A few days ago I got the message.
Which blew my mind.
First, I would like to say thank you to everyone that follows this blog. It really means a lot.
When I first started blogging, I didn’t know what to expect. I had decided I wanted to share our story. My knowledge of autism to help others. There are all sorts of autism blogs out there. Which was mine going to be?
I had decided from the start that I did not want to turn my blog into a personal diary of our lives. I thought the blog would be a great platform for me to share our family’s experiences as examples of what autism may look like. To either spread autism awareness to gain autism acceptance, or sharing helpful tips.
And my posts were going to be positive. Even if I was writing about something hard, like meltdowns. There was still going to be a light. I was going to be sure to spread a positive autism message.
I tiptoed and danced around certain subjects. Like vaccinations and autism, I have my opinion on the matter but I never wanted to offend or be criticized for my beliefs, so I speak as openly as possible. And I never wanted to speak about autism as “This is all you will see.” I wanted to be sure I only spoke about autism in our family. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, it is different for everyone and I can only talk about the autism in my life.
I bought the books on blogging. I wanted to be sure I was doing it RIGHT.
I knew I didn’t want to share on Facebook. Like most people, I have “friends” that aren’t really friends. How many would question my motives for writing about autism?
But I joined other sites – Twitter, Google +, Pinterest, Tumblr – just to spread the word. And I shared and shared away. Yet, I got no traffic. And I pulled out the blogging books to see what I was doing wrong. I wanted to share a story, but no one seemed interested in what I had to say.
When I saw the message that I had achieved 500 followers, it made me think of this blogging journey and take stock of what I am doing.
These days, I do not share my posts outside of the blogging world. Every now and again I write a post I really like, and I feel like Anthony Michael Hall at the end of the Breakfast Club – when he is proud about his letter he wrote to the principal. I smile and pat myself on the back and will pin my post to Pinterest. But that is it. I feel I found my audience, or really my peeps, here.
Am I doing it RIGHT still? In blogging terms, I have no idea.
But under my terms, I think I am still achieving my goal of writing a positive autism message, which makes me happy. I continue to only speak about the autism in our family. A lot of my posts are more of a diary at this point. When something exciting happens, I want to share it with my peeps – with you guys – the people who follow the blog. You have taken an interest in our autism journey and I am thankful to have you there. You are important to me. I appreciate you all so much.
The summer and adjusting to a new school year has been hard and I hope to get back into a more regular writing schedule. I have been noting a lot of events and ideas I would like to explore, and I hope to get them out soon.
And as long as people keep reading, I will keep writing.
Thanks again for the follow. You mean a lot to me!
Congratulations!
Thank you!
You are amazing and your blog is amazing also…You blow us away every day and your writing really takes very complex frustrating issues and gives us hope .. I love you
Thank you! Love you too
Am impressed with your numbers! an count my followers on my 2 hands, unfortunately. You are sharing and helping a lot of people with your postings. Can’t even imagine what it would be like to parent autistic kids. We have no kids by choice. Do not want to pass my multiple sclerosis to any innocent child. It runs in my mom’s side of the family (another reason not to believe what doctors tell you). Officially, it does not run in families. So why did my great grandma, grandma, my mom, my aunt , and her two daughters have it!
Follow your best judgments. You are a great mother to your kids!
Thank you so much!
WordPress and the wonderful people I’ve found here have been such a lifeline for me. It’s a ginormous help knowing that others understand the hard parts and the triumphs! It’s no surprise to me that you’ve gotten so many followers! You are open and honest and your generous heart is in every post. I’m very thankful to have found you & your blog!
Congratulations my friend! 💥💫🎊✨🎉🎆🎇👏💞💌💞🌷🌼🌹💐
I agree – I have found such wonderful people as well here too. I am very thankful to have found you and your blog as well. Thinking of you! Thank you!! 🙂 🙂
Under your terms and sharing positive messages. I think you have got your blog covered pretty well. I may not always comment, rarely do, because I don’t have anything to contribute, add to the conversation. But I do read your posts and I think you are amazing.
Congratulations on the 500. Keep writing!
Thank you so much!
I really enjoy your posts! You have an amazing way with words!
Thank you so much!
Congratulations on a great number. I love reading your blog, as it is so truthful, and I can certainly relate to the situations you write about.
Thank you so much!
I always look for your name, and can’t wait to read your post.
Robyn! You are doing awesome and its a tough subject: so thats double the celebration.
Congratulations🎶
SO Happy for you and stay strong!
THank you so much!
Welcome, my friend. Hope you have a restful weekend!
You too!
Congratulations! And more importantly, thank you for sharing your stories. I am learning so much from you and your family. <3
Thank you so much!
I’ve been drawn to autism blogs because so frequently it seems like I’m on the spectrum. But your blog is the only one I’ve stuck with. The reason is clear to me. You tell a story to make your point. You could quote statistics and other experts to say the same thing, but your stories make your blog readable and relate-able.
Keep going, you’ll have five hundred more in no time,
Thank you!
Congratulations! As far as I am concerned I think you are doing a great job. My knowledge of autism was very limited and you have really opened my eyes and added considerably to my knowledge of autism. And I am often telling friends about what I have read in your post and have referred them to your blog. So good work and carry on carrying on!
That is wonderful! Thank you so much!
Well deserved!👍
Thank you so much!
Congratulations! Blogging is hard and so is being a parent to a child on the autism spectrum (I am one also), but they are both worth it.
You are right! Thank you!
Keep up the great work!! Congratulations. I can’t wait to reach 500 followers… Inspiration..
Thank you so much!
You’re welcome. Wishing you continued blogging success
Congratulations Robyn! I love reading your story of your family and what you go through living with Autism. The fears, the joys, all of it. It has helped me so much on our journey with Tyson to know that even though Tyson will look and act very differently than Declan or Cate, there are similarities and the best part is you are a voice for Autism Awareness, not just for your family. I am amazed when people still make comments like, “he doens’t look autistic” and the such. But until the world is aware on what it means to have Autism Spectrum Disorder, we’ll keep hearing comments like that and I will do my best to show grace. So happy for you!
Thank you so much! I am so glad to have connected with you so we can support each other. And unite to spread awareness! Thinking of you and Tyson!