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365 Terrific Blogging Days Later…Hurrah!!

jacquelineobyikocha

Blogging was an unknown concept. I had no concrete idea what it meant or where to start from. All I had was the desire to write beyond journalling in my diary. FaceBook had been my medium of sharing bits of my thoughts, which was a lot, but something about FaceBook just never settled well with me, so I didn’t share as much.

Backtrack to May 5th, 2015 after a friend encouraged me yet again to start blogging, I googled the word ‘blog’ and WordPress came up. I researched further and before I could say Hey! Presto my first post was published.

I started it afraid. My doubting part told me that since I wasn’t technically on-point I probably suck at it. I didn’t know what a good or bad blog was meant to look like. I didn’t know what ‘spam bots’ were. I had never bothered my life about SEO’s, didn’t know what it was and still don’t know exactly what that Greek word ‘search engine optimization,’ means in real terms. All I had and still have is the burning desire to write and to learn.

I wondered who in their right mind would bother to read what I wrote but after my initial trepidations and decision to leave the excuses, I decided to plod along knowing that I am writing for me.

Why am I back-tracking a bit, because, sincerely speaking, it truly amazes me to think that I started this blog from zero, knowing nothing, with no idea how to blog and what it would be like, to this point where I wonder why I took forever to get started?

Am I glad that I am here? Absolutely, yes.

I have made wonderful friends on this journey. My thoughts have grown exponentially. I’ve pushed myself beyond my comfort zone over and over again and without trying to sound too smart, I look back and say to myself ‘well done, you’ve not done badly, babe.‘

Just a quick view of my present circumstance as they also serve as a measure of growth online…

a. Published my first poetry book.

b. Published 1,178 posts

c. I gained a partner and looking for more 🙂

d. Joined several challenges.

e. I started two blogging challenges that you can join.

f. Attended a number of BU classes.

g. Did my first Nablopomo last November.

h. Hostess to an exciting, monthly blog party 😉

i. Started earning some cents in WordAds 😉

j. Many positive offline strides that my online presence brought about.

Stats: 92,807 views, Visitors: 22,842, Friends: 7,980, Likes: 53,277, Comments: 28,706

Well, there you have the bare bones. These days, this may not seem like much to some, but in my eyes, these are giant strides for me. To another 365 days, I say, let’s go!

Thank you all for choosing to stay with me. For your supportive hands of fellowship, I remain humbled in appreciation. Have a drink and a cupcake on my behalf 🙂

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Below is my first Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Dance to your heart’s delight my African child, until echoes of your stamping feet, beating heart; bright eyes, smiling lips; and waving hands, resonates over and over like thunder claps, reverberating throughout the Universe.

Just dance.

Published by jacquelineobyikocha

A wordsmith with a vivid imagination, an eager mind and a burning desire to carve out tales. As I journey with my muse to that land of all possibilities and self discovery, I hope my personal evolution will serve as a beacon of inspiration for anyone who chooses to stop by.

67 thoughts on “365 Terrific Blogging Days Later…Hurrah!!”

  9. Wow, what an incredible year Jackie. I l know Im thrilled to have discovered your blog. When I was brand new to blogging and still today, your support in sharing my links and commenting has kept me motivated to keep putting my words out there. Congrats on all your success. ❤️Alexis

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  11. Hello Jacq, you’ve accomplished a lot in a year. Congratulations my dear friend! *raise my glass* More grace, more friends to love you, more money for this noble profession of ours.

    Your story is inspiring and I know in the next anniversary would leave you overwhelmed. *Big hugs*

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  16. I love it Jackie! Your first sentence reminded me exactly of me a year and THREE days ago when I launched my WP blog. I am coming up on my first anniversary too…and I am so happy that I decided to switch from sharing a smattering of thoughts on FB to pouring my heart out on WP. Congratulations too on your first poetry book. It is a dream of mine. Just need to DO IT. 🙂

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    1. Thank you Kat. It’s as if you know that I’ve been trying to connect with you. I saw a glimpse of your email address and as I said to myself okay, let me send Kat an email in the morning, I’ve been searching for it ever since. It simply vanished :/ Please get to work on that dream. Dust up your written poems and I know that you’ve got a lot and getting it rolling. All the best with it. Please could you send me the email again?

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  24. Wow already one year and 1,178 posts? And I thought I was catching up on reading your posts but apparently I have a long way to go. I am also looking forward to reading your book. Great job girl, you are such an inspiration.

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  28. Awesome job Jacqueline. You seem very goal-oriented to me. I think that is good thing and you have accomplished much in one year. Keep going and great work 🙂

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  29. Congratulations on your 1-year! I look forward to seeing more of your posts through the next year. Your talents are many, filled with awesome thoughts & ideas!! keep them coming!

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  30. You are, and always have been, an inspiration to us all. Congrats on your anniversary, I certainly plan to stick around and watch you go all the way to the top!!! I’ll be slowly strutting behind you lol

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I love it when you decorate my heart with your words..