I have been enjoying all the Blissdom recaps around the internet—stories of friends, learning, and the fun that filled the weekend. I’ve spent the week recovering: long travel, public speaking, and so much excitement left me pleasantly wiped out. It was a wonderful event. I didn’t take many photos (only three, and they were terrible), but Deanna from Domestic Chicky kindly sent a picture of Nester and me, so I have something to share.
BLISSDOM
The best part of Blissdom for me was meeting friends, both old and new. My roommates—Nester, Emily, Kimba and Sandy—made the trip feel like pure bliss. The only thing that would have made it better? Having more of you there. Next time, I’m dragging you along.
Since this was my first Blissdom, I felt a bit apprehensive. If Nester hadn’t been going, I probably wouldn’t have had the courage to go on my own. I’m an extrovert who can become an introvert in a crowd of unfamiliar faces. Still, everyone I met was genuinely kind and welcoming—exactly the kind of community I hoped to find.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
Nester and I shared our thoughts about blogging on a panel, though I didn’t say everything I’d planned. I’m a blogging mom who once glued her hands to quarter round, not a seasoned speaker. Between nerves and the panel format, I felt more flustered than focused. At one point I was literally shaking from nerves—cold didn’t help—but when I glanced at Nester she was shaking too. We hugged out of pure relief when we finished. Honestly, we would have preferred to talk about glue-gun disasters or thread counts.
WHO LET THESE GIRLS TALK ABOUT SUCCESSFUL BLOGS?
Though we were there to discuss “successful blogging,” neither Nester nor I claim to be authorities. We didn’t set out to be successful, we make mistakes, and HTML often baffles us. We’re still learning social media. Mostly, we’ve just muddled along writing about things we love. I didn’t even realize I had subscribers until months into blogging, and analytics, SEO, and keywords were mysteries to me for a long time.
WHAT IS A “SUCCESS”?
I can say I felt successful and fulfilled early in my blogging journey, and I don’t feel more successful now simply because traffic and numbers are higher. Sure, it’s gratifying to see growth—more comments, higher stats—but the sense of success for me comes from small moments of discovery, accomplishment, and encouragement from friends. Those moments create the feeling that I’m where I’m supposed to be.
In fact, larger numbers can sometimes make a blog feel more overwhelming. Remaining small can feel safer: mistakes are less visible and expectations lower. Success, to me, lives in personal growth and community, not solely in metrics.
SUCCESSFUL HOME & SUCCESSFUL BLOG — CAN YOU HAVE BOTH?
For me, blogging’s value is tied to life. A blog can enrich life—opening opportunities, helping conquer fears, and connecting us with others—but it can also drain us if priorities slip. If a blog runs your life, it exhausts you. The same goes for caring for a home: routines and tasks can nourish your life or wear you down depending on how you measure purpose and priorities.
WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE IN DOING WHAT WE DO?
Is the point of blogging to chase ever-higher stats even if it means missing dinner with the kids? Is homemaking about having spotless rooms every day at any cost, or about making time to play with your children? It’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters when we chase more of something unnecessary.
WHAT STAT COUNTER ARE YOU USING TO MEASURE YOUR SUCCESS?
We can fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to perfection—the Marthas of the world—measuring against unrealistic standards. If we use the wrong yardstick, we’ll always fall short. We worry that if people saw our messy moments, secondhand furniture, or imperfect projects they’d judge us. Blogging adds vulnerability: our ideas, homes, and lives are visible, which invites both encouragement and comparison. If we let metrics and envy define us, the pressure can become overwhelming.
DON’T QUIT YOUR REAL LIFE
There are legitimate ways to grow your blog—improving content, building community, and learning useful tools—but to preserve sanity and balance, my core advice is simple: don’t quit your real life. Let your blog enhance your life, not replace it. Maintain priorities that reflect what matters most.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY AREN’T THAT INTO YOU (ANY MORE)?
Traffic and attention ebb and flow. New blogs appear all the time, and what’s fresh today may fade tomorrow. Don’t measure your worth by stats or your home’s value by magazine-worthy images. What truly counts is the life you live behind the blog—family, relationships, personal growth. Let the blog challenge and enrich you, but don’t let it overshadow what matters most.
SO, IS IT WRONG TO WANT OR EVEN HAVE A SUCCESSFUL BLOG?
It’s fine to want growth and recognition. Success can bring exciting opportunities. The important part is how you define success along the way so it aligns with your values and preserves balance in life.
TOP TEN SUCCESSFUL BLOGGING TIPS, IMHO:
- Write about your unique passions and carve out your place in blogland.
- Build real friendships—be genuine, comment, and participate in community events.
- Be supportive: link to other blogs, host features, and sincerely encourage others.
- Find accountability and support to keep priorities in check.
- Learn gradually—no one expects you to know everything at once.
- Learn from others, but avoid constant comparison that leads to discouragement.
- Work hard and be consistent, but don’t sacrifice your real life for blog metrics.
- Follow your own path—don’t feel compelled to chase someone else’s formula for success.
- Be brave and accept opportunities that push you beyond your comfort zone.
- Post when inspired and allow yourself breaks. Play with your kids, take walks, and recharge—your blog will benefit.
I want to thank Alli and all the wonderful sponsors of Blissdom for making the event possible. Their support means a lot to bloggers. Blissdom was an amazing experience and I would gladly go again. I hope next time I’ll see you there. A special thanks to SIMPLE MOM for her encouragement and class—she truly inspired both Nester and me.
There are useful e-books available that can help you grow and manage your blog while keeping balance in life. If you’re interested in learning techniques or finding structure, consider resources written by experienced bloggers that focus on practical steps and life balance.