7 Impossible, Unimaginable Things I Achieved In My 5 Years As A Blogger

Today marks my five (5!!!) years of blogging, and to be honest, it couldn’t have arrived at a better time. 🥳🎉 If you follow me on social media, then you might have the impression that December hasn’t been very kind to me (so far). And you’d be right. Outside of my blog, the real world has been kicking my ass. But I digress.

Celebrating 5 Years of Blogging!

My blogging journey started on December 17_^th of 2015. I know that it’s cliché to say, but I truly did not imagine that I would stick around for half a decade. I started my first book blog (then-called That Bookshelf Bitch) because I wanted to dive back into reading fiction. Moreover, reading has always been instrumental in my life. I had been upset that college was getting in the way of pursuing my usual hobbies.

It continues to baffle me that this blog is both for me and beyond me. At its onset, I was writing purely for myself. And now, I continue to write for myself but with a newfound understanding that my words have somehow found their audience. That there are people who believe that my Internet rambles are worth a click of their button and a scroll through their browser. That writing on my blog remains to be a solitary activity, but my voice belongs to a larger community of voices.

This journey has never been smooth-sailing for me, with numerous hiatuses and mental health breaks along the way. In an earlier post, I discussed the 7 things I wish I had known before blogging. Among these things were the trials and tribulations faced by bloggers, particularly those who are disadvantaged.

7 Impossible, Unimaginable Things I Couldn’t Have Done Without Blogging.

But for today, in line with celebrating my 5 years of blogging, I hope to share some of the brightest highlights of my journey. ✨ I know that I talk about the underappreciation and undervaluing of bloggers almost every week. (But these all stem from my desire to see more content creators like me living their best life and having access to more opportunities.)

But truth be told, blogging has drastically changed my life for the better. 🥰 It has opened so many doors for me, including opportunities that I could not have imagined when I first started. I am infinitely grateful and humbled. Additionally, I am keenly aware of the many privileges that have helped me get to where I am today.

With that said, let’s take a stroll on memory lane together, shall we?

1. Creating a space where I can be authentic and ambitious

Over the past five years, I’ve undergone one major rebrand (i.e. shifting from That Bookshelf Bitch to Shut up, Shealea) and three brand refreshes (i.e. changes in visual branding and layout). What used to be a depressing dumpsite for book reviews is now a pretty online space that accommodates all my quirks and interests! 🌻💛

Beyond the look and layout of my site, my approach to creating content has also drastically evolved over time. Five years ago, I wouldn’t have thought to combine my love for books with my love for databases. Fast forward to this month, I launched my first-ever free database for Asian-authored book releases. And this is just one example of how creatively liberating it’s been to have this space and to know that it’s unapologetically mine.

Furthermore, it’s taken a long time and a lot of effort for me to arrive at a point where I can create with intention and without buckling under pressure. This hard-earned glow-up has really helped me in directing my — admittedly limited — energy to meaningful projects, all the while avoiding pitfalls like engaging in impulsive consumerism and obsessing over statistics.

If you’re a content creator like me, let me be the first to reassure you: Yes, you don’t need to pattern your content after popular trends. Yes, you don’t need to read what everyone else is reading to stay relevant. Finally, yes, it is possible to set numerical goals (e.g. follower count, engagement rate) without letting numbers define your worth.

2. Seeing my name in books that I’ve personally loved

Maybe it’s just me, but my biggest book blogger dream was to see my name as part of an author’s acknowledgments page. Alternatively, it would mean the world to have my review used as a blurb for a book that I love. What a long shot, I know.

But amazingly, the book gods convened in reading heaven and decided to throw me a bone. Multiple times. In other words, I’m very much honored to say that two of my biggest book blogger dreams are now a reality! 🥳🎉

I’ve been acknowledged by eight (8!!!) authors whom I greatly respect and admire!

Until now, I am still at a loss for words. I only have the highest respect and adoration for these amazing authors, and I am beyond grateful to be recognized. In case their books missed your radar, I have a special Goodreads shelf where you can learn more about them. I sincerely hope that you consider picking them up!

