I used to do these anniversary style posts ALL THE TIME back in the day to mark another year of my blog. I haven’t done one in ages because I just felt I’d grown out of them, really. But ten years. 10 years. It seemed too big a milestone to overlook.
I turned 30 in September 2022 so my blog has been with me throughout the entirety of my twenties.
Which actually makes me a bit emotional, considering my twenties were predominantly filled with a debilitating anxiety disorder, losing friends, no job or prospects, no purpose and very little life lived in the grand scheme of things.
I started my blog when I was in the beginning stages of my anxiety disorder, when I realised how mentally ill I was, couldn’t leave the house and was terrified to even get out of bed to make myself lunch.
The only saving grace I had was books, so I started Jenny in Neverland as a book blog, for something to do. Something to focus on.
God only knew where it would take me from there.
I’m not someone that tends to stick to things.
I was that kid in school who did dance classes, tennis lessons, drama class, played a variety of instruments and never stuck with anything. So the fact that I’ve stuck with this for so long is not only a shock but a source of pride for me.
It’s obviously got easier to stick with as the years went on and turned from hobby to career – but nonetheless, I stuck at something and I made it work.
And who the heck would have thought I’d be here, at 30, blogging as my full-time career.
When I started blogging, it wasn’t really a viable career option, apart from the select few lucky ones who thanks to YouTube more than anything, made it work.
Now, 10 years is a long ass time. And I don’t usually toot my own horn but I think considering the milestone, it’s worth sharing some achievements that have been achieved through my blog, let’s go:
I’ve recovered from my anxiety disorder
Not specifically a blogging related achievement but it’s too big not to mention. For the longest time, I thought living a small anxiety-filled life, too scared to do anything and go anywhere was going to be my entire life. I am SO proud of myself that it’s not.
I started my own successful book tour business (and made the decision to close it when it was no longer working for me)
Shortly after I started my blog, I started Neverland Blog Tours, my own online book touring business. Considering I knew nothing about business, I ran this business successfully for many years but shut it down because I just didn’t enjoy it anymore. Regardless, I am extremely proud of myself, especially as I was overwhelmed with anxiety at this time too!
I’ve worked with a ton of fab brands
Working with brands is one of the best things about blogging as a career and I’ve been so lucky to work with an array of great brands over the course of these 10 years. I still remember my first paid brand collaboration with Quorn and I thought it was the most amazing thing in the world!
I’ve been sent on press visits
Being sent on press visits is always mad to me. There’s been a few times where I’ve wondered if they’d sent the wrong person! Reviewing the Brooklands Hotel and Spa and The Ferry House Inn are two of my fondest memories from press visits.
I make a really good full-time income from something I built from scratch
If you’re signed up to my mailing list, then you’ll have access to my monthly income report and life update blog posts, where I’m very open and honest about how much I make through various streams. I am SO proud of myself for earning such a good income through something I’ve built entirely from scratch.
I’ve accumulated over 14,600 blog subscribers
My blog following is something I’ve always been really proud of and today I have over 14,600 blog subscribers! Amazing that that many people have signed up to receive updates on my little blog.
I’ve made lots of blogging pals
The community aspect of blogging has been wonderful and I’ve made plenty of blogging pals over the years. Some who I no longer speak to (which is fine, life moves on), some I’ve met in person and other’s I’d love to hang out with some day!
I get to work for myself, from home (or wherever!) and to whatever schedule suits me
Although I’m a very organized, type A personality and a Virgo, I do like this way of working. I like routine and schedules but I love being able to fix my OWN routine and schedule and not have to live by anyone else’s work timeline.
I can write content about topics I love and am passionate about
Over the 10 years, I’ve always kept up with writing my own content (content that isn’t paid) and writing about topics that I love, that I’m passionate about, that I have experience of and that I hope will help people. I love being able to be creative in this way as much (or as little) as I like.
I’ve learnt loads of skills and become more educated and open-minded
Blogging requires a lot of skills and requires you to learn about a lot of different things. Which I think is great! And the blogging community in general is wonderful for opening you up to different kinds of people and allowing you to be educated on different things.
I think I’ve helped people
And finally, I hope I’ve helped a few people along the way, too.
A giveaway to celebrate
Because books are my favourite thing in the world and also the reason that Jenny in Neverland started in the first place, I thought it would be rude not to offer a bookish giveaway to you in celebration of 10 years.
I’ll be giving away a £30 Waterstones voucher to one winner, all you have to do to enter is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter giveaway below.
One winner will be announced on the closing date stated on the giveaway form and contacted via email. Failure to respond to the email within 48 hours will result in another winner being picked.
This giveaway is UK only (sorry!)
I’m really not sure where my blog goes from here. 10 years is a long time, like I said. I’ve filled a lot into that space of time when it comes to my blog. Things that worked, things that didn’t, things that came to a natural end.
I’m going to continue doing what I’m doing but I do hope I can find another project to start sometime soon as I would still love to grow and progress even more.
Regardless, this blogging absolutely saved me at the most dire time of my life and I’ll always be grateful to this space for getting me out of that dark hole.
Congrats on 10 years of blogging, it does takes a lot to get our blog going and finally finding our way, I have found that with my blog 🙂
Thank you 🙂 Glad you’ve found your stride!
