Last month, we asked you to reflect: How has 2019 unfolded? Have I met my blogging goals? Are we on track to meet our business goals? We wanted to know what your site has helped you achieve this year. Over the past several weeks, we’ve received thoughtful responses here on Discover and across our social channels — here are highlights.
Finding one’s place in the world
Thanks WordPress, for giving me a platform to stand on.
It has allowed me to develop many friendships from around the world thus greatly enriching my life. I’m totally blind and live alone with just myself, my now aged retired guide dog, and a half-wild cat who comes to eat, get petted, then leave to traverse the world in the way only a tomcat can do, and I would be lost without the WordPress community and the work I do.
Thanks to WordPress I’ve overcome trials and celebrated triumphs. Faced fears and educated myself. By reading the blogs of others I’ve traveled to places and experienced things I would’ve never done otherwise.
WordPress is a door into the wonderful world and each time I log on I am given the pleasure of walking through.
Patty Fletcher, Campbell’s World
It has evolved into a hobby, which gives me a platform to express myself, a little corner for myself, in this big wide world.
Ushasita, Le coin des Bobby
Connecting with others
An aspiring novelist and short story writer, I started blogging thinking it’d grow my “platform” and maybe help me hone my essayist’s voice. What I didn’t expect was to gain a community of friends that spans the globe, true friends who don’t care about my brand, or even the words I put down on the page, so much as they care about me. “Literary citizenship” is a term that gets thrown around a lot. Rather than talk about it, I do it and love it — on my WordPress blog.
Rebecca Moon Ruark, Rust Belt Girl
This year my three WordPress partners Patti, Amy, Ann-Christine, and I shared responsibility for our weekly Lens-Artists Photography Challenge. We learned how difficult it is to manage a popular challenge that requires planning post subjects far in advance, responding to a large number of followers, recognizing interesting or unique posts, and delivering challenges on time each week. More importantly we formed a bond of friendship that crosses national boundaries, accommodates travel schedules, and relies on a shared commitment to delivering a quality product. We very much enjoy seeing how our followers respond to the challenges and are always amazed by their creativity. None of it would have been possible without WordPress, which worked beautifully for our teamed approach.
Tina Schell, Travels and Trifles
Only started my blog this week but I’m grateful I did. WordPress has given me a platform to respond to the most common questions I get from my clients as a personal trainer. This way I can answer them as simply as possible, and I don’t have to respond to each one individually saving me time. More importantly however, this way I can teach them the tools they need to make health and fitness a lifestyle rather than a short-term investment.
Getting inspired and staying motivated
I began traveling the moment I retired as a NYC special needs high school teacher in March 2017. Soon after, I created a WordPress blog to keep friends and family up to date on my whereabouts through a steady diet of words and images.
Surprisingly, I attracted a global following that fueled my desire to sharpen my writing and rekindle my passion as a photographer. I recently passed 2,000 WordPress followers who have challenged me to keep my content fresh and personal, and driven me to reaffirm my commitment to continue self-expression long after the last landscape has been posted.
Neal Lubetsky, Streaming Thru America
In the past few months since re-invigorating my blog, I feel like I’ve made a profound transition into someone who can call herself a writer without experiencing imposter syndrome.
Marsha, Marsha Ess
WordPress gave me an easy, unintimidating way to start my blog. I have long been thinking about doing so, but didn’t know where to start. A quick internet search for a platform and I was on my way! Hoping to touch hearts and really make people think through sharing my experiences.
Having a site here on WordPress has given me a place to focus on consistency. More than just writing here every day, I am also consistently expressing my creativity. You wouldn’t believe how much more confident I have become with my writing now that I write every day. It is a beautiful thing.
Star Khalifah, Easy Light Sources
I started blogging again to empty out the nonsense in my head. Sometimes sounding things out on a blank page can be really helpful. WordPress has helped me start to make changes to my life.
Started my blog this year and set a goal of writing at least 50 entries for my first year. Mission accomplished! For the longest time, writing to me was a difficult approach, it was like a well-kept secret that made me feel so vulnerable and shy but at the same time potentially empowered. I finally decided to drop the “potentially” part of it and now I truly believe that I am part of this group of current voices that make a point every day. Never did I experience that what I had to say about some topic could make me feel so free as soon as I pressed that polarizing “publish” button.
This year, my blog saved my sanity.
Ana Daksina, Timeless Classics
Some responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Ready to do more with WordPress.com in 2020? Add more personality to your site with a paid plan.
I connect with almost everyone who pen down their thoughts in here. It was very inspiring for me considering that am still new here but I trying to find my way around. Your words have been an eye-opener. Thanks
LikeLiked by 23 people
Looking forward to new adventures in 2020, and showcasing my experiences in my 4th year as a WordPress blogger.
