Daily Dose of Sugar Mama

This time last year I was turning 30 and had quite a bit running through my mind. I had blogged in the past but didn’t stick with anything, mostly because I was comparing myself to the big bloggers. You know the ones – they have thousands of followers & huge give-aways. How could I compete with them? What did I have to offer apart from all of the other Mom blogs? So, I continued to read blogs, write a lot, and get frustrated out of boredom. I needed to use my mind. I needed a creative outlet.

As I neared the big 3-0 the idea of a blog kept coming back to me. It felt like the right thing to do. But this time the blog would be authentic. All of it would be me. I didn’t focus on whether or not anyone would read it, I focused on what I wanted to write, research, photograph, and create. I approached the blog as a way to be a part of the awesome blogging community; to contribute whatever I could.

It’s been awesome! Having one place to focus my energy has been a gift. “Meeting” other bloggers that share so much of their own talent has been a lot of fun. I’d be lying if I said I don’t look at my traffic, but it doesn’t get me down. The way I see it is, I enjoy blogging and I’d do it with 20 or 20,000 followers. Right now I think I have 2. ;o)

Before I started blogging, I read blogs for several years. There are a few bloggers that I would like to thank, even though they have NO idea who I am. Through this journey it was their blogs that inspired me in one way or another. So, thank you.

-Traveling Mama and her Traveling Tribe show me the world outside of the Midwest. I also won a giveaway on her blog, and received some amazing photographs. Their photography is exactly the kind I like: organic. I don’t know if she and her husband realize this, but I originally found their blog through a photo challenge. I was drawn to his photos every single time, and he was kind in commenting on a few of mine.

- Reading Kat’s blog I was introduced to another in-home daycare provider. Like me, she blogs and maintains a daycare business. There are several days I have no time to focus on blogging, but Mama Kat inspires to push forward. She writes with an openness that allows the readers into her world… whether we agree with her or not.

- ThetaMom reminded me that blogging authentically was the best way for me to blog. I may not always like how my day goes, but faking a post is not how I want to run my blog. I would only disappoint myself. We help & support each other with our real stories.

- Becky taught me that the best photos are the ones that get taken. The ones that really capture the moment. This post of hers stood out to me a while back because I could see how each photo would be her favorite. I don’t understand everything about my camera but I understand that readers like to see pictures. And I am not a photographer, but that’s okay. I originally discovered Becky through the same photo contest as the Traveling Tribe.  She left constructive feedback on one of my photos which I really appreciated.

- Meg has helped me the most in my blogging journey and she has no idea who I am. Her posts of randomness are the types of blog posts I connect with the most. I can only hope that as I grow and improve, readers will some day connect with mine the same way. Oh, I also figured out what kind of dog I am meant to have!

- Jo-Lynne was one of the very first blogs I followed. She doesn’t know this because I never commented on her blog back in the day. I thought only other bloggers  should comment. Now I know better. Anyway, Jo-Lynne’s blog was one of the ones that I felt really inspired to create my own blog when I read hers. I’ve watched her following grow, and I’m so excited for her!

- When Beth wrote this post I knew I would be a faithful follower of her blog. Not just because she was so candid, but she made herself someone I could relate. She went where most women are in their lives, but too scared to admit because of ALL that is expected of us. Again, it’s the type of blogger I want to be- real. No frills. Just me.

I look forward to learning & contributing in throughout the next year!