Becky’s Kitchen Corner One Year Reflection

On March second, 2021, I started Becky’s Kitchen Corner.

It’s been a journey of ups and downs with good and bad days. I wasn’t sure if I’d still be doing this a year later when I launched, but I am, and I have no plans to stop! 

Launching this blog came with many uncertainties and challenges. I didn’t know what lay ahead of me, and of course, I imagined the worst. But in reality, yes, it was hard and frustrating to learn a new program, but it brings so much joy and fulfillment. 

I needed to find a creative outlet and find something that made me productive. I tried multiple things (including a few “scams”), but it all fell through. I watched movies and tv shows all day and every day, so I was desperate to find something. 

Then I stumbled upon the idea of blogging. I looked into it a bit more and found some Facebook groups. I thought that this could be something I could actually do. I’d be writing, which I enjoy, and I’d also be baking which I love! It’s a perfect match made in heaven. 

At the end of January 2021, I signed up. I got the website set up, started to design it, got a course, and created my email list! Coming up with a design of the front page was probably one of the most complex parts of the whole thing. But, in the end, I got it done, and it works!

Throughout this post, I have some of my favorite pictures I’ve taken of food this past year! If there is a recipe that goes along with it, I will link it under that picture, enjoy! 🙂

Some things I’ve learned this past year:

Creating an email list:

Everywhere I read said to create the email list in the beginning. So I researched the different platforms and signed up on one. I had no idea what to write for the first couple of weeks. I have never liked repeating myself for different platforms, so it was kind of difficult to decide what to write. Now, it’s my favorite way to “talk” to my readers! Though it’s still really small, it’s super fun!

• First, I share what the weekly post is about

• Then, I share some things that I did throughout the week, including everything I baked!

• A new addition is sharing a picture of a baked good from a couple of years back.

So, it’s super fun! Here’s the link to join if you want! 

Scheduling:

One thing I learned is that I’m not so in need of schedules. Of course, I still like them, and they help with life, but I can do well without a strict one. Sometimes routines and schedules naturally fall in place and are perfect for the flow of the current life. That’s my case. I always imagined having multiple posts written ahead of time, social media posts scheduled and everything is more on “auto-pilot.” But when it comes down to my writing, it’s sometimes more of a passion and inspirational thing, and unfortunately, you can’t schedule when you’re inspired (too bad, really). 

I get ideas at the most random times. Sometimes while doing dishes, on a walk, or even in dreams. I post every Tuesday, but always end up writing the Monday before. Monday has become my “no movie, books, etc.” day to get my writing done. Surprisingly it has worked really well. 

Maybe someday, I will be able to schedule multiple posts ahead and plan my social media posts, but that’s not now.

Photography is a skill:

On the surface level, you can say, “anyone can take pictures,” and that’s right. My toddler nephew can take pictures, but they aren’t very good. Like the quote from the movie Ratatouille, “Anybody can cook.” Yes, technically, anyone can cook, but it might not be very good. Both photography and cooking are skills, and when they’re combined, it’s magical. Has a picture ever made you start drooling because it looks so good? 

This next year, I want to learn and fine-tune to take better pictures. If you have any advice, I’d love to hear it!

Now being a year into it, I want to keep doing it, but better. I want to learn how to make my website even better and to create tastier and delectable recipes. I can’t wait to look back on this year and see new growth! 

~Becky 🙂