I just wanted to pop in this week and talk about something that I’ve struggled with in platforming: progress.

There’s a lot to unpack in this subject, and I’m not exactly excited to do it, but I do feel that it is an important topic to talk about. So let’s go.

Does progress = numbers?

Okay, I’ve got to talk about this first. Progress is really such a vague word because it can define so many things.

Many people see progress in numbers. Heck, I see progress in numbers sometimes.

But when I define progress with numbers, I don’t see myself as going far, because I’ve got very low numbers when it comes to views, subscribers, and everything. I’ve been blogging for nearly two and a half years now, and my numbers have never exactly grown. I’ve never blown up, never had a post go viral, nothing.

So does that mean I’m a failure?

No, no it doesn’t.

The numbers game

The thing about seeing progress in numbers is that it’s not healthy if you take things too seriously. Don’t get caught up in the numbers game. If you do, it’ll demotivate you, maybe even shift your perspective on your hard work to something negative.

Besides, numbers don’t show everything. They don’t define who you are: a human being, an actual person, a creator with passion.

It’s tough, because I find myself frequently comparing myself to bloggers who blow up within a month or another relatively short time period. And I end up asking, what is it that they have that I don’t?

Please don’t compare yourself; you’ll always lose.

Those numbers, those subscribers, those views — they do not show your love for what you do. They do not define your personality. They do not measure how valid you are, because you are valid on your own. 

So… define progress?

Again, I’ve been blogging for a good chunk of my life now. And even though my numbers have never drastically changed, I have learned so much.

I’ve grown as a writer. I’ve learned to make better graphics. I’m better at interacting with other people online.

And I’d just like to add that I’m super fortunate to even have a voice on the internet, despite it being small and quiet.

So numbers aside, I have made progress.

Growth is progress. Not just in numbers, but in your abilities and yourself. Look back at yourself three years ago — could you have imagined coming this far now?

The nice things about being a small blogger

Plus, there are a couple of nice things that come with being a small blogger.

Maybe it’s selfish, but being small and unknown means that I’m still just a girl on the internet doing what she loves. It means that my every word won’t be under the scrutiny of the world. It means that I can interact with each and every one of you more than I could’ve if I was a popular blogger, and it means I can invest more in you.

It’s nice to be seen as person.

It’s nice to be able to make mistakes and learn from them without invoking the fury of the whole world.

It’s okay to be a small creator. Appreciate the time when you’re small and obscure, because that’s when you can let yourself make mistakes and learn from them. I’ve messed up so many times: with Mailchimp, with slugs, with graphics and typos.

Let yourself grow from your mistakes, and you will soon be able to spread your wings and fly.

Chat with me

All right =)

Those are my current thoughts on progress and why it’s okay not to get worried over not seeing growth in numbers.

Tell me, what are your thoughts on progress? The numbers and comparison game?

Let me know in the comments below!

Make your mark,