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Book blogger dream unlocked: Being a back blurb for a favorite book

Secondhand Origin Stories has a found family of queer teen superheroes, and it's an honor to be a blurb for this book. 💛 pic.twitter.com/y4u8KiOLQD

— Shealea 🌻 (@shutupshealea) August 24, 2020

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My blog name is on the back of a book!

Secondhand Origin Stories remains to be my favorite novel about queer teenage superheroes. I’ve been tirelessly recommending this self-published gem ever since I first read it back in 2018. I truly cannot imagine a better book for me to blurb! (Not sure if that’s grammatically correct, but you get what I mean.)

3. Working closely with authors and publishers

Prior to blogging, I saw authors as untouchable, godly wordsmiths. I mean, I still see them in a similar light. And I’m still a mere mortal in comparison. But throughout my blogging career (so to speak), I’ve had plenty of opportunities to work closely with authors and publishers — and of course, it goes without saying that I’m very grateful for each and every single one of them.

While I will treasure each collaboration close to my heart, I still get happy tears whenever I look back on my video call with Fonda Lee, who is one of my all-time favorite authors. It was 2 AM, and I was severely drained from my internship. But my interview with her remains to be one of the biggest highlights of my entire life.

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I started my first bookish freelance business!

Working with various authors and publicists gave me the confidence I needed to launch Caffeine Book Tours, an inclusive book tour company. Specifically, it aims to serve as a connecting bridge between authors who write diverse stories and readers who hope to find themselves represented in the books that they consume. Caffeine Book Tours is my dearest child, and I’m over the moon that it has grown into a huge, impactful service.

4. Receiving paid opportunities to write and recommend books

One of the first things that I learned about book blogging is that it rarely ever turns into a full-time job. In simpler words, book blogging is not lucrative at all. Ashley has written an excellent article that tackles the question, “Can you make money from book blogging?” (Spoiler alert: Her answer is no.)

Over time, I’ve learned that monetizing a book blog can technically be done. But in most cases, it isn’t worth the effort since the payoff is often insubstantial. In fact, despite my early efforts to monetize in 2016, I had been operating at a major loss for most of my career.* But I digress. For example, I have made a total of zero payouts from my Book Depository affiliate links. (And to make matters worse, Book Depository stopped accommodating me in its affiliate program. Hence, why I’m stuck with problematic Amazon.)

Things only started to turn around in 2019. Financially speaking, that is. In 2019, I started benefiting from small, albeit very helpful, payouts from my Amazon affiliate links. As evidence, I haven’t spent a single cent on Amazon. All my purchased books and Kindle books were paid via the gift cards I earned through their affiliate program. Moreover, in 2019, I began treating my book tours as a freelance business. In addition, I started receiving more tips on my ko-fi (which I’ll forever be grateful for!).

* Note: Especially when I decided to invest in a WordPress plan for a year. 0/10 would not recommend.

Ironically, 2020 is the year of getting coin.

Fast forward to the present. 2020 is the year that I truly thrived and hustled for the coin. After all these years, I’m no longer operating at a major loss. In contrast, I can finally, confidently say that I’m earning more than I’m spending on keeping this blog alive.

Formally launching Caffeine Book Tours as a separate website has really helped in legitimizing my service. I’ve also been enjoying small payouts from Amazon, Nose Graze, and Studio Mommy. But most importantly, I’ve received several paid opportunities to write and create content this year.

5. Being invited as a guest speaker for panels and seminars

6. Belonging to a community that supports my personal dreams

Of course, I can’t write a blogging anniversary post without mentioning the enormous support and love that I continuously receive from the online community. Because the fact is that so much of who I am now — and so much of how my blog has grown over the years — is thanks to the community. While I recognize that certain privileges have contributed to my platform’s growth, I wholeheartedly believe that all my achievements are tied to the community support I’ve received.

It still bewilders me that so many of you have been encouraging me since my first year and that so many more have followed my mishaps and misadventures since then. From the consistent engagement (despite my many, many hiatuses) to the unwavering warm reception that all my passion projects have gotten, I am immensely grateful for so many things. But most of all, I am infinitely thankful that the community has actively supported my personal dreams as an aspiring researcher.

