Blogging My Way

I have mentioned several times over the past month that I have been taking an E-course called Blogging Your Way. While I have a little catching up to do and the forums are still open for a bit longer, the official part of the class came to a close on Monday.

Bittersweet day. Bitter because it's ending. Sweet because our time together has been so, so good.

As someone who writes everyday of her life, both personally and professionally, I'm actually struggling to find the words to express what a meaningful, nearly life-changing experience this class has been for me. A perfect mix of the technical and philosophical aspects of blogging, the class offered lessons from tapping into social media to finding your niche to tips for taking better photographs for blog posts. Each lesson was thoughtfully prepared and stunningly presented. (It should be no surprise that Holly Becker and Leslie Shewring have some good taste, people.) I learned so much! I was so busy learning that I haven't had time to start implementing! Not much at least. You may have seen some changes to the photos, maybe. But boy, have I been doing a lot of thinking. Leslie and Holly ask such wonderful thought-provoking questions about why we blog and more. I've learned a ton about blogging but a ton about myself in the process as well.

I have always been a somewhat private trespasser in the internets. Yeah, I have a blog, but I rarely comment on other blogs. (Not very nice, I know.) I lurked. I, oddly, figured that no one really wanted to hear what I had to say. Somewhat ironic, yes? A wonderful, wonderful bonus of this class has been the amazing other bloggers I've discovered along the way. Meeting them through their blogs. Commenting there and having them visit here has meant the world to me. There are some pretty amazing people writing and sharing out there...I'll start sharing some of these finds with you next week.

I expected to be inspired, and I was. I expected to learn some great tricks to assist in my blogging, and I did. I expected to maybe feel my way along this path a bit better, and I have. I did not expect to so completely fall back in love with my blog the way I did. I did not expect to open my heart to this genre and own my love of this blog the way I have. Blogging Your Way was so much more than a class. It was an incredible gift. My heart is full.

Comments

[Insideology]

Hello

I totally agree with everything you say here, that course was amazing. And you're right, it's totally changed my blog already, plus has made me realise the reasons I blog and they're not what I though they were. The most important thing I've learned is that it takes time to get to where you want it to be and you can't expect to know what you're doing after only a few months.

Commenting more has made a real difference to me too, it's amazing how easily you can make friends with other bloggers through commenting and it's so nice when someone takes the time to write on your blog, like you did!

I really miss BYW too and it's left a surprisingly large hole in my life.

I've signed up to your RSS and your photos are stunning.

[Mark]

So very nice, Lauren.And may I add that I thank you very much for inspiring me to write all those years back. And for also letting me know when I needed to slow things down. Like right now. You are my Personal E-course.m.

[Michelle]

Great post! I'm going to be downloading all the pdf's so I can read it over again. I feel like I've forgotten some of the things I've learned. It'll be like taking the class all over again, so I'm looking forward to that! But, I will miss the forums and questions to leslie and holly for sure! I miss them already. :-/

[Neel]

Thumbs up on your blogging adventure.

[Cathy]

Hi Lauren. You have expressed so well exactly how I feel (and I'm sure the rest of us too!) Commenting on blogs is something that I have NEVER done until now - and who knew how much fun it could be and what connections it would establish...... I LOVE your photo for today, and I really enjoy your writing style. I have a long list of tasks to do after BYW, and developing my writing skills is one of them. Just wish I had more time!! Will be staying in touch! Cath

[Heather / It's So Suburban]

I second this! It's truly the best money I've spent on myself lately. Looking forward to BYW 2.0 in the spring.

[Kukothebrave]

Hey Lauren! Yep, it is completely life changing!!Love, love the photo!! Great work! :DGonna get some items on Etsy then I must spend some quality time blogging!Holly and Lesley have been so open and I am eternally grateful.

[acreativemint]

Oh my word what a touching post. I am so happy you enjoyed the course and have had some wonderful realizations for yourself. I loved reading this, you made my morning much brighter. Thank you!

[colourliving]

Hi fellow BYW student... I can't quite believe the four weeks passed so quickly. As they say, time flies when you are having fun. It was an amazing experience on so many levels... the good news is that thanks to BYW we are now on 'the journey'.. who knows where it will lead us. All I know is that for me it has always been the journey that excites, not the destination. So let's enjoy! I am learning to comment more, something that's new for me. I am touched by your heartfelt post:)

[Chi @ Carousel]

My sentiments exactly! :D

Your writing is as beautiful and evocative as ever. Will you be back for 2.0 in the spring?

[Mary Jane]

Lauren! Look at all these new friends! This is so exciting. And what great feedback on your writing and your creativity. I'm so glad you took this course. It's clear how meaningful it's been for you. And, you can see from all the comments how creative and talented you truly are. Of course, I've known that all along but I'm just your mom so you could think I'm biased. Of course I'm biased, but it's also true. You have the gift. Hooray for you!

By the way, that photo is stunning.

[tammie]

you've put into words many of the same things i've been feeling! good for you.

[Lauren]

Thank you so very, very much everyone, for your lovely comments. I'm deeply touched.

[Lauren]

Oh! Thanks so much for stopping by! I'm so glad this is a class that lets us keep connected through our blogs!

[Lauren]

Michelle, I've been downloading the PDFs too...I read them in the carpool line, and I have a feeling they'll cheer me during the long winter. I'm missing the forums too, though. :(

[Lauren]

Thanks dear...glad to know you got my back. xo

[Lauren]

Oh Cathy, thank you SO much! I'm so glad we're coming out of our shells, aren't you? I've been working hard today on part of my homework, and I'm so excited to make some changes! Let's definitely stay in touch!

[Lauren]

Thank you SO much for stopping by...and for your sweet comment on my photo. I'll keep checking back with you to see how the blogging is going!

[Lauren]

Leslie, I can't thank you enough for stopping by. You've been such a wealth of inspiration and just plain information for me. It's been a wonderful ride!

[Lauren]

I love that..."on the journey." Class may be over, but the journey is just beginning! Thank you for stopping in. xo

[Lauren]

Will I be back?! Is it April yet?! I can't wait!

[Lauren]

Aw, shucks, Momma.

[Lauren]

thank you, dear. and thanks for stopping by. xo

[leah of sang the bird]

Lauren, eloquently said! Your post gave me goose bumps {it was so touching}...Gorgeous photo! I can't wait to see your journey unfold. Much love xxx

[Nina]

Lauren, you expressed it so very well! Also enjoyed taking this class and being able to connect with like minded people. By the way I was mostly a lurker too before taking this class ;)