So...exactly one year ago tomorrow, I sat down with my laptop and tentatively took the first steps into the world of blogging.
I've loved writing, photographing, creating and publishing posts; when I started duck in a dress, I thought it would just be Andrew and my friend M who'd be reading - I never dreamed that so many other people would be interested in my life.
I've learnt a lot in the last year and met some fabulous other bloggers, but I'm also very aware that a lot of the things I do (or don't do) probably make me what would be known as "a bad blogger".
This would include...
Munching on my food before photographing it (see above for a perfect example!)
Not tweeting enough
Commenting on other people's blogs about two weeks after everyone else
Scheduling and then rearranging blog posts beacuse I'm too lazy to actually write them
Continuing with a weekly feature which I know only a handful of people actually read
Letting public holidays, celebrations and national awareness weeks slip by without even mentioning them
Never managing to actually be free to take part in the #lbloggers chat on Sunday evenings
(although this week I stumbled on the fact that they have a Wednesday night session as well, yay!)
Not getting around to setting up a Facebook page for absolutely ages
(although as of last weekend that's done and ticked off now!)
Taking photos on my phone in artifical light
Blogging about topics that would probably be seen as quite niche (vintage lorries and IVF anyone?)
Not tweeting enough
Commenting on other people's blogs about two weeks after everyone else
Scheduling and then rearranging blog posts beacuse I'm too lazy to actually write them
Continuing with a weekly feature which I know only a handful of people actually read
Letting public holidays, celebrations and national awareness weeks slip by without even mentioning them
Never managing to actually be free to take part in the #lbloggers chat on Sunday evenings
(although this week I stumbled on the fact that they have a Wednesday night session as well, yay!)
Not getting around to setting up a Facebook page for absolutely ages
(although as of last weekend that's done and ticked off now!)
Taking photos on my phone in artifical light
Blogging about topics that would probably be seen as quite niche (vintage lorries and IVF anyone?)
But in the year I've been sharing with you, one thing I've learnt is that I don't mind - I might well do all of these things and more, but for every blogger out there, your own blog is your own space to interpret and use however you like.
So what if you forget to photograph your food or to blog one night? As long as blogging in whatever way you like makes you happy, then that's absolutely fine.
So what if you forget to photograph your food or to blog one night? As long as blogging in whatever way you like makes you happy, then that's absolutely fine.
And as duck in a dress grows another year older, if other lovely people decide to join me along the way, then that's just flipping grand.
Dave now thinks I'm even crazier than usual. I just roared, "No you're not!" at the screen when I saw the title pop up in my bloglovin' feed! You're a fantastic blogger and I always love catching up with you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your one-year blog birthday, m'dear! May you have many more xx
Haha, that's a fab image! Thank you very much lovely lady and I hope ther'll be many more years of Little Apple Tree as well! :-) xx
DeleteHappy Bloggiversary! I'm a terrible blogger, for all of the facts listed above too; which is why I have such a small group of readers. I don't mind though, because I think the whole point of a blog is to write about whatever you feel like - be that IVF or bakewell tarts. And I rarely photograph my food because I'm just too darn greedy to wait! Here's to another year of your brilliant blog xxx
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Katie! You definitely deserve more readers on your blog - yours was one of the first I stumbled upon ages ago and I loved it for it's relaxed way of looking at things and the fact that you really seemed to just be having fun with blogging - and that's what makes your blog fab! :-) xxx
DeleteCongratulations! I don't really think there's any such thing as a bad blogger - as you say at the end as long as it makes you happy then it's a good blog! xx
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Zoe! :-) x
DeleteHurrah! I get so disappointed when people write at length about how bad they are at blogging - it's always nonsense. The blogs which don't follow formulae are always the ones I enjoy the most. Here's to your second year.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Sarah! I was a bit worried when I first started blogging that I wasn't following 'the rules' but as I've found out - who cares! :-) x
DeleteHappy blog birthday!!
ReplyDeleteI think the best bloggers are those that actually live as well as blogging and if that's scoffing your breakfast before getting out the camera so be it!
Keep it up lovely Ducky, your blog's the bees knees
M x Life Outside London
Aww thanks very much Michelle! You definitely made me smile - here's to many more years of Life Outside London as well! :-) xx
DeleteHappy blogiversary!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty new to your blog but I've got to say that so far I think it's pretty fab. I've just come back to blogging with my new blog after time off and it does feel like there are a million minefields and pitfalls haha!
Keep being you that's what your readers love.
x
Thanks - it definitely seemed like that when I first started, I was ever so worried I was doing all the wrong things. Glad you like what you've real so far! :-) x
DeleteEating your food before you photograph it :D Absolutely brilliant! This really made me chuckle!
ReplyDeleteOnly just stumbled across your blog after seeing it feature on Sunny Sweet Pea and I think I'm going to like it .. am liking your sense of humour and now you don't take it all too seriously :D
Happy Blogiversary x
Aww thank you! The only thing is - I've got to keep up the 'high standard' of good work now! ;-) x
DeleteYour blog is blumming brilliant. One of the most original I have ever read. So I say break all the rules in the book.
ReplyDeleteJenny | sunny sweet pea xx
Aww thank you very much Jenny! That's a really lovely thing to say! :-) xx
DeleteHappy blogging birthday!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachael! :-) x
Deleteand who makes up the rules? I've followed blogs who do everything by the letter, but are really dull. I love reading yours for its real relaxed everyday life feel - and that's what counts. Happy blogiversary!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Jenny! I'm so glad you (and everyone else) seems to like it! :-) x
DeleteHappy Blog Birthday! You just blog about what you like. Thats what makes it such a good read.Xx
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Sharon! Glad you like it! :-) x
DeleteHappy birthday to the blog, which has an amazing blogger behind it who is not a bad blogger at all ;)
ReplyDeleteAww thank you very much Saskia! That definitely made me smile :-) xx
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