January 03, 2021

What It's Like To Blog Daily For One Year


On January 1, 2020, I made a goal to post on my blog every single day for a year. In 2019, I'd gotten more and more slack with my posting and I was afraid my blog was just going to sizzle out completely. I didn't want that to happen, so making that goal seemed like a good idea.

I had no idea just how DIFFICULT it was going to be! It sounds so simple... just write a little about my day or use a writing prompt when I wasn't sure what to write. But it was much more complicated than that.

First, 2020 ended up being the wrong year to choose this goal, apparently. With the lockdown, every day started to feel like groundhog day (remember that movie?)--the same thing, day in and day out. You can only write so much about the same thing.

My friend John told me a few months ago that I shouldn't start any of my posts with, "This is boring" or "I don't have anything interesting to say" or something like that, because he found it interesting regardless. So I tried to stop doing that. But I still FELT like it was boring and I was embarrassed posting some things.

We had to cancel our family vacation to San Francisco, which was something I could have written a week's worth of posts about. We weren't able to get together friends or go out together as a family to places like restaurants, the movies, bowling, or things like that. We couldn't even get together friends for bonfires, parties, game nights, etc. So those topics were out.

I wasn't losing any weight (other than when I was doing 75 Hard) so I didn't have anything to write about on the weight loss front. And I was too embarrassed (I still am) to do Wednesday Weigh-Ins.

All things I could have written about.

Instead, I wrote a list of writing prompts--many of them I got from the internet, some I got from John, and some just popped into my head. When I was really stuck for a topic, I would try to pick something from that.

The problem is, a lot of them would leave me feeling very vulnerable. I didn't always want to do "fluff" posts, but I was scared to post deeper feelings as well (I always am). So, I tried to keep a mix of the two. Some fun posts and some serious, vulnerable posts.

I did (and still do) enjoy writing about various projects I've done or am working on (crafts, DIY, etc). I find those interesting without leaving me feeling too vulnerable. They are few and far between, though, so they didn't take up much as far as my posting goes.


Adopting the kittens was great because I was able to write about them sometimes. They've grown so much! They weigh more than Estelle now. (Phoebe is tiny, weighing only seven pounds--but the kittens are 11 pounds.)


Posting about the challenges (summer and fall) was a great opportunity to write frequently. Unfortunately, I didn't follow them and that didn't work out.

Thankfully, I did a HUGE project for four months: completely making over my garage. I did every last bit of it by myself, and I am so so so proud of that. It was a ton of work but I couldn't be happier with out it turned out. I was even able to move my crafting stuff in there with its own little corner and now I don't have to drag it out to the kitchen table whenever I want to sew something.


Because of the daily posting, I had to get creative with different topics. I certainly couldn't post about weight loss or crafting or DIY stuff every single day. I had to do a mishmash of topics. I hoped this wouldn't stop people from reading because of losing interest (not everybody wants to read about particular topics) but in the end, I decided that it's MY blog and I'm not writing it to please other people. It's for me! 

There were a lot--and I mean a LOT--of days where I would stare at my computer at 11:00 PM and not have a single word written. I just couldn't think of what to write! Even looking at my writing prompts didn't help. I'd given myself permission to post just a photo for the day if that's what I needed to do; however, I felt guilty when I didn't at least write a few paragraphs. This year, I'm not going to let that bother me. If I have to post just a photo, I'm going to do so!


What I would REALLY love to do this year is to have certain topics on most days: a recipe on one day, Transformation Tuesday (see below), Weight Loss Wednesday, Friday Night Photos, a summary of the week on the weekend, etc. Maybe Motivational Monday again if I can get people to submit them!

Here is where I need your help to get these started.

Transformation Tuesday - This is all about transformations having to do with any topic at all. It could be a before and after of a haircut, upcycling an article of clothing or piece of furniture, before and after/during weight loss, ingredients turned into a meal, anything DIY, etc. ANYTHING GOES.

All you have to do is send in one before photo and one after photo, plus a paragraph or two explaining what you did. (Even just a sentence is fine if you don't want to write much!). Then you can include your name and where you are from (optional). These posts were very well received but I can't post them if I don't get submissions. So I beg you, please send me some submissions! 

You can send the two photos and the description to my email at: katie (at) runsforcookies (dot) com, using the subject "Transformation Tuesday". Depending on how many I get, I may save it for another week.

Motivational Monday - This series is where you can shamelessly brag about an accomplishment! Whether you run or walk your first 5K race, or you complete the Couch to 5K program, you take a class and learn how to decorate a cake, you lost two pounds that week, you got over a fear of flying, or anything else. When other people (including me) see these things, it's motivating to do something for ourselves! 

My friend Jen hit her mileage goal for the year, so that would be a great one to share. My friend Adam completed 75 Hard and his photos were amazing. My friend Emily took on the project of making a little free library (with my help) and used power tools for the first time.


