1 year of blogging

by Melanie

It’s my blogiversary! Wow, I lasted a whole year. A little over a year ago, I met with Kathleen from Frugal Portland after stalking her blog for a while. She encouraged me to start blogging and I’m so glad I did. I originally started this blog as Do or Debt, and had my wordpress site for the first 8 months. Doordebt.com was already taken, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to buy something similar that looked like DOOR debt!

After about six months or so, I started to doubt myself. I wondered if blogging was really for me, and I started to feel less creative. I hadn’t really found my voice or my stride, probably not even my audience. Originally, I had wanted to write to keep myself accountable in the debt payoff process. I thought, I don’t need people to read it, it’s just for me!

I was so cavalier.

But why start a blog if you want to just write for yourself? Why not just write in a journal instead? I had to really define my purpose and my vision and in late July it hit me. I thought about how much I love relationships, and talking about them and had this idea for “Dear Debt” letters.

At a blogger happy hour, I discussed it with my friends and they encouraged me to move forward with it. In August of 2013, after 8 months of blogging, I launched this site. Even though it took me 8 months to get self-hosted, I needed that time to see if I was serious, and to really flesh out my vision for getting out of debt.

I still have so far to go. I’ve had some growing pains, and am still learning the business and technical aspects of blogging that do not come naturally to me. I’m finding my voice and feeling more confident. I am less scared of revealing who I actually am, because I’ve seen how supportive this community is.

So this blogiversary really isn’t about me at all. It’s about you. I want to honestly admit I would have quit months ago if I didn’t have your support, readership and ideas. I am dead serious that the dear debt letter writers keep me going. You guys are just plain brilliant.

Being in debt can be really isolating and depressing, but the personal finance community is right there cheering you on. If I achieve my goals, I will be debt free in three years. There’s so much work to make that happen, and I’m not super confidant I can do it, but I will continue trying. I’ve survived year one and met my goal with your help!

When I started my blog a year ago, I was at a turning point in my life and at the depths of depression. I couldn’t find a full-time job, and nothing made sense to me. I thought everything I worked for meant nothing. That life was some how cruel and unfair, and that life was a series of mistakes I was trying to recover from. I now see it was just a rough patch, but my blog helped me get to that next step and move forward.

I want to sincerely thank everyone that has ever read my blog, commented or shared a post, sent me an email, written a dear debt letter and just overall been a great cheerleader. Bloggers don’t exist without an audience; it’d be like an actor without an audience. That’s just talking to yourself! (which I have done many times)

I have to say a special thanks to Kathleen from Frugal Portland, Tonya from Budget and the Beach, GMD, Anna from Are Ya Gonna Eat That?, Erin from Red Debted Stepchild, Michelle from Shop My Closet Project, and Mackenzie at The Random Path.

I’ve met and “met” some truly wonderful people because of this blog and I know that will continue in 2014! I hope to meet more of you at FinCon in New Orleans.

Thank you and Happy Friday!

P.S. What do you think about the new look? I’m trying some new things out.

Melanie
Latest posts by Melanie (see all)

48 comments

E.M. January 3, 2014 - 1:08 pm

Congratulations on one year of blogging! That’s an awesome milestone to reach. I am glad you didn’t give up =). I enjoy reading the Dear Debt letters from others as well. It is nice to know we’re not alone in our struggles. The new look is nice; very simple and easy on the eyes.

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deardebt January 3, 2014 - 3:44 pm

Thanks, E.M.! It is nice to hear others stories and get inspired and feel less alone. I am looking for readability and accessibility, so simple and easy is good in my book. Eventually, I’d like a logo and a professional design, but that costs money!

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Mary January 3, 2014 - 1:19 pm

Congrats on 1 year!!! Also, I like the new look. It seems much brighter and more cheerful!!

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deardebt January 3, 2014 - 3:45 pm

Thanks, Mary! Glad you like it. We’ll see if it sticks, I’m trying things out for now. I did want something more simplistic and reader friendly. I appreciate you reading this blog!

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Michelle @fitisthenewpoor January 3, 2014 - 3:49 pm

Congrats on your anniversary!

