however we get there x
I love this post! I would just love to receive a letter from my future self, to see if it’s all worth it in the end because I love blogging. I didn’t use Twitter straight away either, in fact I think I waited about 2/3 months before I got it which I regret. I found it all so scary to start with, especially the blogging community, it still scares me a littlr to connect since I don’t have anyone I really talk to in the blogging community. I think self hosting is a bit of a scare when you think about it but it’s not so bad once you do it. Great post! #BloggerClubUK
Jordanne
Thank you 🙂 I wish I had actually received the letter at the time! It is scary at first, but really, everyone’s so nice, if you see something you want to talk about, jump in, that’s the beauty of Twitter.
This is a wonderful post, what a great idea from Katie! I have only been blogging since February so I don’t have too much to tell myself yet other than how much I will enjoy it and how many fabulous people I will speak to. You’re not the first blogger I admire who has said not to worry about finding a niche which makes me happy! I am so happy that all these opportunities have opened up to you. #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 Those are the two main things, so you’re winning! I still don’t have a niche, and I’m pretty certain I never will.
A great idea! I am only 5 months into blogging and have learnt so much already! I am hopefully that a post after a year would show how much I have learnt. #BloggerClubUK
This is fab! I saw myself in the very first sentences – the newbie who had no idea what she was doing (and maybe still doesn’t). And yes, I thought I would never ever need Twitter or anything but FB. How naive. 😀 #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 We were all that newbie once! When you look back it is, but at the time, you really believe it
I’m still in my early days but I would definitely say to myself be ready to get organised!! Self hosting is still a daunting prospect so I’m going to watch and learn!! Fab post 😊 #bloggerclubuk
The thought of doing it is more daunting than the actual process, it’s not as bad as I imagined it would be by a long shot. Thank you 🙂
Great post! Some of your advice really resonated – all things I’ve had to learn the hard way too! X
#BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 As long as we learn from mistakes, it’s not so bad! x
Great letter and great advice. I’ve only been blogging 4 months and can certainly relate to many of these anxieties and issues. I’ve still got the .wordpress.com at the end of my website as this just started out as a family diary and hobby. However, like you, the more I get hooked the more I’m looking at options to upgrade. I might make that a 1st blogging birthday wish haha.
Potty Adventures
#bloggerclubUK
Thank you 🙂 Good luck if you do choose to make the jump – it’s really not as bad as you imagine it will be!
I can relate to so many of these so it’s nice to know that I’m not alone . I think the biggest one is stats I was so obsessed with checking mine but now I’m happy if only one person reads it ! #bloggerclubuk
That’s the beauty of blogging – whatever mistakes you make, someone somewhere has already made them and will be willing to help you fix them 🙂 I do like checking stats, but now I don’t worry over them, I just like to know what they are
I can relate to so many of these so glad it’s not just me !. Especially stats I became a little obsessed with watching my stats but now I am happy if one person reads it !! #bloggerclubuk
Oh my goodness…there is so much I can relate to in this! I’m 7 months in now and understand every word. Nervousness,niche,social media—everything. Love it!
Thank you, I’m glad it made sense to you 🙂
Love this! So good to hear where people have come from with their blog and how. There are so many points here that resonate with me. Except the scheduling bit, that’s way too organised for me! But the self hosting, writing and taking time off if it gets too much of a pressure- yes definitely! #BloggerClubUK X
Thank you 🙂 I definitely think a break is needed sometimes x
Brilliant! i think we’d all tell our earlier blogging selves a few things. I would tell myself to not use some random platform you’d never heard of and start on WordPress. What was I thinking. My whole site broke and I had to move anyway. Oh well. #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 Oh no what a nightmare! Glad you got moved and are still blogging!
This is a great read for someone who only started out a few months ago…and opted for the self hosted route from Day 1 (what was I thinking?!).
Pleased to hear that you think a niche isn’t the bee all and end all, I still keep thinking should I have one, when I throw out my random posts.
