A lot of my perspective and experiences around blogging have changed a lot over the past 18 months. I have learnt a lot and changed a lot too as a blogger. Where am I blogging wise a year and a half into this blogging game?
- People calling me ‘Happy Panda’ feels odd– with my blogosphere now filled with friends, I now have more bloggers address me by my real name than my blogging alias. It has gotten to the point that when someone does address me as Happy Panda or Panda or Happy (this one is the funniest) or HP – it elicits a laugh. š (Do you think I should change my blog name?)
- Stopped caring about ‘STATS’ – I think I’ve been so busy with life and work that I have stopped worrying about my blog’s stats. For the longest, I’d keep a daily check on them and my growth but now I probably think about checking it once in a month.
- I am considering monetizing my blog – I have been toying around with the idea for the past few months and the thing that kept me from monetizing my blog was work taking precedence and me giving up on this blog. But since that hasn’t happened (yet), as a birthday gift to myself – I am considering monetizing my blog sometime next month. (WUHUUU)
- I have become more open about sharing about my life – I won’t be sharing my address and phone number on here any time soon, but I do share a lot of other details about my life on here. I have also started voicing my opinions even if they contradict or don’t match someone else’s opinion. (I also started a blog series on my dating life – check it out here. It is all PG13. )
- I have started missing friends from the blogosphere – I haven’t been around a lot and seem to miss seeing posts from some of my close friends, when that happens for a while – I start missing them a lot. (It is just me or is there a lull around and a lot of bloggers seem to not be posting very often?)
That is where I am at right now 18 months into this world. I hope I stick around long enough to do a 2 year check in too. š Where are you at in your blogging journey?
PS: If you are living in India, my brand is having a GIVEAWAY on Instagram. Definitely participate to win some cool, sustainable goodies.
Check out my other recent posts –
Happy Panda 
The fifth point is so true! So many of my blogging friends just quit posting without giving any mentioned reason…and it just really pisses me off. Even if things are bad, I don’t like people just going out of my life all of a sudden! Like at least declare a hiatus!!
Blogging doesn’t feel the same anymore sometime, I was so sick of the monotonity of it, my reader is filled with blogs of people I follow and don’t even care about, the spark of blogging has just dulled down…I wish everyone would come back. Back in April, may, everything felt so alive na?
Tbh, you’re not active that often either, and don’t take that in a negative way, but I feel like you’re not šš š .
Great post though! And I love the name happy panda!!!
LikeLiked by 5 people
SAMEEE! I feel like none of my “inner circle” of bloggers are very active on here and it is so dull to go to the reader. I thought it was just for me. But I guess not.
I’ve had SO much work that I literally cheat on work with this blog. So I login during breaks and commute but yeah it hasn’t been the same. Plus with everyone so MIA I’ve also not felt like coming on here that much. š¦
Me too – Happy Panda resonates with me so much! But if one more person calls me HAPPY.. š (you know which smiley this is)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally know what smiley it is š.
OH HAPPY DIDI! imma call u happy didi now šš
LikeLiked by 1 person
Evil takes human form in YOU!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
šbest compliment ever (ps- got the reference)
LikeLike
Shouldn’t you be studying?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wh– why would you …..š
LikeLike
Congrats on your eighteen month journey.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thankeee š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratsss on your milestone!! Even I realised people havenāt been posting as frequently, looks like many of them are in a mini hiatus I miss them when theyāre not seen too š Great post!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I KNOWWW! So many of my friends are just missing and it feels so so weird. Its definitely a weird phase.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So this is just my opinion but I LOOOOVVEEE your blogās name and I donāt think you should change it! Itās catchy and quirky and interesting and long-lasting. I would say Iāve still been posting consistently but only once a week now (used to be twice) because I hit a wall as well from too much obsession with my blog and had to pull back. But Iām still šÆ here and loving it! But I also havenāt been able to comment as much or as thoughtfully, so yeah, I donāt think your lull is imagined. Gosh, not sure about monetizing. I wanna say yes because u deserve it! But I also hate when blogs monetize because they go from being original and amazing to something thatās obviously geared towards their sponsors. And then I feel like, āoh Iām no longer the audience, this blog isnāt really for me any more, itās for the sponsor.ā And I feel left out and I stop reading. I would NEVER do that with u even if u monetize! But thatās my initial thought. I canāt wait to see how it all unfolds ššš
LikeLiked by 5 people
Your comments are always so fun to read. ā¤
Likewise, I've also reduced my time on here because of work and stuff. Though I try to keep up with posting 3 times a week – it varies A LOT. With so many people MIA, it just makes me feel kinda meh being here.
