Why I Decided to Create a Lifestyle Blog

(Last Updated On: October 30, 2021)

Why did I decide to create a lifestyle / midlife blog for women in their 60’s?

I’ve never been a person who religiously followed someone’s blog. It just wasn’t my thing. I’d seen some blogs that were quite impressive…so much information, lovely photos, hundreds of thousands of followers… yeah, that’s nice.

So I surprised myself by making the decision to start blogging about my life as a 60 something woman. A lifestyle blog is like an online diary of a person’s life, and although the blogger can select what topics they choose to talk about, there is still an element of privacy exposed for them. If you want to get specific, I am a midlife blogger.

If you know me, you’ll agree that I’m a private person by nature. I don’t readily share the details of my life with very many people. So to put myself out there for the world to see, read about and evaluate…well, that’s definitely outside of my comfort zone.

Social media is an integral part of the blogging process, which is another new venture for me. Sure, I have a Facebook page, use Pinterest and Instagram. But all of them have been mainly for business purposes, for my home staging/decorating business. You won’t see much about me personally.

But all that is changing with InspireMyStyle.com. I’m quickly learning to think about my daily actions and activities as opportunities to blog and share with readers, and that includes photos….a real stretch for me for sure. But it’s part of the midlife blogging experience and so I will make it happen! Case in point is the introductory video 🙂

So here I am, sharing my experiences, thoughts, opinions, feelings, and concerns as a woman over 60, a single, widowed woman over 60 to be specific.

So, back to the WHY I decided to become a midlife blogger and create a lifestyle blog:

1. It’s a new experience for me, and I am always up for learning something new
2. I’ve had some experiences in my life that are worth talking about and sharing with others
3. Life in my 60’s means change…the body just doesn’t do what it used to, or look like it did in the past. I can share what has been helpful to me.
4. I’m learning about and trying new avenues for healthy eating, exercise, skin care, makeup, etc, and can share my experiences, good and not so good, with readers of a similar age.
5. If done right, a blog can become a source of income. That has significance for me, as I ponder my retirement options in the next few years.
6. I’m thinking about my future.
7. There will come a day when my business will be sold and on to the next owner
8. I know that I’ll want something to do, and
9. A source of ongoing income will be helpful, and necessary, to live comfortably

My Blogging Guides and Mentors

As someone who knew pretty much nothing about blogging, I knew that I had to make an investment of time and money to learn everything I could in order to be successful. Blogging, like any other business, takes time, energy, lots of hard work and perseverance. When done properly in a niche that has the opportunity, there is money to be made.

The old saying is very true here…if it were easy, everyone would do it. 

In my research, I found a successful blogger who was offering a course for newbie bloggers. He seemed very sincere in his presentation and is quite successful, so I paid my $200+ and enrolled in the online course.

I will say that it wasn’t too bad, but it didn’t offer me practical, hands-on, step by step instruction on how to properly set up a blog for success. I learned some helpful social media tips, but that was about it. I still felt like I was wandering in the dark with no specific direction on how to blog and make money.

Then I stumbled across (it was a Pinterest post, actually) a Free 5 Day Email Crash Course called Start a Money Making Blog. I thought, why not…it’s free, I have nothing to lose. So I signed up, and felt pretty excited about it.

There was something about the couple offering the course, Pete and Heather Reese, that felt right to me. I had confidence in them, their success and their ‘direct and to the point’ style of communicating. It certainly didn’t hurt that they are extremely financially successful, too.

Once the free email course began I received a daily email from Pete and Heather that was full of helpful information, tips, advice, and how to’s. It all made sense to me.

I made the decision to pursue a blogging business after completing the 5 day course. But I knew that there was a world of education I needed beyond the instruction received in those 4 days.

Fortunately, Pete and Heather Reese, bloggers and owners of the highly successful Its A Lovely Life offer a Fast Track 30 Day Blogging Course that delves much, much deeper into the business of blogging. In fact, if you’re considering investing in the course, they show you the topics covered each and every day. I liked that aspect of this learning opportunity…everything out in the open.

There is an investment required, as you would expect, but I felt that it was appropriate for the return, and so I signed up, and as of this writing, I’ve been blogging for almost 6 months.

How Is My Blogging Adventure Going So Far?

I will say, it’s a LOT of work, and I spend many evenings working on my blog, after working all day in my home staging business. But that’s not uncommon. Many bloggers have other jobs they work at, then come home and spend many more hours on their blogs.

Are we all crazy? Are we gluttons for punishment?

Maybe so. But for me, it is a passion that I have, to share my knowledge, insight, life experience, work skills and more, with the world. It has continued to bloom and grow for 6 months now, with no signs of stopping or waning of interest.

In fact, I recently made the decision to begin the process of phasing out my staging business so I could focus all of my efforts on growing Inspire My Style. That was a HUGE decision for me! And I’m also in the beginning stages of creating my first online course, another first!

I’ve written posts about topics that I’m really familiar and comfortable with, and topics that have taught me quite a bit. From fashion to natural face lifts, the little black dress to the 4th of July, every post is a learning experience.

Am I making money yet after 6 months? That is the question that most would-be bloggers ask. How much money??? Honestly, I’m making a little bit of money at this point. But it is so very early in my blogging career I try not to focus on that.

I’m working on finding my creative voice in the blogging hemisphere, to refine my niche, grow my readership and overall influence. It takes time. Time, patience, determination and passion.

So how about you? Are you curious about blogging? Want to learn more from people who really know what they’re doing and know how to communicate?

It’s totally free and extremely informative. Click on the image below to read more about it and sign up. Wouldn’t hurt to give it a try!

Join Me in My Blogging Adventure

Talking about blogging is one thing...actually doing it, and being successful, is another matter entirely!

Am I up to the challenge?

Does anyone really even care what I think?

Are my experiences, my preferences, my advice…worthwhile?

Can I be successful?

Lots of questions and not many answers yet, but I’m just scratching the surface! And I’m feeling positive and excited about this life adventure.

I am confident that, yes, I DO have something to share, my own unique voice, with life experiences, business knowledge and creative abilities that can help others be confident, stylish, strong women in their 50’s and 60’s.

That is why I decided to create a lifestyle blog and pursue becoming a midlife blogger.

Learn more about my experiences s as a midlife blogger with my 1 year update, Beginners Guide to Blogging!