It’s time to reflect and celebrate! YAHOO!
Six years ago I began something fairly spontaneous at the suggestion of a friend: I started a blog. I hadn’t even read a blog before, and I’ll admit I was reluctant. My friend insisted I try it, so I finally opened a free WordPress site and posted my first entry. I had no plan, no expectations, and no clue what I was doing—just a desire to share what I loved.
Back then the blog looked very different. For those of you who were reading in the early days, do you remember that look? When I began, blogging wasn’t the polished, business-driven world it is today. People didn’t rely on social media, pinnable graphics, or perfected staging. It was simpler: share your life, your home, and your ideas. That low-pressure start is part of what made blogging so magical for many of us who began in the mid-2000s.
Want to see what a “reveal” post looked like back in the early days?
A month or so into blogging I shared my kitchen from the original house I blogged about—complete with small, unedited photos and no pinnable graphics. It felt awkward to show, but it was authentic. We didn’t depend on professional staging or social boosts. Today, producing and promoting a room or project can feel like a full-time job—photographing, editing, creating graphics, and promoting everywhere. Sometimes I miss the freedom of simply decorating and posting about it.
I had already started a decorating business called The Inspired Room before the blog, and the blog was intended to complement that work. I planned to write about decorating principles, homemaking philosophy, and share glimpses of my own life—and that focus hasn’t changed. What surprised me was how blogging eventually became the center of everything: my career, my livelihood, and a passion in its own right.
Over these six years life changed a lot. My daughters completed college, my son grew from seven to thirteen, we lost a beloved pup and later welcomed two more, we endured job loss and a year without income, we sold our house, moved to a new state, helped start a church, traveled to conferences, handled medical scares, wrote for other sites, and continued to decorate, remodel, and maintain the blog. Looking back, it’s been exhausting and exhilarating all at once.
Through it all the blog has continued to grow and now supports our family. It’s been a blessing and a lot of work—especially for early bloggers who had to learn as they went. I wouldn’t trade the experience. Persevering through the challenges helped shape where I am now.
I asked readers on Facebook what they wanted me to address for this anniversary. Below are a few highlights.
Remember the window banner? I loved it. I miss it, but it was time to move on.
What are my three biggest failures and successes in blogging?
Three Blogging Business Blunders
1. Stepping into monetization and facing backlash. When I moved from hobby blogging to accepting ads, some readers reacted negatively. My first attempts at monetization weren’t particularly successful, but I persisted. Turning a passion into a sustainable business was worth the awkward early steps.
2. Confusing search engines. Early on I used heading fonts and formats that confused Google, which harmed search traffic. It was a costly lesson: make search optimization a priority from the start, especially if you plan to turn your blog into a business.
3. Poor image naming and storage. For years I kept images in Flickr and used generic file names like IMG_3434.jpg. When Pinterest and image search became important, those choices limited my reach. I’m still working to rename and re-upload many images so they’re discoverable. Lesson: name images descriptively and store them in a way that supports sharing and search.
There were many other stumbles, but each taught me something important. The key is to keep moving forward, learning as you go.
What is one of my favorite posts of all time?
One of my favorites is a candid post titled “This is not glamorous,” the one with the dead giraffe and undies on my son’s head. It captures the real, imperfect moments I often share.
Three significant opportunities I’m grateful for through blogging:
1) Running a successful home-based business. The blog provides for our family, allows us to volunteer at our church, and has given my daughters part-time work. It’s a dream job in many ways, but it’s also a lot of hard work.
2) Writing a book. The book I once imagined is finally happening. I’m grateful the experience I gained over the past years will make this project stronger.
3) A magazine feature. My new kitchen remodel will be photographed soon for Better Homes & Gardens. Years ago I wrote about my tendency to view life through a “magazine cover” lens—now that perspective has led to an exciting opportunity.
How do I stay enthusiastic about blogging after six years?
It’s simple: I write about what I love and I stay true to myself. If I had to present a different persona or cover topics I didn’t care about, blogging would become a chore. I also stay grounded by living life offline—traveling, creating, and experiencing things that fuel new content. Finally, the readers keep me inspired. Comments that bring laughter, encouragement, and connection feel like coffee with a friend every morning. Your support makes this work joyful.
Thank you to everyone who reads, comments, and supports this blog. I’m deeply grateful.
So what’s next?
Besides the book and the magazine feature, there are a few more exciting developments coming to The Inspired Room in the year ahead. You’ll have to stay tuned to see what they are.
Onward to the next six years!