Truth and Cake reached 10,000 subscribers this morning. I’m taking a moment to celebrate. The number doesn’t really matter—to some that’s a little and to some it’s a lot. This moment on my journey does.
When I started blogging, I had no idea what would come of it. I had no grand plan, just thought I’d be blogging to my best friend for a while judging by the trajectory of the blogs around me. I wasn’t expecting 20,000 people to rock up to my second blog post in a span of 48 hours. When I took a year and a half off from blogging to heal from my divorce, I remember thinking to myself, “Well, there goes that. You can’t stop writing for that long and expect anyone to stick around. And besides, no one’s going to like the divorced version of you.”
Three months after beginning again, here’s what I’m learning:
Show up. It doesn’t matter if it’s pretty and perfect. It matters that it’s you. You are enough just as you are and the world can learn a lot from your imperfections. (This post = written in 15 minutes, right after a well-meaning lady aggresively shoved contact lenses into my eyes for the first time in my life. My eyes burn. It’s messy. I’m hitting publish anyway.)
We’re great at waiting and planning and getting it right. We’re also great at jumping ship when something doesn’t take off right away. Stay with your gift. Honor it. You’ll know when it’s right before others do. I knew the moment I hit publish on my first blog post (the one that got only a few views). I could feel in my bones that this was a true expression of me.
If it doesn’t feel like that, ask yourself why. What are you trying to prove? Who are you trying to be?
I see so many people who are hiding their gifts or trying to do it the way everyone else is doing it. The world doesn’t need any more “Ten Ways” lists. It needs your truth. Someone out there is dying to read about your experience. Or watch it. Or touch it. Or experience it in whatever way you make it.
Our expression connects us. Our fear isolates us.
Forget the outcome. Tune out the noise. Speak the thing your soul is longing to say. Sometimes we wait to see if the waters are safe—let someone else be eaten by a shark first, right?
Remember this: it’s all invented. Every word. Every rule. Every success.
The only real sharks are in your mind. By going first, you give others permission to go too.
Go first.
Blogging has changed my life. It gave me a voice when I felt isolated. It’s grown my confidence. It’s connected me with amazing people from all over the world. And it’s shown me that magic can happen when you show up as your true, messy, glorious self.
Thank you for reading, for subscribing, for sharing your thoughts here. This blog wouldn’t be what it is without you. Your words and presence live in my heart.
So…
What would you create if you didn’t have to get it right?
What’s dying to be born?
Tune in. Silence the shark.
Go first.
Categories: Artistic Truths
Love this….I’m jumping in the shark tank!!’
Yeah!!
All love. Hell yes.
xo
~ H
Hell yes. <3
Rian thanks for always being an inspiration. I look forward to reading every new post your publish.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Lori. It means so much. I’m inspired by the connection and love hearing your thoughts.
You are welcome. Dare I say I might even like the “divorce version of you” better. She has been tried and tested and found resilient. Never lose that.
Dare I say I like the divorced version better too ;)
Just yesterday I checked your blog and thought, “I hope she posts something soon.” This is a timely, wonderful little gift. Congratulations! Your blog and voice are inspiring!
When I first started blogging about 203 posts ago, my writing was forced. My writing was safe. My writing was blah.
Today, I’m a little better because I read posts like T&C.
I’ve learned I need to write for me. In the end, I’ll sing the music that’s real for me and my readers.
Glad you’re back. The emotions of divorce is rollercosteresque.
Hey Steve! Great to see you. It’s been so long. I love seeing your evolution. I’m also a huge Murakami fan :) Have you read ‘The Wind Up Bird Chronicle’ (my fave)? How’s the raw food going?
That one is next! The raw food deal is done. My goal was 50% raw and I crushed that challenge with ease. Fruits and veggies are my friends. :)
YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES…
Congrats on having 10,000 followers! Thanks for the inspiration. We’re all on our own blogging journey and it is always nice to read a post that affirms this. Cheers!
Thanks, Josie. xx
I know that I’m a new follower of yours, CONGRATULATIONS keep on blogging
Welcome :)
Thank you for posting this!! And what timing … I’ve taken a break from blogging for such a long time, and I have been so afraid to get back to it, but have been dying to share my new life. Thank you for being the inspiring and encouraging blogger that you are.
I know the feeling, like “where to start?” I’ve felt (and still feel that). Show up where you are. You don’t have to cover it all. People will feel the newness in you and that will be a gift. <3
Rian, congratulations on this milestone and for making the commitment to keep showing up. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through a divorce. There’s nothing fun about that kind of life upheaval. But you’re here and you’re sharing your truth and there’s power in that.