And note to self – move my social media follow buttons! Thanks for the tip
#BloggerClubUK
Wow, talk about going in at the deep end lol 🙂 I just post whatever I want to now, and I don’t worry about a niche. You’re welcome 🙂
Brilliant question and letter to yourself! So much good advice for me too. I enjoyed it #bloggerclubUK
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
It’s like you wrote this to me! Although I am not sure I will catch on as quickly as you did! I love a blogging guru! Thanks for having me!! #bloggerclubuk
I’m sure you will! I’m glad it’s helped you and you’re welcome here anytime 🙂
I think I would tell my past self “if you’re going to do it, be consistent and be ready to learn” but it’s never too late, I am learning, I am growing and I am loving blogging. #bloggerclubuk
I love the bit about it’s never too late 🙂
Great post. I only started in January and as much as I’ve learnt so far, I’ve still got a long way to go! x #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 There’s always something new to learn but if you do it in manageable stages it is still loads of fun 🙂
I would tell my past blogger self that the first year of blogging will go so quickly and you will feel that you haven’t achieved anything but actually you have achieved a lot! I would also advise myself past self to start a blogging schedule sooner rather than later! Thanks for sharing this fab post #bloggerclubuk
Yes, the years just fly by don’t they! Thank you 🙂
I’m not sure I have anything I’d tell myself just yet…I’ve only been blogging 3 months and whilst I’m sure I have learned a hell of a lot in that time, I still feel like I’m totally clueless!
#bloggerclubuk
I often still feel that way now!
Love this letter, such great advice. I am still new and already I’m telling myself I should have started earlier as I really enjoy it. I have found the blogging community to be so helpful and supportive, you are all awesome. How do you fit it all in though?! #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 I love the community, it’s one of my favourite things about blogging. Lots of late nights lol 🙂
SO true about not messing around with the back end and learning to code properly before messing with it! Wise words indeed. Thank you, Jo
Thank you, I just wish I had learned that myself before I tried it lol!
Thank you for your letter, I’m still thinking a lot of what past you was thinking, especially about going self hosted 🙂 #BloggerClubUK
If you do decide to do it, it really isn’t as bad as you think it will be 🙂 Feel free to contact me if you need any help
Great post! I may need to bookmark this for when I’m feeling blog beat 😂. Stay calm, blog what you know and don’t glue your eyes to the stats page! 😃
Thank you 🙂 Agree with all three of those!
Such a fun letter to write to your former self. Oh how blogging really does change your life.
Thank you 🙂 It really does!
Oh my word you hit the nail on the head…I over thought a lot before starting to blog and took long to start and when I did I was not sure what to write or what to expect and got caught up in…I am still not self hosted…But true to it I have made new friends as I decided not to limit myself and instead write what I feel. I also discovered Linkys and it has helped me a lot in growing organically and learning how to blog. Thank you for writing this post as I wish had read it last year…it will help many
In that way, I’m glad I just jumped in at the deep end, or I probably never would have started. It’s great that you’ve made friends and discovered linkys, they are a fab way to get traffic. Thank you 🙂
Oh, I love this Debbie! I’m glad you got on the Twitter bandwagon – it’s definitely the place to be for bloggers. I too used to sit nervously before hitting publish & I too had no idea how much blogging would change my life! And all of the wonderful friendships I would find. #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 Better than late than never for Twitter! It’s crazy how much it changes your life. If someone had told me that before I started, I would have laughed at them!
I love this, and it’s good to hear your thoughts on blogging. It is so hard to begin with, and then gets harder and more time-consuming as your blog gets more successful. Definitely agree with you on self-hosting, I dily dallyed about for ages thinking it was hard, but actually pretty easy. Claire x #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 It does get harder and takes longer. I think as you grow and know people will see your posts, you put much more effort in! It’s nowhere near as bad as you think it’ll be is it x
Love this! Its ok I only waited 4 years to go self-hosted (i too miss blogger occ), join twitter and actually stop flitting around and get on and take it seriously! LOL! Definitely agree just enjoy it – otherwise what is the point of blogging at all?! x
Thank you 🙂 I’m glad someone else misses Blogger! I think we all do it in our own time, and that was the time that was right for you. x
Some great advice here and love the idea of writing back to your newbie blogger self! Looking back is always a good way of seeing how far we have come isn’t it? I hope this also gives you the confidence to realise how much more success you can have in the future too. x #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 It really did let me see how far I’ve come, I surprised myself! It definitely has x
What a great way to give advice – in a fun format! Love it, thanks for sharing! ##bloggerclubuk
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
A wonderful letter and all so true. I remember being so nervous when I hit that publish button for the first time thinking the whole world was going to see my words – little did I know how tricky it actually was to get them seen lol! Great advice, thank you x #bloggerclubuk
Thank you 🙂 I remember doing the same thing, worried that everyone would see it. Really, I should have been worried that no one would lol x
Hi Debbie, I think you just about covered anything I would tell my old blogging self. I was slow off the mark too with social media, so if I could go back in time I would get acquainted with that first.
