7th March 2016 the journey began on wordpress.com. Actually, the journey began on 15th July 2015 on a similarly named site on a platform that was not fit for blogging.
The word press journey, In March I posted only 5 posts, then in April another 5 more, I was warming up slowly. Well, quitting has always been a dear friend of mine, that only left me about 3 months back. Then, in May 2016 I started to explore word press more and joined the daily challenge. I wrote my first post on the topic of my blog title “thoughts and life” as a way to introduce my blog, I went out to twitter and then slowly my little blog got found out. I did one the word press courses I forget the name to help me on my journey.
As time went by, I played and played with my posting schedule, twitter, Instagram, facebook and Pinterest. Making mistakes galore! To this day, I forget to #hashtag – oh it is such a bother. And my friend Mr quitter kept pestering quit, quit. I experiment with schedules so much, because I had read and heard so much about it on youtube and Pinterest. Was it a good experiment to do? Hey I still don’t know. But, now I blog weekly from 2 to may 7 times, a bit random, except for saturdays which is firmly quote day.
As time went by, I made friends, got beautiful comments, and got to read some great blogger -blogs. I felt like part of a community and it was amazing …”
People like what I write…” eek, exciting, wow, can’t believe it… This was really quite surprising and I still love it. I always get nervous with a post I share. So, this feed back is encouraging as I am not a natural writer.
I started blogging for a good few reason, mainly to share “thoughts and life”, as I truly believe we make ourselves happy or sad, by our thoughts and choices in life. I believe through meditation, journaling, affirmations, gratitude, a positive mindset all can be well. Even tough times – okay tough times are hard, but we won’t be derailed as long as we might have been.
So, what have I learnt in year of blogging
- Blogging is HARD HARD HARD work. I think it is harder than any normal job. I have had hard jobs in the past, where I was in at work at by 6am and home by 11.30pm. Blogging is harder than that job!
- But, blogging has given me something so valuable in all the connections I have made, and it has forced me to learn new technical skills. I have a different sense of confidence in me that I have never had.
- Enjoy the Blogging community and contribute.
- Share what inspires you and it might inspire others.
- #hagtags work on Instagram – even if you add them in a month later. Yeap – believe me I have tried it! LOL
- Tweetdeck is a great tool for twitter again hashtag useful.
- Blogging legally – well I think we need to be mindful of things – but I haven’t figured it all out.
- Does trending matter – I don’t know and I say set your own trend.
- SEO – I still don’t get it, but I think it helps. Don’t ask me how -lol?
- Play with image making tools, and don’t forget to copyright your work
Am I a wiser blogger a year on ? Well, I must be in someway, but, I sure don’t feel like it. Blogging is fun, but it is a lot of effort, but enjoyable.
Finally, I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to you all, my wonderful friends and blogging family. You really make blogging wonderful with your great comments and feedback. I love reading your blogs and I love you all for being so great.
You are the beauty of blogging – Really you are. From the bottom of my heart I thank you all my beautiful blogging friends.
Thank you to allmy followers across all social media outlets, you inspire me.
BIG BIG THANK YOU.
lots of love Bella aka thoughtsnlifeblog.com
© 2017 thoughtsnlifeblog
Images http://www.freeimages.com, or my own creation,or via instagram or textgram apps, or canva.com

Congratulations!
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Tina, thank you
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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Many congratulations Bella. You have inspired me with your beautiful posts. Wishing you many blessings on the next part of your journey.😊😊😊
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Ahh Brigid and you inspire me always with your beautiful blog and book. Happy to be blogger friends with you. Hugs bella
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xx
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Congratulations Bella and happy blogging 💖 xxx
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Thxs xena
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Very nice post. Great advice for a newcomer and… congratulations to you 💐🌟🌟
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Hi Di, oh i wont say advice. One thing is that we can figure it out and dont be scared to experiment and wordpress have made it quite easy for us as they keep evolving. All the best with your blog. Rgds bella
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Thank you Bella 🌺🌺
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Hearty congratulations Bella and I am so pleased to be your friend and do keep on this lovely and inspiring work of yours. Thanks dear.
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Kamal, many many thanks… i sure will keep on. i didnt mention writers block is my friend too… mr quit left me …but writer block… well we all suffer that… i am glad we are friends too, i learn a lot from your posts about writing, and life. Many thanks regards bella
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Thanks Bella and it is so nice to keep in touch with few bloggers who mean so much to us and share our views. A happy day to you dear.
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Congrats Bella, you should be so proud of your blog. It always inspires. Happy blogging! 😊
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Thank you miriam. Means a lot and you are a great friend
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As are you Bella. I’m so glad we’ve connected. x
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Girl congratulations. I’ve totally enjoyed following your blog Bella and you’ve got message. I would like to interview you for my bloggers series of ‘getting to know your blogger friends.’ If you are interested, shoot me and email so we can talk – jacquelineobyikocha@gmail.com
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Thank you Jacqueline for your kind words. I will give the interview some thought and get back to you.
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Jacqueline you are a great friend and you invite me to my first blogging party.. i was so trilled and confused whats a blogging party , what do you do.. oh a year on i have learnt a lot and it has been a pleasure to know you and you inspire with all you creative outlets and now youtube. Love bella
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I have no idea what a blogging part is I’ve not heard of it before 😮
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Oh Cat, you must have. Anyways jacqueline hold weekend parties on her blog, where we virtually miggle. Meaning you leave a post of your blog or blig home page in the comments and visit other bloggers post etc. I made a good few friends this way. And Jacqueline really does it instyle
..food and music… all vitual… but it is very cool..
But i was an idiot when i first got invite..so clueless 😂😃🙄😶😣😥 lol now
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Cat.. well Jacqueline hold parties at her blog often..not every weekend. My last reply may , make it sound as if it is every weekend which isnt the case.
I hope it makes sense.
Sorry i am still at bit put of sorts with this bug.
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Congratulations again Bella! I’m happy to consider myself one of your followers here!
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Hey Gabe many thanks and it is a pleasure to know you.
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You too Bella!
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Congratulations 🎊 to making it to the 1 yr mark. I get it. 🌼 Glad we crossed paths. Bernice
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Thank you Bernice and congrats to u to
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Congratulations! This is a huge milestone! Well done!
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Many thanks and yes this huge for me .. thank you for your support
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