how blogging has changed my life {keeping it real!}

i can’t help but notice how much my life has changed in the last 2 years. {yes, this blog turned 2 in august. if you didn’t know that, you probably missed the ginormous bash. sorry. it was loads of fun!} ANYWAYS,  lately i’ve been thinking and wondering how my life would be different if i had not started craftaholics anonymous.

its weird to think about, really.

my blog is now a huge part of my life. HUGE. sometimes i feel like i eat, breathe, and dream blogging. sometimes i talk in my sleep about it. lol anyways, here’s what i’ve been thinking about lately. i’m sure many of you can relate!

thanks to blogging, i now know……

-that computers have their own language.

-computer language is very particular. as in, if you put in an extra “/” you can delete your entire sidebar in approximately 0.00000000001 seconds….. and give yourself a heart attack in the process….. yes, i know this from experience.

-what “linking back” is and how to do it properly.{no its not hooking up with an old boyfriend! ;o)

-pajamas are appropriate work attire. and is frequently used while writing posts. yup, i’m wearing a lovely pair of pajamas. right now.

-that miraculously, my computer doesn’t get scared when it sees me writing a post sans makeup.

-that i will NEVER have thick skin. no matter how many rude comments i get! {i like how Thumper puts it….if you can’t say something nice….}

-that blogging will deprive me of more sleep than a newborn baby.

-that i should have tried listened more in my english and grammar classes in school. speaking of which, i’m sure mr. Yates would not approve of my sentence structures. or that i randomly caPitaLize in my Posts.

-that some chick named Alexa {whom i’ve never met} can have a huge influenza on my blog simply by how she ranks my page.

-there are thousands of people that know the name, craftaholics anonymous…… but very few would recognize my full name if asked. and i’m totally ok with that!!

-that 98% of craft bloggers live in the western united states. {utah, arizona, idaho….} AAAAAND then there’s me. i live in virginia.

-pictures really do speak 1000 words.

-what a domain is. what a server is. what a virtual server is. what DNS stands for {domain name server}. and plenty more geeky terms. blogging has geekified me.

-that no matter how much i learn about computers, they will always frustrate me.

-that a post is not a wooden stick in the ground.

-a post is supposed to be a well thought out and {hopefully} well written piece of work. half of the time, mine are not. {sigh}

-if i have a typo, i will get a flood of kind comments and emails informing me that i was human. and made a mistake.

-how to compose tutorials in my head as i am working on a project. my first tutorial was like giving birth. now it is  second nature.

-blogland is a place. kind of……more of a state of mind ;o)

how has blogging changed your life??

Linda
Hi! I'm Linda, the craft addict behind Craftaholics Anonymous®, a craft blog. Crafting is cheaper than therapy, right? When I'm not DIYing something, I can be found taxiing around our 4 crazy kids or working out. Or shoe shopping... because you can never have too many shoes! Happy crafting! ♥
Linda
Linda

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Comments

  1. 1
    Elle

    Woot! Go Virginia crafters!

      1. Elle

        You are right, Wahoo might be more appropriate in this area, lol!

        1. Chrysta

          A: I just found you through my sister (regular, not-particularly crafty blog, lives in Dallas)

          B: I just moved to Manassas, VA! (Yes, I’m LDS, but also an Army wife, and crafty) Are you local to me? Any good tips for crafters’ groups or stores I should hit up?

          1. Chrysta

            Um, I just read your about me page, and MY HUSBAND IS A DENTIST, too!!! He just finished up a residency in Prosthodontics. It’s been a loooong haul these last few years, so I’m ready to have him back. Partly so I have someone to watch the kids once in a while so I can attend some things like book and crafter’s groups. :)

          2. i totally know where you’re coming from! dental school + residency must have been crazy! we opted not to do a residency. that’s a long road! i’m glad you found my blog! i hope you’ll stop by again soon :)
            happy crafting,
            linda

          3. lol awesome!! i’m a bit southeast from you near Newport News, VA. if you ever head to VA beach, you’ll go right by me :) i have a good friend that lives up your way. she is super crafty. she lives right by the ikea there. i don’t know many places in your area to shop at, but i think there’s a Hobby Lobby around there and there was a boutique up there that used to carry some of my crafts. don’t remember the name anymore though! There is going to be a crafty get together in Richmond on Oct. 8. It’s free. Just a bunch of us getting together for lunch and shopping. If you’re interested, let me know and I’ll send you the link for more info.
            happy crafting,
            linda

  2. 2

    Love this list, Linda!! And all SO true. I’ve been blogging for just over 2 years now also, and I believe it has made me see my world differently. Everything has become a project no matter what it is! And I’m much more prone to homemade and DIY than I was before. It certainly makes life more interesting!

