From Dreams to Reality: My Journey as a Blogger

 My Journey as a Blogger: From Dreams to Reality

Bloggers were the first stars of social media, long before "everyone" started making content. When I was in college, I wanted to be like Tricia Gosingtian, Laureen Uy, and Camille Co, the original Filipino bloggers who had such a big impact online.

I can't even remember clearly why I wanted to be a blogger. It could have been their creativity, their confidence, or the way they made a whole world out of their words and pictures. I just wanted to try it too, but I was too scared to post anything.

 I'm still working on my self-confidence. My insecurities and busy schedule as an International Studies student didn't help either. I didn't have time or energy to blog because I was busy with schoolwork and activities. So, I quietly put that dream on hold.

The Blog That Got It All Started

In fact, it took me years to get my first job after graduation. After college, I didn't really know what I wanted to do, and I spent most nights up trying to find something worthwhile to do during that "in-between" period.

I launched my first blog at that time, long before the idea of Clea Banal existed. It was on Tumblr (yes, Tumblr!) and I wrote reviews of movies, manga, and manhwa. I regret deleting it in retrospect. Looking back at those posts and noticing how much I've changed as a person and as a writer would have been so much fun. 

Finding My Niche in Beauty

At that time, I wasn’t very confident with my looks (and honestly, that’s still something I’m working on). I rarely saw mid-sized bloggers back then, so I didn’t think I could be “seen” or “relatable” enough.

But I loved discovering new skincare and beauty products — and I realized, why not write about that? It was around the same time I started building my own skincare routine, and I was excited to share my honest experiences online.

Even now, whenever I’m about to buy a new product, especially an expensive one, I still prefer reading blog reviews rather than watching videos. There’s something more personal, more detailed, and more thoughtful about blogs.

Joining the Blogging Community

You can find my review of my favorite body scrub [here], which was my very first published post. I was just sharing what I loved at the time in the hopes that someone else would find it meaningful.

Everything changed when I eventually discovered the Davao Bloggers Society (DBS). In June 2014, I hosted my first DBS event, which also happened to be a beauty event (you can read that post [here]). I felt like I belonged when I was among people who had similar passions. 

 Learning the Tech Side (and Surviving It) 

I'll be honest: I'm not tech savvy. It was undoubtedly difficult to start a blog from scratch. Reading about HTML, templates, plug-ins, and blog customization took up many of my evenings. However, I persisted because, if others could do it, why couldn't I?

All of that work eventually paid off. My writing got better, my blog gradually took shape, and I began getting messages from brands and readers who valued what I was doing. 

Remaining True in the Social Media Age

Sometimes I question whether blogging is still important in this world of short-form, fast-paced content that is dominated by Instagram Reels and TikTok. People seem to prefer scrolling over reading at times.

But I'm constantly reminded that blogging is still worthwhile when I look at my site analytics and see that people are still coming to my posts, or when a brand contacts me because they trust my reviews. Even though it isn't as "trendy" as it once was, storytelling and authenticity still flourish there.

What I Want to Be Remembered For

I want people to remember me as someone they trusted who remained sincere and honest with her readers if I ever decide to stop blogging.

I've learned more from blogging than just how to write and review products. It gave me the courage to connect with people who share my passions, to create even when I'm hesitant, and to share.

Who knows? Perhaps a student or night owl will come across my story one day and choose to launch their own blog as well. 

In retrospect, I see that blogging was always about bravery, not just about notoriety or beauty. The bravery to be there, to share my story, and to believe that my voice counts. Take this as a sign if you're reading this and considering launching your own blog. Start now rather than waiting for the ideal time or self-image. You'll be shocked at the impact your words can have.