I have been a blog reader for at least five years, maybe longer. Many of the big blogs I follow now, started off small, and I began following them from the start. It is so neat to watch how awesome other blogs grow and become successful.
I started this blog for many reasons, but to be perfectly honest, I published my first post on a whim. I had not idea what I was doing, nor where I would be going.
Something I have never shared much of before, is the struggles I had finding a career or even a job. My husband was in the marine corps for the first four years of our marriage which caused me to leave college and move 1500 miles away to California. I went to school out there for awhile until my husband got very sick.
About a year into our marriage, I found myself becoming a full time caregiver to him. I was a student and working full time at that point, and he needed me at home. School was put on hold, and I was allowed to start working from home which was such a blessing. I am still grateful for my employers for being so kind and helping me out.
The next few years, I was taking care of my husband and working form home. School was put on hold until further notice which was okay with me. I will share more of my husband’s very difficult health journey in another post, but ultimately, he had his entire colorectomy in 2010. (Picture below is after is second major surgery). He was let go from the Marine Corps at the end of that year and we moved back to Texas.
I came back to school full force after being gone for years. The first semester back I was in physics, medicinal chemistry, qualitative analysis and physical chemistry. Talk about stress! A huge wake up call that I was incredibly rusty at learning, being a student, and everything that came with it. The days were long and miserable, and I wanted to give up many days. Those seven hour labs, the four hour physics tests…it was intense. I kept going though because two things were certain. One, I loved chemistry and math. Two, a woman in the chemistry field was a winning situation no matter what! Everyone said the job offers would be rolling in faster than I could count.
Like I said, I should have graduated with my chemistry degree in 2010, but due to my husband’s health, the military and life circumstances, I graduated in May 2013.
Guess what? No jobs. Nothing. I applied to hundreds of them. I was either too qualified, under qualified, too much education, not enough education…basically the economy sucked and not many companies were looking for chemists.
That is why I started tutoring and academic consulting. I had no other option at that point. I couldn’t move since my husband had a good job where we lived . I shared a little bit about the crazy year of 2015, but after my last job interview, then missing the second one due to snow, I didn’t get the job. Physically, I probably couldn’t have done it with Rheumatoid Arthritis, but I would have given it my all.
I was desperate, discouraged, and lost at that point. It was around March that I decided to stop job searching completely. There wasn’t a point any longer.
In the back of my mind for many years, I have thought a blog is something I would be good at. I love to write, take pictures, and other blogging things. I kept thinking about all the fun things I did at home and shared with my friends. What kept holding me back was being terrified of even starting a blog, so I kept putting it off. I prayed a lot that month, then one morning in April, I woke up. Googled how to start a blog, and published my first post.
It didn’t take me long to realize that I knew absolutely NOTHING about blogging or the time and effort it took. I started researching webinars, articles, and learning as much as I could about being a good blogger.
Oh my gosh! I can’t even tell you how many webinars I have watched or attended. Anything that comes my way, I snatch up the opportunity to learn from it. Years of practicing to learn in college kept me craving the learning process anyways.
I talked a little in this post about the fun learning experiences I have been having, including some blogging courses.
My two favorite courses so far are definitely Helene’s Quit Your Job to Blog and Instagram for Success.
I thoroughly learned so much from each one and I am grateful for her advice. She is one of the few bloggers that teaches other bloggers and encourages us to be who we want. No niche, no rules, just quality. I love that!
So, becoming the best blogger I can be has been an interesting journey. (p.s – see more of the bullog on instagram!)
I started this blog out of desperation, just looking for something of importance to do with my life.
I love helping people figure out how to bake, or use gluten free products, how to live successfully even with health problems, or chemist tricks like removing those pesky labels from jars.
I was surprised to see how much my blog has grown since day one. Social media is frustrating, as we all know, but it continues to grow. I am excited to see where God will lead this blog in 2016. Right now, I am just going with the flow. Posting projects I have done, things I love, encouragement, and networking with other great bloggers.
