When I started blogging, I never imagined how much it would teach me or how grateful I would be for taking the plunge.
The Beginning
Just after the COVID lockdown, a group of friends from my meditation circle brought up the idea of blogging. We were all keen on learning and growing, so we decided to meet regularly to kickstart our blogs instead of just talking about it.
Initially, I didn't see the need for my own blog since I was already managing posts for the meditation centre I belonged to. I questioned what I would talk about and who would read it. Despite my doubts, our first group blog meeting on September 19, 2022, marked the start of an unexpected journey. Since then, I haven't missed a single post! For the past year and eight months, I've written a blog post every single day. (that is on my Korean blog.) Now, I run two blogs, including this English one, and have a YouTube channel with over 1,000 subscribers—something I never anticipated.
Lessons Learned from Blogging
Looking back over the past 20 months, blogging has been a profound teacher in many areas of my life.
Opening My Eyes to the World
One of the first challenges in blogging is figuring out what to write about.
Initially, it's easy when you're excited about this new adventure. However, as time goes on, you might find your ideas running low. To keep writing, I had to open my eyes to the world around me.
To my surprise, there are endless topics to explore. The mundane aspects of daily life, a quick lunch I cooked, or an interesting meme on Facebook can all become blog posts.
Blogging made me realize how rich and interesting the world is, full of stories and lessons waiting to be shared.
Gaining New Skills and Knowledge
Writing about topics you're interested in but not an expert on requires research. Through this process, I've learned so much about a variety of subjects. Research has become even more fascinating with the advent of AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot.
Blogging has taught me how to effectively use these tools, making them my digital mentors. Additionally, reading other people's blogs has been a source of inspiration and knowledge.
Expanding My Network
My blog primarily focuses on my life in Sydney, covering topics like cafes, hiking trails, and local activities. To write about these places, I needed to research and engage with the community. This led to meeting new people and joining groups with similar interests, expanding my network and enriching my life in ways I never expected.
Financial Gains
While I'm not yet a high-earning blogger, blogging has opened doors to paid jobs like teaching (dance) and translation work. AdSense on my blog generates small but consistent income, which adds up over time. Additionally, starting a YouTube channel for my blog's video content has been rewarding. Despite periods of inactivity, my subscriber count has grown to over 1,000, bringing me closer to monetization.
Discipline, Mindset, and Meditation
Blogging has instilled discipline in me. It's a commitment, and there were times when I felt tired or uninspired. However, I reminded myself of how much I've gained from blogging and persevered with gratitude.
Meditation has also played a crucial role, helping me let go of negative thoughts and maintain a positive attitude.
Conclusion
Starting my own blog has been a transformative experience, teaching me invaluable lessons and continuing to do so every day.
I hope my story encourages anyone reading this post to embrace the joy of learning and growing. Blogging has made my life more interesting and enjoyable, and I'm grateful for the journey. Thank you for reading!
