How I Started Blogging in 2016 and Turned From Hobby to Passion Project

Hey there I am Genitu and Today I am sharing with you my blogging journey before going into blogging tips and guide, and you are welcome to ask more on this topic!

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re either curious about blogging or you’re thinking of starting one yourself. Maybe you’re wondering if blogging still has a place in today’s fast-paced digital world. Spoiler: it absolutely does.

This post is the story of how I started blogging back in 2016 — purely as a hobby — and how it slowly transformed into something more. Something that not only helped me grow as a person but also started to earn me a little income along the way.

Whether you’re here to learn, to start your own blog, or simply to relate to a fellow creator’s journey — I hope you’ll find something helpful, inspiring, or at the very least, honest.

In this post, I’ll share:

If you’re at the beginning of your blogging journey, or even if you’re just thinking about taking that first step, I hope my story helps you see that it’s totally possible to start small and grow at your own pace.

Let’s rewind the clock a bit — all the way back to 2016.

When I first started blogging back in 2016, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing — and honestly, that was part of the fun. There were no big expectations, no pressure to go viral, and certainly no talk of income. It all began with a simple desire to create something online. At the time, blogging felt like this cool intersection between journaling, teaching, and digital exploration. I was curious. I wanted to experiment, to build something that was mine — a little space on the internet where I could write freely and share my thoughts.

In those early days, my blog looked nothing like what you’d call “professional.” I was using a free WordPress theme, had no logo, and didn’t even know what SEO stood for. But it didn’t matter. Every day, I was learning something new — how to format posts, insert images, tweak HTML/CSS, connect pages, and play around with plugins. It was a crash course in web literacy, all wrapped in a fun, creative outlet that I could call my own.

What kept me coming back was the process of learning by doing. I’d spend hours trying to figure out how to change a header font or add a newsletter signup form. It was frustrating at times, but when I figured something out, the feeling of accomplishment was unmatched. Slowly, I started understanding how websites worked, how audiences engaged with content, and how writing online was different from just writing for yourself.

But more than anything, blogging became a way for me to reflect. I wrote about what I was learning, what I was struggling with, and what I was excited about. I didn’t care if no one read it — in fact, for the first several months, barely anyone did. But that didn’t stop me. It felt like I had found a digital journal that wasn’t just for me — it was for anyone who might find value in it one day. That mindset kept me going.

Looking back now, I realize how important that beginner phase was. Blogging as a hobby gave me room to explore without fear. There was no pressure to monetize, no expectations to grow fast. It was pure creative freedom. I genuinely believe that starting with curiosity — rather than profit — gave me a stronger foundation to build on later. It allowed me to fall in love with the process of blogging before thinking about any results.

If you’re just starting out today, I want you to know that it’s completely okay to blog “just because.” Whether you’re writing for fun, self-reflection, or to document your journey — all of it is valuable. In fact, I’d argue that this is the best way to begin: not with a plan to go viral, but with a mindset to learn and grow.

About a year into my blogging journey, something changed. I had spent the previous months deeply immersed in writing posts, tweaking my website, engaging with readers (even if it was just a handful), and consuming everything I could about content creation. I was fully enjoying the ride. But naturally, I began to wonder — could this hobby become something more? Not just creatively, but financially too?

It wasn’t about chasing big money or quitting my job. At that point, the idea was simple: What if I could earn a little pocket money doing something I already love? I wasn’t expecting thousands of dollars, but the possibility of earning even enough to cover my hosting costs or buy a new keyboard felt exciting. It was at this moment that my mindset subtly shifted — I started approaching blogging with more intention.

I began researching how bloggers monetize their content, terms like Google AdSense, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and digital products started entering my vocabulary. My first step was signing up for AdSense. I still remember the feeling of seeing my first few cents in my AdSense dashboard. It’s a pure joy. The first pay I got It wasn’t much, it is 72 Euro. I still remember I bought my first Android Device Asus. but, it felt incredibly validating. I had built something from scratch, put it out into the world, and it had started to give back.

From there, I experimented. joined a few affiliate programs and started recommending products. I wasn’t trying to turn every blog post into a sales pitch, but I saw that there were ethical ways to earn by providing value. I shared tutorials, reviews, and behind-the-scenes content that my readers found useful — and over time, those small streams of income started to add up.

But with that shift came new challenges too. I had to start thinking about content strategy, SEO optimization, and audience engagement. I had to balance creativity with consistency, and authenticity with monetization. Not every experiment worked. I tried things that flopped. Some posts I thought would do great barely got clicks. But that’s part of the game — and I was learning every step of the way.

Most importantly, I never lost sight of why I started blogging in the first place. Yes, the idea of earning was now part of the equation, but it never replaced the core purpose: sharing what I know, learning through the process, and connecting with others on a similar path.

