It’s time to reflect and celebrate!
Six years ago I began something fairly unexpected at the suggestion of a friend — a little experiment called a blog. I had never even read a blog before, and it took a fair amount of convincing to get me to try it. Eventually I set up a free WordPress account at theinspiredroom.wordpress and posted my first entry without knowing much of anything about the process.
Back then the site looked very simple. Do any of you remember those early days? When I started, I had no expectations. I hadn’t even read a blog, so I was diving in blind. I wrote about what I loved for a handful of readers and didn’t worry about analytics, SEO, or social media. That simplicity was part of the appeal for many early bloggers: fewer distractions, fewer expectations, just genuine sharing.
Today, new bloggers often arrive with high expectations because blogging has evolved into a powerful platform for careers and income. But in the mid-2000s it was different — you simply had to interest the visitor who arrived at your page without the promotional tools we rely on now.
A glimpse at an old “reveal” post
About a month into blogging I posted my first kitchen reveal from my original home. The photos were small, unedited, and hardly staged — and there were no pinnable graphics. It feels awkward to look back now, but that honest snapshot of real life was enough then. We didn’t depend on elaborate staging, polished photography, or constant social promotion. Nowadays, preparing and promoting a single room reveal can feel like a full-time job. I long for the simpler days when I could just decorate and share without the extra production.
I had already started a decorating business called The Inspired Room before the blog, and the two eventually merged in unexpected ways. I initially planned to write about decorating principles, homemaking, and snippets of everyday life — and that focus has remained consistent throughout.
Over time the blog changed everything I’d planned outside of it. What started as a hobby became my career, my livelihood, and a deep passion. It’s been more than I imagined and has grown to fully support our family — a true blessing.
In six years a lot has changed: my children grew up, my daughters completed college, my son went from seven to thirteen, we lost and gained pets, we endured a year without income, we sold our house and moved, we helped start a new church, we faced medical emergencies, traveled, wrote for other sites, and still kept renovating and sharing on the blog. It’s exhausting to list it all, but I’ve shared many of those moments here. Blogging has required hard work, patience, and perseverance — and it’s been worth every challenge.
I asked on Facebook what readers wanted me to reflect on for this anniversary and have tried to touch on many of those questions below.
Remember that window banner? I loved it, but it was time to move on.
Three failures and lessons learned
1. Taking the leap into monetization
Turning a hobby blog into a monetized site stirred controversy early on. Adding ads felt risky because it was unconventional at the time, and the results weren’t immediately impressive. Still, I couldn’t keep treating it strictly as a hobby when it became a potential livelihood. That initial misstep taught me to keep moving forward despite criticism — often the skeptics follow once something proves useful.
2. SEO oversights cost traffic
In my eagerness to create pretty posts, I used heading styles that unintentionally confused search engines. As a result, search traffic suffered for years before I realized why. That experience underscored how important technical details are when you’re building a business online.
3. Poor image naming and storage
For several years I stored images on Flickr and used generic file names like IMG_3234.jpg. When Pinterest and image search grew, those choices reduced my visibility. Renaming and rehosting thousands of images has been a huge job, but it taught me the importance of optimizing media for discovery. If your images have meaningless names, consider renaming them so search engines and users can find them.
There were many other experiments that didn’t work out, but each taught me something valuable. You just have to try things and accept failures as part of the learning curve. I’ve always done my best and learned what I needed at each step.
Favorite post
One of my personal favorites is the unglamorous post about the messy realities of life — yes, the one with the dead giraffe and my son’s underwear on his head. It captures the honest, imperfect moments I enjoy sharing.
Three opportunities I’m grateful for
1) A thriving home-based business
The blog evolved into a business that supports our family and allows us to volunteer at our church without relying on church income. I also employ my two daughters part-time, which is a wonderful bonus. It’s a dream job in many ways — rewarding, challenging, and definitely hard work.
2) Writing a book
The book I once only dreamed of writing is finally underway. I waited because the years of blogging have given me the experience to write something better now. I can’t share the details yet, but I’m excited to bring this project to life.
3) A feature in Better Homes & Gardens
Years after writing about my “magazine cover-itis,” a recent kitchen remodel will be photographed for Better Homes & Gardens. It’s thrilling and nerve-wracking to see a project I’ve poured myself into reach that level of recognition.
How I stay enthusiastic after six years
I stay passionate because the blog reflects what I love. I share what I genuinely care about and stay true to myself. If I had to promote things I didn’t believe in or spend all my time gaming social platforms, I would burn out. Living life beyond the screen and focusing on projects I enjoy keeps my energy and creativity alive.
But what truly keeps me inspired is you. Your comments, encouragement, and thoughtful messages feel like sharing coffee with a friend every morning. You’ve become kindred spirits and friends, and your support makes this work meaningful.
Thank you to everyone who reads, comments, and supports the blog. I’m deeply grateful.
What’s next?
Alongside the book and the magazine feature, there are more projects on the horizon for The Inspired Room. Stay tuned — I’m excited to share what comes next.
Onward to the next six years!