I can’t believe that the first half of another year is over! Time has lost its relevance since March’2020. Half of this first half – I spent in a creative dry spell owing to my poor mental health. But I wanted to share some ups and downs of my blogging journey this year – hoping to keep me motivated on this journey.
Lets look at the milestones –
Milestone #1 – Followers
Honestly, it doesn’t matter how many followers you have – it is the quality of the followers that is more important but reaching these follower count milestones still makes me happy!
Current Follower Count – 1431
Achievement Unlocked – crossed a 1000 followers in March’21! WUHU!
I had sort of hoped to cross 1500 followers by June – but with my erratic posting and not being around – it was inevitable to not gain followers.
Milestone #2 – First Collab Post
I did my first collaboration post with my amazing blogging friend, Lebogang. I have been vary of collaboration posts – mainly because I only want to collaborate with bloggers who are friends. I am not a snob, I just am erratic – I take forever to reply to emails, I have creative blah phases where I just can’t write, I have social anxiety so I avoid looking at my mail for days together. I know my blogging friends understand all these quirks that make me who I am and don’t get offended. But to a new person, it would seem like I’m totally obnoxious.
Milestone #3 – Best views ever
Highest views and visitor count on a single day on this blog! I unlocked this feat on 6th June.
Views – 300+
Visitors – 144
Again, these numbers are subjective from blogger to blogger- but in comparison to my past performance, it felt so good to reach this feat. And I by no means am showing off – just celebrating the small victories!
Top post on my blog was a surprising one since I wrote it while traveling in March. It was supposed to be a fun, filler post but ended up doing really well. Read now – 5 Irrational Fears of Mine
Milestone #4 – One year of blogging
This might seem like a non-milestone to many – but being here, actively blogging despite creative blocks and poor mental health – has been a huge achievement for me. One full year of active blogging in April’21! ❤️
Milestone #5 – Blogging Fam
I think this year, first quarter, I made the most blogging friends that I have in my entire journey so far. I met some amazing bloggers who are the reason I’m still here. I’m not going to name them all because it’s going to take me a while but you know who you are and I love you!
Now lets get into things I hope to do in the second half of the year –
- Get back to a blogging schedule – I haven’t been on a schedule these past 2 months and I want to get back to it once I am a little bit more settled on my work front.
- Be more frequent with replying to comments and emails – I am going to allot some time every single day to do this. Since I reply to comments only on 2 days in a week, I often miss out on replying to comments on my older posts.
- Make more blogger friends – I want to have this huge circle of blogger friends and I am going to work on getting there.
- Make a group for bloggers on FB or an email chain – This is just an idea that I have – to make a closed group for serious bloggers – we can share ideas on there, motivate each other, share blogging tips and tricks. Let me know your thoughts on this one!
- Monetize my blog – I haven’t done it yet for various reasons but am toying with the idea of monetizing this blog on my birthday in October. What do you think? I am putting it off till October to make sure I am serious about it.
- Stop being hard on myself with regards to writing and blogging – the number of times I doubt myself before and after posting! I just want this to be fun! 🙂
How was your blogging half year? What were some of your milestones – big and small? I’d love to celebrate them with you, so let me know in the comments below! 😀
PS: I am going to do part 3 of my blogger recommendations soon -so leave a comment letting me know of your favourite bloggers that I should check out. (Part 1 & Part 2)
Give my other recent posts some love –
Happy Panda 
Great achievements 🎉 Numbers are not everything but give satisfaction 😉 Means your hard work pays off 😉🤩 Happy blogging and good luck for the next half year 😉🤩
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Thank you so much!! 🙂
It definitely feels good to see some growth! 😀
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Outstanding milestones!! Congratulations 🎉.
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Thank you so much, Scott!
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How lovely, congrats on all your achievements this year! A FB group would be great there seem to be quite a few out there but it can be overwhelming when people seem to be solely focused on numbers
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Thank you for your feedback. I am not on FB – so didn’t know that these groups already exist! (OOPS!) I’m definitely going to put this plan to action this month – but the idea is to have a small closed group – with supportive, positive people – so we can motivate each other! ❤
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That sounds ideal!!