Great to read this post not only from the blogging perspective.
Amazing achievements and so many subscribers.
Many congrats..
Thank you x
Congratulations on 10 years! I’d choose Five Survive by Holly Jackson
Thank you 🙂 good luck!
Congratulations on 10 years of blogging!! That is a huge accomplishment, and it was exciting to read about your achievements over the years! I think it’s fantastic you started your blog as a hobby and turned it into a career.
Thank you 🙂 xx
Congratulations on 10 years!
If I was lucky enough to win, I would pick a couple of books from my ever growing wish list 🙂
Thank you 🙂 good luck!
Ahhh! Happy blogoversary Jenny, I’m so proud of you and can’t believe it’s been 10 years. And thank you for the lovely giveaway – I think if I was lucky enough to win I’d buy a copy of The Jump by Brittney Morris 🙂
Megan S.
Thank you so much! Oooh great choice – I’m a big fan of Brittney Morris. SLAY was one of my books of last year!
Congratulations on such an achievement Jenny! Here’s to another 10 years.
Thank you!
Wow! Jen, ten years?! Absolutely amazing! I’ve known the term “blog” since I was 13 (now 28), and I made a blogger account and wrote random things for a few months before discontinuing it. And only three years ago, I started blogging seriously and thoroughly enjoyed it! I regret not joining the community sooner :’)
Blogging has brought so much positivity into my life – especially into my introverted life – and I couldn’t be happier. I hope I can keep enjoying it and turn it into a full-time job someday. Happy 10 years anniversary, Jenny in Neverland 😀
Haha yes that sounds familiar! I had Tumblr accounts and websites when I was a teenager, so I’m certainly not new to having your own space on the internet but obviously back then it was only ever a hobby for everyone!
So glad to hear blogging has brought you so much joy and happiness!
Congrats! This is amazing and inspiring! Keep shining!
Thank you 🙂
Wow Jenny 10 years is such an amazing achievement you should be proud! Fantastic that you have turned it into a career also, you are an inspiration! Keep going lovely 😍
Thanks so much 🙂
I’d get Alan Bennett’s House Arrest
Good luck!
“I think I’ve helped people.” You have, 100%. Even if it was just me you’ve helped, you’ve done so much. Your blogs have brought me peace, inspiration, solidarity, entertainment. Even just something to read and digest while I’ve been sat in bed unsure how to progress, something as simple as one of your Yoga blogs has shown me there are other ways to live my life than chained to a desk (& a clipboard like I was before). Congratulations on 10 years Jenny! I really hope I’m celebrating a similiar milestone in six years and that you’ll be there celebrating with me 🙂
Awh thank you so much that means the world 💗💗 I’m so glad that my posts have helped you. I’ll be celebrating every milestone along the way with you!!
Congratulations on ten years and all your success!!! I love your blog!
Thanks Linda!
omg, congratulations on 10 years lovely. What an amazing achievement and something I’d love to achieve myself. You must be so proud! x
Thank you lovely x
Congratulations Jenny! What an amazing achievment, you work so hard and it pays off 🙂 x
Thanks so much xx
I love historical biographies so I’d got for that genre
Good luck!
Which books to buy that is the question?! 📚🤔😅 I wouldn’t go for any one in particular, just for whichever catches my eye 😍😉
Good thinking! Best of luck xx
Congratulations Jenny!!
Congrats on your incredible achievement and wish you even bigger success. You are such an inspiration and great person.
Thanks so much 🙂 xx
Congratulations on an amazing milestone I hope one day to be a successful as you Thank you for giving us small bloggers and opportunity.
Thank you 🙂
Congratulations on 10 years, that’s a fantastic milestone. I can’t wait to see where your blog goes in the near future x
Lisa
http://www.lovefromlisa.com
Thank you 🙂
Congratulations on 10 years and all your other achievements, you should be very proud, I very much enjoyed reading this post x
Thanks so much 🙂 xx
Happy 10 years anniversary, Jenny Neverland. Wish you a bigger success in the future.
Thank you 🙂
Congratulations on your 10 years. I would by: Keep her secret by Mark Edwards, The Last Party by Claire Mackintosh and The Other Guest by Heidi Perks.
Some good choices! Good luck 🙂
I love this post! and Congrats on 10 years of blogging! That’s amazing 🙂
Thank you 🙂
I’d love to get Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out 😊
Good luck!
Congratulations, Jenny, for reaching the ten year anniversary! Your definitely an inspiration for so many of us!
Thank you 💗💗
Omg 10 years! Congratulations, that’s so exciting. And so amazing that it’s become your full time career. Onwards and upwards 🙂
Thank you! Yes indeed! 🙂
Many congratulations, Jenny. You have come a long way and healed yourself. Your journey is inspiring to so many bloggers. Cheers 🥂
Thank you so much xx
Congratulations on 10 years! I loved reading about all your achievements during this time, you have so much to be proud of!
p.s. I love a good chick-flick so if I won the voucher I’d probably get some books by Sophie Kinsella or Jenny Colgan as they are two of my fave authors!
Good choices!
Thanks so much Sophie 💗
Congratulations on such an epic achievement. I love how you made it a business and kept it true to your values. I hope to do the same.
Thanks so much, that means a lot 🙂