Recipe for a Refreshingly Unconventional Blog
Several years ago, I decided to start a blog. I called it The Kitchen Sink Creative. Long story short, it didn’t last.
Now, with the gift of hindsight, it’s easy for me to see what went wrong—I lacked a niche, a voice, a goal. I never took a moment to ask myself, “How can I tell my own story in a way that entices and resonates with other people?” And, while diving headfirst into a new endeavor can at times be an admirable approach, this wasn’t one of those times. I made two, maybe three blog posts before letting the whole thing fall by the wayside.
One thing my first blog didn’t lack, however, was passion. I thrive on meaningful, human connection, which was the primary force driving my desire to start a blog. Even after my first foray into the blogging world ended, the desire to use an online platform to reach an audience in a purposeful way remained.
That same community orientation led to the founding of Kitchen Sink Cookie Co. in 2022, which has provided an incredible opportunity to connect with people through my love of baking. Yet the desire to share more of my deeper self—my experiences, my mistakes, the lessons I’ve learned, my thoughts and ramblings on the human condition—remained.
Which brings me to the here and now. Once again I find myself venturing into the blogosphere, this time feeling well-equipped with everything I lacked in my first attempt—a niche, a voice, and a goal. “What is your goal?” I hear you inquire. I’m glad you asked. My aim is to share “crumbs of wisdom” with both customers and non-customers of Kitchen Sink Cookie Co. Some of the content might be baking-related; most of it won’t be; all of it will be a reflection of me as I strive to be my fullest, most authentic self.
Ingredients:
1 heaping tablespoon of relaxed ambiance
A dash of excitement
1 cup of skepticism (don’t worry, it’s normal!)
1 pinch of uncertainty (for flavor, but not too much)
2 cups of joy
1 creative blog name
A generous dollop of fun
Unlimited imagination
A generous dusting of adventure
Instructions:
1. Preheat your mind
Let me set the scene: Here I sit, iced coffee in hand, instrumental jazz worming through my ears, trying to write a blog post about starting a blog, when my old frenemies, Overthinking and Indecisiveness, saunter over. I offer them a seat, skip the small talk, and cut right to the chase—What is my goal in starting a blog? What do I want it to look like? Will anyone read it?
2. Combine emotions
As I ponder my responses to their questions, a range of emotions parades around my head—excitement at the prospect of sharing my thoughts and life experiences with others; skepticism at how I will achieve my goal; uncertainty as to what I’m doing; but, mostly, joy at the opportunity to create a sense of community. Rather than picking and choosing from this assortment—and thereby running the risk of ruining the dish—I decide to toss them all into my metaphorical mixing bowl, thereby ensuring a delicate balance of enthusiasm and authenticity.
3. Throw convention to the wind as you begin bringing your blog to life
As anyone who’s started a blog knows, choosing the name is a critical step in turning your vision into reality; it’s like the signature seasoning that sets your blog apart. I’ve decided to call my blog Crumbs of Wisdom (my boyfriend’s suggestion), and though I’m still not entirely sure how I will tie this blog to the bakery side of Kitchen Sink Cookie Co., I’m also trying not to get too hung up on following convention or the expectations of others. I’ve realized that the only limits on what I can do with Kitchen Sink Cookie Co. are those I set for myself. If I strive to avoid setting such limits, I can grow my business into something that more fully represents who I am and what I desire to share with the world. After all, the impetus for starting my bakery was to share the joy I find in baking, to have full control over my business, to make it what I wanted, but most importantly, to have fun.
4. Generously stir in fun
For me, baking is like life—convivial, messy, sometimes frustrating, and always best enjoyed in community. That same nature forms the basis of this blog. Fun is the essence of both my blog and my business, and it is my hope that it will help me connect with my customers and readers on a deeper level.
5. Bake until community forms
The key to a successful and fulfilling blogging experience is patience. Like baking, you must allow time for a community to form around it. I have already seen the ways that my cookies can bring people together, and I hope that I am able to achieve the same goal with my blog.
6. Sprinkle with adventure
Finally, serve your blog with a smile and a sense of adventure. Remember, the journey of blogging is as much about the process as it is about the final product. Embrace the journey.
I hope that these Crumbs of Wisdom will prove helpful, insightful, or at least make you chuckle. And thanks for joining me on my blogging adventure.