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Congratulations on the achievements! It’s amazing to see you gain 400+ followers in 3 months… some of us haven’t even reach 1k after a full year! 😂
And kudos to you for taking time off for your mental health!
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Honestly – these numbers don’t make me happy only because I know most of these followers are just the ‘follow for follow’ folks – which I don’t do – and so they never engage again after following. 😦
But I have been so demotivated with blogging these past few weeks – that I needed to look for something to motivate myself. Hence, this post! 🙂
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Yeah I know that feel… it’s okay to have waves though, or period of enjoyment then losing the spark… at least I think so!
As for the followers, you have quite a bit of engagement though. Don’t be too hard on yourself~ to me you’re an inspiration! 😉
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I literally just commented on Lebogang’s comment on this post on how you are blogging goals for me! ❤
Every time anyone asks me doubts about blogging – I redirect them to your blog! You are my blogging guru. (Not exaggerating!)
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Congrats, this is sooooo deserved! I’m so sad in comparison, I think I crossed the 250 followers mark in 2021. What do you credit your large following to? And how long did it take to achieve?
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😦 I really didn’t mean this post to make anyone sad! 😦
1. Follower count doesn’t matter at all
2. Quality of followers matter – so even though I have 1400 followers – I know that only 140-150 of them engage on my posts
3. I think people follow for a follow back, which I don’t do, and they lose interest in my blog 😦
I honestly don’t do anything (I am far too lazy to do that) but I do write on a variety of topics which maybe the reason different types of bloggers end up on my blog. But again, the follower count number has NO meaning whatsoever.
Your blog is amazing and I really hope more people discover it. ❤
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Oh no worries, you didn’t make me sad, it’s hopeful! I do it to myself 🤣😬 Honestly, I love my blog so much that I don’t think I could put it down, even if I had no followers ha! It would just be nice to have more, for my own sick need for validation u know? But thank u for the support 💖🌺 And I love your blog so much, I’m so happy about your success, you BEYOND deserve it! xo
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Congratulations! Even when we feel very low we can still look at the positives! Bravo for this! 😊
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Aww, thank you so much! 🙂 I literally just wanted to motivate myself to keep blogging – hence this post!
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😉🌸🌸😎
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Great idea to review your blogging progress through the year! It gives you a good idea of how far you’ve come and how much more you’ve got to go to reach your goals!
I totally agree that the type of followers (engaging ones) are more important than the number of followers! More than half of mine are spam followers, grr. But I love the main group of followers I have that I know will continuously support my blogging endeavours and be loyal readers! 🙂
Admittedly, the past several posts I’ve struggled with.. Not so much writing but the motivation to write and edit to the endth degree like I usually do… I post every Wednesday and have cut it very close some weeks (I keep leaving it to Tuesday evening and a couple weeks ago I finished writing at 1am)!😱🙄 Trying to be more efficient with my time!!
Happy blogging! 🙂
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I so get you! Its been the same for me. I randomly decide I want to post on a day and then struggle to put out something that day and then have SO much doubt about the post I put out. 😦
This blog was just to remind myself about how far I’ve gotten and that I shouldn’t give up just yet. 🙂
I LOVE YOUR POSTS! Honestly, I was so stoked to find your blog on here because it is exactly the type of content that I want to read on here. And I have enjoyed all your recent posts as well! So don’t pressurize yourself too much – you’re doing good. ❤
Maybe we should collab on a post about how to get out of a creative rut and maybe that will help us get out of our creative rut? Although if we knew how to – we wouldn't be here. Abort plan. 😛 😀
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Haha I’d collab with you any day but the little nagging self-doubt will be in the back of my mind constantly! Thanks so much for the kind words and encouragement! ❤️❤️❤️Love getting inspo from you too!!! 🙂
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Wow you have unlocked many achievements👏👏 and here’s to many more …. I wish to achieve 1000 followers by the end of this year and I was doing great until lightning of dullness hit me and now I am back to my cave 😅😅 let’s see if I will be able to achieve it or not… but as you said these are just numbers,so yeah…
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Aww, thank you so much.
I hope I stick around till year end. AAAAAAAH!
You will achieve a 1000 followers even sooner! ❤
This creative rut has us all feeling MEH! I don't know what it is. I want to pin it down on something. ARGH!
