3 Lessons From 3 Years of Blogging

Happy Halloween!

31st October is uber-special here on Dora Reads, because it's blog anniversary time!

Yup, 3 years ago today I started this blog - which was then called Diary of a Reading Addict - and started myself on this slightly bizarre (but awesomely fun!) path.








And since the long-off days of 2014, I've learnt a thing or two.

Some of those things are more weird than practical - but there's also come good blog/life lessons  along the way.










So here, my dearest nerdlets, are 3 lessons that I have learned in my 3 years of blogging:







1. You don't owe anyone anything






(This doesn't apply to like, goods or services - you kind of owe people money for those. Don't go shoplifting or whatever and then blaming me, k?)





Look, this doesn't mean being stingy or selfish. Being generous is generally a good way to go in life, and a must-do in blogging.

And if someone really needs help, and you're in a position to help them, then do it. Simple.

But don't feel an obligation to loyally place yourself at the service of someone who never reciprocates.





If you're the one putting all of the effort into your relationship, with no return, it's not good for you. It's just gonna drain your time and energy and leave you miserable and exhausted.

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Here's a blogging example:

I follow loads of people on Twitter - which is a well-known method of growing your own Twitter following. Only so many of those people will follow me back.

Before, I didn't really unfollow anyone (unless they really p**sed me off, or were inactive, or whatever.)

That meant, when scrolling down my Crowdfire (there are a bunch of social media managers available,) I had countless people who I couldn't even remember following.

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These were people who:

• didn't follow me
• didn't talk to me
• I hadn't liked or RT'd any of their stuff as far as I knew
• I didn't see them on my timeline - or if I did, I hadn't noticed

...and yet I was hesitant to push 'unfollow.' Because it's not very polite, and I'm sure the majority of those accounts were run by lovely people who I wish nothing but happiness.

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But the fact is, it was a waste of my time and resources to follow people who didn't provide me with either entertainment or a reciprocal relationship.

So I realised that I didn't owe them anything.

I was worrying about unfollowing them, and they probably didn't even know who I was, much less have a mind to miss me if I left! So now I'm a lot more willing to push that 'unfollow' button!





The same applies to life - though the unfollow button is more metaphorical.

2. Just keep swimming

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Yes, I'm channelling Dory to remind you all that life is a tortoise-and-hare, slow-and-steady, deal-y. The most important thing is not to give up - to just keep things going, a little at a time.

Lord knows, I have to take sh** a day at a time, or I risk being seriously unwell (again.)

My dearest nerdlets, there are people in this world who want nothing more than for you to give up and throw in the towel. Don't give them the satisfaction.

I DON'T mean that you should over-work - it's really important for you to take care of yourselves and take loads of breaks, but you also shouldn't give up hope.

When it comes to blogging, you have to be in it for the long-game.

Yes, there are people who miraculously seem to achieve blogging success and notoriety with very little effort; but on average? It ain't gonna happen.

Those people have actual magical powers, I swear, because it's just not possible. Or there was some sort of occult ritual involving a goat - and that gets messy and isn't good for the goat, so don't do that.

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Instead, you have to just keep doing the work.

So comment on other people's posts, have genuine human-being-type conversations (where possible - cos dude, I'm socially awkward af,) and write your itty-bitty heart out making posts that you love.

Be open to taking advice and trying different things. Because whether you've been doing this for one year or one hundred, you've got a lot to learn. Never forget that.

3. F**k it, just be you!

There is but one golden rule of blogging, as far as I'm concerned: be genuine.

If something sounds false, if it's not what you think, but it's what you think people want to hear, don't push that send/publish button.

Be honest. Even if that means going against the grain, or not making up your mind on something at all - be honest

Related Post: Nerd Church - Dreamers, Be YOU

Write posts you would read, don't write posts that you wouldn't. Don't be afraid to comment, but don't comment for the sake of commenting.

Realise that it's ok to say ridiculous things, and also ok to stand back until you know more about what's going on.

Don't try to mimic other bloggers. They are not you. And you are beautiful.

That counts doubly for life: don't put up with their sh** (whoever 'they' are.)

Be safe and be you. Those are the only things you have to remember.

Now go rock the f**king world my nerdlets. Cos I can't wait to see what you can do!


Guys, I adore you - thank you so much for all the support, love, and general awesomeness, that you've brought, and continue to bring, to me, and to Dora Reads. 💗💗💗😘

You can follow me on Twitter @CeeArrBookNerd, on Dora Reads @ BlogLovin, and on Google+. For more ways to support me, check out the Support Me page