It actually blows my mind I’ve been blogging for 2 years now. What started as a quarantine based hobby because I was “bored in the house & in the house bored” for way too long; has turned into something far more than that. I’m surprised I finally got the nerve to just start a blog in the first place because I can’t tell you how many people have said “blogging is so saturated!” “Blogging was cool in like, 2007 & now it’s dead.” I’m glad I didn’t listen to those naysayers because creating Mind Beauty Simplicity has been one of my best decisions.
Life Lately…
When I started this blog, I had just moved in with my “than boyfriend” & now, I finally get to call him my husband in my posts, which is exciting. Time really flies by. This past year has been both a busy & tragic one. Blogging was my saving grace when my dad was really sick & on hospice last summer. There were so many times I thought I should just quit but for me, writing was & still is my healthy distraction. And when he finally passed, I put all my sadness into Blogtober & posted daily for an entire month. I immersed myself into this passion for my own mental health. And than, I jumped right into wedding planning when he passed because in my mind, I thought this form of distraction would be good. Although I felt my entire life had stopped, I was forcing it to keep going. And now that the wedding is over, we are just enjoying married life. For me, it’s been a “self care summer” where I’m finally putting myself first & healing properly for once. Although I thought these forms of distraction were good at the time, I quickly learned my grief still remains & I need to heal. So, I’ve been prioritizing a more slow summer. Allowing myself rest, getting lost in good books & figuring out what it is I want to do moving forward.
What’s Next For Me?
I’ve been seeing a lot of bloggers ask this same question & talking about how blogging was a lot easier in the height of a pandemic. Now that things are slowly getting back to normal, people are becoming too busy & the love for blogging isn’t quite what it used to be. I myself, have pondered such thoughts. I have less motivation to sit down & write. And when I do, I don’t feel satisfied with the results. Some of this could be due to the fact I’m in a season of healing & needing a break. And also because I’m wanting to place more energy on a career outside of blogging. I’d much rather keep blogging as a side passion & something I like to escape to when I’m feeling stressed. I don’t want blogging to be the reason for said stress, you know? And lately, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed creatively. One thing I have learned with my blogging journey is how breaks are really important. I know I still want to keep blogging. I enjoy connecting with you all & sharing my perspectives on intentional living & everything in between. I do think, I need to change a few things though moving forward. Focusing on quality over quantity is a good start. I also need to let go of the pressure of needing to look perfect online. I think I want to take a step back from social media & only post when I truly want to instead of burning myself out trying to keep up with a forever changing algorithm.
You Might Also Like: Taking My Power Back: How A Break From Writing Rejuvenated My Soul
What Has Already Changed
My blogging journey has been all over the place. I started posting 3x a week & strictly intentional living content for a good year. My narrowed niche quickly expanded to a general lifestyle blog, still focusing on a less is more mindset. As my following grew, I realized my audience didn’t have a specific preference to what I wrote about. Even my Instagram has changed from posting about my daily declutters to a full blown bookstagram as of late. It just goes to show, you are allowed to change things up & so what if it’s completely different from your original plan? Instagram, for instance has been a frustrating platform. I’ve taken breaks all together & contemplated not using it at all for blogging. But lately, I’ve been reading a lot [ as it’s a form of self care ] & I’ve decided to share that interest on Instagram with the book community. And it’s been going really well. I no longer feel overwhelmed by the platform & it’s actually really fun to make reels & post on there.
The thing I hold onto with blogging is the connections I’ve made. It was really nice during such isolating times in the beginning. And now, it’s a nice escape from reality sometimes. I’m not sure what the rest of the year will be like in terms of blogging, but I hope to keep finding the joy in it all. Just because I may cut back on posting or shift into other platforms [ like writing a book ] , what I want to remain constant is the connections I’ve made along the way. That is what I am truly grateful for. Thank you for 2 successful years of blogging & sharing my life.
Mind Beauty Simplicity 
Congratulations on two years! We’ve had a similar blogging journey so I relate to a lot of this, it’s my distraction and I don’t want it to feel stressful. Knowing when to take a break is key! xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you!! glad you could relate. breaks are so so important in the creative space.
LikeLike
I have enjoyed your regular presence out here. As a fellow blogger, I too need to re-examine my priorities of time and interests to see if I want to continue weekly. It is kind of addictive in a way, almost like a self check-in. Good luck with your future endeavours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
it is addictive in a sense. i love looking through comments and seeing what people say. thank you so much!
