I decided to enrol for the WordPress blogging 101 course. There are daily assignments for 4 weeks and I must admit to feeling anxious about keeping up with my classmates. I’m happy if I write 2-3 times per week, so a daily post will be a challenge. The first assignment is to write an introduction and include tags, which is the first thing I wanted to learn… huh, simple, it only took 2mins to learn.
I usually write about my personal experience of depression and other mental health problems. In recent months, the focus has been on my journey through Psychotherapy. Blogging publicly can be an incredibly fulfilling experience, we are not a lone voice within the confines of a private journal, but a part of a wonderful online community.
There is something hugely satisfying when someone relates to a post I’ve written and the support I have from fellow bloggers is far beyond anything I ever imagined. Of course, blogging is not all about my own blog and the people who come here to visit, I spend an equal amount of time interacting on other blogs, and this is an important part of my overall blogging experience.
The topics I intend writing about in the near future will focus on different aspects of mental illness and my experiences with the therapy programme. I also do a weekly ‘Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers’ challenge.
I write about how I experience mental illness rather than researched based material, although this is not a rigid rule. I blog anonymously because I tend to post very descriptive experiences about mental illness and sexual abuse. The anonymity is mainly to protect other people’s identity, rather than my own.
If I continue to blog successfully throughout the next year, I would like to be posting more regularly, have a better understanding of all the technical advantages on WordPress, and maybe even increase the readership.
Hi fellow writer/blogger, I am also a member of blogging 101 and I visited your site to see your assignment and I must say you gave enough to make me want o see more of your posts, I like what you chose to write about and look forward to reading more of your posts
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Thank you, Kerry ann, that’s nice of you to say 😉
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Congratulates on your first blogging u post. I commend you for writing publicly and personally about your experiences with depression. I’m sure your readership will grow with time.
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Thank you
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Just wanted to say hello and congratulations on your first post. I have not been blogging that long myself, but have already ‘met’ some wonderful people, and read some fantastic blogs. I am looking forward to reading your posts. 🙂
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Thank you and I will also be checking yours out 😉
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You are very welcome 🙂
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Love this first post. I, too, am participating in Blogging 101, and I have Major Depressive Disorder. I don’t talk about it much, so I commend you for doing so. Like you, I want to take part in the community of bloggers. I look forward to seeing more from you.
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Thank you and I look forward t seeing you more too, good luck with the course 😉
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You are going to do just great! You are a great blogger Cat!
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Awe, thank you heather. I am very fortunate to be following some amazing people who also contribute on my blog, it makes the experience awesome 😉
Thank you for commenting
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Cool! This is really a cool post! 😀
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I used to think that people appeared in pur lives for one reason. It’s funny that you have published a comment in my blog, because I have had depression, and I have fear of disease.
Thank you for reading me.
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Yes, people do appear for reasons that are not yet clear. Hope you enjoy the course. 😉
Thank you for commenting
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Hi Cat, I have been working hard lately and I have a lot to catch up, but I am glad to see you are doing a great job with your writing, and life… keep going!
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Ah! So nice to hear from you, I thought you had fallen off the face of cyberland. I am trying to move forward and things do feel like they are taking shape.
Thank you for dropping by 😉
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Reblogged this on The Crazy Ramblings Of Me and commented:
It’s people like this why I love blogging 🙂
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I already love your blog! You’re going to be great 🙂
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Thank you, I love it when people say they ;like my blog 😉 The course is mainly to help me improve tech features like links and stuff
Thank you for your feedback, it always means a lot 🙂
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I’ve heard about this course before, Cat, and everyone comes away recommending it. Although I think you are already an incredible blogger and have a readership that many would deem quite successful, I know it is satisfying that maybe you could reach even more people who need to talk about the many topics you are so good at discussing. I think you’ll find lots of new, wonderful friends. Awesome, and enjoy yourself! 🙂
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I am chuffed at your comment, Mandy and sorry for the delay reply. I view myself as a very armature writer and blogger, but the learning curve has been amazing. I wanted to do this course mainly to learn the tech stuff like links and do-da’s…. not sure I can keep up with the pace of 101 course, but time will tell
Thanks, as always, for your support and encouragement
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I can’t wait to see more. I am very intrigued at your content and the issues you will represent are close to my heart too. I know, it’s going to be a struggle to post every single day for me too. Good luck 🙂
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I know, the every day posts will be a killer, I am already running behind with my normal blogging stuff. I hope we rub shoulders through the course! Thank you for commenting
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Me too 🙂
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You explained your blog thoroughly, and yet, didn’t go overboard. Cat, I’m impressed with this. 😉
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Thank you, Glynis, TBH my heart wasn’t in it, I barely have the time but it will be good to learn new tech features.
Thank you for your encouragement, always appreciated 😉
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What do you know? I had no idea WP had a blogging course. Good luck!
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Yes, they call it the ‘blogging university’ 😉 I haven’t seen you around for quite a while….did you get married recently?
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yeah, sorry. My life has been hell for the last three months. Not married yet, no. And thanks to the stupid border agents at the American border it may not even happen this year. A post is coming out on Canvas tomorrow that might explain in part why I’ve been M.I.A.
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Sorry to hear that, what a real bummer. Nice to see/hear you back and I look forward to the canvas post
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likewise, I look forward to your post from the course. That would’ve been quite helpful when I started blogging hahaha
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Cat your blogs are already amazing. You have the most apt images that Ive ever seen a blogger use. I’m always gasping to myself and saying, “Now where on earth did he find an exact image to match how that topic/how he is feeling? I love your images! I think you should be teaching others. The length is right too, as some blogs, although interesting, lose my attention as I feel I don’t have the time to read them properly. You’re doing just fine and your articles seem to be coming through thick n fast. I’m a little perturbed at the thought of you doing even more as I’m scared I won’t have timr to read and digest them all and fall eternally behind. But it’s your blog and therefore your choice. Good luck with the course.
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Thank you for the nice compliments, Sharon. TBH, daily posts are not on the horizon and I’m not sure if I can continue with the course. It’s not so much writing a daily post or doing a daily task, but there is a commons room, like a forum where everyone on the course meets, so it’s nice to visit their blogs and before you know it, a few hours have past and your bum’s numb… it’s more work than I have time for, unfortunately. But, don’t worry, my posts never run in sequence, you can never fall behind, just miss some and read the latest.
Thank you, Sharon 🙂
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Hope you enjoy blogging 101. I tried it last year, but I didnt get far. I forgot to be honest about it. LoL. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it and gain new readers and make new friends along the way. XX
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Thank you Carol Anne, I’m not getting vey far. I know mostly everything they teach, but I did pick up a few good tips
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Hi,
I have just nominated you for the Liebster Award!
Find out how to accept the award at:
https://adivir.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/thank-you-for-the-liebster-award/
…best wishes for your blogging…Shivangi
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