A GWS Year end Review

As we draw near to the end of 2021, I can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. This year was very trying in more ways than one with the loss of a parent, trouble at work and difficulty in my personal finances. Phew! And on top of everything, I couldn’t bring myself to give my blog the attention it deserved. And yet, I still feel obliged to give you a year end review. *Sigh*

Instead of focusing on things I didn’t do, I thought it would be fitting to highlight some of the good things that happened. I know I definitely need a reason to shimmy into 2022!

So sit tight folks, here’s a GWS year end review.

Blog growth

This year was the first ‘full year’ for GWS. If you were to ask me if I achieved my goals, or surpassed expectations, the answer is no. And yet, that is probably the thing I needed most.

You see, I started this blog for many reasons, but the biggest push was dissatisfaction with my job. Well, one specific change to be precise. I had hoped that at some point I would be able to leave the corporate world and focus on GWS full-time. While that is not off the table yet, it definitely isn’t on it either. Plus, it would’ve been a decision based on emotions. Scratch that – it would’ve been a cancerian mistake!

So fast forward, twelve months and I have not yet hit a crazy number of pageviews per month. I have not gotten a reputable number of followers. Heck, I haven’t even mastered any social media accounts!

But if you ask me, there are 2 ways to look at this GWS 2021:

1. It was a total flop and I should throw in the towel
2. It revealed the areas of growth that can be worked on next year.

I’ll let you guess which one I chose. 😉

Sponsorships

This year definitely paid up more than 2020, but not nearly enough to substitute my corporate salary – and that’s okay! One major goal that I had with the blog was to reach a point where the money coming in covered the costs of running the blog. Looking at the calendar year that has just passed, we have definitely passed this mark with flying colours.

While I didn’t get any more freebies, I did get paid to write content in my own voice. I mean, come on, a writer being paid to write?

So as I step into 2022, I will be looking for more opportunities to monetise my blog. My main focus will still be on creating awesome content, but I would love to make money while doing it. That’s not a crime, right?

Posts I enjoyed writing the most

Spider-Man: Now way home – An introvert’s take

A thank you letter to my body

Cheers to the one who broke my heart

Most supportive blogger friends

From a commenting perspective, I’ve had some blogging friends consistently active on my posts. Some were there from the beginning, and others are new, but the support has been phenomenal. I’m not quite sure why many of these lovely people stuck around, especially since I wasn’t as supportive on their endeavors… But I am immensely grateful and wanted to give a shout out.

I found Bossy Babe through Michelle – Boomer Eco Crusader (or did she find me?) and she brought over Pete Springer in her suitcase. I believe Ang was also a gem I found through Michelle, and I’ve been loving her relatable content for over a year now. As for Beth, she’s the blogging guru I stumbled upon towards the beginning of my journey. I remember gasping at how many followers she has, and hoping to be like her one day.

To my lovely blogging friends, thank you. Thank you for supporting me through this year.

Hold on, hold on… a year end review without Olivia?

While she isn’t on the list of people who commented the most on my posts, I can’t write this post without mentioning Olivia Blake. This woman, my sister from another mister, my blogging twin and one of my best friends, kept my blog running when I couldn’t do it myself. I had originally asked her to just reply to comments while I dealt with my grief. You know, so you don’t think I just ghosted or left you on read. Instead, she decided to round up some bloggers who guest posted on my site for the entire month.

If you aren’t a blogger, you probably don’t understand the magnitude of this gesture… But for those who know all of the work that goes into running a blog, preparing content and promoting it, you know that Olivia was an absolute God-send!

To add a cherry to the cake, this blogging natural brought me along on the first blogging course she ever created. It was a very fun experience, and I am grateful that she continues to uplift those around her.

Now that you’re read my year end review, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What did you love? What would you like to see more of in 2022? Would you like to be featured on the blog?

Pssst! Let’s hang on the socials!

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