Happy One Year Blogaversary Post

I am celebrating one year of blogging! It’s been an incredible journey to share my thoughts and insights. Here’s to many more years of growth and learning!

It’s my blogaversary! A lot can happen in a year, so I’m reflecting on it. Last July, most of us were stuck at home and quarantined from the Coronavirus pandemic. I was in the middle of completing my online Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing and Analytics and had recently moved back to the Big Apple, New York City, with my long-term boyfriend. At this time, I struggled with managing my anxiety and depression because my life had turned entirely upside down for the worse. 

One day, I was randomly scrolling through Instagram when I came across a post that said If you see this, then this is your sign to start a blog.” So, out of curiosity, I decided to read the post, and as I continued to do so, I had this fantastic idea. What if I could start a blog to share my heart with people on the internet, inspire them, and meet new people? I asked myself, “Wouldn’t that be amazing?”  That’s when riyahspeaks.com was created. It was my blogaversary a year later, and I decided to answer the most frequently asked questions.

Thank You To The Riyah Speaks Community 

Before answering a few blogaversary questions, I want to take this opportunity to thank my email subscribers, social media followers, friends, family, writing community, and blogging community members for continuously supporting me on my blogging journey. Without you, I would not have made it this far. I’m genuinely grateful to have each of you in my blogging life, and thank you so much for being a part of it.

My blog wouldn’t be where it is today without my loyal readers sharing, commenting, and encouraging me on every post. Your sweet, encouraging, and inspiring words make this all worth it. I’ve inspired, connected, and been inspired by people within and outside the writing and blogging communities. That is what makes this one-year blogaversary more special.

I wasn’t sure how to commemorate my one-year blogaversary. I thought about doing a massive photoshoot, buying a cake, throwing a live party, and more. But, I decided to be simple and leave it as a cake and this blog post. So, without further ado, I’m answering some frequently asked questions in honor of my blogaversary. 

Blogaversary FAQ’S

What have you learned from your first year of blogging that you wish you had known when you first started?

This question is a tough one to answer because there are so many things I wish I knew. For example, I hope I’d learned more about SEO and blog niching before starting the blog because it would have helped me discover my passions sooner. Also, I wish I’d known about all these social media rules and things to do as a content creator before jumping into it. 

Where Do You See The Blog In 2 Years?

In 2 years, I see the blog gaining much traction from Twitter and Pinterest marketing. I also see myself inspiring and motivating people through my work, resulting in consistent Etsy and shop sales. Finally, I am manifesting myself blogging full-time in the next two years. 

Do You Love Blogging So Far?

Yes! I love blogging. Writing comes naturally to me because I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I loved writing songs, stories, and things to share with my parents and younger siblings. Now, that art has turned into my passion for blogging. I’ll admit that social media creation is a bit stressful but still fun. 

Do You Like Social Media Scheduling?

Social media creation and scheduling are never simple, especially with constant algorithm changes (cough, cough, INSTAGRAM). I like and dislike having to schedule social media because it can be highly time-consuming and mentally draining. At the same time, it helps to get things done ahead of time and be productive if you get busy. 

What Is Your Favorite Blog Post?

My favorite blog post is my Open Letter To Depression. Writing that letter was genuinely cathartic and helped release pent-up emotions I didn’t even know I had. The support I received from that letter was heartwarming and made me feel good. 

Read My Open Letter To Depression Here

What’s Your Favorite and Least Favorite Thing About Blogging?

My favorite part of blogging is connecting with and meeting new people from all over the world. However, my minor favorite parts are the social media content and scheduling. 

Would You Consider Expanding To Other Platforms, Like YouTube?

I am considering trying new platforms and expanding the blog, but a magician never reveals their secrets 😉

What’s Something You Would Have Done Differently?

Now that I can think about it, I wish I had thought more about the niche and not wasted time writing about subjects I was not deeply interested in. 

Share A Moment Where You Created a Positive Impact In Someone’s Life Through Your Blog

After writing my open letter about depression and sharing it on my social media platforms, a few young women between 15 and 18 reached out to me because they felt better about themselves after reading my story. As someone who was once a teen, I know how hard it is to feel confident in yourself when struggling with mental health illnesses. 