    1. 2.1

      exactly!! everything about our lives turns into a blog post! lol

      congrats on blogging for 2 years! isn’t it crazy how much has changed in blogland in the last 2 years? blows.my.mind.
      happy crafting,
      linda

  3. 3

    Linda, this is a great post, random caps and all! I love the fact that blogging is giving women the opportunity to work from home and to create their own glass ceilings!!

    1. 3.1

      so true erika! blogging has opened doors for so many women.
      thanks for stopping by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  4. 4
    Cara

    SO Well said! And how could anyone ever make a rude comment to you?! I’m just bummed I it took so long for me to find your blog…and the best part is…you live in my neighborhood! I’m soooo lucky!!!

    1. 4.1

      thanks cara! i’m so happy to live by a fellow crafty mind! yay! can’t wait to craft if up together! we need to plan a craft night. soon!! can’t wait to see your banner :)
      linda

  5. 5

    I loved reading this. I am only six months in on my blog, and you really do have to have thick skin….although I don’t think I will ever have it either.

  6. 6

    A great list! I’ve learned a lot too (geekified too!) and have so enjoyed the connections I’ve made through blogging :)

  7. 7

    Hey, Linda – a little geekification never hurt anyone! I’m a new blogger myself, been at it for a little over a month now, and I appreciate any blogging tips I can get!

  8. 8

    What a great list Linda. A little over a year here and I hardly remember LBB …Life Before Blogging!

  9. 9

    I’m even east of you… I think I’m the lone craft blogger in Vermont. LOL. Sometimes I have to curb my jealousy of all the cool events all the Western Bloggers get to attend! Thanks for this fun post. ;)

    1. 9.1

      yay! another eastener! i didn’t know you were out here. cool. yes, i’m totally jealous of all the fun events out west. we need to start up a east coast craft blogger event for the rest of us.
      thanks for stopping by, kim!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  10. 10

    I truly love your blog, and especially love this post. I have so many craft ideas that I want to put up on my blog, but I get busy and forget to take pictures! I just started my blog a few months ago out of complete boredom, and it has completely taken over my life, in a good way!

    Jessica

    1. 10.1

      aw thanks, jessica! you’re so sweet. isn’t it crazy how a blog can take over your life?? lol
      thanks for stopping by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  11. 11

    So so so true! I could relate to pretty much all of that! And thank goodness, because I hardly know any ‘real life’ bloggers, so no one really ‘gets’ the whole blogging thing! Love love all our bloggers!
    Jo-Anna

  12. 12

    I think of “LINDA!” every time I hear “CRAFAHOLICS ANONYMOUS!!” :)

    And I can’t believe anyone would have a snarky comment for you. You’re fab!!

  13. 13

    Congrats on two years Linda! I have learned so much, too! I have realized that I am getting old through blogging! I am only in my mid thirties and the generation below me can whip out technical goodies and gadgets in half the time it takes me! I have also realized that the world is full of creative women out there who actually want to support each other. Blogging has really given me the confidence to put myself out there like I never knew possible before. What a great list you have!

    Trish @ Uncommon

    1. 13.1

      thanks trish! i whole heatedly agree! there are so many creative and talented women. blogging is so great that it brings us all together.
      thanks for stopping by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  14. 14

    I ma new at this and I can’t believe how much it has already changed my life… I feel much more unproductive but get a lot more CUTE things done… I love following you…. a while ago I would have thought that was creepy stalker stuff, now I know it’s a new way of saying I love you and all your stuff!

    1. 14.1

      blogging is a whole new world, isn’t it?? crazy when you think about it! lol
      thanks for stopping by!
      happy crafting,
      linda
      ps i like cool stalkers like you. stalk away! haha

  15. 15

    Shout out to Virginia bloggers! :) I have more confidence since I started blogging. I love that there are people out there who identify with me and the things I experience. I am more inspired since I started blogging. But I also have less time! ;)

  16. 16

    Love this post! But I disagree that you don’t write well put together posts- I always love reading them :) And I feel the same way about being in that very small 2% down here in Arkansas… not the biggest craft blog gathering in the world here either…

    1. 16.1

      aw thanks Kelsey!! you’re sweet. and yes, i totally hear ya! not many people in my neck of the woods here either lol. i think we should start a “non-western craft blogger group” haha
      thanks for stopping by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  17. 17

    Love the list!
    Blogging has re-enforced the relationship we have together, seeing as we are a husband,wife team. We love coming up with ideas and writing posts together. Oh and our weekly resolutions are fun too. I think our blogging adventure has just taught us even more about each other and we can’t wait to see what the future may hold for us!

