Wow, how did that happen? I can not believe that the I dea in my head about a blog called Organised Jo has now been live for one whole year. And what a year it has been.
I had the idea for my blog a long time before I did anything about it. This was for lots of reasons, including being worried I wouldn’t have the time. I also thought I wouldn’t know what to write about, or even how to set up a blog! But I am always one for a challenge. And after over thinking it too much I just jumped straight in.
My original idea was to have a place where I could write about how I manage, juggle, the life of being a working mum. All I hoped from the blog was that I could pass on things that have helped me. We are all in the same boat and we all have the same struggles, right? But Organised Jo has turned into more than that.
What have I got from my blog?
Like I just said, I set up this blog as I wanted to help people. But what I wasn’t expecting was what I got back from it.
The first thing that stood out to me was the blogging community, they are amazing. You can ask any question in any one of the many blogging groups and get back an answer pretty quickly. I have never felt stupid about asking anything, because everyone is so supportive. I have also met some lovely bloggers from my local area Devon. When we get together it is like we are old friends.
I would also say the blog has given me a purpose. Now this does sound a bit cliche, but I didn’t realise I needed to find a purpose. The blog has filled a void I didn’t realise I had in my life. I am a mum to two beautiful girls who are both at school, a wife to a shift working very understanding husband and I work with a lovely group of people in a busy job. You would think I wouldn’t need anything else, as yes, all of this does already keep me busy.
But amongst all this I realised I wasn’t doing something for me. Organised Jo has changed that. Blogging has taught me new skills, I mean who knew I could set up a self hosted website! Okay, there was a lot of swearing in the process but I did it. Through the blog, and using social media, I have also found out that a I really like taking photos. I also like sharing them on Instagram and being part of that community too. I’ve also realised I’m not that’s bad at putting together a decent pic.
Time for some stats
So if you are interested, and you can skip this bit if you want, I thought I would throw a few stats in. Hopefully I will be blogging in another year from now so it would be a great comparison.
Six months into blogging I posted about what the six most read posts where, here is an updated list:
1. 10 Christmas gifts for Working mums
3. The Working Mum’s Declutter Plan
Until recently I had been posting once a week. I had made this decision when I started as I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself. It felt achievable. It was also a challenge that I set myself to keep this up. And I do like a challenge! I am glad to say I did post something every week. This has now been increased to twice a week as in January this year I started the Meet the Working Mum Interview series. I have really enjoyed doing this series.
With regards to views, I have been averaging between 40 and 50 a day recently. It really does still surprise me that people read my ramblings! I didn’t start Organised Jo with the mindset that I wanted to germ 1,000’s of views. Like I said earlier I just wanted to share what has helped me throughout the 8 years that I have been a working mum.
I won’t lie, it is lovely to see the numbers rise on a post that I have spent a lot of time putting together. But what does make me really happy is when I get comments on a blog or a social media post. Reading that someone has been inspired or motivated by something that I have written, just makes my day.
Talking about social media, writing a blog post is one thing, but getting it out there for people to read is another. I’ve always enjoyed social media, and before blogging I did used to spend a couple of hours a night browsing away. This has now been replaced with raising awareness about my blog, and chatting away with other like minded people. Over the past year I have seen all my social media accounts grow. I hope to keep this momentum going.
Shout out to the bloggers!
I would like to do some shout outs. Sorry, this has turned into an Oscar acceptance speech!
To some of the lovely Devon bloggers, I have had the pleasure of meeting in person. You have all been so supportive – Gina from Gypsy Soul, Pippa from The Slimming Foodie, Tilly from Mummy Rules, Natalie from The Rebel Pebble, Hayley from Sparkles and Stretchmarks, Nicola from Nicola Says, Claire from Tin Box Traveller and Clio from Diary of a Devon Mum. There are many more who are part of our Devon Bloggers group and sorry I can’t mention you all. Thank you for being you and begin such a fab group.
I also want to thank the following bloggers for running the great linkys that I take part in each week. For those that don’t know anything about blogging, a linky is where bloggers share posts and can find new and fab blogs to read. It also helps us to get links back to our blogs and grow them in the internet world. I have really enjoyed taking part in these every week, here are my favourites:
The List – run by You Baby Me Mummy and Amy Treasure
Marv Mondays – run by Hello Archie, My Petit Carnard and Back With a Bump
Blogger Club UK – run by Cuddle Fairy, My Random Musings and MudPie Fridays
Sharing the blog love – run by Dear Bear and Beany and Hot Pink Wellingtons
What’s next for Organised Jo?
My plan is basically to continue as I am but try and grow my little corner of the internet a bit more. If you are interested take a look at my goals for 2017 here. I still have lots of ideas for posts about organisation tips and tricks for us working parents, so watch this space for them. I will also be looking at putting together some posts on home interiors and how we can still use stylish furniture but it can also be practical .