Many of you have followed me since the beginning, and I love that! Some of you are new, and I am excited for you to join in.
I really want to bring you the best information, advice and posts you love, so I would really appreciate if you would fill out the form below for me. It is totally anonymous, but it would help me out tremendously to bring y’all the things you love most 🙂
The best part of this journey to becoming the best blogger I can be has been the wonderful friendships I have gained. For those of you who have a health problem or RA, it has been such a neat experience getting to help you or interact with you. Many people write me all the time for advice on their health. After my own 20 year journey with health problems, my husbands severe health crisis, and being a scientist, I have some valuable knowledge I enjoy sharing! Always feel free to email me(contact button above)!
Thank you readers for taking the time to fill this out and let me know what you love, what you want to learn and anything else that pops into your mind!
Most of all thank you for joining me on this journey to becoming the best blogger I can be!
P.s – Snapchat with me for more of my life and behind the scenes (username ‘alexisroch’)
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You are amazing! You are so brave for putting everything out there. As a new reader, I didn’t know a lot about what you’ve been through but I have so much respect for you! Everything happens for a reason and I can’t wait to watch you continue to grow in the blog world.
Christina :: Simple and Delish
Thanks girl, I appreciate that so much! I am so happy that you are a new reader and have joined me 🙂 I look forward to connecting more and growing! Thanks so much for your support!
Thank You for sharing all of this! I think many of us can relate to the difficulties you have gone through – and survived and thrived!!! I firmly believe that by sharing our stories we help others who are going through similar events. I’m so glad to have found you last year and can’t wait to see how you continue to grown.
I agree! It is so nice to support and help each other through our stories! I am so glad we got to know each other through blogging 🙂
I am so happy blogging connected us and I look forward to seeing where 2016 takes you!
I am too Anne! I look forward to seeing where it leads 🙂 Thanks for all your support since the beginning!
I really enjoy learning more about you. I am so inspired by your strength in taking care of your husband…you are amazing!
Thank you Christine! That means so much to me and I am so glad we have connected 🙂
Thanks for sharing such personnel information, Life is full of trials but good times too, and I believe that when one door closes another one opens!, I only started blogging in 2015, and I enjoy sharing with others and meeting new friends from all over the world!
Take care xx
Thanks Michelle! You are absolutely right 🙂 I love that about blogging too!! So wonderful!
Wow, it was great to learn more about you in this post. You and your husbands strength is remarkable! I can’t wait to see your blog grow this next year. I am thinking of maybe doing a giveaway soon, let me know if you’d want to partner up on it.
Thanks Mae, I appreciate that so much! And I would love to partner with you on that 🙂 Just let me know the details!!
Love hearing about your journey in life and blogging!! Great post!
Thanks so much Lisa! Thank you for reading 🙂
This was an amazing post to read, thank you for sharing your story!
Ashley
http://www.ashleyelizabethbeauty.com
Thank you Ashley, I appreciate that!! I was so happy to get to share this journey with others and so glad you got to join in 🙂
That’s quite a story! I know if we devote our plans to God, they will succeed (Proverbs 16:3). I’m confident because of that, you’ll see great successes in the future! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your sweet words Kari! I love that verse, and it is so true!
Wow girl! You have been through so much and are so brave for posting about it! Everyone goes through difficult times and sometimes it means placing our own lives on hold for awhile but I’m glad you’re back on track and it’s been so fun getting to read along with you!
Thanks girl! That is so true, we don have to put things on hold sometimes for others, but sometimes it ends up being the best thing for us 🙂 I am so happy to be connected with you and love reading your blog 🙂
Wow, what an amazing story. Thank you for sharing this! I’ve only been blogging and following your blog for about six months but I enjoy it very much and am looking forward to reading and getting to know you better in the coming year.
Thanks Sarena! I am so happy you have been following along with me and I am happy to have you join in with me ::) I look forward to connecting more in the future!
