Hey there lovely people,
I’m so dumb I forgot my 5 month blog anniversary on the 24th. My poor blog. Mama forgot to celebrate with a nice post. Anyway, I’ll tell you this blog as given me this past 5 months:
- A community and a support system I never imagined having.
- New and true friends. I have amazing best friends and I would not change them for the world but it’s nice to have more friends. I haven’t had this many since I was in middle school. I miss those too, actually.
- A way for my family and friends to know everything that is going on. I know I don’t seem shy or to keep things for myself but I do. My friends and family (apart from Rui) don’t have it easy when it comes to make me talk. I’ve had so many complains over this, as I’m not one to call and complain or to text and ask for support. This way, they know everything, because it’s easier to write about and then, when we see each other, I don’t feel so bad talking about it because they already now and we can just comment on it, instead of my poor friends trying to make me talk and getting nothing.
Dear friends, I’m sorry I push you away. I need you so bad and so many times, I just don’t know how to reach out and ask for support. I also don’t want to keep talking about my mental health because I don’t want to be the negative and boring one and don’t want to burden you. (This is meant for Rita, Catarina, Catarina, Rita, Alison, Patrícia, my sister and Ricardo). I just love you so much guys.
- It has given me the confidence I’ve never had. Maybe because I feel like I have a big support system, I’m not afraid to be out there. I write about my personal life, good or bad, without fear, I can take pictures of myself (I hated this before), I can be in front of a camera, I can wear a bathing suit and don’t give a damn about what people are thinking about my weight, my cellulite, my stretch marks, my jello thighs. I know I’m the heaviest I have been but I don’t really care. I used to be so afraid to run into an old boyfriend, an old friend, a former teacher or neighbor and that they would see how different I look. I’m not afraid anymore. I’m sick, I’ve been sick for years, my depression and medication make me gain weight. Not saying that I couldn’t do much or do better, but it’s hard in my condition. The bottom line is: I know how I look and I embrace it.
- I’ve lost my fear of social media. In fact, I’m closing down my personal Facebook and Instagram and mixing my real friends with my blogging friends. No time to focus on two Facebook accounts and two Instagram accounts. And since I have nothing to hide and no issues with people I know from real life reading my blog, all is well.
- I’ve had the chance to talk to people from all over the world, learn about things I knew nothing about, different countries, religions, weathers, the whole thing.
- I’ve won a book in a giveaway and I loved it.
- I’ve met people who are going through what I’m going through and that can understand and talk about our issues freely.
- I’ve become interested in learning more about photography because I suck.
- I can write again after about 7 years of writer’s block.
- To summarize, this blog has filled a whole that had been with me for a long time and given me so many things I didn’t know I needed.
Now, because I’m open and like to analyze, we’ll talk about numbers
Since I started: (24th of January, 2017)
Posts: 338
Views: 49,775
Visitors: 12,801
Average views per day: 328
Followers: 1365
From May 24th to June 26th:
Posts: – May 24th: 240
– June 26th: 338
= 98 posts in this period
Views: – May 24th: 35,588
– June 26th: 49,775
= 14,187 new views in this period
Followers: – May 24th: 1,054
– June 26th: 1365
= 311 new followers in this period
Views in May: 13,337
(the month is not over but I know I’m not going to meet my goal of 15,000 views in 5 days. That’s what you get from slacking)
Social media:
Facebook – 97 friends, just because I’m merging my personal account with my blog account. I’m keeping only my blog account.
Instagram – 224 followers ( +32, not much. I’ve only started to post something every day and pay more attention to Instagram a few days or weeks ago)
Twitter – 195 followers ( +11, again, not good enough)
Bloglovin – 57 ( -1 hahahaha this one made me laugh. I didn’t grow at all and someone was sick of me lol)
Pinterest – 131 ( +7, nothing impressive at all)
Now, let us see if I’ve met any of my blogging goals for this period:
- Turn followers into readers. Nope, I still have no idea how to do that. Why do people follow and not read and how do I encourage them to read? Does someone have any good tips?
- Be more consistent, just a little. I don’t think I have accomplished this, at all.
- Include my own photos and take better ones. Well, I’ve been including more photos, but don’t think they are better or even good. I really need to work on my photo taking skill, which are non-existent.