Thanks, Sally. It’s interesting. I’ve found that really difficult, painful life events (like divorce) can open you up to more joy. I’m sinking into that contradiction.
Congratulations! And also thank you, I really enjoyed this post. I started blogging not long ago and have had this same feeling
“The world doesn’t need any more “Ten Ways” lists. It needs your truth. Someone out there is dying to read about your experience. Or watch it. Or touch it. Or experience it in whatever way you make it.
Our expression connects us. Our fear isolates us.”
Yes! And “it’s all invented!” This is one of the central tenets of my favorite book, _The Art of Possibility_! Your post inspires me to keep going, keep showing up and bringing my true and honest self. Thank you, and STRONG WORK!! 😁
Get it, ladies!
Woohoo, 10,000!! I remember that second post, it connected me to you via the blogosphere, and later, after beginning again, more in life :) I’m very thankful for truth-telling expressions, they’re like twinkling stars in the night sky.
Beautiful image. Glad to be on this journey with you, Kristy.
Thank you so much for sharing…I’m new to WordPress so I just discovered your blog recently. I haven’t stopped reading your old posts since. I’ve been waiting for you to post again and here it is! Thank you for the life lessons. Frankly, I’ve learned a lot. Thank you :)
Thanks for reading. Nice to “meet” you. :)
Can’t even tell you how much I loved this post. I really started blogging after calling off an engagement and found my voice–as a writer–as a person. It’s been a beautiful process.
Excuse me, I think I may have done this wrong… themermaidq, you quoted the passage that spoke most to me, so I hit ‘reply,’ then wrote my reply to Rian. Sorry! I, too, started blogging only recently, and struggle with whether my words have any value to anyone. Thank you for your comment, so I can be not alone! 😊
Stunning. ‘Blog for you’, my friend told me when I started, and those words kept me going even when I cringed. Your words round it all up perfectly.
What an amazing story. I never knew a blog could go viral!
Well said, thanks!….it’s true we are our own self-limiters in life, i no longer fear shark bites, but for many years I did !
Congratulations on so many levels! My friend reminded me last night that all these things I’ve carried around with me I’ve survived. Yes.
And now they’re your gifts.
:)
Rian, thank you for sharing yourself and being a wonderful example of truth and authenticity! You surely know the heart of us bloggers and the daily “sharks” that keep me from jumping in….you take away the excuses and I love you for it!
Congrats ! As a new blogger I can only hope to reach and inspire as many people as you have.
I haven’t written anything in months and really not made much effort with NotSoSkinnyGenes in over a year. I’m ok with that most of the time, but it’s not really gnawing away at me as much as the need to create in other ways. I took a Myers Briggs type personality test (again) yesterday and the results were not surprising at all. Actually they were bang on. But it only increased the desire to create, learn, focus, build, improve. I’m feeling limited by my fear and current work/financial circumstances and this is preventing me from realizing my goals of starting a hobby that I hope to eventually make into a business. Something that I might enjoy more than my current ‘career’. I’m not sure it’ll work but I want to at least take the time to try.
Thanks for sharing, L. I bet a lot of people can relate. I feel you on the wanting to create in other ways. I’m running a mastermind in the fall for female entreprenuers. Going it alone is probably the most challenging part of starting a business and I want to help other women connect and grow one another. If you want to know more, shoot me a message. Sending love. xx
Thanks Rian, I would love to know more :)
I am so happy you are back and blogging – I can tell you that I missed you. Your divorce blog half stunned me. For one, I truly couldn’t figure out why the idiot you were married to gave you up – still can’t for the life of me.
Anyway, you always have sometime great to say and you say it very well.
Thanks for sticking around,
Scott
Your writing is so positive without undermining the difficulties. You make me realise that I’m not alone.
Success is the payoff, not the goal, of pure ambition.
Well done! I’m happy for you. It takes courage and will-power to get to where you are.
Even though I’m just starting out, I have hardly any idea where this will take me, and it’s lovely to see that this is a supportive community of bloggers!
“Our expression connects us. Our fear isolates us” – that’s the spirit!
Love this. Very inspiring – thank you x
I love reading your blog posts. It’s always inspiring and touches my heart. I loved reading this post. Sometimes I feel bad when my posts don’t the likes that I want. And sometimes it makes me want to give up. But, I hang in there and stick by my writing.
Thank you for writing this post. And congrats on the 10,000 subscribers. This blog has earned it. :)
Thank you! I just started my blog, I’m fairly certain the only people who read it are my mom, grandma, and best friend from high school, but it feels right. I truly don’t know if I will ever hit 10,000 followers (truthfully I’m not sure I’ll even get one) but so far blogging is one of the most cathartic, amazing, experiences.