But honestly – your stories are so so so amazing! The endings always leave me awestruck! Can't wait to read more of your stories whenever you are ready with them. ❤
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Soon enough you’ll be celebrating your 2k followers. I know that for sure.😆😆
Our collaboration was also the first-ever for me and It has been cemented in my heart. I did not take it for granted because it meant a lot to me.
When I read your irrational fears…I remember how I cracked into laughter haha. It was really authentic and well written. The past six months have been a rollercoaster of emotions, tears, writer’s block, and joy.
The Facebook group would be such a great idea. I think that’s where we will be able to share tips and ask questions. Create the group, I support that. It will be easier and relatable if it’s run by someone we can relate to. Some of the FB groups I’m in to don’t seem to be relatable.
As for monetizing I think it’s about Time you enjoy your sweats..you’ve worked quite hard on your blog and it won’t hurt to enjoy the fruits and you can always invest the money back to the blog. So it’s not a bad idea at all…check out Shelly’s post here. She spoke about how one should not be embarrassed to monetize.https://growingwithspawn.com/3-lessons-i-learnt-from-being-a-nano-influencer/.
Good luck👏👏
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This is the nicest comment ever!!!!! ❤ ❤ ❤
I hope I stick around till the year end – I have had so many double thoughts about continuing this recently. 😦
But it is friends like you that have kept me motivated and positive about my blogging journey. 😀
I'm definitely going to look into making the FB group – I am not on FB – so don't know about other groups. But this one will just be for us friends to share ideas, motivation, collabs etc. A smaller, closed, tight knit group.
Shelly – is definitely blogging goals for me! Her posts are so encouraging and also a little scary because I realize how less I know about blogging.
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OMG ladies! You are both so sweet!
And also very amazing writers. We all learn from and need to support each other. I’m so glad I met you both!
Shazzy~ we need to meet in person!
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Yes sissy
We have to arrange.👏👏Joburg is not far at all.
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Looking forward to the group and thank you so much or your support. You and Shelly have kept me going but I sometimes wondered where on earth do you get such brilliant ideas. Hahaha. Thank you so much
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CONGRATS! This is so well deserved and you deserve more and more. DON’T tell me I found your site when you were in the middle of a creative block! Your content is GREAT and consistently excellent.
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Thank you so much, Samrakshni! Really really sweet of you to say that.
PS: You have a beautiful name and I am really enjoying reading your posts! ❤
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Thank you very much! That means so much to me! 😃🙏
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Congrats Moksha ❤️ You deserve it all so much! My blogging goal is to reach 1000 followers at the end of this year. And the idea of a FB group of bloggers sounds great! All the best!!
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Thank you so much! I’m sure you’ll reach that goal soon! You are doing so so well! ❤
Definitely going to put the FB plan to action this month.
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You’ve hit some incredible milestones! I also had a 300+ day in June but I think it was a fluke 😅. I’d love to join your blogging group when you make one. That would be awesome!
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It was a total fluke for me too! 😀 D I went back to my 100+ views a day after! 😦 But it was so exciting to imagine a world where my blog would get 300+ views every day. 😀
Yayay! I am so glad that all my blogging friends are on board with the FB group – will definitely put that plan to action this month. ❤
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Yes! 😀
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Great achievements, Moksha. I hope your followers, views, likes and comments keep on increasing. Do keep blogging. Congratulations on completing one full year of active blogging.
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Thank you so much!! I really really hope I keep going at this. 🙂
Your blog is blog goals for me! ❤
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All the very best! Ohh, that’s so sweet of you ❤️
I tend to inconsistent at times. But I’ve been extremely consistent for the past 40 days. I hope that the steak will continue.
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Congratulations..
May you grow with every passing day…
Keep blogging..keep inspiring.
Stay blessed always
🙏🌹🙏
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Thank you so so much! 🙂
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🙏🌹🙏
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Congratulations!! Those are a great many milestones and many more to come your way!!🎉🎉
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Thank you so much ❤ ❤
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I always like seeing those little milestone achievements too. It’s not about the actual number; I’m just excited to see growth. I think having a private group of bloggers to share advice and motivation is a good idea. Congrats on your achievements!
