A PERSONAL REFLECTION: THE FIRST YEAR OF BE-LAVIE

On the first of July, my pride and Joy, my baby, be-lavie turned one! Wow, where did the past twelve months go? Just like any proud mother, I have to say, it’s not been without its trials and tribulations but one thing’s for sure, I love be-lavie to bits and wouldn’t change her for the world! Feel free to read more about the experience collector behind be-lavie

In this post, I wanted to share some of the lessons I learnt about what it’s really been like to take the plunge and start a self-hosted travel and lifestyle blog. The blood, sweat and tears that’s gone into it, the highlights and lowlights but similarly the world of opportunities including self-development, that it’s presented and the new relationships and experiences which I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of over the past year!.

The beginnings

Be-lavie was an idea that I’d been toying with over a couple of years based on friends and family nagging me to chronicle my travel itineraries and experiences in one place for them to use as inspiration. I did plenty of research, read a lot of other blogs that wrote about setting up as a blogger and finally bought my own domain! On that same day back in June 2017, I purchased a theme, downloaded a number of plug-ins, backed my site up and set myself up on the relevant social media platforms! Over the coming weeks I got my s**t together and started writing about my most recent trip to Costa Rica. I was used to writing in scientific journals, most definitely not casual writing about my travel and foodie adventures! After a month of collating content, I finally hit publish! There I did it and in all honestly I had no idea if I’d just made a total embarrassment of myself, open to all to publicly view on the internet or whether someone would remotely find my content on be-lavie of any use whatsoever!

Woah, think I underestimated the power of social media!

As well as producing timely blog posts and sharing my interests with the world, there comes the investment of time that is required in building up my social media. Keeping everyone informed of the goings on at be-lavie was going to be harder than I first anticipated! I’m not going to go into the negative side of things except that it’s just something that I hadn’t actually factored into the whole having  a blog bubble, including the power it has in terms of marketing your website, and driving traffic to it. I’m quite proud to report that although I have a relatively small following, compared to some,  I am growing my followers organically and loving engaging with those who share similar interests as myself. They are the inspiration that I need and appreciate.

Adopting a balanced survival inertia

Just incase you hadn’t figured, I have a hectic day job. I trained as a diagnostic microbiologist but enrolled into a career in clinical research. Currently I am a Oncology Clinical Trials Quality Manager and boy it’s a demanding job. Basically, the buck stops with yours truly on all matters QA! Now staying on top of a blog, managing social media, a relationship with Dr C, seeing friends, family and travelling is quite the juggling act! After a couple of months of adopting a routine, it wasn’t something that a good organiser, some coloured pens and stickers didn’t fix. Oh and also a good measure of that thing called discipline! Realistic weekly targets have helped to give me dedicated and constructive content preparation.

Personal lows

Well, in my blogging world, by that I mean the one in my head, I realised that lows were actually created by moi and moi alone! A lesson that I learnt quite early on and remind myself of from time to time! I’ve adopted the never compare myself with others attitude! I’m making it a priority to stay focussed on my brand and what is true to me. Being authentic (so over used but its meaning is slightly under-rated I feel!), growing at my own pace and continuing to incorporate  all that passion into what I love doing.  Things take time and eventually I hope my personality and creativity shine through and resonate with readers and a brand out there who will match my style perfectly.

The blogging crowd

The Blogosphere is huge and competitive and we all know Rome was not built in a day! You will also find that no one will understand the blogging life better than friends who blog and in my case friends who blog and brunch! Prior to setting up my blog up, I was following my favourite influencers and ensured that I also followed and engaged with as many local bloggers that I could on social media as well as their blogs. It’s great to meet and chat with like-minded individuals and talk over any issues, such as the ever changing algorithms of social media, what are the best host providers, what hot APP can I use for my latest stories and which blogger events can one get the most out of this month! It’s all about supporting each other in this journey and I want to thank all those who have helped me over the past year. There are just so many of you that it would be impossible to thank you all on here, but you guys know who you are and in general each and every one of you inspires me with your comments and well wishes to keep on producing content

Confidence Boost

If you asked me to deliver a scientific presentation to 200 people in Sorrento or a clinical research lecture to post graduate students, I  would not be phased, infact I wouldn’t bat an eyelid! However if you asked me to simply pose for a photo or go into a bar and take a few snaps of the interiors I would be secretly trembling with fear, sweaty palms, pits and in a general vomit induced state! Well, that I’m happy to report was a thing of the past! Over the year, I have developed the confidence to attend many events solo, approach brands and confidently walk into a building, and happily speak to strangers and spend time framing shots at ease. Yes, blogging has most definitely increased my confidence! No lie!

The future

When I started be-lavie, I had no idea where I was going. I was just thinking, lets just write about what I love doing, eating and experiencing! Well in this year I’ve come a long way, I’ve been invited to some amazing events and experienced things I could have only imagined. I’m delighted with myself because I did that and instead of giving myself a hard time about what I didn’t do, I’ll focus on what I did do.  I’ve managed to figure out what my niche is, where I would like to take this into the future (you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled to see how this pans out!) and really got an understanding of my style of writing and audience. But most of all the one thing that I have learnt is to believe in myself, and my abilities and just simply enjoy it!

A dedication to my dad

be-lavie is dedicated to my dear dad, who died suddenly just days after his sixty fifth birthday. He was be-lavie’s greatest fan and my marketing hero! He was a constant inspiration to work hard, play harder, treat all as equals and turn dreams into reality because you only get one chance at life. A true gent and multi-award winning photographer, who dedicated his life to his craft and his family. So dad, I can only apologise and come clean, my photos have improved under your previous tutorage, but I still post the occasional unedited image on the blog, I guess you know that already!

If you’re looking down on me cringing then sort that face out now and listen! Thank you, for every boring lesson that appeared I was being hard done by just because I had to sit and listen to your photography tutorials! The times I was mindlessly bored of you harping on about lighting, framing, posing and the mind-boggling editing software. You did it for a reason and I never knew that reason until you checked out! You can rest in peace knowing you prepared me well for this my whole life! But, I have a small confession to make; I was actually listening to you the whole time and deep down I was in complete awe of your aptitude for photography and well everything generally! I hope you’re super proud because there isn’t anyone I’d like to make prouder in this world than you!

Cheers to a year of blogging and watch this space for what the future holds for be-lavie.

Many thanks to The Cake Club Leicester for gifting me the personalised scrumptious chocolate topped cup cakes!

Have you been blogging a while? What lessons have you learnt? Feel free to share in the comments below.

À Bientôt…

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