Love this new look! I really like more clean cut blogs instead of ones that are terribly cluttered.

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deardebt January 3, 2014 - 3:55 pm

Thanks, Michelle! I’m really into minimalism and readability and felt my other theme was too dark, funny fonts, etc. I like this one a lot, would change some things, but I think it’s more reader friendly. I want things to be easy to read and find, because I know I get frustrated when I can’t do that on other blogs!

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BeeDebtFree January 3, 2014 - 4:04 pm

Love the new look! Congrats on your 1 year!

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anna January 3, 2014 - 4:18 pm

Yay, congrats on your blogiversary, Melanie!!! I’m really glad that you didn’t quit, because I loved learning about your process throughout the past year. I have absolute faith that you’ll continue to grow and succeed, so it’ll be really awesome to read about the journey towards it! I know we’ve only “met”, but I’m confident we’ll actually meet someday! Much love to you in 2014!! xo

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Eric January 3, 2014 - 4:25 pm

Congrats on one great year! Great to meet you in person and keep kicking ass on your debt.

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Erin @ Red Debted Stepchild January 3, 2014 - 4:33 pm

Congrats, dear! Digging the new look 🙂

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deardebt January 4, 2014 - 2:10 am

Thanks, Erin! So glad we are friends in real life 🙂

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Debby January 3, 2014 - 4:55 pm

Happy blogging!
Like your look – really sleek and streamlined! 🙂 and as always: great content! Keep on writing!

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deardebt January 4, 2014 - 2:10 am

Glad you like it. I want it to be easy to read and focus on content. Thanks for the support. Seriously, I still read your dear debt letter whenever I need a little extra motivation.

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Amanda @ Passionately Simple Life January 3, 2014 - 4:56 pm

Congrats on the 1 year of blogging! Hopefully many more are to come!

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deardebt January 4, 2014 - 2:09 am

Yes, I hope so! At least until I’m debt free, which is in 3 more years 🙂

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Alicia @ Finncial Diffraction January 3, 2014 - 4:58 pm

Congrats on one year! It is awesome that you’ve stuck around – lots don’t make it 🙂 I’ve really enjoyed getting to read your blog, and getting to know you.

I love this theme – I actually had it, before I lost my site for a moment. Then I went a different route when it came back.

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deardebt January 4, 2014 - 2:08 am

Oh, I was wondering if anyone else had it in the pf world. Glad you have a different one, so I don’t feel weird about this one. I like it too! Glad you are around and I finally feel like I am where I need to be with blogging.

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Kasey @ Debt Perception January 3, 2014 - 6:06 pm

I almost didn’t recognize your blog! Looks good! 🙂 Congrats on one year…keep it coming!

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deardebt January 4, 2014 - 2:07 am

Well, I am glad you realized it was me 🙂 Glad you like the new look. Let’s stick together in this crazy student loan payoff, ok, Kasey? We got this!

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kathleen January 3, 2014 - 6:42 pm

I am of course glad you never gave up! 🙂

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deardebt January 4, 2014 - 2:06 am

🙂 Me too. I am feeling like I found my voice, my passion and my comfort zone.

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Girl Meets Debt January 3, 2014 - 7:25 pm

Wow, Happy One Year Blogiversary Melanie! I am so happy you didn’t stop blogging! Your blog is easily one of my favorite reads. I think it’s because I know you can truly relate to how I am feeling about my massive student loan debt. If you ever need anything, you know I am just an email away. xo

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deardebt January 4, 2014 - 2:05 am

Thanks, Girl! I can definitely relate and I am glad we are doing this together. You have been a great cheerleader and inspiration. You are a rockstar and I’m so glad you enjoy my blog 🙂

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Morgaine January 3, 2014 - 8:14 pm

Congrats! Looking forward to reading many more posts in the future! 🙂

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deardebt January 4, 2014 - 2:05 am

Thanks, Morgaine! Blogging has become a passion and not just some weird thing I do.

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catherine January 3, 2014 - 9:09 pm

Bloggers write to share, that’s the difference between blogging and diary 🙂

Congrats on making it a year!!!

