When I think about how I got to where I am in blogging, I sit here at at times with a goofy look on my face, making Scooby Doo noises. However, when my dear friend Michele asked me how I “made it” online, it forced me to sit back and really think.

I’ve been at this game called blogging since 2002. That’s eons in blogging years and a grueling pace to keep up with…which is why I’ve also had many extended breaks. Back in 2002, I was a mommy blogger. I moved on to blogging about the craft of writing, followed by environmental blogging, some tech blogging, blogging without a niche, with a smattering of other blogs here and there, and finally back to being a mom who blogs. Try saying that really fast three times in a row.

The day I chose to turn my blogs into a business was the day it was no longer hobby. And I’d been a hobby blogger for over seven years. Sure, I had considered turning it into a business many times, but it was never the right time. Actually, it had always been the right time. However, due to a life long lack of self-confidence, I never felt I could turn it into a business. So, I watched other reach their goals and achieve their dreams. Secretly wishing someone would “find” me and offer me what I desired.

It doesn’t work out that way.

My father-in-law had two strokes and a heart attack in January 2009. In February, I lost my oldest friend to brain cancer. April gave me a six week journey into hell, watching my Grandfather, the man I called Daddy, die. A double bypass for my father-in-law in June. Losing my 22 year old cousin to a drug overdose in November.

I was sitting at home, pretending. It was better than facing my own insecurities. After all, who wants to really look at themselves in the mirror. We do to get ready, but do you ever go into the bathroom and just look yourself in the eyes? The kind of look that has you digging deep into your soul. Facing your own personal fear of failure, as well as the voices you’ve heard in the past discrediting what you were doing or wanted to do. Everything you had closed off from in order to protect yourself is right there in front of you. Raw. Exposed. Aching.

Rock bottom.

Funny thing when you hit rock bottom, you have no place to look but up. However, it’s not an easy climb out of the cavern. That was the day I decided to turn my blogs into a business and started over…from scratch.

Oh, I had A Daily Pinch, but it was time to change. If I was going to do this, I needed to be serious. Rebranding, WordPress initiation and educating myself on the more technical side of blogging.

I hated it.

After the past year, I just wanted to be on easy street. But, something told me to stop. Quit fooling myself and get to get over my pity party and get to work. And work I did. Throwing myself so far into the backend and educating myself about every parameter of blogging and social media possible. It was like the medical degree my mother has always pushed me to get, except I was doing my residency and doing everything I had learned, but in a real life setting.

I worked harder than I had in years. With my dear friend, Emili Bower, I launched Mommyality.com, rebranded Daily Pinch and built my social media reputation to an even higher level. I started working for Savvy Source, writing on assignment for My Life Scoop, MomLogic, and Savvy Source, and really showcasing myself. I think I finally realized how much I could do and my own personal value when I was invited to the #FordGreen event in Detroit earlier this year.

That being said? It’s not been easy. I prefer educating/coaching other bloggers and would love to do it for free. I give as much of myself as I can to my Social Media Moms group as my way of paying it forward and as a silent thank you to my mentor, Stefania Pomponi Butler of the Clever Girls Collective.

Yet, do I feel like I’ve made it? In a way, but there are so many avenues I haven’t explored. Yet, when I ponder those avenues, those feelings of self-doubt start creeping in. So, even though I’m a level I never thought I’d be at, I’m still working and striving for that next level. I’ll always be doing that. Pushing myself through insecurity and doubt to reach my goals…so I can truly say “I’m making it.”

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Lisa M. Frame is an over-achieving, under-organized Southern-gal. Blogging since 2002, Lisa has developed a solid community and has turned many in her Social Network into her Real Life Network. She was part of the groundbreaking #Tweeta20 featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy for social media fundraising. She is a writer, avid reader, photographer, coffee addict and best described as a whirling dervish. Lisa also has a knack for cooking memorable meals (some for the wrong reasons), lives as green as possible, and blogs about whatever comes to mind over at A Daily Pinch, while sharing the reality of parenting (and things to make it easier) at Mommyality. Most recently, Lisa started her own company, Powered by Women, determined to inspire and empower all women.

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I hope that Lisa sharing how she took breaks, gets you thinking. We all need a break every now and then. She took many breaks and feels she’s making it in this business! That is awesome since I have taken breaks and feared it would hurt my ladder climbing but you have to take care of you and family first! My question to you: do you take breaks? Don’t you think that sometimes we need to?

Same time, same place tomorrow!

Chele