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Thank you so much. I’ve been very demotivated this past month so this post was more for me – to cheer myself up. 😊
Thank you for your feedback – will definitely put my plan into action and start a bloggers group.
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This ❤ Moksha as you probably know your writing makes me so happy. All the topics you randomly pick to write about are everything! You are doing so well blogging-wise and more success to you!! XX
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Awww, thank you so much, love!! ❤️
You know how much I love reading your posts too. Thank you for being an amazing friend. ❤️
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Congratulations, this is amazing progress! I’ve been loving all you’re unique posts over the last few weeks, and I can’t wait to see more.
A blogger group is such a good idea! 🙂 🙂 It would be so awesome to meet and interact with other bloggers.
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Thank you so much!!! Means a lot to me!! ❤️
I’ve been considering this blogger group for a bit now – I really think it would be a great place to find ideas when you’re in a rut. I’ll try putting that plan to action this month. 😊
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You’re doing amazing! I totally agree with your comment about quality over quantity when it comes to bloggers. I don’t even have 500 followers yet, but lots of people engage with my posts. I’d much rather have it that way since there are plenty of people who sign up and will never read a post.
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Agreed! Quality >> quantity!!! The blogging fam that I’ve made over the past few months means way more than the random follows who will never engage.
Thank you. 😊
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Congratulations on so many achievements! You’re doing an amazing job!
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Omg congratulations on soo many milestones moksha di! Doesn’t matter the erratic schedule just take your time ❤️✨ I have been highly inactive too 😞
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Congrats! Moksha.
Every one of your post is clearly visualized with excellent description. I love reading’em.
Keep going!
Have a wonderful year ahead!
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Good to see you have got 1000+ followers and 1500 is not that far 👏👏
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Congrats Moksha 🙂
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Well done – keep it going ☺️
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Well done on your achievements! You’ve absolutely smashed it xxx
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Congratulations Happy 🐼.
You’re amazing and sweet.
I agree with above exciting comments.
Be steady. Keep going on. ✍️
Please take care of yourself. 🙂
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Moksha Didi, congratulations on all the achievements! They keep us going, don’t they?
And I strongly agree to the point that talks about the quality of followers. At the end of the day, readers matter to us the most! I hadn’t been active in the first half of the year, I decided to kick off my laziness and write regularly!
I love your idea of that bloggers group it’s sounds interesting and I hope it’ll work out too
Congratulations again! ❤️
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Thank you so much, sis! It is so so great to have you back here! Missed reading your beautiful poetry on WP! ❤ ❤
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You’re inspiration to us ! Great milestone ! Congratulations 🎉🎉❤. I’d love to join your fb group !
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Aww, thank you so much! ❤
I will definitely work on the FB group and share details about it one here.
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Sure 🤗
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Congratulations on all these incredible milestones! One year, eek! The time flies 😊
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Thank you so much, love! ❤
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Well done you!!! 🏆 I second the idea of monetising your blog, imo Google Adsense is best. Also please do create the FB group, I’d be one of the first to join!! 🙌🏽😁🥰
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Omg! Congrats on crossing a 1000! It definitely is a commitment to get a blog up and keep it running! Look at me haha I have been around here for 6 years now and still got about 600 something followers. Not complaining though, I still kind of find it surprising that I have these many who actually stuck around despite my horrendous blog engagement 🙈🙈 I’m sure the numbers don’t count, but it’s a measure and it absolutely feels like an achievement when the support increases. I’m so happy for you, I remember when you had just started out. Oh and completely relate with the creativity blah stage haha. I tend to become a ghost, flitting in and out between massive involved stages and afk modes from my blog 😂😅
Good luck for the future! 💕🤗
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Happy to find your blog!😀 Hope you reach your goals!
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Congratulations on all the milestones! I am soo happy for you! Keep doing your best, and don’t stress yourself soo much!!♥️♥️
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Awww, thank you so so much ❤️
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Congrats on the milestones! I have loved seeing your posts on here and you’re a fun blogger to engage with. Keep it going! 🙂
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Thank you so much! 😊❤️
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Well done ! 🙂
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Congrats on all your milestones! You should be proud 🙂
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