One year of blogging!

I just realized something – I wrote my first blog post on June 1st, 2011. That means I’ve now been blogging for a whole year! Well, a year and a week. So I thought I’d take just a moment to reflect.

I didn’t realize when I first started blogging just how much I would love doing it. I had had a blog before and had just never posted on it and eventually forgot about it. What I think allowed this blog to succeed was having a purpose and a general topic – though the range of material I blog on has expanded over time.

I didn’t realize when I first started blogging how healing it would be. Writing my thoughts out on paper – or rather online – has allowed me to sort through who I am and why and understand my upbringing so much better. Really being able to be honest and raw had allowed me to grow, heal, and gain confidence.

I didn’t realize when I first started blogging that I would find a community. Through blogging I have come in contact with other bloggers with thoughts and experiences so similar to mine that we could almost be siblings. Knowing that there are others out there who have been through what I have been through has been life changing.

I didn’t realize when I first started blogging that I could help others. In addition to finding a community of those with similar experiences, I have helped form a community as well. I have had readers write thanking me for letting them know I’m not alone, and even saying that my blog posts articulate things they were trying and failing to say.

I didn’t realize when I first started blogging that anyone would be interested in acquiring my blog. I was honored to learn last February that FreeThought Blogs was interested in my blog moving to their site, and honored once again when Patheos asked me to join their platform in March. My experiences in both places have been great.

And finally, I didn’t realize when I first started blogging that I would have so many loyal readers. Thank you.

And here’s to looking forward to another great year of blogging!