When I started blogging last year, I knew nothing about how to blog. It took me 4 weeks to send my first post because of fear. But I overcame that fear and hit publish. And I have continued to hit publish. Today, I am celebrating 1 year at Pinecone Cottage Retreat!
The past year was amazingly full. Here is a list of some of the major things that occurred in 2017.
- I started this blog.
- I hosted my daughter’s Bridal Shower in my backyard.
- My youngest daughter graduated from College.
- My oldest daughter got married with a Camping Wedding.
- I had gall bladder surgery.
- A storm blew a 50 foot tree down in our yard causing major damage.
- I had a very significant birthday.
- I spent a week in Chicago for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics 100 year Anniversary Conference.
It was a very eventful year for my family and I. I am so thankful for all of the blessings that the past year has brought. Blessings such as my new son-in-law. But I am especially grateful for this blog. I have been amazed at the journey so far and would like to share a few things that I have learned along the way.
What I have learned from my Blogging Adventure this First Year…
- Blogging is really hard work. It is not intuitive to most of us and it takes a lot of learning to figure the process out. Consistent action is needed daily in order to accomplish everything that needs to be done.
- Despite the hard work it is very rewarding. Blogging has brought me a new perspective on life. And I have grown so much by challenging myself to learn. As my friends and family are starting to retire and cut back, I am spending more time learning so that I can continue to grow my blog.
- I have made some wonderful new friends through this journey. Both blogging friends and friends who have joined my community. I am looking forward to getting to know you all better.
- It is never too late in life to learn new things! Reach out, learn and grow. It doesn’t matter what your age is if you have a desire to do something new. Just do it. Don’t look back on life with regrets but look forward to the opportunities.
- It is best to live and focus on each new day. Constantly worrying about tomorrow takes the joy out of today. When I started my blog last year, if I had known all that it would entail I might have been overwhelmed and given up. But by just focusing on one day at a time I was able to keep learning and applying the things I learned.
I hope that you can glean a nugget or two from my experience to apply to your life. Do you have a new adventure that you would like to try? Such as a new career or traveling? Do you have a new skill that you want to learn such as knitting or diy? Do you want to learn to take better photos or learn to cook with an Instant Pot? Whether your change is a major life change or just something new that you would like to learn, I would like to encourage you to give it a try.
Explore new places, create new life goals, dig a new garden. Find something new that excites you and just get started learning and growing! I want to be here to encourage you on your journey.
As I celebrate my 1 year anniversary, my hope is that you will find Pinecone Cottage Retreat a great place to just relax. And maybe learn something new that will help make your life easier. I wish that you all could personally come and visit me in my garden shed where we could craft, drink iced lattes, laugh together and just become best friends.