My Blogging Journey: From Reader to Writer After 20 Years

"My blogging journey workspace setup with inspirational books like Awaken the Giant Within, The Da Vinci Code, John Grisham novels, and Parents Magazine"

For years, my blogging journey lived quietly inside my dreams. It began in high school, where books were my escape, entertainment, and education. I devoured everything—the school set book The River and the Source (which I reread countless times), thrilling novels by John Grisham, glamorous stories by Jackie Collins, and the emotionally intense works of Danielle Steel, although many were too heavy for my teenage heart.

Our high school library was my second home. At home, my mum’s Parents Magazine was a monthly treat. My dad made sure every weekend came with a copy of The Saturday Nation—no newspaper, no weekend. I read Lifestyle, Young Nation, and even the politics pages. And oh—who remembers those small Reader’s Digest magazines? They were my favourite too—tiny packages of wisdom, humor, and short stories that could brighten an entire afternoon.

That’s where my blogging journey began to take shape—inspired by storytelling, headlines, and the power of words.


From Customer Care Desks to Content Creation

Over the years, I found myself in the world of customer care—receptionist, secretary, front office assistant, even running my own small business. These experiences became part of my blogging journey, teaching me about people, patience, and purpose.

I reflect on those lessons in my blog, like my time at a microfinance office where I learned the quiet strength in listening, or working as a cashier on Kenyatta Avenue where I discovered how customer care often extends beyond transactions.

But my career path wasn’t without bumps. One of my most important lessons came during a period I shared in Handling Unstable Customers in Customer Care Kenya—learning to remain calm, even when a situation seemed impossible.


When a Friend Rekindled the Dream

Then, life changed. I lost my job. The routine ended. With bills to pay and uncertainty ahead, I had to ask: What now?

I turned to the internet and began chasing freelance writing jobs. I signed up on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, but quickly realized that even getting started required strategy, patience, and perseverance.

Content mills promised quick pay, but they offered barely Ksh 200 per article. You’d write, revise endlessly, and still not hit the payout minimum. My spirit felt stretched thin.

Just when I thought I’d hit a dead end, a long-lost high school friend—who remembered my love for books—reached out. “Why don’t you start writing again?” she asked.

That single nudge rekindled something deep inside me. I decided to stop waiting for someone to give me a writing job—and create my own platform instead.


Building Lobby Reflections

💡 From reader to writer—that’s the heart of my blogging journey.

I officially began by setting up my blog, Lobby Reflections. The name came naturally—after years of manning lobbies, front desks, and reception areas, I wanted to reflect on customer care stories, moments of growth, and everyday inspiration.

Starting the blog was both exciting and overwhelming. I had to buy a domain, figure out hosting, learn WordPress, and dive into the world of SEO. I discovered things like meta descriptions, LCP optimization, internal linking, and image compression. Blogging today isn’t just about writing—it’s about creating content that’s searchable, crawlable, and valuable.

And some days, motivation doesn’t come easily. I shared this in Blogging With Zero Motivation in Kenya—a reminder that persistence matters even more than inspiration.

Every step feels worth it because my blogging journey is mine. It’s no longer a dream—I’m doing it, one post at a time.


Books That Shaped My Blogging Journey

My love for books never left me. These titles helped ignite and sustain my blogging journey:

  • The River and the Source – Margaret Ogola
  • Awaken the Giant Within – Tony Robbins
  • Why You Act the Way You Do – Tim LaHaye
  • Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki
  • The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown
  • Novels by John Grisham, Jackie Collins, Danielle Steel
  • Parents Magazine – my early non-fiction favorite
  • Reader’s Digest – small but powerful, my first taste of compact storytelling

These stories reminded me that everyone starts somewhere. Whether it’s a courtroom thriller or a motivational guide, the right book at the right time can light a lifelong fire.


Tools and Resources I Use in My Blogging Journey

Along the way, I’ve discovered that tools matter. Here are some that keep me going:

(Affiliate links – I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through these links.)


Where My Blogging Journey Is Headed

Today, I’m not just blogging—I’m building. I plan to:

  • Share affiliate product reviews that help my audience
  • Highlight my cleaning and dera businesses as part of my entrepreneurial story
  • Offer reflections and insights for others who are starting over

My blogging journey is about reclaiming my voice. It’s about creating value for readers, owning my story, and building income streams I control.

I also want my blog to be a space where someone can come for encouragement—whether they’re dealing with burnout, starting over, or wondering if it’s too late to try.


Final Thoughts

If you’re standing at the edge of your own idea, wondering if you can begin—don’t wait. Just begin. My blogging journey started with uncertainty too, but now it gives me purpose, direction, and a reason to keep learning.

Your journey might not look like mine. It might involve late nights after work, early mornings before the kids wake up, or stolen lunch breaks. But it’s yours—and it’s worth telling.

📩 Have you started yours? Share your story in the comments or email me at lobbyreflections@gmail.com.

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