YES I'VE BEEN BLOGGING A LITTLE OVER THREE MONTHS, and I feel really old like I've been blogging three years. I feel like I'm one of you. (Huh. I am. But I'm still kind of a newbie. xD) And let me say IT'S BEEN AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE SO FAR. I've learned so much (hence the post title). I mean, I confess: I thought I knew all I needed to know before I began from reading other people's tips. But you know, they say there's a difference between "knowing" from just hearing and agreeing, and "knowing" from actually having experienced it yourself. I mean, I know that may sound cliche, but HELLO, IT IS TRUE. Don't assume you know before it's happened.
Because friends, BLOG DESIGN IS HARD. I've sweated over it for days and nights. And there are things that may be daunting at first. Like looking for free templates and trying to upload them and then customize and ugh. SOMEONE HELP. I get a headache just thinking about it. But you know, when you get the hang of it, it's actually kind of fun. (But still a headache.) The number one lesson I learned in blogging is NEVER SAY YOU CAN'T DO IT. And I didn't learn this from the writing part. Nope. The writing is the easiest part of blogging. I learned this from the technical aspect trying to make your blog look good.
2. ASK, SEEK, AND KNOCK.
Because, hey, you don't know everything. Don't pretend to. I came up against problems I couldn't solve. So what do you do? You go look for answers. First, ask Google. Because Google is a writer's best friend. Google knows all. He will refer you to the experts. Like I wanted to find out how to get my profile pic in the sidebar. What did I do? I asked Google. I wanted to know how to get the "pages" gadget working. I asked Google. Then, also you got to look for information and collect it. When you come across a "how to" post on a friend's blog - store it in your memory. I did. So when I started I knew just whom to go to and I went and searched their archives until I found what I was looking for. Last but not least, if these fail, go knock on someone's door (or, virtual door - send them an email) and get their advice. They are SO MUCH MORE EXPERIENCED THAN YOU, and chances are they'll be honored to help. Don't be afraid to ask them :D When I did, the person actually THANKED ME for asking her - hehe ;)
Before I started blogging, I used to roll my eyes when they talked about how important aesthetic was and about color schemes and the like. #stupid. Inkwell and blogger basically whopped my head and yelled, "TOLD YOU. NOW YOU KNOW." Hahaha. Guys, I've joined the ranks who say, aesthetic is everything. Not that I have particularly noticed a big difference in results between my various designs, but THE DIFFERENCE IS IN MY SATISFACTION. I'm kind of a perfectionist. I've been tweaking things forever and I'm still tweaking things, and I fear I'll never stop tweaking things. But I've learned. I've looked at my aesthetically favorite blogs, and learned from them. I'm working on my Pinterest boards. I'm collecting. And hey, it's stressful. Especially when you see other places looking so much nicer. When you suddenly realize you want to change it, just like that, and all the work of previous days, weeks, months has gone to waste. When at 11 o'clock at night you remember you have to do something and you don't sleep well because you are worrying about it (#Exaggeration). Aesthetic is beautiful, but aesthetic is also STRESS. When you haven't yet mastered it.
4. YOUR LIFE DEPENDS OF PHOTOS
At least my blog life does. And hey IT'S TOUGH. I'm no photographer. Not yet. Blogging is forcing me to learn. Not that I don't like it or it's not my interest - I just never had the chance. It didn't cross my mind. Photo taking, finding, and editing takes up as much time in post-prep as the writing does. Take my review of The Blood Race as an example. The night I finish the book, I hand write a four page review in .... maybe ... fifteen minutes. The next day I type it and tweak it ... half an hour? But the photos. HELP. All morning. Considering the fact I was doing quote memes, it was more work. First I had to search the book for the quotes. Then I had to copy them. I found appropriate background images (took forever). I edited them on Canva. IT TAKES SO MUCH TIME TO GET IT DONE TO YOUR SATISFACTION. Taking them takes work. Finding them takes time. Pinterest and Unsplash and Pixabay are my saviors, guys. And Canva and Picmonkey are lifelines.
5. PERFECTION DOESN'T HAVE TO COME RIGHT AWAY
And this is the most important one. These are all hard things to do, and you can easily start feeling discouraged or fed up with yourself because your blog isn't #goals. But hey, everyone begins somewhere. It's journey. Who's going to fault you for the fact that it isn't yet perfect? Theirs aren't either, in their opinion. They too are changing things! So don't feel bad that you haven't reached it yet. Your blog (or life for that matter) will never be absolutely perfect. Face it. Even when you are doing it all right, Google decides you're having it too easy and throws you a glitch. (Like ugh can anyone help me figure out why my scheduled posts never post???) But that's just how it's going to be. Roll with it. Enjoy the journey despite the obstacles. Don't wait for things to be perfect before you start enjoying yourself, or being productive. Have fun on the way. We're all in it together :D
so keep on reaching towards the stars,
>> Lisa
how long have you been blogging, friend?
what are the most important things you have learned?
anything relatable here?