We crowdfunded enough for me to attend my first and second international research conferences.

Back in 2019, I was accepted to two research conferences in Malaysia. As a scholar from a state university, I didn’t dare hope that I would be able to attend. International research conferences were just too costly. In addition, university grants favored STEM programs over the social sciences. I did not stand a chance at all.

But god, did the online community prove me wrong. Through the encouragement of my friends, I tried to crowdfund my way to Malaysia. And both attempts were exceedingly successful! I was able to go to not just one, but both international research conferences in Malaysia! 😭💛

Unfortunately, right after the first conference, I experienced the worst blogging slump. College was kicking my ass harder than usual. But Kate went with me in April and wrote a whole recap post about our experiences in Kuala Lumpur. Needless to say, we had the time of our lives! (Plus, my research presentation received an award!)

Session's Best Presentation Award 🌻💛🌻💛 pic.twitter.com/pYBB4dWZuO

— Shealea 🌻 (@shutupshealea) April 7, 2019

7. Having a real platform for advocacy and activism

For the longest time, I kept politics out of my platform. Because I know that people on the Internet have never really cared for the global south. Hence, I was very hesitant to talk about sociopolitical issues in the Philippines. I did not want to be proven right. I didn’t want to see my book recommendations get retweeted ad nauseum, while my tweets about the people dying in my country remained overlooked.

I am embarrassed to admit that it took the threat of the anti-terrorism bill — now legislated into the anti-terrorism law — for me to overcome my personal hesitations and to finally speak up. I am mortified that it took me this long to find the courage. But I am glad that I’ve finally taken up this mantle. That I’ve finally embraced activism into my platform.

We raised over half a million pesos for typhoon victims in the Philippines!

Truly, raising more than Php 535,000 in donations for typhoon victims is singlehandedly the most monumental moment of my life. After all of my cries about the anti-terrorism bill fell on deaf ears, I did not dare to hope that my tweets could make much of a difference. But again, I was proven wrong in the most wonderful of ways.

Even now, I still don’t have the right words to describe how utterly surreal and amazing it’s been to be able to help my fellow countrymen. I still don’t have the right words to describe how heartwarming it feels to have garnered so much support and allyship from the community. And maybe I never will. But god knows that I will never forget everything about this donation drive.

Five, ten, or even twenty years from now, I will look back on this and know that I did at least one good thing in my life. And none of it would have been possible without my platform and without the thousands of people who’ve helped me build it. I can only hope to keep going and to keep growing — both as a social media influencer and as an activist.

Thank You (feat. shout-outs)

As of writing this post, there are 4,074 of you following this blog. And there are thousands more on social media. That’s beyond incredible! Thank you so much for reading my content, for supporting my work, and most of all, for growing alongside me. It truly is an honor and an incredible privilege to have you. 💛

I’ve made so many friends over the past five years, but I want to dedicate a small shout-out to the bookish friends who have made 2020 a whole less terrifying and a lot more bearable for me. For this and for everything else, thank you:

Christmas wish list or tip jar?

I don’t usually link my wish lists on my blog, and it feels even weirder to do amidst a global pandemic. So, I want to preface this with a gentle, sincere reminder that I am not expecting to receive any gifts or tips. Please do not feel pressured to get me anything, especially during these challenging times. I appreciate all forms of support and encouragement that I receive, be it monetary or otherwise. I already appreciate you. No matter what.

In case anyone does want to send a gift my way — whether it be for my blogging anniversary or for Christmas — I have a wish list on Amazon full of books and Kindle books that I’d love to have. I’m also saving up for Fairyloot’s exclusive hardback set of The Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa, and you can help me out with a small, one-time tip. 🎄✨

I’d love to hear from you!

🌻 For my fellow bookish content creators: How long have you been in the community? What keeps you motivated to create content?

🌻 What impossible, unimaginable things have you achieved this year? What milestones are you hoping to achieve in 2021?

🌻 And finally, how are you doing? I feel like I haven’t blogged in forever! Please tell me what I missed.