Some girls even mentioned that I am why they’re alive. I couldn’t believe it. Of course,  I still check in with some teen girls to ensure they’re alright, but it makes me happy knowing that other young girls can see themselves through me and find the strength to love themselves and recover. 

What Motivated You To Start The Blog?

I started the blog because I wanted to use my social media and writing talents to share my story and spread a positive message online. Unfortunately, when riyahspeaks.com began, we were at the center of the pandemic. As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety, I know how the feeling of hopelessness and sadness can affect your worldly and inner viewpoints. 

This led me to share tips, inspirations, and advice on the self-care blog riyahspeaks.com, where any young person can find the self-care and self-love resources they need to recover and find themselves. 

What Has Been The Biggest Blogging Challenge So Far That You Didn’t Expect To Run Into?

Social media creation! As a Millennial/Gen Z person, I spend a lot of time on social media, so one would think I could use the platform naturally. I also work at a marketing agency and constantly work with social media. However, I never felt that creating content and getting exposure would be this difficult. 

What Is Your Favorite Hobby?

Binge watching SVU, RuPaul’s Drag Race, the Bachelor Nation Franchise, and Journaling.

What Are Your Upcoming Plans In Life That You’re Excited About In The Next Few Years?

I am excited about several life milestones, such as getting my license, an apartment, and keeping my official adult-paying job. 

What’s One Food/Drink You Cannot Live Without?

This is going to hurt some people’s feelings. But I cannot live without eating meat throughout the day, or I feel like I’ve starved myself. 

Are You a Procrastinator or Procrastinator?

I’m a procrastinator. I struggle with time management because I do things at the last second. So, I’m working on changing this bad habit. 

How Has Blogging Helped You Grow As A Person?

Inside: On the inside, blogging has helped me learn more about who I want to be and build habits for dealing with and managing life circumstances. 

Outside: People have mentioned how I am glowing with happiness, and I have a blog to thank for that. 

What Is One Thing You Are Most Proud Of From Your Blogging Journey?

I’m proud of how far the blog has come on this journey. I started this blog from scratch with 0 help and no supporters besides my parents and boyfriend. Now, I have a community of people who constantly visit the blog to see new content and use it to better their lives. 

What Do You Love About Your Blog?

The authenticity, the message, and the purpose of my blog.

What Were Your Intentions Of Starting The Blog & Do You Still Live Up To Those Reasons?

When I started the blog, I was looking for ways to inspire people. Now, I’ve niched down and focused on a singular purpose: to help young people live happy and healthier lives. So, although the blog’s content has changed, the intentions behind it have not. 

How Do You Set Blogging Goals and Keep Up With Them?

I use a bullet journal and a digital planner to set weekly and monthly goals. At the end of each week and month, I check off things I have accomplished and write down things I need to work on to achieve future and repeated goals. 

How Experimental Has Your Blogging Journey Been?

The first 1-6 months were experiential; the rest were trial and error. 

What Was The Best Moment Of Your Blogging Journey Until Today?

The best moment of my blogging journey was finding out that those teenage girls were inspired to keep living after reading my open letter to depression. These words keep me motivated to keep blogging and inspiring. 

Advice On Overthinking/Not Trusting Your Intuition When Starting Something New

It’s okay to be afraid of trying something new. However, if you’re ever in a situation where you don’t know if you can trust your intuition or gut feelings, take baby steps and answer these questions. 

• Has your intuition and gut ever lied before?
• Do I want to do this?
• What am I afraid of?

After answering these questions, you may feel more comfortable trying something unconventional and new. But don’t force yourself to do anything that may make you sick, harm you, trigger you, or make you uncomfortable. 

The Future of Riyah Speaks 

Now that I’ve reached my one-year blogaversary, it’s time for me to try something new. I have many fun things planned for the blog’s future, such as a YouTube channel, an FB group, coaching lessons, and more. I’m so excited to see where this next year will take me as I embark on another one-year journey into the writing and blogging world. 

As always, thank you to everyone who supports me and hates me. You drive me to perform and do my best on every published post. 

Share what you like about the blog or future suggestions in the comments!