Lessons Learned: Blogging

It has officially be 1 year since I started this blog. Well actually a little over a year at this point. How'd that happen? I can not believe how fast time has gone! 

As a pharmacist, no one really cares that you are in love with Toni Morrison or that you recite the words of Robert Frost once a day in your head to make any decision and twice when making an important one. For the most part, people care about you knowing the right dosage form of Amoxillin to give to their screaming toddler. I originally started blogging as a creative outlet and to keep up with my family and friends while I am in school.

It took me a while to actually start a blog. I remember seeing a link to one of my friends' from Clemson sister's blog on facebook one night (confusing) and just decided to click on it. She went to Clemson too and she had bloggy friends on her blog and just started clicking away. . I read several blogs for months before finally committing to starting my own. At first I thought, 'What in the world would I ever write about?' Then, whenever something would happen, especially big mile stones, I'd always say 'Man, I wish I could blog that' before quickly realizing I didn't have a blog yet ;). I originally started blogging as a creative outlet and to keep up with my family and friends while I am in school.

So what have I learned after 365ish days about blogging?

• People are interesting. I really don't know what other way to put it. So many times I have read blogs, read the comments that followed and been truly speechless. Some people are so opinionated while others can be really helpful and sweet. Here's the thing. when writing a blog, it is the person's life we are talking about. Some people acuallyl blog for a living. Many of the bloggers I have come in contact with blog for the same purpose....to document their lives and the special moments that come with the territory...both good and bad. Many bloggers also use blogging as a creative outlet like I do. I don't think I have ever met or spoken to a blogger that said he or she is doing it for other people..and that's the way it should be. The readers that come along are really just a little perk :) 

• To be me. Being me--what you see is what you get. I think a lot of times, espcially bloggers, use blogging as a platform to adverstise the goods and not the bads. Now I'm not saying I would post every single detail about my terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day but I also wouldn't post every single time I won a prize on a lottery scrach off. I have learned it's important to be real..and to show the really real you. After all, no one can be you better than you.

• It takes patience. A lot more than I originally thought. One of the sweet bloggers I met before starting this blog told me this on at least 3 different occasions. I decided very early on that I just didn't have the patience for patience :) But she could not have been more right. Also, Shay did a blog post on writing where she interviewed several different different bloggers and they all said the exact same thing. Experts won out. :)

• It is super super easy to get intimidated in the blogging world---there are so many different levels to blogging from elite to amateur.  The important thing I have come to remember is that there are also different time ranges to blogging. Some people have been blogging for years and years. Some people also have more time on their hands. Everyone is different. Don't compare

The cool thing is that everyone starts out on the same level for the most part. 

Even though I love to write, I try to keep the reason why I started blogging in the back of my mind.

I have loved being able to look back and reflect on things I've done with my family and friends. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have met and become friends with so many amazing people. The blogging community is seriously amazing but as with anything, there are pros and cons. It's important not to let the cons outweigh the pros. I want to send a huge, ginormous THANK YOU to everyone who has taken the time out to read my random ramblings. Thank you for all of the love and support and encouragement. Seriously. I love you all
XOXO