Wow, I really wasn’t expecting to be here! I’d been thinking about starting a blog for a while but It all seemed a bit scary and I was full of doubts. How would I start? Would I have enough to write about? Would anyone read it? If they did, would they like it? Um… maybe I’d do it next week.
Then I heard about the Netmums Parent Bloggers Network. As a mum of two I’ve spent a lot of time on Netmums and I’ve found I can always count on them, and the parents that use the site, for information, support or just a laugh. So, I thought, if anyone was going to help me get started it was them.
I put the kids to bed, made a cup of tea and sat down with my laptop. This was it, now or never! I spent the evening reading through all the advice and suggestions on Netmums and then getting to grips with WordPress, which wasn’t as scary as it first looked. I set myself up a page, up loaded some photos and wrote my About Me page. “Now we’re rolling”, I thought to myself, “What’s next?” Well bedtime actually, it was midnight and Rome wasn’t built in a day, after all.
The next day I sat down enthusiastically to write my first proper post while T was having a nap. This was going to be easy, I’d gone to bed the night before with my head full of ideas. My laptop clunked and buzzed into life (it’s not exactly state of the art!) and by the time I was looking at a blank post all my doubts had returned, what did I think I was doing, no one was interested in my ramblings and all of last nights ideas just seemed ridiculous.
I asked myself what was I trying to achieve with my blog, took a deep breath and started typing and half an hour later I had my first post, So why Yellow Days? A quick read through and spell check and my finger hovered ready to click publish. I have to admit, if I’d given myself too much time to think about it I would have chickened out but I quickly gathered my courage and it was all done. I had published. If I’m honest it was a bit of an anti-climax, I’d taken that plunge and nothing really happened. I don’t know what I was expecting. Maybe a siren and a flashing sign saying ‘What’s this rubbish?’
Life carried on as normal but the next day I was listed on Netmums site and I got an email to tell me I had a comment. Excited does not even cover it! I checked and it was from the lovely Kate at Kate Takes 5 who had been helping to set up the network and with that it all started.
I added some more posts and joined in with some memes. The comments kept coming and I answered them and left comments on some other blogs I enjoyed. It’s become my daily treat to check my stats and in two weeks I’ve had nearly 100 views. More importantly, I’m really enjoying the whole process as everyone has been so lovely and supportive.
I know this would never have happened if I hadn’t signed up to the Netmums Parent Bloggers Network. I hope this post will encourage other people to give blogging a go. It’s really not as scary as I thought and I can’t believe now that I nearly didn’t do it. Most importantly I want to use this post to say Thank You to Netmums for helping me finally do this and, of course, a big Thank You to all the people who have stopped by my blog and taken the time to leave comments. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.
And now I’m off to check my stats again, yey!
Oh what a lovely post. But you better watch out – I think you may have already caught the blogging bug!
I think you’re right, it’s so addictive!
It’s great you have started blogging – look forward to keeping up with your blog on the Parent Bloggers Network. Big thank you right back at you !
Thanks Nicola
Checking your stats can get addictive!!! Just remember what you want to get out of blogging and stick to your goal, and dont feel pressured to conform to writing what you think people want to hear and in the style they want to hear it rather than in your own way. Ive a feeling im going to enjoy your blog! xx
Absolutely, without wanting to sound cheesy I think your blog has to be true to yourself or it will just sound contrived.
Hi! Found you on bmb, I only started blogging a couple of months ago so can completely relate to where you are coming from. I still can’t believe the whole new world it has opened up. I love it though. Good blog, look forward to reading more x
I do think half the fun is diving into all these different blogs and looking around. Glad you’re enjoying it as well. 🙂
Hi,
I only started a few weeks ago and I have noticed blogging is very addictive! Your blog is very nice!
If you get a chance please have a look at mine it’s: http://stayathomedaddyfor2.wordpress.com
Thanks!
Thanks for dropping by, I’ll definitely pop over you yours too. Newbie solidarity, hey? 😉