If I Started Blogging Today…

Today’s suggested theme for the WordCount blogathon is “If I started blogging today I would….”

Before moving forward with today’s theme post, I want to correct myself for the last theme post. The “haiku” I posted is not really a haiku at all. (Thanks, John.) But I still like it. So still read it! {While you’re in the mood for haiku, check out And a little wine’s funny haiku about his unmowed lawn!}


Back to today’s theme. I started Fit for Life in March 2010. I had two motivations for starting the blog: 1) to document the story of our homestead (as we began to call it), and 2) to document/share/journal my own personal development toward a fit, more balanced lifestyle.

It’s been quite the journey since 2010!

Some of the things I’ve been able to do with blogging in the past two years:

– I’ve been on countless adventures, some food-related, all fun-related. 
– I’ve learned so, so much about planting vegetables, fruit trees, companion planting,  encouraging a sustainable ecosystem, and more. I started with a small garden and have created a growing homestead!
– I’ve met others with similar interests in food and wellness. Twitter and FitBlog have been awesome resources for this community, too. I even attended a healthy living conference last year!
– I’ve created and modified tons of amazing recipes (Eggless Meatballs is still the most-searched-for recipe on this blog. Go figure.)
– I’ve been able to track my growth and development as a runner and as a writer.
– I’ve participated in two photo-a-day challenges and a month-long blogathon challenge


And the list continues to grow. I’m constantly amazed at the great feedback I receive from the blog, and the wonderful friendships and community I’ve been able to build.


A few things I’ve learned since starting the blog:
– Tips for taking better photos. I cringe a little when I see the first few photos I posted on the blog. But hey, that’s a sign that I’m learning, growing, developing new skills. Don’t look, though, k?

– Along with that, I’ve learned that not all entries need a photo. Gasp! I worked so hard the first year to make sure that each entry contained at least a photo (though usually that meant 4-6 photos). I’ve enjoyed writing posts like this, without photos. In fact, I get more responses from friends and more personal satisfaction when I create entries sans photos. 

– How to define and create a writing style. As a writer, I know this is constantly in development, but it’s been neat to see my own writer’s journey from the past couple of years. Writing and blogging have also helped me become a better reader–of other blogs, but also in real life. I pick up on so much more now than I did before blogging and writing daily.


– Accountability is a great thing. If I write it, and it’s published, and someone else can read it…I should probably do it. I’ve become so much better at handling criticism, too. That’s an amazing lesson, to be able to understand someone else’s mindset and accept what they say about you. 


– To look for stories in everyday life. When I first started blogging, I had a mission…sort of. I wanted to document the backyard homestead development. But then I wanted to blog even more, but wasn’t sure what I could document. So, I started creating stories, adventures, and found that everyday is like an adventure. It’s all about perspective.

– Hitting “publish” can be the scariest thing. Especially when it’s a deep, private thought that I might not otherwise share. But it can also be the most thrilling thing. I’ve found that I’m often not alone with my thoughts and opinions, and others have been there to offer their suggestions! And it’s been helpful and wonderful. I’ve become more open as an individual as a result of this. And more laid back, c’est la vie.

– Ideas have become more tangible. I’m an ideas person, 100%. I think about things at length before I do them, often mulling them over in my head for days or even weeks. Sometimes, I blog about them. Blogging has helped me take quicker action, and has helped me become more spontaneous. 


So, I’m not sure I would do anything differently today if I started blogging. {I did recently purchase a new blog domain, so I will be starting another blog project soon…does that count?} I’ve enjoyed the lessons that I’ve learned by starting as a newbie blogger two years ago, after reading and commenting on blogs for nearly a year.


My blog has helped me develop so much in the past two years. It’s been an amazing ride, and it just keeps getting better.