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

[barefoot mama]

I'm so glad you took this course and that you enjoyed it. First: because it seems to have brought you joySecond: it talked you into commenting and you leave the NICEST and most thoughtful comments. I love when I wake up and see your name in my inbox:)))) Barefoot mama

[Theresa]

Lauren, I wholeheartedly agree with all of the comments above. I also share your exact sentiments about the course. When I was making the decision to enroll in the BYW class, the thing that helped me pull the trigger was reading each and every single past student testimonial. What you have written above is now the best one I have read, hands down. Send it to Holly. Your words will be a great gift to any future student whose on the fence about taking the course.Cheers to you and yours!

[Mary C. Nasser]

Beautifully expressed and gorgeous post.I definitely feel like the class has changed my life, too, and miss reading new lessons every other day.

I also fee blessed to have connected with so many other bloggers, too...like you! :)

All the best,MaryMixed-Media Map Art

[Emily]

Such a lovely post - it was so great meeting you and I love following your blog!! There is so much to learn and process, i'm sure it will take all of us some time to really soak it all in! :)

[Liz]

I feel your heartache! BYW was an amazing and inspirational class to say the least. It's nice to have met so many passionate bloggers as well :)