In it for the Long Run

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The 2 Biggest Lessons Learned From 2 Years of Blogging

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Put your party pants on my friends, it’s time to celebrate a very special BLIRTHDAY (blog+birthday). Good ‘ol bloggy here is 2 years old. Oh, and I guess that makes me 23. No catchy Taylor Swift tune about this birthday, but I did buy pants with cheetahs on them for the occasion, so I think it’s about even.

Lessons Learned from Blogging

Ok, so technically In it 4 the Long Run turned 2 years old a couple weeks ago, but I like to celebrate it in conjunction with my birthday because that’s way easier to remember. Also there’s a part of me that’s totally pandering for birthday wishes so feel to either roll your eyes or indulge me.

To celebrate the Blirthday, I’m sharing the two biggest lessons I learned about blogging over the past two years. Also I’m giving a way a shit ton of epic snacks – enter here.

#1 Just. Keep. Blogging.

I think we can all admit that we sucked when we first started. (Prime Example) That’s not supposed to sound mean, it’s just how it works. You have these grand ambitions, lofty goals and sky high expectations and what you create is often mediocre at best. Again, this isn’t a bad thing. It’s just a thing. In fact, this blog is still very much a work in progress.

I truly believe that in order to succeed, you can’t let how much you suck (at first) bring you down. I also believe you have to be a little delusional, especially at first. The odds are you’re going to fail. The truth is there are so many other people out there doing what you’re trying to do. But you have to believe with all your heart that you have something no one else has and that people need that thing. Even on the days you don’t believe it you still have to keep going.

When I picked up my camera last year, I was amazed when I saw what I could do. Turns out, looking back, it was pretty shitty, but I believed that it was worth someone’s time. Over time, I think this blog is slowly becoming a thing that’s worth people’s time. God knows it’s no where close to what I have envisioned for the future, but I’m delusional and optimistic enough to keep going.

But too be honest Ira Glass, the creator of This American Life (an incredible Podcast), explained this phenomena so perfectly that you’re better off listening to him:

#2 Your Tribe Changes Your Blog for the Better

When I first started blogging, I definitely read a lot of blogs. I even commented on plenty of them. But that’s where my relationships stopped. I lived my blog life in a bubble. I saw that others would collaborate and silently wonder why no one would reach out to me.

I thought it must be because I didn’t have enough followers. Followers, I believed were the golden ticket to success. I craved numbers, not connections.

Oh silly Georgie you were doing it completely backwards!

I honestly can’t remember what made me snap to my senses, but gradually I began to understand that tribe isn’t just the number next your Instagram followers, your tribe is the group of people who believe in a common mission, believe in you and you believe in them.

Lessons Learned from Blogging

Top: Katie from She Rocks Fitness – Bottom Left: Emily from My Healthyish Life – Bottom Right: Amy from the Little Honey Bee

Slowly I’ve tried to be proactive about developing relationships. I think slowly is an important caveat. This isn’t a game that you can rig. These are people, not just numbers. They are important. First you have to give. Openly. Freely. Generously. There’s no formula and I won’t pretend to give you “3 steps to building a tribe” because the more true you are to yourself and the more authentically you build these relationships the more meaningful and valuable they’ll be.

The relationships I’ve made continually teach me, help me grow and remind me why I blog.

Hands down the MOST rewarding part of this entire experience is hearing from someone who made a recipe, connected with a struggle or smiled because something you did. Everything else is icing on the blirthday cake.

Thank you for reading my little blog. Seriously.

To celebrate this Blirthday I’m giving away a TON of my favorite healthy (and indulgent) snacks on Instagram. The giveaway is super simple to enter and my friends, these snacks are ON. POINT. You don’t want to miss it.

Lessons Learned from Blogging

Your Turn:

  • Favorite birthday dessert? I totally prefer pie over cake (unless that cake is made of ice cream)
  • What are some of the biggest things you’ve learned from blogging?
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Dude you’ve only been blogging 2 years??? That’s nothing and you’ve built and incredible blog and community in such a short amount of time! Good work, lady!!

    I totally agree with the blog tribe thing, my current issue is that the tribe I had doesn’t really blog anymore haha but we are still friends outside of the blog, so it’s still good I made the connections.