I totally get what you mean with monetized blogs. I feel the same away about the content of a lot of monetized blogs I do follow – its not fun. But knowing me – I write only what excites me – so I hope it won't change. The goal is to be able to pull of some side hustle monies to support my shopping and eating out (while my business still picks up).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah def I think you can do it without being obnoxious like some bloggers who are clearly only about money. And I canāt even blame them either since I know for some itās their livelihood. But yes, I support whatever u decide to do!
LikeLike
HP! šššš I’m almost at the one year mark, just a couple more months to go of blogging once a week consistently lol…
I also struggle with my name lol… I find it doesn’t really match my content but it’s what ppl have come to know me as and recognize.. I also secretly don’t love the nickname BB lol but most ppl know me as that or call me by my handle. A select few who are regulars know me as Jen and call me by that but no matter what, I appreciate everyone’s support so much that anything ppl want to call me is fine lol as long as it’s PG lol
You should be proud of yourself you’ve come this far! I hope you continue blogging!! š
LikeLiked by 2 people
I so get it!!! My name doesn’t really reflect on what the content of my blog is either. But it only bothers me when someone calls me ‘HAPPY’. Why would my name or alias be ‘HAPPY’? š
TBH I really love your blog name – my first impression of you was formed by it. I totally thought of you as this strong willed, in control, suited up woman – and you quite live up to that impression. (I’m not sure about the suited up part :P)
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha i am suited up… in SWEATS and leggings! I live in leggings 24/7 LOL
LikeLike
Also, best compliment ever! Love your inspiring content always! š
LikeLike
I miss people too when they disappear from the blogging world for a bit. A few of the people I got to know well when I first started blogging don’t spend much time on here anymore. It’s a bit sad, but I know life gets in the way.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I so get you. So many of my initial friends circle are no longer active on here and it is kinda sad. I also think I started blogging during the first lockdown when everyone around the world had nothing much to do and so the blogging world was thriving. It is not the same anymore!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s probably what happened. It’s understandable though
LikeLike
Love this, so happy for you! š
LikeLiked by 2 people
Woo hoo. Another milestone! Congratulations, Moksha. Your blog name is cute and I think you should stick with it. But go with your gut feeling. There are a few who refer to me as soulsearcher or My Random Ramblings or even incorrect spellings of my name (I can’t stand when they spell it incorrectly!) I’m glad that you’ve reached a place where you don’t obsess over stats anymore. And go for monetising. That would be a great birthday gift. And about the hiatus, I’m guilty of that too. So many faces are missing from the blogosphere. Life tends to catch up at times. I’m sure that they’ll all come back. We’ll keep discovering new blogs along the way too. This November, I would be completing 6 years on my present blog, and 7 years since I ventured into the blogosphere. I’ve seen a lot of people disappear over the years, so many of my favourite bloggers who just don’t blog anymore. But I’ve found a lot of new blogs too. That’s just how the Journey in the blogosphere goes. Many of the blogs I follow were by part-time bloggers and they tend to inconsistent at times because it’s a lot to juggle everything from time to time. I’ve been there. In fact, I’m there right now. But most people do return. I found one of my favourite bloggers again after 4 years!!! So don’t let it affect you. Keep calm and keep on writing. ā¤ļø
LikeLiked by 2 people
6 years to your blog – WOW! I really really hope I make it to that milestone too.
You’re right – doing this part time can get to be too much! But it sucks to have them just disappear especially since you don’t know if you’ll connect with them ever again.
Thanks for encouraging me to monetize – its been on the back burner for far too long. š
Haha some things are so triggering – I get how you feel about someone misspelling your name – I feel the same way when someone calls me HAPPY. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope that you will get to that milestone too, Moksha. You have my full support. Yes, it sucks when people disappear forever. Hopefully, that won’t keep happening a lot.
All the best with the monetisation part. I hope that transition goes smoothly. Finally! Someone who can truly appreciate what it makes you feel like when someone messes with your name!
