Has It Really Been Ten Years?!

I Started Blogging on January 20, 2008. I Had No Idea What I Was Doing.

It’s been ten years since I made a New Year’s Resolution to start a blog. I wasn’t even sure what I was going to write about at first. I have a lot of interests. As I was brainstorming ideas, I wrote, “Well, I’m hooked on houses, so I could talk about that!” And I talk about houses I did. For 2,103 posts and counting!

I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep it up for an entire year, let alone a decade. If I had known then the crazy adventure blogging would be, it would have blown my mind.

Blogging has changed a lot since then (*understatement*). I used to post a few small photos and call it a day. Now there’s all this SEO stuff we’re supposed to worry about. Photos to create for Pinterest. Linking posts to Facebook. Growing an audience on Instagram. And sponsored posts have become a main source of income for most blogs now. (They tell me I’m crazy not to do them, but I really just want to talk about the things I want to talk about.)

It’s expensive to run a site like this, though. It has to bring in about a thousand dollars a month just to pay for the basics that keep the lights on. When I get complaints about the ads on my blog, I realize that not everyone understands the reality, which is that without the ads, it goes dark tomorrow. If you’re reading this on my site without blocking the ads, thank you. You’re helping it stay “on” for another day!

I’ve been overwhelmed by sweet notes from those of you concerned that something happened to me, but let me reassure you that all is well. I’ve just been focusing on other things in my life.

Last year, as I’ve mentioned before, I was dealing with some health issues that wiped me out. So I gave myself permission to only blog when I really felt like it and had something I really wanted to share. It’s been such a relief not to have the stress of having to post every M-W-F that I’m going to continue this new policy in 2018. When you see me here, then you’ll know I had something I really wanted to talk about!

Finally, I just want to say a BIG thanks for reading Hooked on Houses over the past decade and being a part of this community. It wouldn’t still be here without you! xo

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by hookedonhouses via Home And Garden