Taking the next step

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I've been blogging for more than five years now but only for the last couple of years, ever since the blogging community witnessed changes in the way bloggers projected and promoted their blogs, I've been wondering about my position and future.

While I loved to write, I was unnerved by the commitment, dedication, and aggression shown by the new-age, serious bloggers who are brand ambassadors of their blogs in a true sense. It was a new dimension for someone like me who had considered blogging akin to casually journaling random thoughts; solely as a form of catharsis and not really worrying about the impact of the written word on the reader/writer community.

As with any change, I found myself self-doubting, fraught with insecurities and consequently slipping into bouts of non-writing phases or half-hearted posts. I hesitated to go all out there and place myself under the harsh lights of scrutiny and competition. It meant I had to take stock and re-evaluate my present skills and future goals rather than meandering mindlessly. This took time.

My non-blogging phases, if anything, taught me one vital thing. That, I was unhappy when not writing. Secondly, I found my strongest supporter in my spouse. He has been a constant source of encouragement and has always given me sage advice. He's my soundboard and every time I voiced out a feeling of inadequacy, he knocked it off gently. He would constantly remind me about the need to shun self-criticism and work on building what I already have. While I'm scared of dreaming big, he urges me to believe more in myself and keep nurturing the skill without hoping for things to fall in place in the immediate future. For this, I'm ever so grateful to him.

Taking my writing and blogging to the next step largely means letting more and more people know that I blog. I need people to take notice and for that, I need to venture out into the open. The smallish network of bloggers I had initially built had disintegrated since many of them don't blog anymore or do so sporadically. I need to create a bigger and stronger network in the blog world if I want to sustain. That I'd also need to allow a dedicated time for regular blogging is implicit.

At this point, I need to thank another person who entered my life unobtrusively as a quiet guiding force. Shailaja (she doesn't need any introduction, does she?) has been instrumental in helping me shrug off the hesitancy. Whether it was directing me to sites on writing prompts, or sharing her own expertise in matters of social media and organized writing, or introducing me to a wonderful workplace, she has been generous in giving. She was the one who planted the seed of purchasing a custom domain for the blog in my head. It is, I learnt, one of the ways to give myself the visibility I desire and build a brand image for my blog.

Thank you, Shailaja, for all that you've done and continue to do for me.

So that, my friends, is how I came to purchase a custom domain for my blog. While I do not have any grand goals for my writing as yet, I have come to realize that, for my own satisfaction, I need to blog/write; better and consistently. And, to that effect, there's no harm in being a more disciplined blogger, serious about sharpening the knives. If nothing, I'll always benefit from the knowledge.

If you find me slacking off again, feel free to whack err. remind me about this post.

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I'd love to hear your story/thoughts about how you came to self-host or purchase a custom domain for your blog.

Would you consider purchasing if you haven't already?


30 comments:

  1. Congratulations Uma...it has been a real pleasure discovering your blog and love your posts - well thought out, versatile and original....wish you the very best with this platform.

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    1. Vibha, thank you for the lovely words and being a loyal reader. I'm also glad that our paths crossed.

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  2. congratz on getting a domain. I got one recently for my travel blog but still wondering about the personal one. Like you I too feel unhappy when I am not blogging. Writing keeps me sane :D And Shailaja is a rockstar :D

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    1. Thank you, Rajlakshmi. I think you should consider purchasing one :-) Yes, Shailaja is a lovely person!

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  3. Hi Uma! Congratulations on the purchase!

    I could totally relate with your post - when I see the commitment levels of some bloggers, I really wonder what I am doing here. For me, writing is a form of catharsis. It helps me clear my head. It helps me look at my thoughts. It helps me vent.

    Perhaps, one day, when I write well, I too will purchase my own domain name :-) I love reading your blog, and I'm glad I'll get to read about you now on a more regular basis!

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    1. Divya, you already write well, my dear. Thank you so much for those kind words. Means much :-)

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  4. Great going Uma!You are a bundle of talent! Jyoti

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  5. Your husband is giving some very good advice. If you enjoy blogging, custom domain is very useful to build a brand image. Looking forward to your posts

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    1. Thank you, Ls, and welcome here. Do you blog? Is there a link to where you blog?

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  6. Congratulations , first of all! And I love your posts. Keep writing and Shailaja, well, she is something else already, isn't she? Community is so important in blogging, isn't it ?

