Name Catherine
Age 17
Location West of Ireland
Blog URL Breathing Silver Linings
What is your blog about?
My blog is a little bit of everything! Mainly lifestyle posts. Through growing up with a physical disability and having had a lot of spinal surgeries – I hope to shed light on things I care about; and generally living a very “alternative” life. My blog is an extension of me and how I think. So if you really want to get to know me, having a read will tell you a lot!
Is this your first blog?
Yes and no. I had a blog a year or two ago. I only stuck at it for a few months. It was a silly time to make one at that time because I was in the middle of studying for exams! I wasn’t happy with the name and the general vibe of that blog. So I deleted it and started this one – and haven’t looked back!
When did you start your current blog?
In July of this year.
What made you do it?
I was on the fence about it for quite some time. I read other blogs for ages before I finally took the plunge with my own. The whole blogging world seemed so exciting to me. I wanted a platform where I could write freely, as it’s something I’m quite passionate about – so I thought starting a blog was the perfect outlet.
What was your first blog post about?
It was basically just an introduction of who I was and what I was about, short and sweet.
What do you think is the most useful tool to you as a blogger?
Twitter and Bloglovin’ I reckon. I love participating in twitter chats! It’s great to network and get to know other bloggers.
Do people in your real life know about your blog? If yes, has your blog helped you career wise?
Yes. I’m still a student, so I can’t quite tell. hopefully it will though!
What has been the one thing (blog post, project, etc) that you have been really proud of?
I wrote a piece called “The Walk to Now” a couple of months ago for a writer’s workshop I went to. It was a light-hearted piece to illustrate my approach to living with my disability. It got a really good reception the night I read it out to our reading night, so I decided to pop it on the blog. I got great feedback from it, and I’m rather proud of it.
Where do you see your blog in a year?
I don’t like to get ahead of myself. But I hope it’s still around and people remain interested in reading it and hopefully moving on to bigger and brighter things.
What do you wish you knew when starting your blog?
I wish I knew that it wasn’t going to be as scary as I was making it out to be! I was petrified of people I knew in real life finding out about it. When really, it’s something I should be proud of. I have nothing to hide.
What do you wish you know more about now?
Web design and graphics, for sure! I’m working on it though, bear with me.
How do you keep motivated to post?
I read other blogs almost everyday. I keep my eyes and ears open to the happenings going on around me. I look at what I’m interested in and certain things in my own life. And somehow, through all that, I try to put something together that’s suitable to the blog. Interactions from others always helps, also.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’ve never regretted setting up my blog. If anything, I believe it’s brought about my confidence in leaps and bounds. I’m more determined to strive for what I want to achieve in life, and I’m excited about the journey ahead.