Those things are motivating! But again, I can't do the series unless people submit photos/stories, big or small. If you think it's boring or trivial, think again! You may really inspire someone to try something new. To submit this, just send a photo or two to compliment your accomplishment, along with an explanation (a sentence, a paragraph, whatever!) to my email: katie (at) runsforcookies (dot) com with the subject line "Motivational Monday". Again, I will post them as I get them, depending on how many. It could be that week or it could be several weeks. But I will post them!

Finally, if you have a story that you'd like to share, I'm always willing to consider guest posts. I'm very selective about these for several reasons, but I'd love to read posts from others. People have amazing stories, even if you may not think yours is interesting. Maybe you are a foster parent and can share what that's like, or maybe you have an unusual job, or maybe you have a child with special needs. Maybe you have a mental illness and want to share about living with that. 

If you'd like to submit a guest post, please email me with your idea (not the whole post) and I'll let you know if I think it will fit in. But don't be shy about it! Reading others' stories is super interesting.

Okay, I think that's about it for this post! Basically, writing daily for a year is hard but rewarding. I'm proud I did it! But it's very hard to come up with ideas sometimes, so I can certainly use your help in these series ideas I have. PLEASE consider sending something in. If you're unsure about it, you can ask my opinion and I'll tell you what I think. And if you want to remain anonymous, that's cool, too. Just let me know.

Happy New Year, everyone! I think that 2021 is looking up already. I've been sticking with my goals/habits (even though it's only day three). It feels good, though. :)  xo

12 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Katie! 365 straight days of blogging is quite an accomplishment. I agree with John -- I haven't found any of your posts to be boring or uninteresting. I can't believe how big the "kittens" have grown! I'd also love to see a picture of Emily's library once she has it up and running (I follow Little Free Library on IG).

    Here's to an awesomatious 2021!
    -Martine

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    1. Thank you <3 I'll have to ask Emily for a photo. She's VERY pregnant right now (due on the 15th!). But she, too, loves the Little Free Libraries. I would love to make one for around here, but I'm not sure how well it would do. I guess it can't hurt to try!

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  2. I honestly never once got bored of your posts through all of 2020. And I read them all! I was excited when you posted last year you were going to post every day for all of 2020! I like to eat my breakfast and read your post from the previous day so it gave me something to look forward to! I think I somewhat recently sent you a transformation Tuesday post about my pantry but I will resend it! I'm also working on a couple more projects so I'll send those over as I finish them too! I'm excited to keep reading your posts in 2021!

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  3. Way to go, meeting your blogging goals for 2020! I think I read and enjoying almost every single one of them (except for the days our internet was out of commission).

    I will have a Transformational Tuesday for you in a few weeks!
    I am taking an online piano course called “Piano with Jonny” and I have decided to learn “Happy Birthday Played in 7 styles”. I’ll record my starting day video this week, and then, hopefully, record the whole song for you. Fingers crossed (Pun...LOL!).

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  4. Maybe you can take reader questions to do posts.

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  5. Hi Katie! I’ve loved your daily posts and read every single word you wrote. I don’t comment too much, but you continue to inspire and motivate me even as I gained every pound back that I lost in 2019 on WW. Arghhh! Started getting back on track today and hope to lose it all once again. I’m not back up to my highest weight but still have 90 lbs. to lose. How many regains is it since that initial weight loss of 178 lbs in 2009-2011? I just know I keep losing the regains and I can do it again with your help!! It’s a struggle for sure. Since I turned 70 (wow!!) on 1/1/21, you’d think I’d have it figured it out but I sure don’t. Maybe this time I’ll keep the weight off??!!

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  6. Hi Katie! I’ve loved your daily posts and read every single word you wrote. I don’t comment too much, but you continue to inspire and motivate me even as I gained every pound back that I lost in 2019 on WW. Arghhh! Started getting back on track today and hope to lose it all once again. I’m not back up to my highest weight but still have 90 lbs. to lose. How many regains is it since that initial weight loss of 178 lbs in 2009-2011? I just know I keep losing the regains and I can do it again with your help!! It’s a struggle for sure. Since I turned 70 (wow!!) on 1/1/21, you’d think I’d have it figured it out but I sure don’t. Maybe this time I’ll keep the weight off??!!

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  7. Wendy - OregonJanuary 04, 2021

    Katie.... What about Mental Health? I know millions of us suffer from one form to another. it is a great way to connect with others, gain knowledge and share stories and tips that may help another? I absolutely love your blog and get sad when I have gotten all caught up after missing a few days and I can't click "New Post" button....LOL So keep typing away, we LOVE it!!

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  8. I loved reading your posts every day! It’s the last thing I check before bed. So I am super excited if you continue into 2021. Thanks for the blog.

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  9. This is so impressive, Katie!! I wish I were brave enough to attempt blogging every day. You've given me some good ideas for my blog too. Thanks so much. Your best posts for me are the ones where you just share about your struggles and what you do to work through them. Thanks always for being YOU!!

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  10. That's a great way to change things up with lockdown!
    I'm just starting my blog, and found your insights useful

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  11. I'm so glad you did it! I've been enjoying your posts so much and am glad you plan to keep writing.

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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