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People will only be able to understand you if they have a little insight on what has shaped your character and made you into the person you are today. I am excited to share with you how my life has positively changed from last year until today – my FIRST blog birthday! Yayyyyy!
This year I promised myself I would crawl out of my comfort zone, share more about my personal story, show more pictures of me on my blog, in short – open up more.
I love sharing stories, tips, advice and experiences, which at times can be very hard to do when you are a shy, OCD, control freak introvert.
Oh, in case you didn’t know…..this is me:
I initially started this blog to share my experiences as a first time mom who was simply learning by doing. I needed an outlet and a place to journal my feelings and thoughts as I had just started working on myself emotionally. Well, a year later, I now run this amazing (at least in my opinion) lifestyle blog.
For me, there are so many life changing incidents, moments, situations that have contributed to me being exactly where I am right this minute. Is it God? Is it fate? Did I also have something to do with it?
Over the past 12 months, my little one has gone from being a tiny crawling baby to an unstoppable toddler. I have gone from being a first time mom on maternity leave to going back to work, began my journey of self-improvement, removed toxic people from my life, started my blog, and travelled!
Radical, but very real – it has not been an easy journey but whoa, completely worth it!
Ways My Life Has Positively Changed Since Becoming A Mom
Stay At Home Mom: The daily routine is what hits you first, no more setting the alarm clock to get up in time for work. Gone are the days where you need to be sure you are dressed the part, sitting up the night before reading work emails, planning your work day while watching your favourite series and eating dinner all at the same time.
The excitement of having a new baby to care of, someone to love and care about, a person who cannot speak words but shows you daily unconditional love is such an amazing and rewarding feeling that trying to describe it in words just would not do the feeling justice. The milestones come rolling in quick – first words, “mama”, “dada”, first tooth, crawling, walking, and before you know it you have a toddler that is 20 months old, knows what he wants, is independent, can communicate well for his age, and is off to daycare every morning with a smile on his face and a kiss for mama.
Working Mom: I must say I was very worried about transitioning from being on maternity leave for a year, to going back to work. Anxiety, guilt and worry for how my little one would adjust. if I would miss out on too many milestones, what was best for the family? It started out with a lot of guilt. I wondered if all moms faced guilt after maternity leave when returning to work.
Well, it has all turned out so wonderfully. I work 30 hours instead of my past 40 hour week, and loving my job and being a working mom. It is okay to work and be away from your child for 7 hours in the day, it doesn’t mean I love him any less. I value and cherish all our moments during the rest of the day and on weekends now more than ever. Parenting is the most amazing thing in the world.
Ways My Life Has Positively Changed Since I Started Writing
This is somewhat funny because at this time last year, I had only known about Wordpress for about a week.
I had no idea what Pinterest was – what??? and knew absolutely nothing about blogging, let alone SEO, keywords, Yoast, or Canva. And – no, I was not living under a rock. I had just not ever heard about any of this because I was never on the internet researching this or looking out for anything similar to it.
Have you ever started something new without really knowing what you were doing or what was headed your way? The challenges you would be facing?
Well, in October/November 2015, I started writing and purchased a domain. Did not do any research about picking domain names, just chose one that had meaning to me. Lucky for me it was available.
I came to find out that no one had chosen the handles of the name abusybeeslife on Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest. Pure luck. I would not want to have different handles on all my social media.
Anyway, I published posts and hope someone out there on the web would see it. Needless to say – CRICKETS…! How does blogging work anyway?
Then I discovered Wordpress, switched hosts immediately, started working on the layout of my blog and was able to connect with a few people. This in turn allowed me to ask a plethora of questions and here I am loving every moment of this experience.
I have met so many wonderful people along the way, I am still learning new things every day, and while all of this is not as easy as some may think, it is a wonderful chapter in my life.
My life has positively changed through this blog because just as this blog is a work in progress, so am I. An amazing therapeutic journey will lots to share and learn along the way.
My Life Has Positively Changed Through Positive Thinking
Not everything is roses, flowers, pink and fluffy. I know that. Simply thinking positively will not change your life without any action behind it. Letting go of toxic people in your life is a tough experience. but it will leave you with a huge sense of relief. Freedom.
Some relationships should be dissolved gently, while others need to be cut off immediately.
Being around negativity can really knock the wind out of your sails. Having the right people in your life will make you feel at ease, uplifted, motivated, and supported.
You will also find that you complain a lot less about things when you have a positive mindset. People who complain are usually negative and pessimistic by nature.
Do you need some positive affirmations to get you going? I have a wonderful freebie you can download here. My life has positively changed since speaking these affirmations to my self daily.
'For every positive change you make in your life, something else also changes for the better'Click To Tweet10 Ways To Make Changes In Your Life
- Reconnect with yourself by loving and accepting who you are
- Make happiness a habit – Happiness is a choice you make daily
- Identify new areas of opportunity – In life, career, friendships
- Connect with people – being vulnerable is okay
- Increase your confidence – Speak positive affirmations to yourself and believe them too
- Don’t settle – Always shoot for the very best and you will achieve it
- Get clear on your goals – Set realistic and achievable goals without overwhelming yourself
- Get moving – walk, exercise, go to the gym, anything you feel comfortable doing for at least 45 mins a day
- Let go of the past – it is where it belongs
- Remember that you deserve the best life has to offer!
41 comments
Wow you have done so much in a year! I became a mum last year and it really has turned my life around! Best thing ever though
That’s so amazing that you’ve been doing this for year and you’re so good at it! I wrote about something similar on my blog, as an introvert who has used blogging to kind of come out of my shell. It’s great to see other people feeling the same or going through the same thing! Blogging can be super therapeutic.
