April 10, 2013

Reflecting on four wonderful years of blogging


In precisely one week's time, Chronically Vintage will turn four years old. If this blog were a child, it would already be in preschool, talking up a storm, and (I like to imagine) starting to fall in love with vintage fashion, just like it's dear old mom.



{This was the very first image that appeared in my inaugural post here on Chronically Vintage. Almost four years later, it seems more than fitting that it should appear once more. Image source.}


It's fair to say that, while of course a blog is wildly different from a living, breathing child in many ways, both do share some parallels such as that they often require a good amount of our time, focus, thought, and (of course) love.

In the time since beginning this blog on a nippy March day back in 2009, more than 880 blog posts have appeared here. That's a rather hefty number when you stop and think about it, and I'm the first to admit, I'm already eager to crack into the four figure range (with I predict will happen at some point around the end of this year or start of the next, if my current posting rate continues along much the same path it's been on since early 2012).

Through Chronically Vintage was not my first blog (nor is it the only one I run these days, though it is by far the one which I devote the most time and attention to), I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that it is the blog that I have poured the greatest degree of time and effort into. Though there have been times over the years, when for various reasons (chiefly my health), blogging proved to be something of a challenge for me, there was never a moment in all that time when, in my heart of hearts, I didn't want to blog, to write, to share my unending passion for the past with all of you.

Nor have I ever encountered writer's block, never completely lost my mojo (anytime I felt it waning, I called on the seven tips in this article to help bolster it again), and never run out of ideas to write about here.

The longer I've blogged, the easier and more enjoyable it has become. Long gone are the days of being the new kid on the block, newbie jitters and uncertainties, or of the process of finding my vintage blogging voice. I believe in change and evolution and try never to let this blog fall into a pattern of too much routine (there's a reason the "same old, same old" is called as such!), but I can safely say that, four years on, I've developed a set of techniques, habits, and topics that I turn to time and time again to help ensure that this blog is both what I want it to be, and what I believe my readers will enjoy.

I have zero qualms with admitting that I blog, first and foremost for myself. This site isn't my whole livelihood (though it certainly is a part), but that doesn't mean I don't treat it as though it were, nor that I ever slack off on the job. Whether I'm doing research for a post, writing, replying to comments, visiting and commenting on other blogs, connecting with Chronically Vintage fans through social media, or discussing vintage blogging with someone in person, my site and the general subject of history are always at the forefront of my mind.

Whatever I experience, see, purchase, learn about, or create becomes potential inspiration for a blog post. I love my blog and I adore blogging. If I didn't, I don't imagine that I'd be here writing this post today. You have to love something with all your heart to devote countless hours to it each year, to think about it often as you're drifting off to sleep and when you awake refreshed in the morning.

The longer you blog, the more your blog takes on a life and personality of your own. It becomes a tome of your writing and/or photographs, an autobiography of (at least parts of) your existence, a way to connect with like minded individuals, and outlet for your thoughts and emotions, a trusted friend, and a defining part of who you are.

When I started this blog I settled on the name (Chronically Vintage) that I did because for years already at that point I'd been battling a series of severe chronic illnesses and often felt as though they (my health problems) were defining who I was and taking over my life. I wanted, if only for an hour a day, to take back part of my life and instead define myself on my own terms, by something which had always been near and dear to my heart.

I didn't set out with definitive goals when I began blogging, I just knew that I needed, a very basal level to write about something that brought me unending joy and which I simply could not get enough of: vintage.

Four years on, I'm delighted to say that, right from the get-go, this blog more than lived up my hope that it would provide me a creative outlet that was (for the most part) a million miles away from my health issues.

Over the past four years scores upon scores of other terrific benefits, opportunities, challenges, accomplishments, and new friendships have arise from blogging as well. I've grown as a writer, a photographer, vintage lover, and an overall person. I'm not who I was when this blog began and I adore that fact. When I look back at the five, seven, ten (and so on, I sincerely hope!) year mark, I won't be quite the same then, and that fact makes me happy. Just as I always want to ensure that my site grows and evolves, so too do I hope that these things ring true for me on a personal level.

Without a doubt, one of the most important and meaningful elements of this blog's existence has, from day one, been all of my readers and online friends. To say that I adore you more than Fred Astaire loved his tap shoes would be a serious understatement. Always there to share in the good, the bad, and everything in between, to encourage and inspire, and to motivate me when my spirit was down, you have been - and will always be - and integral part of this blog's universe.

Thank you one and all four four incredible years of sharing in the history, fashion, and lifestyle of the past. I cannot wait to see what the future holds in store here, and wholeheartedly look forward to enjoying every last awesome moment of it with all of you!

