"Two Years and Counting: My Blogging Journey"

Hello everyone, hope you all are doing well!!

Recently, I noticed that I have completed two years of my writing journey. I still remember the day when I was supposed to start blogging. But initially, I felt somewhat messy and confused that, how and from where should I start, how should I proceed, etc. But then COVID happens and everything gets stopped for some time. I vividly remembered that it was a fine evening on 7 June 2020 when I thought to write my first blog. Prior, I have already opened my account on Blogspot sometime 3 months back. Finally, it was on evening in June 2020 when I gather the courage to start writing my first post on my blog. I was extremely in a fumbled situation about the topic of the post. I initially thought to write on the topic of my interest but then I came to know that I can’t get better at this after a few lines as I fall a short of content and then I drop that thought. After thinking a bit I managed to write on the topic My College Journey. I open my laptop and started to write a para about the introduction of my journey. Initially, I started very slowly and I used to gather the information in my mind and then put it down into words. I never took a break from its inception to completion. Importantly, at that time I was a novice in the writing process and merely knew about the basics of writing and grammatical rules. I started only intending to write something that is on my mind. I continued to write the events that happened to me in college in a chronological way. Finally, after the long tussle of 1.5 h, I used to complete my first draft of the post.

First time in my academic career I have written something straight 4-5 pages. After completion of the first draft, I felt somewhat proud of myself that I have did something herculean task. After completion of the first draft, I started to read it immediately and felt that I have written quite well. Then after a few revisions and edits, I made it ready to publish on my blog. It was an evening on 9 June 2020, when I upload my first-ever post on my blog. Immediately after uploading I copied the link of the post and put it on my WhatsApp status. Within a period I started to get various messages from my friends and well-wishers on my first post. It lifts my confidence level to cloud 9. I felt happy after reading those messages and comments on my first post. I still remember some of them today and they are the reason for my smile sometimes. This first blog post motivates me to do more. Additionally, getting purposeful responses from friends and acquaintances I sensed to write more. As COVID was still there I used to write on my topic of interest on my blog monthly. I continued my writing process for almost a year to year with a consistency of 1 post per month. This way I developed my habit of writing. By this time of year, I came to know that writing is closely associated with the overall development of an individual in various aspects.

It is worth mentioning that I have drawn inspiration for blogging-cum-writing from my Twitter disciple who made me fall in love with his writing. Coming from a bureaucratic background he teaches me a lot about writing and reading. He is the perfect example of how one can outperform in his life through reading and writing. He made me fall in affection with the writing and reading process. He is the main reason for starting my blog. I am eternally grateful to him for all the learnings. This is the principal reason for me to continue over the Twitter platform. In a short period, it helps me a lot.

Coming back to realism, initially, I was fall short on topic selection and fumbled in writing. Throughout my two-year blogging journey, I encountered various obstacles that tested my resilience. Writer's block often left me feeling stuck and uninspired, while managing time effectively became a constant struggle. As I progressed I noticed that in the past I have made a lot of mistakes in writing and now it’s a time to learn from those and move ahead with new vigor. I took notes on my mistakes and improved them in my subsequent writings.

My happy place for reading and writing

After a year I came to know that there is something about writing.  This is an explicit process that requires proper structure, specific and correct grammar, and more importantly a lucid flow. As soon as I noticed these things, I started to delve into them more deeply. Later, I found that writing something structurally, grammatically, and flowly requires more reading. Writing and reading are closely interdepend on each other. To become a great writer you first need to become a good reader. 

Reading is something first roadblock in the writing process. It teaches me the more you read, the more it will be fruitful to you in writing. By this time of the year, I slowly came to know about the importance of reading. Initially, I have a fair interest in reading but not exceeding one. Since I came to know that writing is more about reading than just writing and switch my most of time to consistent reading. I started to read more on the topic of my interest. Reading a lot helps me develop better writing practice. I improved a lot in my spoken and written skills than ever before. Reading is something which is a game changer in the life of mankind. It is one of the best things that happen to me last 2 years. I’m not an avid reader or writer but I used to love reading on topics of my interest (Indian politics, History, Sports, Self-Development, Biographies). Reading provides me with appropriate direction for my writing. Where, I initially delved into topic selection, and developing the habit of continuous reading helped me to overcome this issue.  Reading to write is a formula I adopted after the year of writing.

Recently I reached the milestone of 2500 profile visits and 10k stats visits over my blog profile and blog post, respectively. Blogging-writing help me to achieve various prizes in 2 years is also a point worth mentioning. Engaging with my readers and building a vibrant community around my blog was an incredibly rewarding experience. The feedback, comments, and interactions from my friends and community continually inspired me to push further and improve my content.

Today, when I look back at my small vocation of writing I felt that how badly I wrote my initial post including the first one and what kind of mistakes I have made are so silly. I smiled often by looking at them. But deep down inside I know that I have improved a lot in writing, reading, and speaking. I have come a long way in writing. Writing has taught me a lot in my career. It helps me in improving my speaking skills, soft skills, and interpersonal skills. I am not a professional writer, I adopted the writing and reading habit to improve myself. I never write for fame or money I just write intending to share, improve, and bettering myself in the process. Writing and readings are my hobbies in the long run. These help me in my career well. I look forward to continuing with these in the upcoming years.

Lastly, as I reflect on my two-year blogging journey, I am filled with enthusiasm and keenness for the forthcoming. I want to be thankful to all of you for your love. 

Love, 

Gaurav!

Quote of the month

“However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't just give up.”- Stephen Hawkings