Iβm really excited to write this post today because today is the 1-year anniversary of creating this blog! I knew I wanted to start a nutrition blog after I passed my RD exam last January. I love reading blogs and I love writing, so I thought it would be a fun hobby for me. My readership has grown a lot more than I thought it would in the first year so I just want to say thank you for stopping by, hanging out with me, and letting me share a little part of my life with you!
When I first went back to school to finish what I needed to do to become an RD, I felt really burned out and wondered if I could handle taking *more* classes and working full-time. I was so close to canning the entire idea and then I came across this post from Kath Eats Real Food about how she went back to school to become an RD. I had no idea who she was but her post was a reminder that everyone has their own journey to reaching their goals, and it really motivated me to stick with it.
If at any point in the past year someone has stumbled across one of my posts and been motivated, learned something new or could just relate to what I had written, then all of the heart I have put into posting has been worth it.
A Look Back
I thought it would be fun to share some highlights from the past year, so here we go!
Top 5 Posts with the most page views:
- Erin Condren Life Planner Review
- My Tonsillectomy Experience and Advice
- Bulk Food Prep: Slow Cooker Chicken
- Tips for Passing the RD Exam
- A Day in the Life of a Registered Dietitian
Favorite blog post: Hands down, my favorite post would have to be the one about deciding to leave my job working in school nutrition to start a new career in clinical dietetics. I had worked so hard to get to that point and it felt great to start that next chapter in my life.
Blog post that I wish I could re-do: It really pains me to say this because it was my first real nutrition post, but it would have to be What to Look for on a Nutrition Label. If I could go back, I probably would have split this info into several different posts⦠and taken better pictures!
Oddest moment of blogging: I use google analytics to keep an eye on all of the searches done within my blog, and it is always surprising how many times people search for my ethnicity. One night, someone tried searching for it 30 different ways! My dad was Palestinian and thatβs where I get my dark featuresβ¦. mystery solved 
Most heartwarming part of blogging this year: The support I get from internet friends! I always want my blog to be a positive place, and I definitely get that same vibe from you guys. Some of the comments I have gotten on posts where I share my struggles (like with my knee injury) have put a smile on my face. Thank you!
Hardest part of blogging: Creating quality content. As much as I would love to think people stop by here to catch up on my bike obsessions or look at pictures of my dogs, I have seen that the posts that I spend a lot of time on and really do research for get the greatest response.
Most unexpected thing from starting this blog: All of the future RD readers! I was not expecting to be contacted by so many RD students asking for advice about becoming an RD, the dietetic internship and passing the RD exam. I really love communicating with RD students and this has been a fun part of having this blog.
Goals for 2015
#1- Work on photography skills
#2- Improve content (even if that means posting less)
#3- Continue to connect with other bloggers
#4- *Hopefully* grow my readership enough so that I can get a free press pass to FNCE in October.
#5- Update my blog theme and layout
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Iβm working on a survey that I hope to post next week asking for your feedback about what you would like to see here in year #2. I love sharing bits and pieces of my life, but I also want to write posts that you guys find interesting. If you could help me out by giving me your feedback then I would greatly appreciate it!
Again, I just want to say how much I have enjoyed creating this little space on the internet. Thanks for reading!!
Love, Sam <3
That’s so interesting to see which posts got the most views! Were you surprised by which ones seemed to be the most popular?
Oh, and HAPPY BLOG-A-VERSARY!!!
Thanks :)
The Erin Condren planner one was definitely surprising. I wrote the review because I loved the planner so much. I didn’t realize at the time how many people google her products. The slow cooker chicken one gets pinned a lot on pinterest so I expected that one to be up there.
Happy anniversary!!! :)
Thanks, Hannah!
Happy Blog-A-Versary, Sam!!!
Goal achieved! I look forward to reading your up-beat posts and I always learn something new! Thanks for taking the time to take us on your journey from school nutrition to clinical dietetics! My favorite posts are always about your dietetic adventures (I liked the picture of you developing a new TPN solution. SO COOL), but I love ’em all! Keep blogging about it all! You never know who has similar interests :)
P.S. Hope your knee is healing right along.
Thanks so much, Stacey! Watching a TPN being made was definitely cool… I love new experiences like that :)
Congrats on year one!
How crazy that someone tried to search for your ethnicity THIRTY different ways! That’s a little bit scary, haha!
Yeah, I was a little creeped out :)
YAY Congrats on year 1!! :)
Thanks, Lora!
Happy 1 year!
Thank you, Jen!
Happy one year blog-a-versary!! I wasn’t nearly as organized or attentive to my blog during that first year as you are, so I think you are coming along really well! I personally loved your Erin Condren post because I have heard so much about her planners and I LOVE having a schedule book to write it and organize my life. :) Although they are pricey, it’s well worth it!
I loooove my Erin Condren planner! I use it everyday! I definitely agree that it is worth the price tag.
Happy bloganniversary. Here is to many more years.
I am new to your blog, but I look forward to coming back :)
Thanks for stopping by!