    Keep up the awesome work!!!!

    1. 17.1

      How fun that you blog with your hubby! wish i could talk davis into it lol.
      thanks for stopping by!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  18. 18

    I’m a crafty blogger on the east coast!!! You’re not alone!!

  19. 19

    It is funny that you wrote this because last night I was up until 1:00 wondering “why on earth do I blog?” and how much stress I could eliminate from my life if I just would stop – but really, I don’t want too!!

    1. 19.1

      LOL seriously. blogging can be so stressful…..and so fun! all at once! haha
      thanks for stopping by, friend!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  20. 20

    I’m another VA blogger, but not a Wahoo – go Hokies! I’ve been blogging for less than a year, and I love it!

  21. 21

    I love love LOVE this! It’s all so very very true! Oh and I was in AZ but now in TX!

  22. 23

    love this post and so very true! if it makes you feel any better, i was in virginia until just recently when i moved back to nevada. i felt the same way about being the lone east coaster! lol

    1. 23.1

      dang! if you were still in VA, we’d totally have to get together and craft! i swear viriginia is the least crafty state! lol
      happy crafting,
      linda

  23. 24

    Thank you for your sweet comment! You have a beautiful site! So happy to have found you!

  24. 25

    I laughed at the location one. I’m in Houston. I’ve yet to meet another creative blogger here. Ah well. What a great list!

  25. 26

    I’m brand new to your blog, and I think it’s cute as can be. I can’t wait to do some fun crafting with you. XO

  26. 27

    Hi and congratulations on your blog turning two! I am a book blogger and not crafty but I love to visit your blog. I understand what you mean when you say that blogging changes your life. Keep up the great work!!

    1. 27.1

      thanks cari! i really appreciate it. thank you for stopping by and saying hi :)
      happy crafting,
      linda

  27. 28
    Katherine

    I love your blog, am getting into the idea of blogging! It seems such a wonderful way to find people with similar tastes and ideas. Thanks for the inspirational advice. Love and hugs from the uk.

    1. 28.1

      thanks, katherine! blogging is so fun! i love meeting wonderful new friends online. the blogging community is so awesome. if you haven’t already, you should definitely start a blog!
      thanks for stopping by and saying hi!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  28. 29
    suzanne

    Love your info! I’m in the North East (MA) – woo for east coast! I haven’t a blog (yet) but I’m learning so much following a few, like yours here. It’s enabled me (and my shopaholic tendencies) to craft what I never thought I could! Thanks so much!

  29. 30

    Haha VA! I’m in NC but I’m from CA and they ARE way craftier out there on the West. But just in the comments of all the East Coasters on this post…there is hope Yay!

  30. 31
    Jaclyn

    I loved this post. Thank you for sharing your lessons with us. :) I have been following your blog for quite some time and it is a great place for inspiration and ideas.

    I have been struggling with a lot of different things in life. We have had a family blog for years but last year I decided to start my own blog again. A place where I could post pictures of my projects; ideas; my thoughts, feelings, and opinions; a place where I felt safe to be “me” something that I felt like I had been deprived of on our family blog (not by my husband or son but by other family members and their negativity). “MY” blog has been such a good thing for me. It is a place I feel safe and valued. I have control over the people who can see it and I know that the people who read it love me for me and though they may not agree with everything they aren’t trying to change me either. For me, my blog has become therapeutic. I have a voice again. I thank the blogging world for allowing me to be me.

    1. 31.1

      that is great you started a blog!! i’m sorry your family has been negative. that’s tough. but i’m so glad you have a great out let with your private blog!
      thanks for stopping by and saying hi!
      happy crafting,
      linda

  31. 32

    I love this post! I have been geekified too although I still have a lot to learn. My favorite part about blogging is all the “friends” I have made through the process! To have a network of such amazing women supporting me and cheering me on, is simply wonderful!