“Every child, woman and man should possess licence to speak or sing in his or her true voice.”– Joyce Maynard, At Home in the World (Picador USA)

Today is my 10th Anniversary as a blogger. And that quote is the one I shared from my first blog post. Here’s a screen capture:

and here’s the link. And here’s the full resolution copy of the screen capture: LINK.

Then and now, blogging has been a fulfillment of my dream to write… attempts at getting my thoughts, feelings, and ideas out into the world. Not because I think people can learn from me or that I have something profound to share but because I really just want to write, to speak, to share.

In the 10 years I have been blogging, I have published a lot of posts, started a lot of blogs, met a lot of new people, started a lot of projects, and had countless experiences. One thing remains constant, though, I blog because I want to blog.

Yes, I do blog for causes, partners, clients, and sponsors. I blog when people invite me to events or when companies ask me to but only when I like what I am blogging about. There might be some posts, ventures, or partnerships I am not too proud about, but in the end, I’d like to believe I’ve grown better and learned lessons from those failed ventures.

I have become a better writer (I hope) and a better person. I have learned to speak only when I am sure of what I am going to say and only when I have something significant to say. I have learned to open myself to new experiences and ideas. I have learned to be more, be stronger, be better… and that I always have something new to learn. That I will never be perfect and I will not always be the best but I always have to try to be better.

I have found not just my voice, but who I really am, what I believe in, what I stand for. I used to blog whenever I want to about whatever I want to blog about. I still do that sometimes but now I mostly blog only when I think what I have to say matters, when I want my voice to be counted. I have come to realize that what I don’t say matters as much as what I say. Sometimes, silence can be golden.

I do not credit all these to my blogs and my blogging experiences. I give props to all the people I met because and through my blogs. Mentors and lecturers who taught me how I can improve my blogging. Passionate bloggers who piqued my interest in different niches and topics. Companies that forced me to examine my choices. Partners and sponsors who gave me opportunities. Readers and commenters who validated and questions my opinions. Colleagues who showed me new perspectives. And yes, haters who showed me how much other people loved me.

I have won awards and received various commendations, but of all these what I consider my biggest achievement is how, in my 10 years as a blogger, I have met people who tell me I have inspired them in some way. They are my biggest inspiration. In 10 years, I have never considered quitting blogging but I have thought about maybe lying low or going on hiatus. The mental blackouts and the amount of backlogs would occasionally overwhelm me but the kind words from strangers and friends alike keep me going. Thank you!

After 10 years, I ask myself “Is there anything more left for me to blog?” The answer is yes. I celebrate my 10th year as a blogger by challenging myself to spend 365 days blogging about who I really am, what my life is about, what I believe in, and everything else there is to blog about.

I have been blogging for 3,650 days and now I am about to spend 365 days more trying to find my voice, learning new things, looking for who I really am, and celebrating all that life has given me… people, love, relationships, skills, hobbies, prosperity, challenges, success, pains, laughter, and tears.

To everybody who were part of the past 10 years, thank you! These next 365 days are for you. May we all continue to find our voices and ourselves. 😉

Here’s to 10 more years of blogging!