Thanks so much for the praise! I appreciate it, I hope to become better in my writing, and my content. I love hearing stories about why people started blogging and how it has helped them. I should write a post on that. If I do, would you share a paragraph about your journey?
Happy Blog-a-versary! It sounds like you’ve learned a lot and developed along the way. that’s great and gives a newbie like me some movitation.
Thank you Claudia. Commitment and never giving up is the best advice I can give you. 🙂
Happy Anniversary Sheri! It was awesome to e-meet you here and you become an inspiration to me. Keep on rocking! You are fabulous!!
I’ve been blogging for a year too! Well, at least on my own blog. This year I’ve definitely set some clear and straightforward goals, and small ones at that. Definitely on the up and up, and it’s nothing but positive thinking around here.
Happy Anniversary Sheri! For a 1 year blogger, you’ve definitely learned and applied a lot. I love your writing style, lead magnet, layout, yadda yadda. On the things you’ve learned that aren’t related to blogging, I can tell you that one of my mantras in life is to avoid and let go of toxic people. Looking forward to your next post.
This sounds so much like my story! I’ve decided to be a SAHM but then started my blog. Happy Birthday to your blog! Wahooo!
Happy Blog Birthday- I’m not quite there yet, my blog is only 6 months old but when I look back at how much I’ve learned im amazed. Carry on sharing your highs and lows with the world!
First of all, congrats on your blog birthday! Being a mom, switch your work routine, and start blogging is a different journey and lifestyle, but I like how you look at it positively. I just started blogging half year ago and I barely know anything except Wordpress, but you will learn all of the social media and SEO along the way. It is a great feeling to do what you love so keep going! It is worth to get out of the comfort zone and let the things happen.
Great Post! I can really relate to so many points here. From the Stay At Home Mom, Working Mom, Positive Thinking…just all of it! Great list…love the point of not settling.
Hi Sheri, this was so beautiful and infact, I felt so happy reading all bout the positive change. I feel like is a journey and change is inevitable, its upon us to make them positive or negative and I’m glad you chose positive 🙂
Thank you Molly. I find that choosing positive over negative has a nicer impact to my life. 🙂
Happiness is a choice Congratulations on your blog birthday. I love reading your blog .It’s inspires me for more.
Thank you for being one of my most loyal readers and for always offering words of support and encouragement. You motivate and inspire me to do more and do better and I am so grateful for that. Wishing you a great weekend Amrita. 🙂
Thanks Sheri .Keep writing .Your heart shines in your words .
Unfortunately I think we can all get sucked into negativity sometimes. We just have to keep our eye on the prize though! Things always get better
That’s why blogging is so good! You can start off knowing absolutely nothing, like we did at Love30 as well as you! Fit it around your other jobs, then gain knowledge as you go along. A lot has been trial and error but well done you for your achievements! Ree love30
I love that you shed light on the positive changes when so many focus on the negatives. It’s refreshing and helps you keep pushing forward!
Thank you for sharing this! I feel like every year we develop ourselves in so many ways and it’s good to reflect on that sometimes! Also I loved your 10 tips!
Thank you Saranda!
I could actually relate to this post. I know how difficult it is to get out of your comfort zone. But if you want something extraordinary or magical to happen, you need to get out of it.
Lovely post…. You really have had a lot of positive changes and it’s funny how we look at where we are and the next minute we are way far from where we were. Time does fly… Keep experiencing those positive changes. God’s got you
Thank you so much Jumoke, your kind words are so heartwarming and I wish you all the best and success this year. Sheri
I love reading how youve been able to develop yourself and give life a major boost again. I loved the 10 tips by the way!
Thank you so much Maikel, I really appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful 2017!
Such a nice post. It’s so easy to get caught up in the negative but refreshing to read a positive post.
this is such a wonderful post many reasons for you to be positive 🙂
This is such a wonderful post. Very motivational, you are a very hard working mom. Thank you for sharing this story.
I love how positive and uplifting you are in this post! I’ve been blogging for less than a year and was the same as you–I didn’t have any social media accounts and never heard of any of the applications I now use daily to run my blog. It looks like you are doing a wonderful job and took to blogging like a natural!
Thank you Maya, as you know it is not easy learning all the new stuff, but we must always look at the positive in everything and when we have people around us who show encouragement it is a wonderful thing. Have a wonderful day and week.
I love the idea of looking back on the past year and reflecting on all the positive changes! I also like your idea of making happiness a habit, I definitely think happiness is not a destination you arrive at but a way of living.
Yes, yes and yes! You are so on-point! 🙂
I loved the point “connect with people – it’s ok to be vulnerable”! you’ve put it out in words so well.
Amazing post and you have such a beautiful blog !
Love this post and reading about your journey. I have recently cut out a lot of negativity, mostly on Facebook over politics, and it has made a huge difference in my overall attitude. I think the most important thing you point out is that happiness is a choice.
great post! It’s true you need to let go of toxic people they end up hurting more in the long run.
Wonderful post. I am just in the process of starting my blog and honestly still need to read more about things like SEO, pinterest etc. No I have not been living under a rock either. Reading that you did all this while being a new mom and working mom I am really impressed. After reading this I am more motivated than ever to continue my blog 🙂
Oh thank you for the feedback and kind words! I am so happy to hear that my post was able to give you some extra motivation. There is a lot to learn but you will enjoy it the more you do it and the more you learn. If you need help/advice, please reach out. 🙂 S.
It most certainly did! I think some things in life come our way that are some of the best things to help us thru. This is definitely one I would say is one of them!! I can see it has takin you a lot of time and thought. It’s impressive. I will be checking it out and sharing from time to time 🙂 Thank you again Ms. SHeri 🙂 Hope you are having a wonderful day. TTFN : D