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deardebt January 4, 2014 - 2:04 am

Yeah, I know. When I had lower traffic, I was telling myself I didn’t care, but I did. Thanks for the support, I feel happy moving forward.

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Mackenzie January 4, 2014 - 3:50 am

HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!!! I am so happy that you decided to keep blogging and I seriously love your writing, Melanie. Cheers to you 🙂 XO

BTW, I love the new layout!

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Gina January 4, 2014 - 4:11 am

Congrats on your one year blogiversary! Blogging is the best.

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deardebt January 5, 2014 - 2:20 am

Yes, it’s fun! Thanks for stopping by, Gina.

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dojo January 4, 2014 - 11:36 am

LOVE THE DESIGN. Simple, clean, elegant, excellent choice 🙂
Happy New Year and may your blog grow nicely in 2014

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deardebt January 5, 2014 - 2:20 am

Thanks, Dojo that means a lot coming from you! I hope both of our sites continue to grow and prosper 🙂

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Eva @ Girl Counting Pennies January 4, 2014 - 4:31 pm

Congratulations on one year! 😛 I am glad you continue blogging, I love reading your blog! I enjoy blogging a lot too, but it’s definitely just a hobby for me and I am still undecided if I continue blogging once my debt is paid off! We’ll see what the future holds, I guess 😛

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deardebt January 5, 2014 - 2:18 am

It’s ok to be a hobby! That’s the great thing about blogging, is it can be whatever you want it to be.

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Michelle January 4, 2014 - 5:06 pm

A HUGE congratulations on your 1 year anniversary!! We started around the same time. I love reading about your journey and quite frankly appreciate your support. You will kick debt’s ass and I can’t wait to read your paid off post. You can do it!!

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deardebt January 5, 2014 - 2:18 am

Stick around for three more years for that post 🙂 I appreciate your support too, Michelle. You rock. I look forward to reading about your self-employment journey.

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Pauline January 4, 2014 - 6:26 pm

Happy blogiversary and happy new year! The site looks great, very clean and minimal.

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deardebt January 5, 2014 - 2:17 am

Great, that’s what I was going for! Thanks, Pauline 🙂

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eemusings January 4, 2014 - 10:34 pm

Happy anniversary! Perhaps a little more colour would make it pop but overall I like this theme. Am browsing for a new one this weekend myself actually 🙂

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deardebt January 5, 2014 - 2:17 am

Thank you! I am going to be working on the css soon. I’m so ignorant of how all that works, so it will take some time, but I’ll get there. Good luck with the theme hunting.

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Adam Kamerer January 5, 2014 - 2:28 am

Congrats on your first year! I’m looking forward to when we hit that milestone. I love the design — it’s very clean!

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deardebt January 6, 2014 - 5:21 am

Thanks, Adam. It’s been quite a ride. Glad you like the design and thanks for stopping by.

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Travis @debtchronicles January 7, 2014 - 2:45 am

Congrats on your year of blogging! I would still love the write a “Dear Debt” post…I need to get caught up – I think it would be SO FUN!

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deardebt January 7, 2014 - 5:02 am

I’d love you to write a letter. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here 🙂 Thanks for the support, Travis.

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Lisa E. @ Lisa Vs. The Loans January 7, 2014 - 7:04 pm

Happy blogiversary, Melanie! Can’t wait to see what Dear Debt has in store for this year!

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deardebt January 8, 2014 - 3:59 pm

Thanks, Lisa! Hopefully some exciting fun things.

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Tonya@Budget and the Beach January 9, 2014 - 2:00 am

How the heck did I miss this post! So sorry! And thank you so much for mentioning me! I’m SO glad I’ve gotten to know you and you continued your blog. I remember that time when you were on the fence about continuing. What you said here is so true: Being in debt can be really isolating and depressing, but the personal finance community is right there cheering you on.

That’s why I love the community so much. Congrats on a one year, and I look forward to seeing how you progress this year!

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deardebt January 9, 2014 - 3:43 pm

No worries, there’s so much to read. You were a big inspiration for this blog and have been such a great friend and resource to me. Thanks again and looking forward to more fun this year.

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