This post has turned into a bit of ramble, so if you have made it this far thank you for staying with me. I hope you have enjoyed reading about my journey so far. I will stop now you will be glad to hear. But finally I would like to say thank you. Thank you for giving up your very valuable time to read my ideas, thank you for leaving comments and thank you so much for sharing.
Hopefully see you here this time next year
Jo
X
You are doing brilliantly! Well done xx #TheList
Thank you Emma. X
Happy blog birthday! Love your post about baskets by the way, I could spend a fortune on the things given half a chance! x #TheList
Thank you. My hubby often rolls his eyes when I come home with another container cause I have an idea! X
Happy blog birthday. I’m a bit of a tidy freak too so always love reading your posts. Thanks so much for giving #marvmondays a mention too, I’m glad you enjoy linking up every week and hope you contine to!
The blogging community are so nice & helpful & being part of fab linkys like your have been a great way for to promote the blog. Thank you for your lovely comment. X
I love your blog Jo and you really get me thinking with everything you post! It’s encouraged me to be more organised and eliminate some of the chaos in our house! Love it xx #marvmondays
Aww, thank you so much Fi. It’s so lovely to hear that I’ve helped in some way. X
Happy Blog Birthday, Jo! Of course, I love organising so it’s nice to pop here via the linkys. I’m a little over one year old myself and it has been quite a journey. SOme lovely blogs and linkys mentioned too! Its a proper little community we have, isn’t it. All the best for 2017. #MarvMondays
Hasn’t the year flown by! i love your blog Jane, your interior posts are just lovely. Thank you for stopping by. X
Yay, congratulations! Blogging filled a void for me too and the community is fantastic x
#MarvMondays
Isn’t it just. I don’t think I would know what to do with myself now if I didn’t have the blog. It’s been so fab meeting like minded people. X
Happy 1 year to blogging! I’ve always enjoyed reading your posts. Well done.
#MarvMondays
Aww, thank you so much. Comments like yours really make me smile x
Happy blog birthday and congratulations on everything you have achieved! I set up my blog for the same reason – I didn’t feel like I was doing anything just for me. Good luck for many more years to come #bloggersclubuk
Thank you so much. And good luck with your little slice of the internet. X
the community is lovely isn’t it 🙂 ive been blogging about 18 months and love the linkies and finding new blogs to read!#marvmondays
Thanks for commenting. Finding new blogs to read is one of the best things I like about blogging. I also love seeing the familiar faces through the kinkiest too. X
Congratulations on your first year of blogging, I hope you have many more happy years to come #BloggerClubUK
Thank you so much for your lovely comment Anne. X
Happy Blog Birthday and it looks like you’ve had a great first year, well done! #SharingtheBlogLove
Thank you Louise. X
Well done for keeping it up! I’ve been blogging for nearly three years and almost lost my mojo last year. But I’ve stopped worrying about competing and trying to get more than a few views a day and am simply enjoying writing, which is why I started in the first place! #brillblogposts
Thanks for the comment Adrian. It is hard to not to obsess with the numbers but having a reminder now and again about why you start to blog is needed. X
Sounds like you’ve had a great year – happy anniversary! #thelistlinky
Thank you. X
Well done on making it to the first year. That’s usually the hardest part. It sounds like you know what you’re doing and nice to have read some of your blog this year. #sharingthebloglove
Thank you Emma. The last year has certainly been a rollercoaster, but a good one. X
Happy blog birthday! I’d have thought you’d been at it much longer to be honest, well done for everything you’ve achieved in your first year. I started off with the same goal to post once a week, but it’s surprising how addictive it becomes and soon you’re posting more and more without it being a struggle (well, most of the time anyway!) Thanks for the shout out too, it’s always lovely to read your posts at #SharingtheBlogLove
Thanks for your lovely comment Katy. It has sometimes felt like I have been doing it longer but time has flown by, I think that’s because I have been enjoying it. I love your linky, it’s a fab idea. X
Happy Blog Birthday it sounds like you have had a great year and enjoying it which is the best part #sharingthebloglove
Thank you Laura. I think I have certainly got the blogging bug. X
Happy Blog Birthday. I am so pleased you started your blog, the way you organise your life and share with us is great. I have got so many great ideas. My favourite post that I will always remember reading that helped me, was about being a school mum and the advice you gave. Thank you for the shout too 🙂 Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove x
Aww, thank you so much for your lovely comment Laura. Knowing that I have helped people really does mean so much. Blogging has also given the opportunity to meet, albeit online, fab people like yourself who are here to help each other. It really is a lovely community to be part of. X
Happy 1 year Anniversary, thank you so much for the linky mention. I am like you I did not realise I needed something for me until I started. Now its a bit of an addiction! It sounds like you have a great little tribe going too. That is one of the things which has really made a difference to me. Look forward to reading your next update 🙂 Thank you for joining us at #BloggerClubUK