This was the moment blogging became more than a hobby — it became a tool for growth. Personal growth, digital skills, and yes, even a modest side income. It wasn’t a sprint — it was (and still is) a marathon. But it was in that slow, steady transition that I found my rhythm.

If you’re someone who’s thinking about turning your blog into something more than just a personal project, let me say this: it’s absolutely possible. But start with intention. Think long-term. Focus on value. And most of all, don’t lose your voice chasing trends. Readers can feel when you’re being real, and that authenticity is what will carry you forward.

Looking back over the years, I can confidently say that blogging has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life — and not just because of the income. It’s taught me how to communicate, create, stay consistent, pivot, and grow. But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Every success came with a lesson, and every failure taught me something that made me better.

Here are the most important lessons I’ve learned from over eight years of being in the blogging world — the real stuff I wish someone had told me when I first started.

---

In the beginning, I obsessed over making every post “perfect.” I’d spend days editing a single piece, constantly tweaking headlines, fonts, images, and even paragraph spacing. But over time, I learned that publishing consistently matters more than perfecting every pixel.

Your content doesn’t need to be flawless to be helpful or valuable. What matters most is that you show up, that you keep creating, and that you keep learning through action. Each blog post is a stepping stone — you get better by doing, not by waiting until everything is “just right.”

---

It’s tempting to look at income reports or viral blog success stories and think that blogging is a fast track to passive income. The reality? It takes time. A lot of time. And a lot of trial and error.

In my case, it took months to get regular readers and even longer before I saw any meaningful income. Blogging requires patience and persistence. You build trust one post at a time. Think of it as planting seeds — you won’t see results right away, but if you keep nurturing it, the growth will come.

---

In a sea of content, the one thing that truly sets your blog apart is you — your voice, your perspective, your way of explaining things. When I first started, I tried to sound “professional” or like the big-name bloggers I admired. But the more I wrote, the more I realized that authenticity resonates far more than perfection.

The moment I started writing like me — speaking from my real experiences, sharing my wins and mistakes openly — my content began to connect on a deeper level. Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your writing. That’s how you build trust and loyalty.

I didn’t care much about SEO in my early blogging days, and honestly, I wish I had. Learning basic search engine optimization — how to structure posts, use keywords naturally, optimize titles and meta descriptions — made a huge difference once I started to take it seriously.

SEO isn’t about “gaming the system.” It’s about helping your content reach the people who are actively searching for it. It’s about understanding what your audience is looking for and creating content that genuinely helps. If you’re serious about growing your blog in the long term, SEO is not optional — it’s essential.

---

Some of my best, most heartfelt posts didn’t get much attention. Meanwhile, other posts I almost didn’t publish ended up getting thousands of views. The truth is, you never really know what will resonate — and that’s part of the beauty of blogging.

Success in blogging isn’t about going viral. It’s about being consistent, being helpful, and building a body of work that reflects your voice and values. Don’t chase trends or feel discouraged if your traffic is slow at first. Keep showing up. Your blog doesn’t need to be famous to be impactful.

---

These lessons weren’t learned overnight. They came from years of writing, experimenting, failing, adjusting, and continuing anyway. And the best part? I’m still learning. That’s the magic of blogging — it keeps evolving, and so do you.

Fast forward to 2025, blogging is still very much a part of my life, but it looks quite different from when I first started. What began as a casual hobby on weekends has grown into a structured, intentional part of my weekly routine. I don’t write just for the sake of publishing anymore — I write with purpose, but also with a much deeper understanding of how to balance creativity, strategy, and sustainability.

These days, I treat blogging more like a system. I have a content calendar (even if it’s a bit flexible), I outline posts before writing, and I repurpose content across platforms like email newsletters or social media. Tools like Notion for planning, WordPress for publishing, SEMrush for Keyword Research and Yoast for SEO have become part of my workflow. I no longer have to figure out every tiny detail from scratch and that frees up more time for actual writing and value creation.

But I’m not chasing volume. I’m focused on quality over quantity. I’d rather publish one really helpful, well-researched, and personal blog post than pump out five forgettable ones. I’ve also learned to embrace content repurposing — updating older posts, creating spin-off topics, or turning series into mini-guides. These strategies not only keep my blog fresh but also help drive consistent traffic over time.

As for monetization? It’s still there and it’s evolved too. I no longer rely solely on AdSense or affiliate links. I’ve experimented with offering digital products, consulting services, and even small niche collaborations. But I keep my blog rooted in honesty. If I promote something, it’s because I’ve used it and genuinely believe in it. That trust is worth more than a quick commission.