46 comments:

  1. Wow, four years, many more to come! and happy blogiversary!! I've been blogging for three years and there's never been thoughts of stopping it. I love blogging too, and it's a great hobby :)

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  2. Happy 4th birthday Chronically Vintage!!!! My blog will be 3 years old on the 14th April! Congrats Jessica, and here's to many more years! xx

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  3. Congratulations from Denmark! I certainly don't hope your blog-baby wakes you up at night. ;) I'm so glad I have a schedule for my blog now, which I don't think is the same as a routine. In fact I often think that I write about too different things, but I don't know. Xoxo

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  4. Congrats on your blog anniversary! I adore you too. :) Your posts and comments are always a bright spot in my day.

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  5. Thanks for sharing this, I've just started blogging myself so it's great to see how blogs I look up to started out! I've been looking around your blog and really love it.

    It's also really interesting to find out why you chose to name the blog Chronically Vintage, and how you've used it to help you through your health problems. I'm training to be a nurse, so who knows maybe I'll be able to suggest that technique to a patient one day?!

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  6. AW! (((BIG, HUGE, HUGS))) Congrats, my sweet doll! May you have many, many more years of enjoyable blogging and awesome posts. Sending lots of love from NYC!

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  7. Your blog is a reflection of you -- sweet, entertaining, knowledgeable and fun. It is a success because everyone loves those qualities. Your blog gives us a chance to be near someone admirable. I'm glad the blog benefits you, too. Thanks!

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  8. I like everything that you wrote and I'm very glad that you feel like that. I couldn't express my feelings about writing a blog as good as you but I agree with quite a lot of what you've said. And I hope that I will be able to look back with such joy on blog writing when my blog will become four years which will be still a long time.
    Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I love your blog and I love your friendly and thoughtful comments on my posts. They cheer up my heart and make my day so often.

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  9. I know I'm not the only one who is glad you started this wonderful blog four years ago. I think what I love most about your blog is that though it is dedicated to vintage, you offer history and wonderful recipes for the foodies like myself. I have no doubt you'll make your goal of 4 digit posts. Last but not least, congrats on four years with Chronically Vintage!

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  10. Congratulations with your 4th anniversary. Your devotion and enthusiasm really shines through in yoyr blogposts. I hope to read plenty more of you for many years!

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  11. Hi Jessica, Congrats on four years of blogging. Love the photo from your first post. I'm glad that you have stuck with it for four years and that I ran across your beautiful blog; I enjoy it, and you, very much.

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  12. Congrats on your blogaversary!

    It's been a great pleasure being able to step into your life and see what a wonderful,lovely person you are. I truly enjoy saying your outfits, new adventures with Annie, and honesty you so bravely display.

    Here's to many more years of blogging and making new friends.

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  13. Congratulations on 4 years!! I know that this blog and your comments always cheer me! Thank you for all that you do!!!
    ~xoxo, CoriLynn

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  14. Thank you for sharing your blog with us and letting us all into an important part of your life, Jessica! I definitely agree that one of the best things about blogging is the friends you make. :) Happy blogiversary!

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  15. Has it really been FOUR YEARS???? I can't believe it! Well I know I can safely say that reading your blog for four years has brought me much joy, immense knowledge, and a cherished friendship. Since we started around the same time I have always felt like we were in this blogging game together and I always look forward to your kind comments on my blog and EVERYONE ELSE'S blog! Lol! Somehow no matter what I am reading you have been there first and left your calling card. I consider you the welcoming wagon of the vintage blog club. I look forward to another four years of reading your lovely words.

    Thanks doll,
    The Glamorous Housewife

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    Replies
    1. Dear Bethany, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I too have always adored the fact that our blogs sprang to life at similar times and that we've been there for each other each step of the way of the past four years. You are truly a wonderful, special friend and I cherish everything we've shared - and will, I'm sure, continue to share as time goes on.

      ♥ Jessica

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  16. Happy anniversary!!! It's sure blogging takes time but it's quite incredible to share something that you like with the world and be able to find new friends from far, far away!!!
    Thanks to share what you like with us!

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  17. Happy Anniversary to my blogging best friend!

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  18. Happy anniversary Jessica! I hope that you'll be blogging & feeling happy forever and ever and ever :)

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  19. Happy Anniversary to you and CV! You are such a bright star in the blogging world, always a treat and always a pleasure to visit here, dear friend!!! Here's to many, many more years of CV. xoxoxo

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  20. Hurrah! I remember that yo were one of the first blogs I found when I joined and I fell in love!! I agree that one of the best things about being a blogger are the chums you meet. Here's to many more years to come.
    Em
    xxxxxxxxxxx

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  21. Congratulations on turning four next week. I hope that I will have the passion and drive to continue my blog as long as you. I also hope to keep it as interesting.

