What I Learned From Blogging for 4 Weeks.
What I learned from blogging 20 days in July
In the month of July, I did a consistency challenge from Mattie James. I posted on my blog Monday through Friday for four weeks. There was a cash incentive for the challenge. I did not think I was going to win the prize but I saw this challenge as a win-win. I was expecting to build my consistency muscle but I gained so much more!
One of the biggest lessons from this challenge was that the finish line is not as important as I thought. Don’t get me wrong the finish line did help give me a push on days I was struggling. What I learned is that growth happens in the middle, in the “process” and the more you focus on the gains from the process you will eventually get to your finish line.
Lessons from Blogging
I was reminded why writing is so therapeutic for me.
How? It helps identify triggers and deeper issues. It provides insight into what I really need at that moment. For example validation or reassurance.
It gives release! The release brings relief. Keeping troubling worrisome thoughts just makes it harder to focus.
Writing gave me clarity.
It helps separate how I feel with what others feel helping me find my voice.
I was reminded that when you do things more often you get better at it then when you do it sporadically.
I learned about boundaries on my time and energy.
I was reminded that practice makes progress.
I learned the importance of community. I thank Mattie’s Facebook group for that because having others share their wins and struggles can help keep you going!
I saw the truth that confidence comes from action. I felt so proud of myself when I saw how I stayed committed to a decision I made even when it was difficult. I learned to appreciate struggle because it gives me the opportunity to see how bad I want something.
There was one night that the Squarespace site decided that it was going to crash after I uploaded my blog post but right before I pressed save and had to do it all over again. But I learned from that not to wait until the last minute and save save save my work.
It helped me practice the courage of being imperfect. Was every blog post my “best” no but I was able to push past perfectionism and show up.
The Beauty of Baby Steps.
I was so appreciative of the doable goal of 150 words. I have always had a hang-up of writing blog posts because I thought they “should” be at least 1000 words. To write 150 words was doable. The irony is when I had that as my goal I did some post 500 words and one even 1000 words. So this shows baby steps do work. It gets us started. We may think if we hold the bar so low we won’t reach for the stars and I found that because my bar was where I could reach I gained the confidence to go higher. I hope that motivates you to start and get some momentum.
I Built My Discipline Muscle.
They say discipline is what happens after motivation goes away. I have never run a marathon before but that feeling that runner has as their body crosses that finish line. I get it like whew that felt so good to have all that mileage behind me. I find though I still had a dip.
As we learn about from the tortoise and the hare, it’s not how fast you go because, the slow and steady win the race. So I learned to run at my own pace and not the comparison of those around me.
Welcome August
This is a new month and a new day and I look forward to taking the lessons I learned from this challenge and keep moving. What do you have planned for this month? I would love to know in the comments and celebrate your small wins. If you have a blog drop the link in the comments so I and others can check out your blog and support.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog post. I appreciate you. Please share this with a friend.
Remember love is the best motivator for change so bring love and compassion to any journey you are on! 🦋
