I did it — I quit my job, with my last scheduled shift on 12/31. I hadn’t planned that date to be my final shift, but it felt symbolic, like a sign that I should enter the new year free of it. The last few months at that job were difficult and full of hints that I needed a change. So here I am, doing things differently. Stay tuned for a deeper post about the decision to quit.
I hope this post gives you insight and motivation if you’re new to blogging. If you’re thinking of starting your own site, check out my guide on how to start a blog — it’s practical and beginner-friendly. If you’re worried about being a small fish in a big blogging pond, don’t be: there’s room for everyone who is persistent and passionate. The opportunity is there if you want it.
Here are a few highlights and lessons from my first month as a self-employed, full-time blogger:
I reached my second month with over 150,000 pageviews and, for the first time, surpassed 200,000 pageviews — ending January with 230,000. It’s surreal to think that less than a year ago I had virtually zero traffic.
That number may be modest compared to some, but I’m not interested in comparing myself to others. For me, it’s huge. I’m proud, humbled, and grateful that readers find value in the content I’ve put effort into and keep coming back. After months of feeling like I was shouting into the void, seeing people engage and return means everything. Those pageviews also create opportunities to work with brands I respect, which helps me continue delivering great content for you — something I don’t take for granted.
Financially, my blog earned more than twice what I would have made this month working exhausting overnight shifts. I can’t explain how joyful it is to work normal hours, on my terms, without constantly juggling bills on credit cards. I’m not claiming to be living large — just genuinely grateful. Doing work I love that also pays the mortgage and feeds my dogs is a dream, and it fuels my desire to work harder for you (and for my dogs).
It wasn’t all sunshine, though. I’ve been working a lot, and this month taught me a few important things.
This Month’s Takeaways:
I don’t have an off-switch yet. Working from home without a clock to punch makes it easy to treat every minute as an opportunity to be productive. I’ve spent days writing, answering emails, negotiating deadlines, editing photos, planning content, formatting an e-book, and more — from 8 a.m. until midnight. That level of intensity is exciting but unsustainable. I need to create office hours and learn to stop. When I worked full-time, I still put hours into the blog outside my shifts; now that I have the time, I want to dedicate it to the blog — that’s why I left. But balance is necessary, and I’m working on it.
Not having coworkers is strange. I’ve held people-focused jobs since I was 15, most recently at a hospital where I worked with the same team for years. Now my daily interactions are online and with my dogs. Some days I love the independence; other days I miss having coworkers around. My dogs, however, remain adorable company.
Why I’m Sharing Income Reports
After months of struggling with student loans, car payments, and high rent while working grueling 12- and 16-hour shifts, blogging has become a crucial financial relief. My income reports aren’t meant to boast; they’re intended to be transparent and helpful for anyone trying to build a side income or transition to self-employment. Blogging income is often kept quiet, and I’ve benefited from mentors who shared their experience — now I want to pay that forward.
Side note: I wanted to publish income reports in my very first month, when I made $0.27, but a discouraging comment kept me from starting until month seven. I regret not tracking earlier because those records would have been valuable for my own growth. Don’t let one negative comment stop you from following your instincts and documenting your journey.
Huge thank you to everyone reading and supporting my work and health journey — none of this would be possible without you.
Income:
Gourmet Ads = $562.45
Sponsored Posts = $4,173.34
Affiliates = $1,124.55
Total = $5,860.34
Note on timing:
This income includes sponsored work completed in December. Many companies pay on net-30 terms or longer, so payments can lag. Some income is from November posts, and one December-sponsored post won’t pay until March due to contract terms.
I primarily focus on Amazon and Thrive Market for affiliates. Early on I learned that trying to promote everything damages reader trust and creates too much work. Pick a few products you genuinely believe in. Affiliate and ad revenue typically reflect traffic from 60–90 days earlier, so those income streams lag behind content performance.
For example, I earned about $900 from ads in December but won’t receive that payment until March.
This month I switched from GourmetAds to Mediavine to take advantage of higher RPMs now that my traffic has grown. I switched with six days left in the month and earned $582.13 from ads in that short period, which was eye-opening compared to previous months.
Pinterest showed real value this month. Some pins exceeded 7k repins and drove significant traffic. I wish I had started Pinterest sooner, but a few days before month’s end my account was suspended while I reorganized boards, and I lost access to group boards — a clear lesson not to rely on a single platform.
In the coming month I’ll finalize my eBook format and refine a full-time blogging schedule with focused days for recipe development, writing, video, and editing. I plan to get ahead on content, staying two weeks ahead to accommodate upcoming travel and reduce last-minute stress while I’m away.
Can You Make Money Blogging?
Yes. There’s room for anyone willing to learn and work at it. I’m still new compared to many established creators, but I believe it’s possible and I’m happy to help. I have a step-by-step guide to starting a blog and a list of blogging resources I use personally. If you need help, ask in the comments — I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.
