One Year Blogiversary: what I’ve learned from blogging

My one year blogiversary! Goodness gracious where to start… I actually think I started off my very first post with those exact words. Apparently I use that phrase when I have a lot to say 🙂

this recipe

Today my little blog is one year old. I’m not sure how to put everything into words, as I feel I have so much to say. I honestly probably should have started writing this post months ago. But here I sit two days before the publishing date with a bagillion thoughts running through me head…

“What do people want to know?”

“What do I want to say?”

British accent: “HELLOOO. Is anyone out there?”  ←- just kidding, quoting Titanic now.

I started this blog as a way to share my passion for creating healthy recipes and workouts with people, but I honestly had no idea how much joy it would bring me… I feel like everyone says that, but it’s true. I’ve also learned a TON.

What I’ve Learned From Blogging

The Value of Community

The blogging community is one of the most awesome groups of people I’ve been surrounded by, in real life and virtually, there are some pretty badass people here. There is such a willingness to help one another, celebrate each others wins, and really just support each other in any way possible. I truly have to thank Lee and Davida, as well as Georgie and Christina for building some great communities. Without community this blog would feel very lonesome, and I would definitely not have learned as much as I did in such a short amount of time.

You’re Not Alone

Sometimes I think you go through life thinking you’re the only one who thinks a certain way, eats a certain way, lives a certain way… this is obviously not true, but depending on who you’re surrounding yourself with (or who you must surround yourself with) sometimes it feels that way. Like you’re the only crazy “new age hippie”  drinking kombucha and baking with flaxseed, or eating chia seed pudding on the daily. But then you start blogging, reading others’ blogs and hearing from commenters and you get this sense of satisfaction like “YES, there are other kombucha addicts out there that aren’t straight up hippies… ”

It’s About the Journey

I’m a driven person… a perfectionist, type A, want to do it all, kind of person. I want to see the results. But when you focus on the results, you forget about the process. You forget about learning and growing and the journey. But by taking the time to focus on what has happened in a year for me and this blog, I am reminded at how incredible the journey has been. Connecting with other bloggers, sharing my passion with the world wide web, and hopefully inspiring others in some kind of way, that is the journey.

Hard Work

Anyone who knows anything about blogging knows it is seriously hard work. Whether it is your side hustle or full-time job, blogging is anything but a walk in the park. I can’t speak much to other niches of blogging, but food blogging is a beast in itself. Standing over your set-up, working with the light to get the best shot, straining your back, doing loads of dishes, editing the photos, writing the recipes, putting everything together in the post with keywords, SEO, scheduling social shares, showing your fellow bloggers support… plus so much more. It’s not easy, but it is rewarding.

Okay, now for the fun stuff… RECIPES

Top Reader Favorites

1. TRIPLE CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MUFFINS

I love that this recipe is the top, because it goes to show that healthy baking is awesome 😀

Bloggers, in case you were wondering, I believe a large factor in this being number one is due to the fact that it was shared in a Buzzfeed Community post, leading to pins and other social shares. Comment below or feel free to email me with specific questions!

2. COCONUT FLOUR BANANA BREAD

Thanks in part to Pinterest, this recipe shot up to number two.

3. VEGAN OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS

Still one of my favorites and earlier recipes of 2015, I was excited to see it in the top three! Again, thanks to Leah for sharing this in a Buzzfeed post.

My Favorites

It is seriously way hard to choose because I have so many favorites! But if I HAD to…

CHAI CASHEW ALMOND BUTTER

This nut butter blend started my obsession with creating other fun and delicious nut butters.

VEGAN CHOCOLATE CHIP SCONES

I truly do love these scones, but what I loved even more was seeing so many of you make these and share the photos on Instagram with me! Seriously would make my day.

WHOLE WHEAT SALTED CARAMEL CINNAMON ROLLS

This is one of my favorites because 1. this is one of the first recipes I started getting more comfortable with manual mode on my DSLR. I’ll probably never forget taking these photos because I remember how excited I was to see how they turned out. And 2. cinnamon rolls just make pretty pictures 🙂

FUN FACTS

The very first blogs I truly started following: Sally’s Baking Addiction and Ambitious Kitchen

The blogs that got me thinking: The Healthy Maven and In it 4 the Long Run

The blog (person) that gave me the final push to “just do it”: Lee from Fit Foodie Finds

I’ve loved connecting with so many of you through sharing recipes, life ramblings, experiences, and workouts. I’m here because I found a love for healthy living, and I want you to know that you can do it too. Living a healthy lifestyle is anything but boring. And the food? It’s pretty awesome. So I share. I share healthy treats that you can get excited about. I share salads with incredible dressings that will turn you into a kale lover. I share workouts because moving is good for the soul.

Like I said before, I truly would not be where I am today without a community of supportive bloggers who I have learned so much from. And not only them, but of course my friends and family too. I couldn’t do this without ANY of you. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Questions, comments, suggestions, concerns?

Leave a comment below or feel free to email me fitmittenkitchen(at)gmail(dot)com

To my blogging friends: seriously, if any of you have any blogging questions at all, please feel free to get in touch!