Exciting news! Today is the 12-year anniversary of the day I started the A Lady in London blog. It’s amazing how much it’s grown and changed since my first post in 2007, and hard to believe it’s been a dozen years already. Given the occasion, I thought I would use today’s blog anniversary to share some thoughts on the last 12 years.
12-Year Blog Anniversary
Or rather, the last 17 years. I started blogging back in 2002. My college roommates encouraged me to set up a blog before we all left to study abroad for a semester.
It was a great way to keep in touch with people while I was studying in Prague, and I enjoyed having a creative outlet. Little did I know it would eventually lead to a career in travel blogging.
Origins of the A Lady in London Blog
When I moved to London in 2007, I decided to start another blog. It’s the one you know as A Lady in London.
It started as a hobby since that’s all most blogs were back then. I wrote about the process of getting a visa to live and work in the UK, my first experiences in London, and expat life in general.
I also covered my travels, which ended up being a bigger part of my blog than I ever imagined. From St Petersburg to Sydney, I wrote about destinations across the globe in my first few months in the UK.
My passions for London and travel shaped the blog and took it in the direction it’s gone ever since.
By 2009 the blog had acquired a following, partly through word of mouth, partly through people discovering it via online searches, and partly through being syndicated on Lonely Planet’s website.
Blogging was also becoming easier to monetize, so I decided to turn A Lady in London into a full-time job.
I quit my day job at the beginning of 2010 and started running the blog as a business. It was both scary and exciting at first.
I woke up every morning for a few months wondering if I’d made the biggest mistake of my life, but by the end of each day I was more certain things were going to work out.
And they did. They worked out better than I ever could have imagined. It took long hours and a lot of hard work (it still does), but it was worth it to see that everything I put into the blog came back to me.
Running the A Lady in London blog full-time has taken me through big life events like getting British citizenship, traveling to 100 countries, and buying a flat in London. It even saw me randomly win a modeling competition.
The blog has grown steadily over the years both in terms of size and revenue, and when I take the time to look back, I’m amazed at how a hobby has grown into a business.
I’ve now been blogging full-time for over 9 years, and it’s been my greatest adventure. It’s relentless and exhausting and I haven’t had a day off in 12 years, but I love what I do and I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Blogging Past, Present, and Future
Every year has seen blogging change in different ways, and that brings new challenges and excitements.
It’s crazy to look back on the early days when social media didn’t really exist and the blogging community was just a handful of us. Now social media is an industry in itself and blogging conferences attract thousands.
Sometimes I get nostalgic for the early days. Things were simpler back then, and in some ways they were easier.
But when I think of all the opportunities that have arisen out of platforms like Instagram and relationships with people who weren’t blogging yet in 2007, I know the changes have brought as much good as anything else.
And then there’s the future. As much as things have changed over the last 12 years, I know they’re going to shift even more over the next 12.
There are exciting developments in blogging and social media going on all the time, and I only wish I had five more of me and 25 extra hours in every day to take advantage of them all.
But I’ll do my best with one of me and 24 hours in every day. I hope to bring you more of what you love on the A Lady in London blog in the coming years, and I look forward to all the adventures we’ll have in the process.
Blog Anniversary
So here’s to another blog anniversary. I’m going out tonight to celebrate the occasion, and I look forward to raising a glass to A Lady in London. In the meantime, cheers to all of you for your continued support over the years!
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38 Comments on Lady Celebrates 12 Years of the A Lady in London Blog
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Congrats! You are definitely an inspiration. I have loved following your blog for the last 4 years or so.
Thanks, Anisa! I’ve really appreciated your support.
Congratulation! I’ve just discovered your blog and is a truly source of inspiration and positive vibes!
Thanks Emanuele! I’m so glad.
Congrats. We live your blog. Hope to join you someday in London.
Thanks, Dennis! I’m happy to hear that.
Congratulations !!!!! I love London and your blog inspires me a lot.
Hello from Barcelona
Thanks so much! I really appreciate it.
Nous avons suivi plusieurs walkîng tour à Londres ce qui nous a permis de faire de belles découvertes même dans des
quartiers que nous connaissions déjà. Bravo et merci pour votre blog.
Merci beaucoup!
Congratulations! I love your blog. Always great photos and ideas for travel days out! xxx
Thanks, Allyson! I’m so glad you like it.
Congratulations on your 12 years. Your blog is one of the best, I love your instagram feed and often search the blog for answers to my London travel questions. Planning another trip there in October 🙌🏻
Thanks, Pat! That means a lot to me. I hope you enjoy your October trip.
Congratulations on reaching this milestone and I look forward to reading more of your tales about London.
Thanks so much! I’m glad we finally got to meet in person.
Congratulations! As many times as I’ve visited London, I always find something interesting and new from your writings. All the best going forward.
Thanks, Bernice! I’m so happy you’ve found new things in London from my blog.
Congratulations! Here’s to many more adventures!
Thanks, Veronica! I look forward to all the adventures ahead.
Congratulations on all your success. Love reading your blogs.
Thanks, Jean! I’m so glad you do.
keep it up lovely x
Thanks, Bev!
Love following your blog! Congrats on 12 yrs. Back in the 80’s when I was a nanny living in London there was no instagram or blogging going on! London is my very favorite city🇬🇧
Cheers to you + keep it going!
Thanks, Nicole! It’s amazing how much things have changed.
Congratulations!
keep it up…..
Thanks!
I’ve only just found you recently but love everything you do. Congratulations on a magnificent achievement. Keep up the wonderful tours of London. My fix when I can’t be there.
Thanks, Trish! That’s really kind.
Congratulations! You’re a true inspiration
Aw, thanks Tanja! I’ve really appreciated all your support over the years.
I am really in love with A Lady in London. I love to travel with you throughout those beautiful places. Keep the good work. Congrats 👏👏🎂
Thanks, Maria!
Congratulations on a successful blog career. Living in London was the best experience of my life. Your blog brings that back to me. I also get to see all the changes to the city of which there are many.
Thanks! I’m glad to hear that.
Congratulations!
Thanks!