I’ve made it to my 10 year blogiversary!  10 years of blogging has FLOWN by.  Today I wanted to chat all about how blogging has changed over the past 10 years along with a look at some favorite moments of mine.  I hope you enjoy my candid chat about what blogging looks like to me and where I am excited to take it going forward.

Blogging back in 2008

Back in the OG days of blogging circa 2008, both life and blogging looked a whole lot different than it does now. Then I was recently married to Jacob, I worked full time in Human Resources, I was starting my journey to become a healthier version of myself and I had a whole heck of a lot more time on my hands.   I would wake up early and go for a run, then hop on my computer and bust out a blog post just about every other day. Sometimes daily!  My frequency was high and it was more often a highlight reel of my daily eats (with cringe worthy photos).

I once heard that if you don’t look back on what you’ve created with some embarrassment, you aren’t moving fast enough. I definitely look back on those first couple years of blogging and think to myself “how did I put that content out into the world?” Back then there were so many less blogs. We as health and wellness bloggers really got to know each other and commented back and forth on each others posts. It was such a great community – and still is!  As I started having kiddos I kinda of slipped in and out of blogging. I never left, but my time went elsewhere (raising a human), and the state of blogs and social media have changed it SO much!

To be honest, sometimes I get feel a huge comparison syndrome when I look at where other bloggers are at in less time than my 10 years.  Like, what do I tangibly have to show for my 10 years?

Well, babies. Four of them.  That’s my tangible thing.

I have to take a step back and realize that my life looks different than theirs and comparison really is the thief of joy. I decided to grow 4 babies in 6 years!  That takes a whole lotta work and is a pretty grand accomplishment in my book. Other tangible things, like a book, will be amazing and come in its own time.  But with this whole comparison syndrome I have to realize that things happen in their own time and I am here to own my path.

Blogging in 2018

So what does blogging look like in 2018, 4 kids later? It’s currently 4:51am and I was woken early by Holland and Nova. I’m currently pumping so I have a bottle of milk for when I teach later in the day, while I write this into a google doc on my phone which will be ready for me to move into my blog post when I get my computer out.  Instead of 3-4 blog posts a week, I’ve found a good rhythm of 1 podcast with blog post + 1 recipe/article a week. Plus I send out my weekly newsletter! Plus almost 1 year ago I started my podcast Fit Mama Real Food Radio which has be sooo fun.  And there is Instagram which is like a mini blog on its own now. Then Facebook to share my content and connect with you guys. Lastly Pinterest and Twitter get my attention maybe once or twice a month if they’re lucky.

As I was taking a stroll down blog memory lane, I realized that some of my favorite posts to reread are the ones about life. Not, why kale is amazing (although it is and you should totally eat it), but the day in life posts.  Rereading the tough post about PPD, the births of my babies, adventures Jacob and I took pre-kids, renovating a bathroom, becoming a group fitness instructor, camping in the PNW, capturing our trip to Aruba, learning patience and being present with my kiddos and remembering the fun pie making competition my family did one year.  I LOVE a good 101 type post and sharing our favorite recipes, but more life is getting sprinkled back in.  It just feels right that way. This blog started as a place for me to share about my journey and life and I need to bring more of that back! I hope you’re looking forward to it as much as I am.

If you have a favorite post or recipe from over the years, I would LOVE to hear which that is in the comments below.  I’d also love to know how long you’ve been following along. 

THANK YOU guys for following along, whether it’s been for 1 year or all 10 years. I appreciate you so much. Truly. Blogging is made fun because of the connections, not because of the food. It’s always about the people.  And you guys are my people.

Heather

PS – that carrot cake recipe I gave a sneak peek on insta is coming up next!