As bloggers we could probably go back to our old self on a yearly basis as there is always so much to learn.
xx
Thank you 🙂 That’s so true, just when you feel like you’ve sussed something, another thing comes along lol x
I LOVE this. Isn’t it amazing how we all seem to have felt the same panic and insecurities when we started out? Loving the solidarity Debbie, thanks so much for sharing! XX #bloggerclubuk
Thank you 🙂 I think all bloggers go through similar things and if reading this helps someone not do some of the things I did then I’m happy 🙂 x
Inspire and Flourish #1 – Over Heaven's Hill
[…] love My Random Musings, Debbie is an honest and interesting writer. This post, which is a letter to her younger blogging self, is perfect for would be bloggers and made me think about my current stance as a blogger. […]
This is such an interesting thing to do, and an even more interesting one to read! I really enjoyed sharing some of your advice to yourself, I need as much as I can get!! #BloggerClubUK
Thank you, I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Great advice, hindsight is a wonderful thing isn’t it! #BloggerClubUK
It really is! Thank you 🙂
Great post & great idea from Katie! It’s interesting to hear people’s journeys, and highlights just how much there is to learn in blogging! #anythinggoes
Thank you 🙂 I hadn’t realised how much I had learned until I wrote this!
This is great advice that I need to follow! Coding still scares the heck out of me but I need to sort other stuff out before then like my social media and making sure I include photos! I would love to give up my day job and write. Writing has always been my passion and my blog has totally reawaken that. I hope I can write a letter like this in a year’s time and list off writing successes like you. #bloggersclubuk
Thank you 🙂 Coding is scary lol! It does get easier once you learn a few of the basics, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend tweaking it too much until you’re confident. I love writing and giving up the day job and being paid to write all day would be the dream. I hope you can too, I would love to read it 🙂
Yes! Keep it fun, and blog from the heart! And I’ve got lots of improvements to make yet!
Thank you 🙂 Me too!
I don’t think I’ll ever reach a point where there isn’t something that could be improved on!
Oh if only we could really have told our mewbie blogging self just what it is like and things you need to know. Well done on all your achievements you’ve done amazingly well. #bloggerclubuk xx
It would have been fab wouldn’t it! Thank you 🙂 x
Lovely letter! I really like what you say about knowing that blogging will change your life. It really has changed mine too, yet when I started I was completely clueless to the amazing effect it would have on my life #blogstorm
Thank you 🙂 It really does have a huge effect doesn’t it, and I was clueless too. If I had read someone saying that this would change my life before I started I would have laughed!
Really well written, love it! I haven’t even attempted coding yet (18 months of earnest blogging down the line!) and totally for the reasons you outline here! I’m very glad I started out on wordpress but in hindsight wish I’d gone self-hosted much sooner… #bloggerclubuk
Thank you 🙂 Yeah, it was pretty dumb going into coding so soon and before I had any idea what any of it meant!
I love hearing about other peoples blogging journeys! Give me hope and inspiration for my own 😊 thanks for hosting #bloggerclubuk
Me too, I love a good nosey into other blogger’s lives 🙂 Thanks for linking up!
Inspire and Flourish #1 – Over Heaven’s Hill
[…] love My Random Musings, Debbie is an honest and interesting writer. This post, which is a letter to her younger blogging self, is perfect for would be bloggers and made me think about my current stance as a blogger. (Also […]
Blogging Best #1 - A weekly round up of favorite parenting blogs
[…] love My Random Musings, Debbie is an honest and interesting writer. This post, which is a letter to her younger blogging self, is perfect for would be bloggers and made me think about my current stance as a blogger. (Also […]
I’ve read this a few times now Debbie and each time I love it a little bit more – it took me ages to join Twitter and other social media, I definitely thought if I built it they would come! (PS I think I’ve commented a few times now but I can’t find my others)
Thank you 🙂 I remember thinking writing the posts was all there was to it lol! I haven’t deleted them I promise
Love, love, love this! I think this captures so much of what I would say! Thanks a lot for linking it up to #blogstorm
Thank you and thanks for hosting 🙂
A Letter to My Past Self - My Random Musings
[…] two years ago, I wrote a post that was a letter from my current blogging self to my past blogging self. At the time, I had just started freelance writing, and although I had barely begun, I had already […]