Wow! It’s Been 5 Years!

I can’t believe that Motherhood & Beyond is 5-years-old! Here’s a look back at where we started, a few of my favorite posts and what the future holds.

Seriously, 5 years?

It doesn’t seem like 5-years-ago. The thought of becoming a blogger first came to my mind in 2013. At the time, our family had become complete, but we had two under two and I was now a stay at home mom. I found myself missing validation, communication and let’s be honest, extra income.

Creating The Space

I always loved to write. In fact, my mom tells me that I wanted no part of learning my letters until I realized that when put together these letters meant words and words meant I could write. Connecting with other moms online, I found blogging and thought even if I never make a dime from it, I love writing, I can sharpen my skills and I’ll have somewhere to share my day-to-day triumphs and struggles and connect with others.So, I began thinking of a name and creating my blog: Motherhood & Beyond. The name was a play on one of my favorite movies, Toy Story, but also in that it would cover motherhood and more. As the kids grew up and motherhood no longer defined me in the way that having tiny ones did, I could share about that process. While we are always mom, after a certain point we are no longer just “so-and-so’s mom” and we regain a bit of our identity.

Putting It Out There

In 2014, I finally took the plunge and put my first post out. It just so happened this was the year I also made the Disney Parks Moms Panel, so I chose to share the excitement and honor with an audience I felt could truly understand my happiness.

It’s crazy what this blog has been for me. It’s hard not to look back and cry. Who am I kidding? I cry at everything, I’m crying now. But this has truly been such a journey. Looking back at those first posts is crazy. They’re terrible, but they make me smile. I remember that exhausted momma, trying to find her way through the everyday and needing a spot of solitude. Just yesterday, I had a young mom with a 2 1/2-year-old clinging to her calves and an infant in her arms look at me with that extremely exhausted yet blessed look on her face and say, “I will make it through this right? It does get easier?” I smiled and assured her that we all ask those questions and it does get a little easier…at least until they become teens.

Looking Back

I remember my first conference. It was in Phoenix, AZ in the middle of summer and hotter than the sun, but it was so valuable and a great place to start learning more about what I should be doing. I believe it also helped me earn other coveted invites in the blogging/social media field and still today I work with a couple of the brands I first met way back then!

I remember my first sponsored post (where I earned something for my writing.) The first time a brand took a chance on me. With non-existant numbers and no examples to show, it can be a little discouraging in this business, but if you keep believing, it WILL happen. (It’s cringy, be kind, I was still new at this.)

I also remember the first time I received a yes from a pitch! They were wonderful to work with and helped me learn that a great angle (offering something your readers can connect with and in return something the brand can equally benefit from) and great writing are truly what’s important.

What Does The Future Hold?

I think this is a question that every blogger asks themselves at one point or another. It’s tough these days, and there are times where I’ve almost thrown in the towel. What keeps me in it is what started me in the first place. “…If I never make a dime from it, I love writing, I can sharpen my skills and I’ll have somewhere to share my day-to-day triumphs and struggles and connect with others.” That’s why I do it. Sure, we’d all love to be that next six-figure blogger, but if we don’t have the passion for writing and connecting with others behind it, it will show in each and every post.

So, for now, I’ll keep writing, keep learning and I’ll keep adapting (also my word for 2019.) All I know is that I want to be the best version of me, so that’s what I have to work with. Thank you to all of you who have been here since the beginning, or have joined us along the way. You keep this passion alive.