Wow I had no idea you had been through so much, and am in awe of everything you’ve powered through. You go girl! Such an amazing story <3
Green Fashionista
Aw, thanks Kate! I appreciate that so much and so happy we’ve connected through blogging 🙂
Love your story, Alexis. I know of some of the struggles you went thru with the Marines, health issues, school, but I didn’t know about the tough quest for a job. God has so many big plans for you and hubby (and Ruger)! Love your work on the blog – your faith and dependence on Jesus, topics, health, research, openness, food/drink… so glad I found you, my friend! You go girl! You “sparkle”! 🙂
Thank you Laurie! You are so sweet and full of wonderful encouragement always! I am so glad you found my blog and we’ve become friends!
What an incredible post! I loved reading this and following through your journey. Thank you SO much for mentioning my courses. It truly means so much.
Thank you Helene! You are such an inspiration and have helped me so much 🙂
An amazing post! This is my first time to visit your blog, as I am visiting from Stephanie, but my heart goes out to you in this struggle that you’ve been in… and the many obstacles that you have had to overcome… I do know that the Lord has a beautiful plan for your life, and there is comfort in that.. how awesome that you have this blog as a place to write and share and be encouraged throughout the struggles of your life! May the Lord continue to bless you 🙂
Thank you so much for those sweet words! It definitely is such a comfort knowing the Lord has a plan and knows exactly what is best for me. It makes you feel okay no matter what is going on in life! I am so glad you stopped by :)Have a wonderful day!
Wow, what an incredible person you are, just so you know, I also knew bugga all about blogging when I started and you know me I just write about whatever comes to mind sometimes I will start writing about life and it will vamp into a whole different post, see yesterdays post about writing letters didn’t set out to write about that at all it just happened.
Thank you so much Jo-Anne! I appreciate that 🙂 And I know exactly what you mean!
I am a new reader so your post gave me some insight into who you are. I’ve been blogging two years this May and I have loved every minute of it. It is very time consuming but oh so rewarding to meet so many wonderful people. Good luck as you continue your journey.
Thank you Debbie! I am so glad you are reading and I agree, it is so wonderful meeting new people. Blogging is such a great way to learn and connect with others!
Your blog is a daily read for me. Especially now with how helpful you’ve been with my own RA diagnosis. Getting to know you and your family has been a blessing and a real connection. So continue on what you are doing because you are doing a great job. Thanks for popping this up on Tuesday Talk. I love having you there each week.
I have loved getting to know you too Michelle! I just love being able to talk and connect with you, especially about RA now!
Good for you!
Thanks Laina, I appreciate that ! 🙂
Good luck with your journey in 2016. I’m coming to you from Waiting on Wednesday. Liking you on Facebook! I’m looking forward to seeing you in my feed on a regular basis and getting to know you better. 🙂
Hi Kathryn, thanks so much for stopping by! And thank you for the like, I look forward to have you joining me and connecting further 🙂 Have a great day!
Wow what a great post! You’ve had quite a journey! I look forward to reading more! I definitely filled out your survey!
Hi Kat, thanks so much! I appreciate you taking the time to fill it out for me 🙂 Have a wonderful day!
Thanks for sharing, Alexis! It’s so crazy to see how God works sometimes, definitely not what we would expect! Keep up the great work!
Hi Hannah, it is so crazy! It is always such a different path then what I would have chosen, but always such a blessing 🙂
What an incredible story and powerful reason for blogging. My blogging journey is different, but many of the reasons are the same. I write in order to take better care of my family… and of course, because it’s what I love to do. I found your site at #TheBloggersPitStop and wanted to let you know I enjoyed the article. Wishing you an incredible week.
Oh, and if you haven’t guessed already, personal posts are by far my favorite.
Hi Jed, thank you so much for your encouraging words! I love how we all have our own unique story that has led us to blogging. It is so neat to learn 🙂 Have a wonderful afternoon!!
