Happy 1st Blog Anniversary to ME!!!

I can't believe it has already been a year since I start this awesome adventure. I remember around April of last year, I began thinking about starting a blog of my own. I asked for opinions from my family members and I think they thought I was completely nuts and such a nerd. But, I couldn't get the idea out of my head. A place to share my thoughts, views, and opinions sounded so awesome to me. So, I started looking around the Internet, exploring other blogs, and even looked up tips/suggestions for starting a blog. I had no idea if I was even going to stick with it, but I wanted to give it a shot... And, look where I am today!!!

And, to think, it all started with this blog post...

Parenting: Can you talk to a potty chair?

So, we decided this last weekend to start potty training our 25 month old daughter. This has been the task that I have dreaded since her birth. After researching the topic, talking with family and friends, and going with our gut instinct, we decided to throw a pair of panties on her and see what happens. Well, it has happened many times, all over the floor. Sunday was a pretty good day. After she got the hang of the panties, she started telling us she needed to go "potty." She actually made it to the bathroom 4 times, and we praised her every single time. Then, she got a special treat afterwards. So, my husband and I are thinking that we have this thing down, and it is going to a piece of cake. Man, were we wrong! Monday comes around, and instead of using the bathroom in the potty 4 times, she pee-pees all over the couch and floor 4 times. And, today, she isn't showing much interest either. Which brings me to my title for today: Can you talk to the potty chair? If I could, I definitely would. I would give it special treats too. Many people have told us that isn't real hard, but we haven't found this to be true yet. We are not losing hope and keeping our fingers crossed that she gets the hang of it sooner rather than later! 

I look at that post and think, "Man, I have come a long way in a year!" The picture is super small, there is only one photo, and I like to write a lot more in a blog post than that. But, I am happy to announce that my daughter was potty trained fully in August of last year. LOL!!!

When I wrote this post, my blog was titled "Kristin's Notebook." I gave my blog that title because I had no idea where it was going. I wanted to test the waters of several different areas and see what people liked the most. And, in January of this year, The O.C.D. Life was born. I was so thrilled that people enjoyed topics involving organization and home decorating because I am truly passionate about those things. Was I born that way, you might ask? I think so. I have been an organizing junkie since I was in elementary school. Yep, I was the nerd walking around with an assignment notebook in middle school. But, to be honest, I thought I looked super cool.

Now, I want to share with you the things I have learned this first year in the blogging world...

1. People love BIG Photos!

At the beginning of this journey, I posted pictures this small...

Then, I realized if I can't even see these pictures, then how can anyone else?!?! I have trouble seeing anyways. I wear contacts during the day and glasses at night time. So help me if I ever have to walk around without either one. Plus, I know when I am visiting my favorite blogs, I hate to have to squint to tell what is sitting on their kitchen counter in a photo. So, I started making my photos this big...

2. Network... Network... Network...

The goal is to get people to read your posts, spread the word, and come back time and time again. At the beginning, only immediate family and maybe my friends on facebook knew about my blog, so I had to try another approach to get the word out. And, let me add that some of my family members didn't even use the Internet or know how to get to my blog. So, I started following some awesome blogs that blog about things I love; organizing, decorating, DIY projects, etc. When I read their posts, I always try to leave comments. People will see the comments and hopefully visit my blog.

Another excellent way to network is through link parties. I try to link up to some of my favorite blogs' link parties. When I get enough followers, I would love to host link parties myself. I love all the ideas I get from them and especially love participating.

3. Layout & Appearance are Key!

I am definitely a visual person! The blogs that I visit that have cute backgrounds & graphics, a clean & organized layout, and great ideas are the ones that I follow and continuously go back for more. If I click on a blog and it doesn't visually appeal to me, then I probably won't be as tempted to revisit the site.

When creating my background, layout, and graphics, I always think, "If I saw this on a blog, would I love it?" I want people that visit my site to immediately get a sense of who I am, what I blog about, and above all... I want it to put a smile on their face! ; )

4. Create a Focus!

That was the issue with my first blog (Kristin's Notebook)... I had no direction at all.

I blogged about fashion, discounts, my life, organizing, my favorite things, etc. I was taking people somewhere, dropping them off, and never coming back to pick them up. So, after six months, I decided I needed to narrow down my focus. And, my focus became the things that I truly love in this world. Nuts?!?! Maybe, but I am an organizing junkie.

I feel that people now know what my blog is about and I try my best to center all of my posts are the three things in my heading (organizing, creating, and decorating). If it doesn't fit into one of those three categories, I try not to include it on my blog posts. I may love something a lot, but if I don't think people will read it, then I don't include it.

5. Offer Giveaways!

Who doesn't love to receive something for free?!?! I love the awesome giveaways that I see happening on my favorite blogs. I haven't had the opportunity  to dabble into this yet, but I am hoping that is something that I can start doing within this next year. Fingers crossed!

6. It's All About the Process...

I had a friend tell me last week that things are so much better when you do them step-by-step. She said that when she has gone out and bought everything for a room at once that she gets bored with it immediately. And, she made a very good point. Instead of creating one huge post with ever accomplishment I complete in a room, I like to break it up into separate posts. It is a lot less overwhelming that way too! And, I am not sure about y'all, but I like to see what work goes into one project before moving on to the next one.

I try to take everyone on the journey with me. It isn't always the anticipated one (the backwards bookcase panel, for instance), but it is always an adventure.

7. Love what you blog about!

This is the whole reason that I changed my blog name and everything about my blog back in January. I love what I blog about now, and I feel that it is shown in each blog post I complete. If you are passionate about something, then it shows!

I can always tell when I read other blogs which ones have passion and which ones don't. So, if you ever consider starting a blog, business, or any other venture just remember to love it!!!


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Thank you so much for being the individuals that have followed my blog from the very beginning. Words can't express the gratitude I have for each one of you. I am hoping that my blog is going to get bigger and better, and I am so happy that y'all are taking this journey with me. From the bottom of my heart, I say, "Thank You!!!"