“We’re great at waiting and planning and getting it right. We’re also great at jumping ship when something doesn’t take off right away”. Ugh, that is sooo me! From now on I’m going to make sure I just show up! Thanks for this post. Oh, and well done on the 10k followers! :)
This is kind of in line with my first blog post and the challenge I’m doing. Really about just jumping in.
Great read, thanks!
As a pretty new blogger who jumped ship to start a coaching practice just over a year ago, I needed to read this today! It’s always thrilling to meet another goddess on the journey who is willing to free herself and others through story telling. <3
Thank you reading this post has given me encouragement. I’ve only just begun to dip my toe in the water with blogging and it’s brought home to me that we all have to start somewhere, just a matter of taking that leap of fate. It does feel right for me. I hope too ” that magic can happen when (I) show up as (my) true, messy, glorious self”.
Congrats! You have gained one more subscriber :D
Great post! I just created mine :)
I just started my blog and stumbled upon your blog this morning! I have already read about 3 post and find your post to be easy to read and relate to your humor.
Thanks for encouraging new bloggers and I am glad you came back after that year and a half! Don’t know that I would of had the courage.
Hannah
So I may be a little late to the party, but I grabbed seat 10,001 and I’m happy to be here:) Congrats, and I’m glad I found you; you seem to have learned a lot in life and I’m glad to sit in on a lesson or two!
Congratulations on a fantastic following. Writing is very therapeutic, but amazing to know that others enjoy reading your words too. I have just started blogging and am writing down all the great words of advice I have been given over time so I can keep them all in one place and share them.
Wow. What a bit of synchronicity. Was looking for encouragement and you popped up. Thanks for producing such a great blog x
Love this. As a new blogging I’ve been struggling to find my voice, this helps to reassure me that if I just write honestly I will connect with others. Love to get your thoughts on my site http://Www.sarahchasinglife.com
Just what I needed to hear. Thanks
This blog is everything. SO amazing I love it!!! I would really appreciate it if anyone could check out mine: https://theyoungadultexperiment.wordpress.com
I just started blogging so I’m still a bit hesitant to share my posts with the online world. But after carefully reading some parts of your blog I’ve got to say that you’ve truly inspired me to ditch off some lame fears.
Thank you.
P.S I like your name Rian and started following your blog :)
You are an inspiration. Amazing what is possible when you share. Just getting started myself and found this very encouraging.
I love this!! Thank you so much!
I just started my blog recently, I have been a little discouraged lately by the number of views I have been getting, but ever since I read your post I feel motivated, you inspire me. Thank you, Rian . Your words really resonate with me. Often people underestimate the value of their words, I want to thank u for sharing your experience with us . I hope you can take a look my blog when you have time and give me pointers : http://www.habeebasworld.com.
Staying true to ourselves never goes out of style.
Considering that I have had a lot of self doubt with my work as of late, this post has succeeded in giving me the motivation that I needed. What you say about self doubt being in the mind is a sad truth. This is the first post I’ve read of yours, but I’m looking forward to reading more. Thanks Rian!
I love all you said. I’m a beginner, a month ago I opened my blog and it had been a wonderful experience and I really appreciate all the words that you can say or write.
I appreciate your transparency… love this. ;-)
Totally needed this today. OK. I’m on it!
Congratulations! Your words speak truth and volumes. I appreciate the inspiration you bring to others. Including myself. Thanks.
Love this!! Definitely my inspiration for today!
Great post! Keep the good reads coming! ♥
Rian, I just found your blog and it is awesome! I’m also trying to start back up my own from a few years ago so thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you for the timely reminder! Keep shining your light as I shall continue to shine mine.
Love this. Sound advice. Digital fist bump.
20,000 views on one post..im very impressed! How did you do it?
I am a new writer struggling to get views and comments?
Any tips would be greatly appreciated by all x
http://www.lwithl.wordpress.com
Nice blog ♥♥♥
I created mine 5 days ago any recommendation???
I have only had three posts to my blog so far and feel pretty discouraged…I totally needed to hear this!! Thanks for the encouragement.
I’m on the same boat here.. I have 9 post and slim to none visits, so is good to find others are beginning this journey as well.
Ale
celebratingprana.wordpress.com
Thanks for sharing! I am starting on my own blogging journey, and the one thing I decided to do differently than the other times I have blogged is that this time I was going to be me.. just me… to write what I’m passionate about, to share my journey. We’ll see how it goes.. right now, it has like 9 posts and is just me and a few visits, so It feels like I’m writing to the air.. which in a way, is comforting and feels “safe” on the other, a little discouraging, but I know this is my truth and I just have an urge to share it.