LikeLike
Congratulations on 18 months! šš
Calling you Happy has never crossed my mind. It does sound quite funny. šš
About changing your blog name, Iām quite in between. However, it is really nice to see how far youāve come in terms of being more personal on your blog to the extent where you are considering using your name. As someone who has been reading your blog for quite a while, it is really nice to see. Iām happy for you.
On bloggers disappearing, I do agree. I can think of some off the top of my head who Iāve noticed donāt post anymore. Quite unfortunate.
Looking forward to another 18 months!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much! š
I never imagined people calling me ‘Happy’ – Happy Panda/Panda – I get but ‘Happy’ just triggers me. š
Aww, thank you so much! ā¤
When bloggers disappear, it is just disappointing knowing we'll probably never connect again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t ever change your name it makes you unique! I agree there does seem to be a bit of a lul amongst bloggers at the moment which is sad. It can be so tough at times to stay committed to blogging but you do notice a gap when your community isn’t posting as frequently.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on 18 months! Iāll be hitting my 1-year mark soon. It is crazy how fast it goes. Iāve noticed a bunch of people taking a break now too. Maybe they will be back this winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been at this for over two years and still having fun. I’m getting more serious about investing time in story writing, so I don’t blog as much. Our goals should change as our life navigates the peaks and valleys. I rarely add new blogs because I try to support the ones I do follow, but there are only so many minutes in the day.
I think people get used to calling others something they’re comfortable with and have a hard time letting go of that. Some of the parents of the first children I taught are considerably older than me, and as much as I try, they can’t get past calling me Mr. Springer rather than by my first name.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great job. Iām really curious about the monetization of your blog. Iāve been thinking the same thing. Iāll be watching.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whooo Hoo Ru hu, HP, Pana.. teasing … love that you are going to monetize. can’t wait to hear how it goes. Fun to see all that you have learned. I know what you mean about missing some of our friends.. Good to read you my friend!š
LikeLike
The first and fifth point I can totally relate with. Some people have called me Doomslayer and I am like “who?”. And it’s strange that I am getting to know people through blogs and I actually look forward to our interactions. Great blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
DON’T MAKE ME FEEL GUILTY šš¤§! You’re evil!!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Also this was in response to my above comment.
LikeLike
Congrats on this milestone!! Your blog has always been one of my favorites. I always looks forward to hearing your opinions and thoughts on different topics.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Congratulations! I love your blog name, but I definitely get what you mean when people refer to you as your blog name, I still haven’t gotten used to receiving emails addressed to Bex rather than Rebecca.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh God! I so get how that must feel. When someone addresses me as ‘HAPPY’ it gets to me. š
LikeLike
Good luck with monotizing your blog!
LikeLiked by 2 people
“HAPPPY panda” should be the preferred choice.
However, your personality differ completely from real panda.
Pandas just sleeps.
You’re hard-working, focused & willing to do this task at any cost kinda person. (That’s what I’ve analyzed from insta stories. )
There are numerous individual who left blogging suddenly & I completely understand that. Life happens & you gotta have work to do.
Best wishes,
Tanishq.
LikeLiked by 1 person
congrats! i missed your posts too, tho i am getting back on them š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty much in the same space , as there is no lockdown coming soon , my regular work is taking more time and less time to blog š.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post! I’m glad you stopped caring about the stats because honestly they don’t matter that much. And yes it is so quite around here there days idk why!
LikeLike
keep writing, my young friend! your topics are very interesting indeed. i also deliberated on my blogging after a year, and while i found out i was violating some established norms, i just stayed the course. it’s the love of the journey, it’s the passion to learn and teach in return. these are just some of the rewards we gain from our passion. here’s where i was after a year of blogging, and my thoughts. perhaps you will see something you can use. https://cbholganza.com/2013/11/05/happy-first-anniversary-blogger/
LikeLike
This is my first time here and am loving it alot here
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha as for people calling you Happy Panda. Hahaha I think you should just stick to it. Don’t change your blog name. It suits best with your personality. It’s quirky, catchy and absolutely interesting.
I think it’s about time you monetized your blog woooooopppppyyyyyy.
It’s long been overdue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eighteen months and counting!!! That’s a nice post there. Always nice to read about this amazing journey. Blessings and good wishes as you continue forward and all the best as you take important decisions on the way ahead. May it all work out just the way you hoped.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. š Hope it is going well for you too!
LikeLike
A series on your dating life?! Ooooh Iām down for that š Let me grab my tea!
LikeLike