- Be more active on social media. I’ve been trying but only for the past few days/weeks. Not trying hard enough.
- Be a better follower and reader. I absolutely suck. I’m always behind, I don’t support you guys enough. I need to improve. How do you guys do it? Any tips?
Blog goals for June 26 to July 24:
- All of the above;
- Merge my Instagram accounts and only keep the one I have for my blog;
- Get 16,000 views (as punishment for not reaching 15,000 lol)
- Do more videos;
- Do ALL of the awards and tags I’m nominated for;
So today I’ll still post on weekend recap, including Monday and my “Perfect Party Series” post, wait for those, my friends.
Hugs.
Chey
Congratulations on all ur stats !
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Congratulations, Cheila! Here’s to many more months of blogging. ❤
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Those are some really impressive milestones! Congratulations to you! ♡♡♡
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congratulations Cheila
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Ahhh congrats on your stats and on blogging for 5 months!! 😊❤ xx
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Cheers to your belated blog anniversary and here’s to many more 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
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Congrats Cheila! 5 months of blogging is an amazing achievement. I really enjoyed reading about your goals and what you have learned from blogging. I can relate to you so much. I’m pretty introverted and sometimes have a hard time reaching out to family and friends too. I’ve also always had a fear of social! I finally took the plunge this month and started an Instagram account for my blog. It is great knowing that someone else out there is going through the same things. Love from Texas xx
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I would say congratulations but I expected ALL of this from you :):):) You’ve done so well, and you will continue to do well! 🙂
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You have done incredibly well – you should be so proud of yourself!
“It has given me the confidence I’ve never had” << You should have confidence; we love you, think you're awesome, and will always be here for you to read and support however possible! ♥
Caz x
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Yay! Congratulations and happy blogaversary! I had my 1337 likes thing this morning, it is such a random number! XD
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I can’t believe it has been 5 months, I have been reading your posts for pretty much every day for 5 months, time really flies. Congrats dear, your stats are blooming definitely and you deserve it totally. Cheers. xx
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Even a little growth on social media is good! You’re so amazing and I’m glad you’re feeling more confident now!!! 😘
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Wow your stats are awesome–how do you drive so much traffic to your site? I started my lil site in January but just recently picked it back up and am always looking to learn!
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Congrats Cheila! I just realised I never celebrated any blogaversary…perhaps I should be more confident! Regarding your photos: I imagine that it takes courage to switch from those perfect stock pics to your own, but I think it would definitely be worth it! And you’ll see how your skills evolve quickly!
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Well done on those stats! You’ll meet and exceed those targets. Hope you’re having a great day.
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Gosh I thought you must have been blogging for ages, it’s amazing what you’ve achieved in 5 months
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Congrats love!! So happy for you and wishing you much more to come and your blog to grow ❤
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I’ve been blogging for about 15 years so far, but haven’t personally celebrated a blogaversary (sp?). Congrats! 🙂
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Wow! Those are some pretty good achievements, Chey! Congrats
P.S. I get the not being supportive enough. I’ve been back on a lot of blogs these days. Tryying to catch up. My tip is to not let the list pile up. Else it can be overwhelming.
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Congratulations. You should be so proud of all you have done and all you will do. I love reading your blog and through you I have also gained many many friends/ bloggers. I thank you . 💕💕💕💕
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Congrats!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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I think you’re an awesome blogger. Sometimes we go through phases when we forget really important stuff or screw things up. That’s okay. Those are amazing stats and you’re doing a great job. I’m happy for you, darling. Keep writing. We’re all here for you. ❤😊
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You’re always so sweet my dear friend!! Thank you so much for your support. I know it’s normal to have bad times and I accept it, although it gets me frustrated because I like to do things well.
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Yes dear, I can understand that frustration. Don’t worry. It’ll be okay. You’ll always have my support, dear! 💕😊
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❤
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YIKES! You put so much pressure on yourself, sweetie. You’ve done absolutely fabulously. You spend a lot of time on blogging and your followers appreciate you. You are doing all of the right things. Gosh, I should step up my social media game, but not till I want to learn how to do it! Facebook is fine, but I’ve never dabbled with the others. There is always something to learn, but pat yourself on the back. You have accomplished great things.
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Thank you so much!! You’re really sweet and encouraging. They are kind of fun, you should try Instagram
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