16 Ways Blogging Has Changed My Life For The Better

In 2010, when I first started blogging, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know anything about search engine optimization, keywording, or writing for your audience. My focus was singular: I wanted a place to share everything that I was experiencing creatively and on my own terms, without the limits of social media.

Most people think blogging is a hobby, online diary, or a way to become an influencer, and I suppose in some ways, that’s what all of this started as. But the reality of all of this is that my blog didn’t just document my life… it’s completely transformed it.

On March 29th, I celebrated 16 years as a blogger. This platform, and all of its iterations, has held me in so many ways over these past several years. And to honor that, I wanted to share with you all of the ways blogging (and documenting my life) has changed me me over these passed several years.

Here are 16 ways that blogging has changed my life for the better.

1. It’s Forced Me To Figure Out Who I Am
When you’re consistently writing about your life and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, you start to expose contradictions, notice patterns, and uncover truths about yourself you simple cannot ignore. In knowing these, I started to understand myself better and how I specifically navigate the world, in good ways and in bad.

2. It’s Given Me A Place To Process My Life In Real Time
Those of us who are lucky enough to have a creative outlet know that bottling things up is not often something that we do, because it comes out in what we create, whether it’s obvious or not. I’ve been able to work through difficult things as they happen, and I truly believe that is a serious game changer in life.

3. It’s Made Me More Self Aware Than The Average Person
When you have the ability to notice your habits, reactions and thought patterns on a deeper level, something big changes. Suddenly I’d unlocked this super power that I could use to my advantage. I notice the bad habits, the unregulated emotional responses and the thoughts that are eating away at me, and I can choose to pivot every time.

4. It’s Helped Me Make Better Decisions
It’s so much easier to be honest with yourself on paper. It’s almost like you somehow separate yourself from all of the other voices in your head and you can hear yourself clearly. And when you read it back? It’s easier to see when you’re being to harsh with yourself, or when the answer to the question that’s plagued you for months was right in front of your face this entire time.

5. It’s Documented Versions Of Myself I Would’ve Otherwise Forgotten
This platform has survived so many versions of me, multiple heartbreaks, me changing my mind over and over and over again. It is proof of my growth, and not just my memories. It is proof that I’m capable of incredible things, and to have that proof is something I will never take for granted.

6. It’s Given Me Confidence In My Voice
In the beginning, I questioned everything. My posts were often vague and anyone who read them might have often thought to themselves, what am I doing here? Now, I’m providing clear direction, and it’s all based on personal experiences. I know what I’m talking about. I trust myself.

7. It’s Helped Me Detach From Needing Approval
Let’s be honest, not everyone will agree with what you have to say. It doesn’t matter what you’re talking about, whether it be politics or pizza. I’m allowed to be 100% me here, and those who don’t like it can go elsewhere.

8. It’s Connected Me With People I Wouldn’t Have Met Otherwise
Regardless of the size of audience, I truly believe the right people will find you. Lauren, Erin, Paige… just to name a few. Without you, I would’ve spent many a day wondering why so many of the people I know and love simply don’t understand my need to continue creating content for this platform.

9. This Platform Has Turned My Everyday Life Into Something Meaningful
Once I started really getting into documenting, there wasn’t a single piece of content that felt too small or not worth posting. I really feel like I’m sharing great content that is meant to find the people out there who need it most.

10. It’s Made Me A Better Communicator
Not only can I find the words, but I can speak them clearly and simply. Gone are the days when I didn’t know what I wanted in life or how to put it into words.

11. It’s Given Me Something That’s Fully Mine
Having something that is untouchable – something that is 100% you and yours is incredibly powerful. It’s helped me in the deepest trenches. In moments when I didn’t know who I was anymore, I had a very obvious trail of breadcrumbs to help show me the way.

12. It Created Opportunities I Didn’t Expect
When you’re publicly vocal about your wants and needs, and when you’ve created this world all your own, people notice and they send you recommendations. Blogging conferences and bucket list opportunities popped up often, seemingly out of nowhere, simply because someone read a blog post. Unreal.

13. It Has Made Me See That My Story Is Worth Telling
This is a BIG one. When I would dream about writing my autobiography one day, my high school peers would laugh in my face. “What would you have to say in an autobiography?” Hey dude, my story is worth telling and so is yours, regardless of how successful or unsuccessful our lives may seem, there is so much to be learned from reading what it’s like in the shoes of others.

14. It’s Given Me Proof That I Follow Through
Do you keep promises to yourself? I’ll be honest, I haven’t been so great at that as of late. But this blog is a constant reminder that even on my toughest days I have followed through, even if it’s just with this one thing.

15. It’s Given Me A Way To Come Back To Myself, Every Single Time
I used to think it was my bucket list lighting the way, and so much of it was, but that part only focused on the future. Blogging has allowed me to truly live in the present day, and find where the version of myself now and that future version of me connect.

16. It’s Become The Foundation Of Everything I’m Building Today
Everything I’ve created lead me here, and not just in a random way, it’s gone full circle. I started blogging to share my move across the country with friends and family, and I’ve found myself here, helping others document their life stories.

Most people think blogging is about sharing your life. I think documenting your life, in any shape and form, is how you build your life. I think it’s how you shape who you’re going to be on your terms.

If you’ve thought about documenting your life, this is your sign.

See you,
Amy