100th Blog

100th blog??!!

As if this is my 100th blog!!  I have decided to write about being a blogger and tips I have found out myself if you are thinking of becoming a blogger.

 

Becoming a blogger

When I became a blogger I wished I did more research beforehand. I went into blogging not knowing anything and since then I have learnt a lot about blogging and the costs.

 

There is many things you need to think about before becoming a blogger

• What platform to use? Blogspot, Wix, WordPress, etc?
• What platform to advertise/network your blog? Facebook, X/ Twitter, Pinterest, etc 
• Layout/Theme
• Colours
• Fonts
• Do you have any spare time to sit and write blogs?
• Can you afford a web host and web domain?
• Logo
• To have a newsletter or not?

 

From the beginning

I started blogging in Feb 2022 as I really want to share my stories, tips, teach others about being neurodivergent and help other neurodivergent people have their voices heard. I have covered many topics that I am interested in and what other people may find interesting themselves.

 

I have had to overcome a lot of writer’s block since Feb 2022. Being a neurodivergent blogger has its own challenges. Having several burnouts and shutdowns along the way. 

 

I have been very lucky to have the help from my neurodivergent and neurotypical friends who have helped me by coming up with ideas and wanting to take part in my blogs. From time to time I have struggled with coming up with the right words (and yes I am struggling as I am writing this). I know what I want to write but I can’t work out the right words I want to include. I have used the thesaurus loads of times to help come up with new words, so I don’t repeat the same words over and over again. I always have friends on hand who I can talk to and explain the word I am trying to work out for the sentence I am working on. Being dyslexic does have its bad sides. 

 

Dyslexic and autistic

Well with me being dyslexic and autistic in one person can be a rollercoaster. My autism helps me to focus on a blog idea and I mean I can sit for ages and hyperfocus on blogging, but my dyslexic stops me from coming up with words for contents.  If I am struggling I always move away from what I am doing, practise a bit of self care and then come back to it. My brain is like a computer. If you put too many commands all at once it will freeze, but if you just leave it to catch up with itself it will restore. This is what it is like when I am hyper focused on a task. Some days I can do that task with no problems but some days my brain will freeze. 

 

Lessons to be learnt

Since I started blogging I have come to learn the hard way of activating my own goals and aims. I started with blogging as and when but soon realised this wasn’t working for me, so I decided to blog once a week. After a while I was putting too much pressure on myself and now I just post blogs as and when I have a completed blog. Now I am in a better place. I added reviews and photography in the mix. This added more variety of content, so if I had a review or photography to post  I don’t worry about having a blog ready for that week. Having a mixture of subjects has helped me to continue enjoying blogging. 

 

My tips for neurodivergent bloggers

• Do not rush your blogs.
• Only work on a blog after a good night’s sleep.
• Keep a notebook next to your bed. This is just in case you come up with ideas whilst resting and need to write things down before you forget (yes I have come up with loads of ideas and when it comes to writing it down….. It was gone).
• Set realistic deadlines and if you don’t meet them, don’t worry. 
• Don’t forget to self care whilst in a hyperfixation. This means food, drink and going to the toilet (Yes I have forgotten to do all of them when working on a blog).
• Work on more than one idea. Write things down when they come to you. Working on one blog may bring up ideas for another. 
• Research…. If you are having trouble with ideas do some research to see if that helps to get the brain juices flowing.
• Take breaks from blogging. This can be very healthful in self care. Go for a walk or even just distance yourself from blogging. 
• Set yourself a word target. I have always aimed for 300 words per blog, but many times I have gone over and managed 1000 words. This can be made into 2 blogs Part 1 and Part 2. 
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help or ideas for blogs. 

 

Thank you!!

I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has read, liked, commented on my blog entries and for the help I have received since I started my blog. I hope to continue blogging, sharing my reviews and showing you all my photography.