    HRF

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  22. Happy blog birthday to you now keep up the good work! ;-)

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  23. Congratulations on your birthday-blog, hehe ... four years of wonderful ramblings that always brighten my day, my sweet doll ...

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  24. Happy Anniversary dear Jessica! I only found your blog maybe a year ago, but I absolutely adore it, and consider you a friend. Thank you for such a fabulous blog, and all the work you do to make it that way! Because of you I've been looking through old family photo albums in a new way. You're an inspiration to me!

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  25. Well done Jessica. I follow many blogs but Chronically Vintage along with a select few are the ones I look forward to the most. I am always pleased when I see one of your blog posts. They are always interesting and often thought provoking and sometimes just plain fun to read.

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  26. Congratulations on your four year blog birthday! Chronically Vintage is one of the first blogs I subscribed to and is an inspiration to a newbie blogger like me. :)

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  27. Way to go, time flys! I think my blog is almost four as well but I can't quite remember I have been guilty of deleting earlier posts... Keep up the great work you write really well researched posts.

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  28. Congrats darling girl! Here to many more! Your friendship and blog has meant a great deal to me and given me great comfort when I needed it-thank you! xox

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  29. Happy anniversary! Im so glad you started this blog. It was one of the first ones that I started reading on a regular basis and you never disappoint. I look forward to everything you may share in the next four years.

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  30. Happy bloggiversary to you! As you know I am one of the many I am sure who finds your blog a frequent delight. The picture you posted at the beginning of this blog is an example. So gentle and pretty! Also the way you write always encourages me to look on the bright side of life. Congratulations to you dear Jessica and here's wishing you many more yearsof happy blogging! X

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  31. Congratulations on your four year milestone Jessica!

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  32. YAY!! Congrats! I have enjoyed your blog for over a year and half now and I'm looking forward to more lovely clothing posts and vintage goodies for more years to come.

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  33. Wow! Congratulations on this great accomplishment, and thank you for your on-going gifts of words, vintage treasures and wisdom!

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  34. Happy 4 year blog anniversary, Jessica! May there be many more years of delightful posts to come! :)

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  35. wow you are blogging already 4 years!!!! happy anniversary darling and congratulations for the great job you do with your blog, each post is so well structured and you have really impeccable taste and style. i´m sure there will come many many more years ;)
    lots of love and kiss,mary

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  36. Huge thanks, everybody, for your awesomely lovely blogging anniversary wishes! I adore each and every one of you and am nothing short of elated to head into another year of blogging and being a part of such an incredible group of online friends.

    ♥ Jessica

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  37. Happy blogoversary Jessica! You are indeed a bright star in the vintage blogging world and you can proud of the positive impact that you have had in the lives of your readers and friends. Congratulations!

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  38. WOW 4 years - you are as you know one of my inspirations for starting my own blog - the sense of community you get from readers and fellow bloggers is so lovely and I find blogging therapeutic and keeps my mind off my illnesses.

    Thank you Jessica and Happy 4th Blog-iversary!

    xox

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  39. Happy Bloggiversary Jessica! Here is to hoping you have many more years ahead of you in the blogging world :)

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  40. Congrats on your Blogiversary! I adore your blog and I can't wait to see what you come up with for many years to come.

    Best Wishes,
    Amanda

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  41. Hi Jessica, wonderful post! I've recently realized, yes, I can be a little slow at times, that my blog is really my journal!
    Here's to four more years of blogging bliss!
    Hugs,
    Beth P

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  42. Happy bloggy birthday! Four years is a long time in cyber land. :)

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  43. Congratulations on 4 wonderful years of blogging! I'm so glad that you took the plunge and began blogging, for your doing so enabled your path and mine to cross. While I may not visit every day, every time I do visit, I enjoy myself wholeheartedly and am greatly inspired in my love for all things vintage. Even more, every visit to your blog allows me to spend time with a friend.

    I can't wait to see what the next 4 years blogging years bring.

    Love and hugs,
    Patti

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  44. Here is to many many more! *raises afternoon glass of wine* :-)
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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  45. Jessica
    I am still catching up on previous posts as you can see -
    happy 4th ! I am almost 4 too ! (well my blog is :)
    And i loved and feel connected to this sentence: " I am not who I was when this blog began and I adore that fact".
    Hugs

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