    Happy happy blirthday, friend! Thanks for the inspiration (seriously needed to hear that today)! <3

    • Thank you so much Amanda! If you’re interested I’d love for you to join the blogger FB group I started. It’s a great place to connect with bloggers, start discussions and ask questions (not always about blogging) – just search “bloggers gonna blog”

  3. HAPPY BLIRTHDAY!! 🙂 Isn’t it so crazy/funny looking back at old blog posts? I’m pretty mortified when I click through my archives. But it’s all part of the journey. My favorite birthday dessert… I honestly can’t pick one. Maybe cake… or flan. or cookies. The biggest thing I’ve learned from blogging is NEVER GIVE UP on something that brings you joy. I let myself go for a little, stopped blogging for a few months, and I am so happy I snapped out of it and came back. If it’s something you’re passionate about, keep going.

    • Thanks so much Christina – I’m so happy we connected.

      Yes! So true. There are always a million reasons not to do something but I’d definitely rather try and fail then wonder “what if I….”

  6. First off, I’m entirely jealous of that outfit. Where can I find pants and a shirt like that? Happy birthday to the blog! I am right there with you on the quality over quantity of readers. I tried posting on all the trendy days, but it started to feel forced and that wasn’t me. As for dessert, I am TOTALLY into the ice cream thing (not so much cake unless it’s ice cream cake) but also love summer crisps and crumbles.

  8. Happy birthday blirthday birthday! Oh my gosh how true these are. I can definitely relate to #1–you just have to keep going. I mean, you don’t HAVE to, but you should if your heart believes in it and if, even when it’s exhausting, it’s somehow fun all at the same time. I feel like blogging is a never-ending learning experience and I like to think that even bloggers who have been full time bloggers for years are still learning new things every day. I think seeking ways of improvement on a regular basis and enjoying the process are key 🙂 Oh and PS–WANT THOSE PANTS.

    • The pants are so comfortable.
      And yes, maybe that’s why I love blogging because I love learning and evolving and blogging is certainly that! I love seeing how blog friend’s blogs evolve too! It’s just a big ‘ol cycle of inspiration (and sometimes frustration/angst)
      So glad the blog-o-sphere has brought us together

  9. Love your blog! I totally agree. My blog is way smaller than yours and sometimes I wonder why I put so much time into. It’s mostly because of the people. Those 10 people that always comment. Those 5 people who I’m kinda real friends with now. Or those 50 instagram photo likes and comments saying way to go and giving me that extra push.

  11. I’m a cake girl most of the time. The more icing the better, but I won’t turn down pie either…LOL! Those pants woman. Where does one even find those things? Happy Happy Birthday to you and the blog! I too have learned how important it is to surround yourself with a “tribe”. It is so easy to get stuck behind the computer…worrying about likes…numbers and all that other stuff, when the things that really matter and those REAL connections you make with someone face to face. Pretty stoked I made this post…XOXO

    • I will admit the icing is always my favorite part. No surprise but Barlett’s makes THE best cake on the island. The frosting is next level. H&M baby! SO comfy I thought I was wearing pj’s.
      So happy to be a part of your tribe and I look forward to more face time with you in the future 😀

  12. Yay! Happy Birthday and happy blogiversary! **Fist pump for 2 years**
    It is crazy (and embaressing) to look back at the first posts…but then you can see the progress and it IS all about just keeping on keepin’ on!
    XOXOXO

  15. Happy Birthday! I have loved reading your blog 🙂 As a newbie blogger, I can already see how making relationships is so incredibly important. It’s nice to have other ladies I can go to when I need support and encouragement and who have similar interests and goals. I think the biggest thing I’m learning is that I can’t do it all and that I just need to take it one step at a time. Great content is king!

  17. Happy blog-iversary! Everything you wrote definitely rings true to me as a new-ish blogger. It’s about the people you touch and making a difference for your own life and even just a few others is wonderful 🙂

    • Exactly! Focusing on small wins and organic relationships helps you see the value almost immediately – growth will come with time, consistency and hard work (and let’s face it, a little luck)

  18. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!! And congrats on 2 years! I cringe at the idea of looking back at my first posts, but what you said about sucking at first is so true, I feel like I needed that time to figure out what the heck I was doing and where I fit into the whole blogging world. So glad I stumbled onto your site almost a year ago, you continue to be such an inspiration to me! Hope you’re having a great day girl! 🙂

  20. My blog still sucks!! lol!! I have never fully committed to it and it shows, but I always feel better when I write on it. I enjoy yours, though! Congrats on two years!

