Hard to believe I’ve been writing this blog for 8 years. I didn’t really read blogs or know what they were in 2011. But there was this woman I was trying to befriend and she insisted that, as a writer, I needed to start one. My blog should have a theme and I would gain an audience, a readership. So I went ahead and set up my free WordPress blog in August of 2011.
I wanted to call it Chez La Vie, The Home of My Life in French. (Chez La is pronounced just like my name, Shalagh). But that domain was taken by a French restaurant in an English resort town. So I settled for Shalavee and away I excitedly went.
I don’t know that I can adequately describe all the changes that this choice has put me through. I was introduced to Social Media and all the ups and downs that that entails. I discovered I can make a community with people all over the world that I’ve never met. I found my voice, I found my art, and I found a good part of me. I’ve been trolled, I’ve sat in a lot of silence, and I’ve become a way better writer.
I’ve also stayed very small. I’ve watched many other bloggers become bigger and bigger. I try not to compare my lack of progress to their progress but it’s there. But all of us have different journeys we have to make and take. Mine has been a round about way of finding my way back to me without stressing myself out with popularity and stats. Staying true to myself has always been a priority.
But I can tell you, that sooner than later, my blog will transform form the chrysalis into a butterfly. And I hope you are here to watch this happen.
Here’s to growing and blooming in the pots that we are planted in. And for joining with others to make our own gardens. I’ll keep writing my blog and I hope you’ll keep reading!
And If you enjoyed what you read, subscribe, via the subscription box in the sidebar, to my thrice weekly posts via your emailbox. And visit me on Instagram to see my daily pictures, friend me or like my page on Facebook. Or come find me on Twitter or Pinterest too. I am always practicing Intentional Intouchness so chat at me please. I live for conversations.
And, as always, Thanks to you for your visit.
4 Comments
Bravo!!!
Thank you Kathy! You were an inspiration.
That’s an amazing amount of time! I think I’ve been thinking about starting a blog for at least that long ! So for all of us who think but don’t get around to doing, I commend you. It’s a joy, eye-opening and sometimes a revelation to read your work. Thank you!
I am pleased that I stuck with it and became who I am and improved my writing to where I am now. Thank you Diane!