I have been thoroughly enjoying my blog…like a lot. I feel happy and fulfilled in knowing that I created this space and (for once), it turned out exactly how I had envisioned it. It brings me joy to browse through this site and see my handy work. Kinda like how an artist feels after completing a painting that took long, painstaking hours. I’m proud. Even though I am a Graphic Designer, there is still a lot to be learned in terms of Web Design. Speaking of, that’s why I am posting today. I knew I wanted to get back to blogging and the reasons why I began in the first place, because blogging changed my life!
I used to blog hop, reading and soaking in pieces of people’s lives from all over the world; before I had my own blog. One blogger in particular I will never forget. Her name was Ashley and she was from my favorite state- Hawaii. Not only did she share her life’s events with me and befriend me, she also shared her knowledge of web hosting and starting a blog with me. An invaluable gift that I could never repay her for. This was back in the day when blogging wasn’t seen as a source of income, but more of what my blog is now…an online diary. It is so much easier to rave and rant to a stranger than it is someone you know face-to-face. This is how friendships began when the Technological Age was first starting out. I did a lot of blog reading and frequently visiting my favorite bloggers, until Ash posed the question…
Why don’t you start your own blog?
Oh, how desperately I wanted to! I was drawn in by the beautiful graphics and the way each website was fully customized and fit the author’s personality. Ash taught me EVERYTHING. All about WordPress. All bout FTP File management. All about photography. All of it. I’d like to say that my online existence officially began when I purchased my first domain name. Overtime, she saw potential in me that reached beyond our blogs. She always encouraged me to go to college for Art; namely Graphic Design. At the time, I thought she was nuts…that I could never accomplish such a thing (especially since I was stuck on Journalism at the time. *Spoiler* That did not stick for long; thanks AP English Lit!) Fast forward several years later and I have done it; I am a Graphic Designer! A career that is so rewarding and fun, because it never feels like work to me. My calling was Art all along.
I know things have changed and blogging isn’t what it used to be. However, nothing has changed for me. I started this blog with the same intent that I had all those years ago for my first website; to make friends and meaningful connections. I want to meet like-minded individuals with their own unique qualities. There are so many amazing people in the world, if you just take the time to seek them out and read what they have to say. This day and age is so focused on instant gratification, “Likes”, “Subscribers” and the analytics of marketing that they miss the entire point of starting on social media in the first place. You know, the actual social part.
If it wasn’t for Ash, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thanks girl, I love you my hanai ohana!
Oh Mara,
Thank you my sweet girl for such a wonderful dedication. We have come such a long way in our friendship with huge milestones in between. For those reading this comment, if you come across this, I’ll have to share alittle snippet of why Mara and I are sisters. We started off in this blog world, I found my twin. She liked everything, I liked, and she’d hype me up to do my own stuff, and I’d hype her up to do hers. But the best thing about her is her genuine friendship. Mara is a sweetie, beyond control. She’s got the biggest heart of gold. And, I am SOOOO blessed that she’s my hanai [not-formally adopted family member] sister, and we’re 4LIFERS! We go as far as – my daughter is now 15, and she’s been there since I was pregnant with my daughter. She’s been there through the ups and downs of life – marriage, I have 3 kids, and she was there when my mom passed away. I can’t even tell you the capacity at which I’m sooo blessed and honored to call you my sister, my bestie for life, and my fellow blogging/web/graphic designing friend. Remember when you introduced making make up videos on YouTube? Haha. You’ve grown from that, I didn’t continue. Blogging I still do but not as much as I’d like. I did own a .com but I let it lapse because I just wasn’t in it as much as I’d like. But, I do want to rekindle that flame. I miss having my own blogging website. It’s far more than just the blogging/journalling – but it’s the design, you’re so right. Bringing to life your codes to show the world, you’re creation. But, thank you for this post, my sweetie! It feels really nice to see how far we’ve come. I love you more than you know!