[sidenote: you may want to check out these three awesome giveaways Rebekah Eddy is having at her place! you have 14 days left!]
[sidenote: you may want to check out these three awesome giveaways Rebekah Eddy is having at her place! you have 14 days left!]
My word, I feel like you've been doing this for much longer than me. You're blog honestly inspires me so much. Congrats on three months. 😁😁
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ivie ^-^ Honestly you inspire me too more than you know - just with your honesty and realism and your enthusiasm and friendfulness ... that's not even a word but I think it describes things better than friendliness? Anyway :D
DeleteCanva is the best. No joke. XD
ReplyDelete*nods* I have no arguments.
DeleteCongrats for the three months!
ReplyDeleteSoooo true about the photos....I didn't do a lot of photos in the beginning, so my posts looked like boring old text books. Then I did my Valentines Day Couples post and needed pictures. That one (I think) has the most pictures of all my posts and it's the highest viewed post of mine. Coincidence? Don't think so.
Catherine
catherinesrebellingmuse.blogspot.com
Thanks Catherine!
DeleteI think I may have also read that post of yours, but I'm not sure? I think it's definitely true that pictures heighten a post's appeal. It would definitely be interesting to analyze our blog stats, don't you think? Don't go look at how terrible my first few posts were xD
I have been starting to work on my blog a bit more. I needed this encouragement, thanks!
ReplyDeleteAww thanks so much <3 Working on blogs can really take time and effort :D But you'll do splendid with whatever you come up! And I like your current blog look too :)
DeleteYou ARE one of us, but I'm also new (it has been nine months since I started blogging). Your blog is way more goals than mine, lol! XD
ReplyDelete"Google is a writer's best friend. Google knows all." Ahem, how true, how true. XD
*high fives* OH WOW SOON YOUR ANNIVERSARY WILL BE COMING UP O.O Aww thank you girl <333
DeleteHehee glad you agree xD
Nice post! I can definitely relate with all of the blogs I've been through. *sigh* Ah, yes! Unsplash is my life saver for photos 'cuz honestly, mine aren't that great. :P
ReplyDeleteJust recently found your blog and followed, and it is absolutely lovely! You've done such a nice job with the design and everything! :D
Thank you! Ikr? My photo taking skills could sure use some work too :P Well, WELCOME THEN!!! And um - THANKS AGAIN? Yay ^-^ I'm glad you like it! I ran over to your place and followed you back! Can't wait to hang around with you and get to know you!
DeleteCanva!!!!! It is my best friend, even more so than Google. XD Actually, no, I think they're tied!
ReplyDeleteThese are some wonderful lessons to have learned. Blogging really is a learning and growing experience, and I think your blog is really lovely, so great job! I always look forward to your posts. :D
It's really hard to decide isn't it??? xD
Delete*wise nod* You're so right. Isn't everything all about learning? That's why it's good to like growing!! *hugs* you're so sweet -- thanks a million. Omw that's so encouraging and good to hear!!! <3
Thank you so much for this post, Lisa! And your blog is SO PRETTY. I'm jealous :D
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome then! THANKYOUGIRL <333 you really make me smile -- don't be too jealous -- I like your blog too!!!
DeleteOMW THIS IS TRUTH. Especially all those things about graphic design, like HELLO ME. I probably spend more time looking for a blog post photo than I do actually making the graphic to go with the post. xD Your blog is RIDICULOUSLY aesthetic for someone who's been blogging for only three months though- I didn't figure out how to download and customize a blog template until I'd been blogging for at least nine months. *thumbs up*
ReplyDelete*nodnod* That is a point. I wonder if I spend more time searching or editing the picture? Depends on number of pictures and how many need editing, I guess xD OMW THO -- THANK YOU!!! I can't imagine your blog at three months xD It's pretty cool to think though, that all the "advanced" bloggers we know once were baby bloggers too ^-^ Yours has been a super great model though -- *high fives*
DeleteOkay, so I'm still slightly in shock that you've only been blogging for three months?? HOW EVEN?? Your blog is epic, Lisa! And UGH, I agree that finding pictures for posts is the worst! I've slowly taken to just using pictures of my own bookshelf/books, just to eliminate all the hours of searching xD.
ReplyDelete~ Savannah | Scattered Scribblings
OH STARS, YOU ARE SO SWEET AND EPIC YOURSELF <333 I love all your photos -- I'd do that too but 1) I don't have enough books or a pretty enough shelf, 2) I don't have a good camera, 3) my current house doesn't have good enough lighting xD Someday though! I promise I'll work on it!
