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.

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.