Lessons Learned in Four Years of Blogging!

It's hard to believe, but this little blog of mine is now four years old!

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I started blogging for one simple reason ... I was in the process of teaming up with the girls to start Elizabeth & Co. Vintage and we were planning our very first tag sale. I thought the blog would be a fun way to chronicle that adventure ... just a couple of girls chasing after a dream.

 

Well our little business has grown into much more than we could have imagined and we now host five sales a year. We have met the most amazing people and we just love that we get to share our passion for recycling and repurposing, and all things old, crusty and rusty. We like to say that our mission is to convert the world to vintage, one tag sale at a time!

 

One of the things that I did not anticipate about writing a blog is the that I would form genuine friendships with other bloggers ... people I would otherwise never have an opportunity to meet. I've always been fascinated by the way that people connect in real life. You meet someone and instantly know that you will be friends for life. Other times, it just doesn't happen. Well funny thing, it works the same way in the blog world! I am inspired by my friends in the blog world and I learn from and with them. I can often anticipate exactly what they will say and I can pick their projects out of a line-up in a heartbeat. And sometimes, I share their joys and sorrows!
 

 

The biggest lesson I've learned is that your blog is your own little place in the world. Other than the golden rule of "just be nice", there really are no rules. There are all kinds of articles out there about how to have the best blog, attract the most followers or make the most money. You can certainly learn from them. But at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what you want your blog to be. Blogging can be extremely time-consuming. You need to find your own balance. Post every day or post once a month, be social or just write as a way to sort out your thoughts. Take on advertising and sponsors or not, it's all up to you. You can buy a fancy camera and stylize all your photos or share a unfiltered candid moment.You can keep it all business or share your deep dark thoughts, your musings, your life. If you are being honest and genuine, it really doesn't matter. Just like the real world ... be yourself, find your own voice and don't compare yourself to anyone else!

 

 

This little blog does not have a grand plan. I have no idea where it's going or what comes next. I take it one post at a time. It's just my little place in the world. But I do know that I am most appreciative of the opportunity to share and be a part of it all. My life has been enriched by the people I've met along the way. Thanks so much for being here and sharing this adventure with me and the girls at Elizabeth & Co!