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Fall, orange, red and yellow leaves. The smell of apple crisp in the oven and my new favorite Maple Pecan latte from Starbucks. This is my favorite time of year. The air is crisp and the calendar starts to point at the holiday’s that are coming. Halloween, Thanksgiving and then the joy (or chaos) of Christmas. I love them. I love seeing all my family so frequently during that time too.
Traditions
November tends to be the month of reflection for me. I write a post on Facebook, every single day to say what I am thankful for. Someday’s its as simple as being thankful for coffee. One day I wrote I was thankful for heat after our furnace had to be replaced and it took 3 long days. It’s the 30 Days of Thankfulness Challenge that I give myself.
I have also started to see what I posted about years ago, in the “on this day” portion of Facebook. I love to be able to reflect and remember where I have been and how much life has changed.
What are some of your traditions for the holiday? What do you do with your family?
Another thing we do on Thanksgiving is we go around the table and we say what we are thankful for. Each of us says a little something of what they are thankful for. It is a beautiful moment at the table. We each take a moment to stop and listen and enjoy the thankfulness that is being spread.
The rewards of blogging
This year, I have something new I am thankful for. I am SO VERY THANKFUL for my blog. I am thankful for all of my readers who keep coming back. And, I am thankful for how much I have learned in the last year. Blogging is not easy and at the beginning, I wasn’t sure I was cut out for it. There were months I didn’t touch it because I just didn’t know how and I struggled with self doubt. If it weren’t for this deep passion inside me to write that kept me going.
Also, when I hear back from my readers on my email list, this makes my heart so incredibly happy! If you aren’t on my email list, please join me! I would love to hear how my blog has impacted you!
Investing in Education
Investing in the courses I have taken in the last year is another thing I am thankful for. Elite Blog Academy started in February of 2017 and this course alone helped me build my foundation in my blog. This course is amazing! I was a floundering beginner blogger when I signed up for Elite Blog Academy. Since then, I have rebranded (twice!), bought a child theme from Restored316 that I adore. I learned how to structure my blog and create a menu that serves my audience. I learned how to write a blog post I am proud of and was helpful for my readers. There is so much more I learned from this class, and it is the course that has set me on my feet with blogging. I highly recommend this course, it’s only open once a year for enrollment but you can get on the waiting list here.
Another course I took this year was Pinning Perfect. This course is all things Pinterest. It taught me so much regarding what a pinable image should look like, how to use a scheduling tool like Tailwind and how to read my analytics on Pinterest. The course has 9 units and it takes you through Pinterest and your images set by step. I go back and reference it all the time. I also love that Melissa and Anna update the course and once you have purchased it you are a lifetime member.
The final course I’m going to give credit to is Sticky Blogging by Kelly [instert Kelly’s last name}. This course took my writing to a whole new level! EBA taught me how to write a post, but Kelly taught me how to really connect with my readers. She helped me look at my posts from the beginning, writing better headlines to everything in between. The course is a 4 week course and she only opens it a couple times a year.
People
The combination of these three courses has really helped me focus and learn what it means to be a blogger. As I look forward I see more courses in my future but the foundation has been set. Now, I can finish EBA and finish the course strong knowing that I have the foundation totally set.
I am thankful I took to leap to start my blog. I am thankful I invested in courses to help me understand how to make a great blog. And I am thankful my husband supports me on my blogging journey! Entering the blogging world knowing nothing but having a dream of having a successful blog, and having so many people come around me and encouragement is truly beautiful. I am so thankful for this adventure I am on.
Finally, if you are thinking about starting a blog, I highly recommend it! This is the most rewarding I have ever had. It isn’t as rewarding as being a Mom and watching your children become young adults, but it is rewarding. Honestly, I believe anyone can do this. The blogging world is just getting started and I am certain your voice needs to be shared. I have written several posts about blogging. This one on how to start a blog, and this one one what I did my first 30 days of blogging. They will both help you see my journey. If you want to be challenged in everything you do, and you have always considered starting your own business, then you should really consider blogging.
Stephanie has been blogging at Sticky Note Mom for 4 years. Before starting her blog she worked in the finance industry working on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade to working for major financial institutions with personal financial planning and the mortgage industry. Now she shares all she has learned about frugal living to help others learn how to stop spending and start saving more.
Tricia Murdock says
I know I am thankful for my blog too. The creative outlet is like no other. Thank you for sharing
Stephanie says
Love the creative outlet!