LikeLiked by 23 people
Great, congrats on your way to 4th year in WordPress. I’m just starting my life as a Blogger.
LikeLiked by 8 people
Thanks and Good Luck! It is what you make it.
LikeLiked by 10 people
Reblogged this on Rust Belt Girl and commented:
I can’t think of a better way to wrap up the year than this compilation of blogging successes from WordPress. Among them is my take, which I hope captures my sincere appreciation for this blogging community. Thank you for connecting with me and my blog in 2019! See you in 2020, friends. ~Rebecca
LikeLiked by 20 people
Wish you have a great success in 2020. Cheers.
LikeLiked by 8 people
Many thanks! You, too!
LikeLiked by 7 people
What I like about WordPress has already been so well expressed it is a Community of Friends. No backbiting. Just friendship.. Thanks to all who inspire and support!
LikeLiked by 20 people
So true! I never thought about that before, but it’s one of the more supportive online communities I’ve experienced.
LikeLiked by 16 people
Because of WordPress community, I’m inspired to build my own blog. Wish us luck and a great success in 2020.
LikeLiked by 10 people
I do. Please persevere in what you begin and have patience whilst trying to find your feet.
LikeLiked by 9 people
I continue to be grateful for wordpress.com platform. For myself over the years, it’s been a great way to unleash and channel my storytelling on what I think, have seen and have created. WordPress.com probably helped decompress alot of folks who otherwise would have bottled up emotions and swirling thoughts.
LikeLiked by 21 people
I was looking for website to compare with my Channel and I thanks for WordPress.com because WordPress.com gave me the things like and I was looking for it
LikeLiked by 13 people
As a part time blogger… my 10th year? Hmmmm WordPress has helped me to stand up several new sites and made it much easier with the new editor tools. My home blog is now getting more traffic due to quality hosting at WordPress too. I work with very high end CMS solutions and at the end of the day, WordPress enables me to do just as much if not more – at a faster pace.
LikeLiked by 15 people
10 years :O You really are a veteran in WordPress. I should learn some tips and tricks from you. Have a great day mate.
LikeLiked by 8 people
WordPress.com is the best
LikeLiked by 13 people
I am a Closeted Gay African Muslim writer and WordPress has helped me share my story and my traumatic experiences in life. Hopefully this blog lets other queer folks especially queer Muslims know that they aren’t alone.
LikeLiked by 7 people
So amazing to read others’ stories about how WordPress have supported their goals this year. Looking forward to even greater successes in 2020!
LikeLiked by 12 people
I’ve come across some awesome blogs here in my 2nd year of blogging. This year WordPress helped me with consistency in blogging, creativity, finding my voice (whether people read my blogs or not) and also understanding the mechanics of my blog. Because of my blog, I’ve helped people start their blogging journey as well. It’s also ignited a desire for me to go to WordCamp 2020 next year in Miami
LikeLiked by 16 people
Ooohhhhh I lovvvvveeee thisssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKYOU
LikeLiked by 8 people
Met more bloggers
LikeLiked by 8 people
You are right
LikeLiked by 8 people
I just started and I think WordPress will help me greatly in 2020. Wish me luck and hello for all bloggers.
LikeLiked by 13 people
Wishing you good luck
LikeLiked by 9 people
4 years, only 42 posts. Not much to say from me, but WordPress has allowed my words to be read by people in 94 countries, and viewed just over 6,000 times.
WP gave me a place to write down my “old man stories”; many that resonate with people in my hometown of Pittsburgh. To know that people enjoy a few of my tales gives me great joy as someone who wished he could become a writer.
LikeLiked by 10 people
https://goletsroamtheworld.wordpress.com/
My 6th blog which I recently made . WordPress is really helping me . I don’t have any followers but yeah I loved wordpress
LikeLiked by 7 people
I think it has improved my writing quite a bit. I’ve just started blogging some time ago and i already feel motivated to achieve much more. The only thing i’m missing is a proper mentor who could guide me achieve my goals faster. Merry Christmas to you Reader!!!
LikeLiked by 6 people
It has helped me put my traumatic experiences into writing which will probably also help the other people who are going through something similar.
LikeLiked by 6 people
I started Word Press shortly ago. At 12 years old, I’m hoping to be an NFL Analyst. I’ve posted a Mock Draft I worked so hard on so far. Please follow and like. It would really help me accomplish my dream!
LikeLiked by 9 people
It helped me launch my two dark fiction novels. -Michael
LikeLiked by 6 people
Just new to WordPress
LikeLiked by 7 people
I am grateful for the wordpress platform. I’ve always wanted to start a blog but I didn’t have motivation, so after I found this community I felt like this is my way to success.
