Today’s post is from Chantal. Blogging transformed my life — it helped me pay off student loans, travel extensively, find greater happiness, and earn a reliable income.
It may sound dramatic to say blogging saved my life, but let me explain.
In the fall of 2014 I was trying to summon the courage to return to work after having my daughter earlier that year. Being a new mom was difficult, and I still wanted to stay at home with her.
When my little girl turned one, I simply couldn’t go back to a regular job.
Originally I planned to return to work after her first year, but I felt conflicted and struggled with postpartum depression that later developed into major depression. I didn’t have a clear career path, and everything I tried felt wrong.
Before my daughter was born I never had a job I truly enjoyed, and my income had been barely enough. After she turned one, I began applying for jobs and even scheduled interviews, only to cancel them after thinking about how much I wanted to be with my daughter.
The traditional part of me wanted to be a homemaker, while the modern part of me wanted to build my own success. Over time I felt like I was burning bridges and sabotaging future job prospects, which sent me deeper into depression.
It was painful because I wanted to contribute financially, yet I also wanted to be present for my daughter. Not being able to support my family made me feel useless, even while I knew my daughter needed me.
I felt insignificant and like my purpose was missing. How could I support my family and still be a present parent? How could I give my life meaning beyond parenting?
The Modern Mom Conflict
The challenges women face today are different than those of previous generations.
Women now have the opportunity and resources to pursue virtually anything.
While that freedom is wonderful, it also creates pressure to do everything: get an education, raise children, run a household, travel, and look flawless while doing it. Although I’m grateful for the chance to follow my goals, that pressure left me anxious and feeling inadequate.
I constantly felt I wasn’t doing enough for my family. Feeling forced to choose between parenting and a career never felt right to me.
On a rainy October day in 2014, I found a blog income report on Pinterest that changed my thinking.
Blogging appealed to me immediately — I loved writing and was intrigued by the potential to stay home while earning a meaningful income. I researched blogging and discovered I wasn’t alone; many women were supporting their families through blogging.
Excited to Start Blogging
I dove into blogging with enthusiasm. The idea that I could be my own boss and travel when wanted was exciting. My husband and I had talked about homeschooling our daughter, which would be far easier if I worked from home. Blogging seemed like the solution to both my financial and personal concerns, and in many ways it has been.
The first months, however, were a mix of excitement and frustration. I sought help for my depression, which made a difference, and blogging gave me new goals and purpose — but it was harder than Pinterest made it look. I considered quitting many times. I felt frustrated, defeated, and often started over.
If you blog, you’ll learn that you must genuinely enjoy the work to stick with it. Believing everything on Pinterest was one of my early mistakes. Blogging is not a get-rich-quick plan; it won’t make you thousands after your first post and may not earn money for years. It’s a real job that requires passion, consistency, and persistence.
If you want to start your own blog, there are affordable hosting options and straightforward tutorials that can help you get started for a low monthly cost and include a free domain with certain plans.
Finding Purpose and Direction
I’m grateful I didn’t give up on blogging.
Although I haven’t become outrageously wealthy, blogging has satisfied my desire to be my own boss and has quenched my entrepreneurial drive. For someone with a history of depression, having purpose is invaluable — and blogging gave me that purpose.
- I still feel the same excitement I had when I began whenever a new post idea arrives or when someone leaves a comment.
- I still love to write and enjoy engaging with the blogging community.
- I love connecting with other moms and helping whenever I can.
Blogging helped me find direction and a healthier work-life balance. I still feel limitless. Sitting down with a notebook and a cup of coffee to brainstorm, set goals, and write brings me joy and focus. It restored a sense of importance and meaning to my life.
As you can see, blogging can truly change your life. Blogging has changed mine for the better by providing hope and enabling me to pursue my passion.
I encourage you to use your talents and pursue what excites you. Whether your interest is cooking, technology, advocacy, or something else, invest in it. Don’t let others dictate how you should feel or what you should do.
Author bio: Chantal Steele created Ironwild Fitness, a blog dedicated to helping women realize their potential through blogging. She believes women shouldn’t have to choose between family and a career. Chantal is a mom and freelance writer who enjoys reading and gardening when she’s not blogging.
Are you interested in blogging? If you already blog, how has it changed your life?