Thank you so much for sharing your personal journey! It can be so hard to put yourself out there as a blogger and I still struggle with how much personal info I want to include. I am trying to work up the courage to be more open but it can definitely be intimidating! I have always enjoyed your posts and your writing so you definitely found one of your callings! I am always in awe of people who are in the science field as my brain seems to totally reject science and math! 🙂 Thanks again for sharing and being so open and honest….continued luck to you!
Hi Jody, thank you so much! It is definitely hard to be more open, especially when you aren’t sure if others will appreciate what you say or go through. It is so nice how kind everyone ultimately is, and so enouraging! Thanks so much for commenting and letting me know, that means so much! Have a great weekend!
I love your honesty. When I started my blog I promised to be honest. I have been away for a while, as I felt I could not give it my all. Back now and enjoying reconnect with old bloggers and finding new ones….
I am saving this post, as I want to read more from your links on this piece…. It scares me that you are so accomplished in your studies and didn’t find a job, we have a daughter just starting on the college career, and I hope and pray that she gets a job at the end of it all….
Good luck…
xoxoxo
Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I really love connecting with bloggers and meeting new ones! It is so great getting to know everyone and what got them started!
Honestly, it was a shock to spend so much time working hard and college and getting an intense education, then not getting a great job right away. I think if I had lived in a more saturated city in another state it would have been different. Most chemical research and chemists live in a few cities or other countries. It is really becoming a lost art in today’s society.
I hope your daughter does well, and I am sure she will have a great career!!! Thanks again for stopping by and feel free to come back anytime 🙂
Found you on Motivation Monday, thanks for sharing your story! I’m on that journey too, thanks for the tip on Quit Your Job to Blog!
Thanks Dawn! I’m so happy you stopped by! Good luck to you and have a wonderful week!!! 🙂
I love hearing your story! I totally understand the fear of not knowing what you are doing but just jumping in. I did that and am so glad I didn’t research more or I may not have started my blog. But I love it so much! I am glad you pushed publish, your chemistry knowledge for baking is awesome! And I am a huge fan of all your chocolate posts 🙂
I am really glad I didn’t do more research either Kati! I think I would have chickened out lol. Thanks girl, that means so much! I am glad we’ve connected 🙂
My dear Alexis, I am so glad you started this blog….you have been such a joy and inspiration to so many including me 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your story as I know it will bless many.
And thanks for sharing with Roses of Inspiration – I hope to see you at the party tomorrow. Hugs!
Thanks Stephanie! I really appreciate that so much! I have loved getting to know you and connect with your great blog 🙂 I will definitely be linking up again! Have a wonderful day!
What a journey! Who knew blogging was where you’d find the opportunities that weren’t working out elsewhere. All the best in 2016!
I know, it is so neat to see how things turn out sometimes. Totally opposite from what you think 🙂 Thanks so much Skye!!
So Alexis, what do you eat? I have also developed some intense autoimmune issues with allergies and arthritis also has surfaced since the age of 45. I have found the Whals Diet by Terry Whals MD is the only thing my body will let me eat. It puts autoimmune issues into remission. I found Terry Whals on a TED talk, she went from a tilt recline wheelchair with MS to running in marathons. Funny thing is I wouldn’t have believed it if I wasn’t already suffering and I happen to notice that what she described that she ate was all my body would let me eat. It was amazing. I bake on the blog but I do post recipes with in this diet’s limits. Thanks for joining HSH!
Hi Sherry! About 10 years ago I started eating as much non processed and clean foods as I could. I eat mostly vegetarian, with the occasional lean meats and fish. When I started doing that, I noticed how much better I felt overall. It has been over 10 years and I am still doing that. I really enjoy it. Since my husband can’t eat many foods without a colon, most things I cook for us are along those same lines. My desserts are very clean too (except for cookies 😉 ) Thanks for hosting your party!!!
Thank you so much for sharing at Waiting on…Wednesday! You’ve got something good here – keep up the awesome work! I love everything you post!
Thanks so much holly! Thank you for your party each week too 🙂