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    1. Community is the backbone for all writers/bloggers, Naba. Thank you for the kind words. Means a lot!

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  7. Heartiest Congratulations to you Uma! Doesn't it feels bliss after having your own custom domain name? It's sheer elation that comes.

    Shailaja is a savior! To all of us. She has magic wands with her all the time! And I love her for who she is!

    It was Sid, who helped my blog find its own custom domain name and he was the one who was all ears to my woes. Another soul from our very own BAR!

    Loved reading your blog Uma.

    Keep writing!

    Cheers
    Geets

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    1. It does feel great, Geetika. I can feel a fresh bout of energy in my writing veins. So glad you got the help for your blog. I love the warmth of the BAR where the veterans are always willing to lend help to the ones who ask for it.

      Thanks a lot, Geets, for the lovely words :-)

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  8. Congrats....you indeed write so well though I have not been able to read all of them but I have read most of them n could relate a lot ....you project it well Uma. Tc n best wishes

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    1. Thanks a lot, Rohini, for always being supportive and being there for me :-)

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  9. Congratulations Uma. These doubts assail everyone even the established and regular bloggers do don't fret. I also feel that one must set one's own goals. It's perfectly fine to still higher. It is also just as wonderful to just continue to journal. I think only you can decide what you want from your blog. If editing gives you a release and makes you happy just keep writing. As they say Dance as if no one is watching you. It is just as fulfilling. Good luck!

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    1. Indeed, Rachna, very wise words those are! It doesn't matter what we do as long as it's fulfilling and satisfies our soul. Thank you, Rachna!

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  10. Congrats Uma for the domain and the fresh new start.
    When I started blogging, I too did not know that it would mean so much more than writing. But an year later when I understood, now it is a part of the process. I am looking forward to read you and know that you are also a known name. :) I remember reading some lovely posts before your hiatus and I am going to see you around.

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    1. Parul, really? You had read me earlier? wow, thanks so much for the encouragement. I'm glad to have taken this step and also be back at the BAR. I'm really hoping to stick around, this time. Thanks, again :-)

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  11. You definitely shall be 'whacked' if you don't continue writing :)
    Congrats on the move and all the best. OH, and welcome back to the BAR

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    1. Hehe, Sid. Thanks a lot!! Yes, please feel free to do so :-)

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  12. So happy to see your domain Uma, I'm very sure there are bigger and better things in your writing future :). All the very best!

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    1. Aparna, thanks for always being supportive and encouraging. Thanks a lot, dear :-)

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  13. Congratulations Uma! Love reading your blog posts. Love, Shweta

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    1. Shweta, I so glad to hear you say that. Thanks for being there :-)

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  14. Congratulations Uma on your big move!!! It sure is that first step towards eastablishing your blog as a brand-- as your brand.. When I started blogging around 3 years ago, I absolutely had no idea how it worked, the networking, the social media bit etc... I jumped into it for similar reasons,the love for writing. But as days went by, I gut sucked into it, and I learnt the finer nuances to it. Well did make a whole lot of mistakes, but told myself not to give up and be at it. I was lucky to come across a blog post by a blogger who blogs about "The Big Bad World of Blogging" ( well thats what he calls it).. and he had stressed the importance of owning your own domain name right from the begining of your blogging journey. So I ended up getting my own domain name. But about moving to self hosted, yes I plan to do it soon, A little tech-wise weak, so reading up to do it all by myself. But thats where I find my joy.

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    1. Ramya, welcome to my space. Lovely to read about your experience. Thanks for sharing it. It's always nice to connect with good writers. Good luck with your impending move. It's a great step. I might take that step maybe sometime in future. I'm also technically challenged, so will look out for some help then.
      Thanks a lot for reading and for your wishes!

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  15. Wow Uma!! Congratulations!

    I am one of those people who disintegrated :( I have nt even been reading blogs for sometime now, except for those few for which I get email prompts. Been months since I even signed in to blogger :(

    Anyways, what Shailaja is to you, you were to me :) So now that I have re connected to you, hope to reconnect to blogging soon!

    Aarthy

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    1. Aarthy!!!!! Where art thou? I've missed you so much! So many times I wondered, wrote you an email but never sent it. Don't know why. I'm so glad to see you back. Please start blogging again. Would love to read you again.
      And, thanks a bunch, you're too sweet to say that!

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