LikeLike
Congratulations on two years. I enjoy your blog and will look forward to your posts – at whatever frequency works for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you so much, Michelle! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Making connections is definitely the best part of blogging – it’s so wonderful how your blog is kinda an evolution of the past two years for you, now you’re married! 😀 Focusing on quality over quantity is definitely the best strategty, here’s to the next two years! :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
agreed! thank you!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy 2 year anniversary to your blog! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in the future!
LikeLiked by 2 people
thank you!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy blogiversary! It’s amazing to read about a more experienced blogger’s perspective. I appreciate the insight and tips! I agree – breaks are crucial to preserve our mental health and creativity. Looking forward to future posts! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you!! 🙂
LikeLike
Congratulations on 2 years. Doing what you love and connecting with others is rewarding. I appreciate your honesty and learning to take breaks and shifting to continue on your journey. I will be celebrating 6 years next month and it brings me great joy in encouraging others in my writing. I enjoyed reading blogiversary post. You have been through much and I respect you for the pauses and changes you made accordingly. Thank you for sharing. 🤗💝
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Letstakeamonent.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you!! wow – 6 years! that’s amazing, natalie. thanks for reading and supporting my blog.
LikeLike
Congrats!
I’ve been at blogging since 2015 and undergone many shifts. I see these as expressions of my personal growth and I think true fans and readers will go with you on that journey toward your writing purpose. As for the naysayers…many are jealous of your discipline and dedication. Congrats on year 2!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
thanks! wow – that’s a long time. completely agree. 🙂 thanks for reading.
LikeLike
Happy blogversary 🥳
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, rachel!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was a nice thought process story you wrote here. Breaks are necessary and blogging is a hobby rather than a Mindy making thing. So I also think one can step back whenever. Good to hear about your book sharing and works. Enjoy that and congrats on 2 years. Xx
Isa A. Blogger
LikeLiked by 2 people
thank you!!
LikeLike
I’m glad that blogging helped you to cope through a rough period. It has also done the same for me– a tragic loss of a brother last year, and 2 breakups over my 5 year span. What next, though, is a question I ask myself all the time. I think I’m finally gonna take the plunge and try doing this professionally. I’m trying to make 1 new blog post a week, or at least 3 posts a month, become a standard, then work my way up from there. Whatever you decide, I’m sure you’ll do great! Best wishes
LikeLiked by 1 person
i’m so sorry about to hear about your loss and your breakups. you should totally do this professionally if that’s something you wish to do. i have faith in you. thanks so much for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m giving it a try, will see where I end up 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on blogging for 2 years!
I’m glad to hear that you’re having a self care summer and you’re putting yourself first and giving yourself the time to heal.
When I first started blogging, I was posting 3 times a week as well, but I’ve since cut down to once a week, but every now and then I won’t publish a new post. I agree breaks are important! I’m glad to hear you no longer feel overwhelmed by Instagram!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks!!
i’m with you on the posting schedule. once a week is def more doable [ and right – sometimes skipping a week is a nice break too ]. yes – Instagram has been quite tolerable as of late. thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on 2 years! I’m so sorry about the loss of your Dad. I agree about needing to take a break occasionally. Bookstagram is very different to me than blogging . I enjoy both, but blogging just feels more autonomous to me. Take care and have a wonderful summer.
LikeLiked by 2 people
thanks, jodie! thanks for reading.
LikeLike
I relate to this post a lot! I’ve been debating what to do with my blog – keep it going every 2 weeks or kill it completely – but sometimes breaks to recharge creativity can really help to refocus. Great post, it’s lovely to see fellow bloggers talk about this topic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
aww thank you! glad you could resonate with it. i think a lot of us bloggers get to these points sometimes. yes, breaks are very helpful!
LikeLike
I’ve thought about giving up on my WP blog and only write on Medium. But I’ve had this blog since 2014 and sometimes it makes me sad to think of letting it go. Views and engagement are low for me, which is why I’ve been thinking of letting it go. And I completely understand your frustration with Instagram. I truly dislike how the algorithm changes everyday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i can understand that. i need to use medium more often. i always forget about it. i sometimes think summer time causes views to be low because people are busier with vacations and such. and yes don’t get me started on that algorithm. it drives me nuts. haha!
LikeLike
Wow!! 2 years that’s an achievement in itself 🥳🎉
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you!!
LikeLike