Okay, so technically, I started my blog on 7/22/11, which means today is not my actual blog birthday. Still, I am one of those people that likes to give presents early and draws birthdays out into weeks, maybe even whole months, so why not celebrate a little ahead of schedule? Besides, I’ll be traveling 7/22, and I want this to give this post some thought.
So, let’s take a little trip back in time. One year ago, this month, I decided to start a blog. Inspired by Gretchen Rubin’s the Happiness Project, I was determined to create a regular space for something in my life that I love, writing. I was also coming off my first juice fast, so the world looked especially magical through my newly cleansed, hippie eyes. Thus, I named my blog, “Today is the best day of my life,” my little pinch-me-it’s-real reminder for my first summer break in years.
However, as with many good things, I eventually came to hate that name. Funny how sometimes we even manage to annoy ourselves with our own optimism. Still, the name stuck, because I did not know what else to call it and part of me wanted to hang on to that reminder to live in the moment. Then, two months ago, my cousin suggested I move my blog to WordPress, clean it up, prepare to put myself out there as an author. My chance for a new name, my own.
I took his advice, and here I am. I have to say, there is a night and day difference between Blogger and WordPress. Exponentially more readers, yes, but also the unexpected enjoyment of deeper connections with others. Writers, teachers, travelers. Turns out that deciding to start a blog was less about putting myself out there on my own and more about finding a community, a place to belong, words and all.
Here’s to many more years of blogging and writing happiness!
Live Life, Be Brave is still the guiding principal for my blog, 150 posts and one year later!
oliviaobryon 