Cheers to Five Years of My Little Quarantine Blog

Five years.

How has it been five years? Five years since I started this blog on a whim simply because I woke up one day and decided I should.

I distinctly remember when the idea came to me. One morning I was lying in bed, and I knew I was going to start a pandemic-era blog. It just hit me truly out of nowhere. So I got online, bought a domain, found a template, and started writing. All before Ben was even awake.

I’ve always said that some of my biggest decisions have happened with surprisingly little overthinking. Not that starting a blog falls into the category of one of my biggest decisions. But it has absolutely been one of my best, and I’m glad I took a leap with surprisingly little oversight (over myself).

And that’s how the blog formerly known as “Stuck at Home with Lisa” came to be. My plan? I was going to be your pandemic bestie. Or the person who helped you justify your pandemic habits. Or the gal who was documenting all the unbelievable things that were becoming “the new normal” during the pandemic.

But mostly, when Stuck at Home with Lisa came to life, it was with three main goals: to give me something to do while in quarantine, to make people laugh during a tough time, and to resurrect an old hobby.

It didn’t occur to me for a while that I may actually be recording what would become a notable period in history. And little did I know that 5 years later I’d still be writing.

The Beginnings

When I think back on my first blog, I can’t help but laugh. About some of the things I said. Like hating puzzles. (Peep all the puzzles I’ve done this year.)

And also about where I thought my blog would go. Truth is, I had no idea. I just bought a domain one day and was posting blogs the next.

And thinking back on it, I could love nothing more. The attitude of just doing it.

Every year, I begin to overthink blogging a little bit more. Am I trying to be funny? Am I trying to be heartfelt? Am I being too mushy? Am I talking about myself too much?

But every year, I try to rekindle the original spirit of the blog. Being there for people. No master plan. Just connection.

The True Heart of the Blog

When I started this blog, I thought I might be my only reader. And that was okay. It’s always been for me. For me to express myself. For me to process my thoughts and the world around me. For me to have something for myself, with no expectations.

But along the way, I’ve been so happy that my blog has been able to connect with even a few people. I’ve loved nothing more than getting texts that my blog resonated with someone, or that I was able to put words to that little voice in someone else’s head, or that my blog made someone else laugh out loud. It warms my heart – not because of me – but because it’s the most amazing reminder that connection is as simple as sharing. Sharing something silly. Sharing something deep. Sharing something that helped you grow. Sharing something that felt isolating but turns out to actually be a common thread.

That’s powerful. It’s beautiful and amazing and it’s why I continue to blog. It’s a feeling I hope everyone experiences – finding moments of connection when you least expect it.

Thank You!

To all the people who have commented or shared my blog, or gave reading a chance, thank you! I do it for me, but it helps to know that there is a “you” on the other side of the blog post.

I think five years of blogging deserves a greatest hits style recap, so stay tuned for some repostings of my old faves and some “where are they now” moments. What does that mean? You’ll just have to wait and find out.

Cheers,

Lisa (and all my blogging personas over the years!)