LikeLiked by 7 people
WordPress is a platform which welcomes people from every corner of the world. For me since I started almost 4 years ago I have connected to so many of fellow Bloggers. Best is the selfless love and appreciation for each others work. I Genuinely than the Wordpeess team for their support 🙏🏻💕🙏🏻
LikeLiked by 9 people
Make sense
LikeLiked by 7 people
It helped me showcase my two novels to the world. -Michael
LikeLiked by 8 people
It’s amazing to be with WordPress and a great experience to expose yourself, your work and a lot more. Thanks to WordPress for platforming great things to do and express to the world.
LikeLiked by 7 people
Thank you for the opportunities! WordPress is a surprisingly exciting and supportive platform, both tech-wise and human-wise. Such a gathering of interesting texts and people; such abundance of capacities for one’s own voice! Unravelling my own creativity in a more persistent way, I deeply appreciate all the inspiration and support I find here. Let your own creativity blossom freely and enjoy worthy feedback dear WordPressers!
LikeLiked by 8 people
2020 will be full of deep thoughts
LikeLiked by 9 people
In the last days of 2019, I started this for a better hope and better Tomorrow.. Hope this Little bit of step makes a big difference in upcoming years..
Anyways wish you everyone a very warming Happy New Year
LikeLiked by 8 people
I have just started recently and reading the achievement stories was just amazing. Thank you, WordPress.
LikeLiked by 6 people
WordPress has honestly helped me become confident in my writing and has helped me find my voice, my niche. I tried other apps but I just kept giving up on them and coming back here.
-Z. Artegrande.wordpress.com
LikeLiked by 6 people
I have had my WordPress account for a little over a month now and I am already in love. I’ve had such a passion for writing for so long and now I can share it with the world. I made my first post today about life lessons and the new year. I’m beyond excited to continue with WordPress! Thank you!!
LikeLiked by 8 people
What a great question! I have yet to experience a sense of community on WordPress but that may be due to my lack of Seo knowledge (one of my aims for 2020) and the fact that I haven’t found my niche yet. This is my first year since i made my blog public in January 2019, but I technically started blogging at the end of 2017. I am optimistic 🙂
WordPress has allowed me to build a platform where I can display various projects. It motivates me to finish what I start, even if it may take a while. It has been very rewarding.
http://www.offthedrawingboard.com
LikeLiked by 6 people
I am grateful for wordpress for enjoying my hobby of reading and sharing same hobby with my fellow book bloggers.
LikeLiked by 9 people
I started writing on the advice of friends and doctors after a bad year with the deterioration of my health, in which I had made things harder by trying to deal with it in silence.
Two months in and little did I know that not only would it be such an amazing outlet for me personally but that I would have so many people interested in my story, followers, new friends, a support network and a new hobby that has genuinely sparked enthusiasm and enabled me to be excited about the future again.
Blogging has done so much more for me than simply giving me a platform to write, in such a short space of time. I look forward to 2020 now.
LikeLiked by 8 people
WordPress helped me feel confident launching a blog, because of their support, information, and options. I never thought I’d be committed enough to blog regularly, but they make it so easy it’s hard not to. They recently pushed me toward making use of my pinterest account. I never would have thought about it, if they hadn’t raised it as an option. My goal is to blog for a year and see how I do. If it goes well, I’ll upgrade to a paid account. But for now, even doing it for fun–well, it’s just fun. 🙂
LikeLiked by 6 people
Just started a new blog and I need followers, for comments on my work. It’s full of poetry and short stories. Follow me and I’ll follow back.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Amazing!
LikeLiked by 8 people
Just entering the new year and looking for more excitement next year check out my blog
Studyonestop.com
LikeLiked by 7 people
Amazing experience to create and be led; we lay down for always.
LikeLiked by 7 people
WordPress helped me to overcome my fear of failure… Now I am an unbeatable beast
LikeLiked by 9 people
Just started with it… Not sure for what’s there in box for me… But yes I did interact with people… Im continuing it with a hope to garnish my poetic abilities with an experience of sharing it on this platform which will improvise my talent on international basis.
LikeLiked by 8 people
Hey! WordPress has helped me achieve a lot of new things for myself this past year.
Although I haven’t posted much, this platform is something I can always come back to.
I’m thinking of promoting my site to a startup to make it a business.
I’ve started writing again, and don’t plan on stopping.
If you’re interested, please check my blog out! Thanks
https://gogoaf.wordpress.com/2019/12/29/me-and-the-boys/
LikeLiked by 8 people
This site has really helped me express my thoughts as I find it awkward to share it with someone I actually know in real life. Connecting with others, reading their thoughts and experiences really motivated me to do the same.
LikeLiked by 9 people
It is great to read about how wordpress has impacted so many lives. Well done, WordPress.
LikeLiked by 8 people
Well spoken.
LikeLiked by 7 people
Well written. Very informative. Good to read.
LikeLiked by 7 people