    • The awesome thing about blogging is that the whole process is so important. I definitely feel better when I’m able to articulate how I’m feeling or feel like I could be adding value to someone’s life.

  21. First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope it’s wonderful and that you get to wear your super comfy-looking cheetah pants all day and maybe eat some dark chocolate PB cups or pie or ice cream cake 🙂

    And happy blogiversary! You’ve done such wonderful things with In It 4 the Long Run and I’m excited to see where you’ll take it in the future 🙂

    • That’s so funny you say that, my co-workers got me an ice cream cake and a pinata filled with justins. They totally get it 🙂
      Thanks so much! I love your blog and I’m so glad we’ve been able to connect this year. “Bloggers Gonna Blog” is such a fun way to get to know more people behind the blogs I love.

  22. Happy Blirthday Georgie! I loved this post, and have loved getting to know you over the past few months. You are definitely a breath of fresh air in this little blogging world, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for you! I totally echo your sentiments regarding ice cream cake (it’s the best) and have had similar takeaways from blogging over the past year. While looking back at some of the earlier content is a little tough to do at times, it’s awesome to have a clear documentation of how far we’ve come. Cheers!

  23. You are my favorite. Happy birthday and blogiversary! I said it before but you are such a blog and real-life inspiration 🙂 Funny that we were just talking about cake vs. pie. Hope you got what you wanted!

    • My co-workers surprised me with an ice cream cake and a pinata filled with healthy snacks…. so it was one of the best day for birthday eats 😀 So happy we’ve been able to connect on the interwebs and in real life

  24. Georgie you’re so sweet! I loved this blog post – both inspiring and eye opening for me. Personally i think your Late Night Light Bites post was awesome haha. I don’t even want to know what my first blog post looked like!
    Keep killing it and enjoy your birthday!!

  25. Happy Blirthday! And real birthday 😉 Thanks for yet another great post! I have loved getting to know you through your blog and always find your words so eye-opening, so thank you for that! 🙂 Keep on keepin’ on!

  26. HAPPY BLIRTHDAY, lovely!! Thanks for sharing your takeaways of the past two years with us – I’m learning that it’s all a huge, long process. I haven’t met any blogger who is perfect and has 100,000 page views/month right off the bat. It takes time, and I have to keep reminding myself WHY I blog – not for the very scarce amount of money I earn, not for pageviews, not for likes. All of that is fine and dandy, but I blog because I want to share my passion. XOXO. Cheers to many more blirthdays for you!!

  27. Wow, I absolutely needed this, thank you Georgie! I hadn’t seen that bit from Ira and it really resonates with me. I recently revived my blog (last week, didn’t promote the post because it has been such a hiatus) and too often felt so critical of my content and worried what people think.

    Lovin’ your blog as always!

    Diane / ditea

    • Thanks Diane! So excited to see you’re starting up again. Like Ira says, you just got to do a lot of work. Some will be good some not so much but if you keep your standards high you’ll keep improving <3

  28. Congrats on two years of blogging, girlie! You’re so right on the two lessons learned (I can’t even bring myself to look back at my first posts sometimes, the awkward/terrible-ness is TOO real!), and you really do start to build those relationships when you’re truly authentic. Oh, and I love those pants. So perfect!

    • Thanks so much Kathryn, I think when I started writing and imagining ONE person reading instead of a mass of people I started being able to connect with more people (weird how that works)

  30. Hi Georgie! Oh blogging, how I love it so! Happy birthday to you, and I love the lessons that you’ve learned. I’ve found that the best blogs are the ones that are authentic, so if you set out to be yourself, you have a much better chance of staying consistent and building a following. I’ve also found that people LOVE to know the little details of the lives of others, much more than I would have imagined. 🙂

    • So true Ashley! I always used think I had to be constantly “adding value” which is true, but I didn’t realize how valuable sharing your personal experience and struggles are! So glad this blogging world has connected us

  31. Happy Belated B’day buddy- This post….so much yes. I think I just passed the 2 year mark too and it’s crazy to think how it’s evolved. Fellow bloggers are by far the best reward and connecting with them, even if they purposely come to NYC on the one weekend I’m not there. And if you ever find a solid tribe, hit a brother up. It’s hard to find an authentic and supportive one out there!

    • Thanks Arman! I cannot believe you’ve only been blogging for 2 years! No fear I’ll be back to NYC in no time and we shall meet up 😀 Finding people with a supportive (not competitive) mindset can be rare, but they’re absolute gems <3