Another thing that’s changed is my mindset. In the early days, I was always asking, “Will this post do well?” Now I ask, “Will this post be useful? Will it matter to even one reader?” I don’t stress over pageviews the way I used to. Blogging is still a part of my income, yes but it’s also something I deeply enjoy. It’s where I process ideas, share experiences, and hopefully make someone else’s journey a little easier.

So no, I’m not a blogging millionaire. I don’t own a fancy studio or a team of editors. But I do have something real: a platform I’ve built with time, care, and purpose. And to me, that’s more than enough.

After years of running and maintaining blogs across different niches, writing hundreds of posts, and experiencing both the highs and lows of content creation you might wonder: Why start over? Why build something new in 2025?

The short answer? Because I love the process and I believe there’s always room for a fresh start, no matter how experienced you are.

This new blog represents something different for me. It’s not about recreating what I did before it’s about documenting everything I’ve learned, building with more intention from day one, and creating a space that helps others (especially beginners) start their own blogging journey with more clarity, confidence, and less overwhelm.

Over the years, I’ve seen how confusing it can be to start a blog in today’s internet landscape. There’s a lot of noise. Everyone’s selling something, promising shortcuts, or preaching formulas that don’t always apply to real humans with full-time jobs, families, or limited time. I wanted to build a blog that cuts through all that one that’s rooted in experience, honesty, and practicality.

I’m not starting this blog to flex numbers or chase viral traffic. I’m starting it to teach, share, and simplify. To bring everything I’ve learned the tools, the mindset shifts, the monetization strategies, the mistakes into one place. And most importantly, to show that blogging in 2025 is still very much alive and full of opportunity.

The internet is always evolving, and so is blogging. Social media might dominate attention, but blogs remain one of the few platforms where you fully own your content, your voice, and your audience. That’s powerful and it’s worth investing in.

This time around, I’m building slower, smarter, and with more structure. I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes content, beginner-friendly tutorials, growth experiments, and real-time reflections on how this new project unfolds. My goal isn’t just to grow this blog it’s to help you grow yours, too.

So whether you’re a complete beginner thinking, “Maybe I should start a blog,” or someone returning to the game after a long pause consider this space your starting line. Let’s build together, one post at a time.

If you’ve made it this far into the post, thank you seriously. That tells me something important: you’re curious. You’re interested in blogging, or at least in what it could mean for you. And if that’s the case, let me just say this: you don’t need everything figured out to begin.

I know starting a blog can feel overwhelming. There are platforms to choose, niches to pick, plugins to install, strategies to follow. There’s SEO, monetization, branding, social media the list never ends. But let me tell you something I’ve learned, and something I live by:

Don’t wait until you feel “ready.” You’ll never feel 100% prepared. I wasn’t ready back in 2016 when I launched my first blog. I just started with what I had, where I was, and with a mindset to figure things out along the way. And that made all the difference.

If you’re worried that the internet is too crowded or that it’s “too late” to start blogging let me reassure you: it’s not. The beauty of the internet is that your voice has never been heard before. No one has your exact story, your unique mix of interests, your perspective. That’s your power. That’s what makes your blog worth creating.

Whether your blog becomes a digital diary, a creative project, or a future side hustle it’s your space. And trust me, once you get started, you’ll realize how many opportunities open up simply because you decided to show up.

So, here’s your permission slip. Start messy. Start curious. Start with zero readers and one post. That’s how all of us begin.

---

---

Blogging has been part of my life for nearly a decade now and even after all these years, I’m still excited by the blank page. It’s still rewarding. Still challenging. Still worth it.

From the first post I ever published back in 2016 to launching this brand-new blog in 2025, the journey has been anything but linear. But that’s what makes it real. I’ve blogged for fun, for self-growth, for income, and now once again for the purpose of helping others start their own journey with more clarity and confidence.

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this post, it’s this: you don’t need to have all the answers to start blogging. You just need a reason even a small one and the courage to begin.

This blog will grow with you. I’ll be sharing the tools, tips, and strategies that have worked for me over the years, along with the mistakes I’ve made (and what I learned from them). Whether you’re here to start a passion project, improve your writing, build an online presence, or eventually create a source of income — you’re in the right place.

So what’s next?

If you’ve been thinking about starting a blog, now is the time. Not tomorrow, not when you have a “perfect idea,” not after you finish another course. Start now, with what you know, and grow as you go.

💬 Let’s Chat

Have you ever thought about starting a blog?
Are you currently on your own blogging journey?
What’s been holding you back or what’s been your biggest win so far?

Drop a comment below. Let’s turn this into a two-way conversation because the best part about blogging isn’t just writing posts… it’s connecting with people like you.

And if you want to follow along as I build this blog from the ground up again, feel free to subscribe or bookmark this page. I’ve got a lot more coming your way and I’d love to have you along for the ride.

Thanks for reading, thanks for being here and here’s to the start of something new. 🚀