DeleteI STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU'VE BEEN BLOGGING FOR ONLY THREE MONTHS BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. xD *sorry for the screaming, i'm just very impressed* :P
ReplyDeleteAnd ughh yes photos are so hard. x.x I try to take my own photos as often as possible, but sometimes I forget and then I need to scramble to find something else. You're so right -- aesthetic IS stressful but you're doing it very well. xD
katie grace
a writer's faith
*screams along with you* YOU ARE THE BEST AND THANKS A MILLION <333 I just happen to be good at frying my brain xD
DeleteI knoooow D: I /would/ take my own pictures too, but I don't have a good camera and I just plain keep forgetting??? :P I LOVE ALL THE PICTURES YOU TAKE THO. SESIOUSLY. :D
NICE POST! Only thing is... like, nothing is ever going to be perfect. We as humans aren't perfect, so instead of focusing on making our blog the newest fad or super duper perfect... just be who you are. =D AND YESS themes can be tricky- as in, I just recently chilled and was like 'the theme you've had for 3 yrs isn't that bad OK'. But I haven't tried coding and the priced themes yet so... xD
ReplyDeleteAND PHOTOGRAPHY! I love photography and so blogging was a cool way to shove that in, lol. All of my post photos (unless they're GIFs are something haha) are my own. It's cool to do!
I've had my blog for going on 4 years this December. :) And I can tell you that blogging is super cool- you meet other Christian teens who want to do God's Will and you can collect your thoughts and stuff in one great corner of the web. :P SO for you to be blogging for 3 months girl you're ROCKING IT!!
Blessings!
-Ang | thepeculiarmessenger.wordpress.com
Thanks, Ang! Great point! It's true ... I'm not necessarily trying to make it "perfect" or just like someone else's, but trying hard to be the best me I can be? Cause being me says "do it well". xD Does that make sense? Lol, ikr? I haven't gone into coding or bought any themes either, so I feel you! Oh right, come to think of it, your blog pictures are mostly your own! Well then GREAT JOB <3 Because I'd love to do it, buuuut ... ahem. I need a good camera and practice and time xD I'm sure it's awesome!
DeleteWhoa - four years? go you!! IT IS SUPER COOL. And that's one of the reasons I love it so much - finding those teens of the same interest! I mean we are basically perfect strangers but then we see each others' blogs and say, "hey that's just like me!" and the other is like, "WELCOME FRIEND I'M SO HAPPY TO MEET YOU!" :P It's also so true that having this log of your thoughts actually nicely expressed it precious too ^-^ WHY THANK YOU I'M HAPPY YOU LIKE IT <333
blessings to you too!
This was such a good post *applauds you* (oh and hey, I'm Kendra Lynne and new to your blog; I really like it :). SERIOUSLY, what you said about seeing other blogs that "look so much nicer than your own" and then suddenly wanting to change/tweak/redo your blog's look is so crazy true!!! I, after four years of blogging, still change my blog design *cough* a little too often. BUT, I think I have finally found the right look that suits me. Its so hard to you've only been blogging for three months because WOW YOU ARE SO GOOD AT THIS!!! I still barely know what I'm doing (or at least that's how it feels quite often). I love aesthetics, but oh yes its hard and can be time-consuming.
ReplyDeleteThis post was so encouraging and inspiring! <3
~Kendra Lynne
Oops; meant to say its so hard to beiliece you've only been blogging for three months. >.<
Delete*takes a bow* HI KENDRA!!! Nice to meet you! I'm not sure if I've been to your blog before but I'll sure check it out and follow :D You've been blogging four years o.o THAT'S PRETTY EPIC GIRL. I'm glad you're satisfied with your design! Lol thank you so much - I try my best ^-^ I'm happy it was all relatable. Ikr, aesthetics. But I guess that's the way with everything -- the best things require the greatest work xD OH you are so sweet <333
DeleteThese are spot on!! Google is amazing and so is Canva. I literally /just/ chose my major colors for my blog despite having it for over a year and going through waves of (horrible) redesigns. So now on to recreating graphics for every post BECAUSE THEY NEED IT
ReplyDeleteCongrats on three months!!
Hey Maddy <333 So true. Em I relate even though I'm not even close to a year yet! OMW THAT'S GONNA BE WORK FOR YOU xD Good luck! I love your blog look btw :) Thanks!
DeleteI've been blogging for *almost* a year and all of these are totally relatable. Especially blog design. Last December, I had a little mishap *cough* *clears throat* Yeah, let's just say that was quite a learning experience xD
ReplyDeleteGreat post! <3
audrey caylin
Haha thanks <333 OH DEAR I HOPE IT WASN'T TOO DISASTROUS??!!! But we /do/ learn from mistakes >.< Not always the pleasant way *shakes head* Congrats on going on one year *almost* I'll be there to congratulate you for your anniversary!
Delete