Happy Half Birthday To My Blog.

Today marks six months since I went out on a limb, bought a domain, and wrote my first post on this blog. I’ve always been passionate about writing and expressing myself through words. Prior to this blog, I had several other blogs on various other blogging platforms – Live Journal, Blogger, Xanga – you name it, I had it. But before this, I never had a public blog for “people that I know” and many I don’t, to read. Before this, I had never been so candid about the things that mean the most to me. Before this, I had never poured my heart into words onto a blog to anyone but my friends, and even then, the number of friends that were allowed to read what I wrote was minimal. Before this, I never felt as vulnerable as I sometimes have, writing some of my posts.

It’s cliche to say I’ve learned a lot through this blogging journey – but I have. After all, what is life without the endless lessons through each experience? I’ve learned that vulnerability can be a good thing. In fact, in any form of creative art, I think it’s the best thing. I’ve learned that putting yourself out there isn’t as scary as it seems. That dreams don’t have to die when you pursue another passion. I’ve learned the importance of networking and making ‘friends’ in the blogosophere. I’ve learned that not only is it important if you want to get your voice heard, but it’s fun too! I’ve made so many friends all over the globe, by writing, reading and commenting other blogs. It’s so much fun being connected to people states away, or oceans away, by reading about their lives through their own words.

I’ll admit, I was hesitant to start a blog. What would my friends, who have never read anything I’ve written think? Would people read my blog? Would I get any negative feedback? I’ve never been one to particularly care about what others thought of me, but my writing and my thoughts are a completely different story. I cut myself open and let my words bleed on the screen when I write. My defining moment that told me I needed to keep on writing was a comment I received on one of my first posts. The comment was on my post titled “I’ve Been Burdened With Blame, Trapped In The Past For Too Long, I’m Moving On” that simply said “i believe you just saved a life….this was inspiring. =).” There are no words for how humbled I was by this person’s comment. Although I know I didn’t literally save a life, the words on my screen still meant the world and more to me. It’s the little words and comments like that one (there have been so many more) that keep me wanting to come back and write.

It would mean everything to me and more if every single one of my readers made sure that today, for my blog’s half birthday, they are subscribed by e-mail, or Bloglovin’. Your e-mail will always remain anonymous and will not be used for spam! You will be notified by e-mail every time I post something new! It would also mean the world to me if every single one of you could share my blog, or share the posts that you like the most. I’m not concerned with numbers, but it IS a great feeling knowing somewhere out there, people are listening, are reading and are liking what they see! Like I said, numbers to  me aren’t important. The popularity of my blog isn’t important. What’s important to me is that my voice is heard, and as I watch the numbers increase, it makes me really believe that I’m slowly on my way to doing just that.

I have a ton of ideas for upcoming things for my blog – I’m just not quite sure how to piece them all together. One of my dreams is to become an advice columnist one day, and I would love to incorporate that onto here. A friend of mine and I were discussing the idea of a “Two-Cents Tuesday,” where I could answer anonymous questions that I receive throughout the week and have that be my little advice column. My only problem with that is I’m still not quite sure how to go about getting anonymous comments and questions, unless I set something up on FormSpring. Does FormSpring even still exist? Keep in mind, this is all just an idea. If anyone has any suggestions about how I could go about doing this, and if this is even a good idea, let me know in a comment below!

Thank you to everyone who has been reading since the beginning, and to those who came along the way. It’s been a great first six months, and I look forward to what’s to come on this little blog of mine. I would love, again, if you could all make sure you are subscribed and if you could share my blog to even one person today. And let me know what your favorite post is and what else you’d like to read in a comment below! I love making new friends. :)

I’ll leave you today with a quote (as usual) by one of the most fascinating women in literature. I spent my entire senior year of high school studying Sylvia Plath, and have been hooked on her since.

“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” -Sylvia Plath

xo, Jackie

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