100 countries?
On ‘Top 45 Caribbean Lifestyle Blogs & News Websites To Follow‘ by FeedSpot amidst all those big budget companies 2 years and counting? With no paid promotion, blogging on a phone for a year with dinky wifi half the time – working from home before it was trendy these days? God is good, gracious and kind. I’m no rocket scientist or top strategist.
I started this blog – to the sound of crickets in Barbados. That March in 2013, I only knew one blogger in Barbados, a journalist. Although I knew it would grow by grace with every post and a lot of faith, now that it has officially reached readers in 100 countries, I still have to blink my eyes sometimes to process the fact that we’re here. From writing to an audience of one to now many people in different destinations (thank you!) and featuring guests from around the map, it reminds me to keep on encouraging other aspiring bloggers who have a message to share and fear to overcome.
If you’re an aspiring blogger with a knack for multi-media things or an online writer who could do with a refresher, this post is for you.

What started as a random collection of photos from hikes, cooking and gardening moments is still blossoming into what I hope to be a refreshing place for you who want to find something wholesome, uplifting and resourceful online, when so many loud and shiny things fueled by nuff marketing muscle are all over the place.
Through the years, questions roll in about how to start and grow a blog organically, how to navigate the dashboard to add, edit or embed this or that and how to overcome nerves when it comes to pressing publish. To shave off countless hours of research, video watching and online seminars for you to launch your online writing journey and grow your blog (and so I don’t miss out important steps with each conversation) I wrote an ebook to sum it up and walk aspiring bloggers through the process.
To see the list of countries with people who have come by to read posts, comment or share a link with friends, scroll to the end. If by chance you don’t see yours yet, sound your voice so I can add it.
Every new blogger hopes their online writingwill connect with people interested or invested in what they have to share. If we didn’t, we’d all still be jotting down entries in our journals only and not posting anywhere publicly. Not every thing we think makes it to the blog. The blog is how we share a message that reaches others outside of our immediate circle and community. When that message is pressing, holding it in becomes a burden especially if what you’re called to share can help someone else. While worth, personal growth and success isn’t defined by figures, fans, fame, likes, subscriptions or notifications, I always want to remember the truth that you are not a number, and more than a demographic, destination or random reader. You are a living breathing someone taking and sharing time (amidst billions of sites) to be here. That means a lot to me and I don’t ever want to take that for granted.
A resource for aspiring bloggers
“Blogging Essentials” is now available in the online shop right here so feel free to get your copy, download and print it out to use as a real-time reference for your writing rhythm, blog launch and growth plan. When your payment comes through, I’ll email it straight to you within 24-48hrs (same day for the most part but in case I’m out on a nature walk or on heading somewhere, gimme a little time to see your request and send your book.)
If you’re a new or aspiring blogger, you might find there’s little or no applause, confetti, bells or whistles when you start and share your online writing journey at first if you’re not on the trending list of public figures. At least there was none on my side, writing from a little island in The Caribbean where the word ‘blog’ is only now picking up as something interesting and innovative to have, when you’re not part of a big company or organisation. But that’s not why writers write. When you remember the purpose in your writing, and the person – people on the other side of the screen, you’ll know it’s worth every effort to keep on writing, keep on sharing, set your rhythm and schedule well…keep showing up (but don’t be afraid or too proud to take breaks), and always remember to give thanks in all things.
Alright, here’s the ebook I was telling you about that’s now available in the online shop: “Blogging Essentials.”

Thank you to the FeedSpot team and of course to you, the readers in:
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Barbados
Bahrain
Belgium
Brazil
Bolivia
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Croatia
Cuba
Curaçao
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Ecuador
Egypt
Georgia
Guam
Hungary
Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Unites States
United Kingdom
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Jordan
Taiwan
Trinidad & Tobago
St. Lucia
Ukraine
Cayman Islands
India
Jamaica
Japan
Haiti
Macau SAR China
Panama
Phillipines
Poland
Portugal
China
Malaysia
Maldives
Martinique
Mauritius
Mexico
Morocco
Myanmar (Burma)
Nigeria
Netherlands
Hong Kong
Kenya
Italy
Fiji
France
Finland
Greece
Guadeloupe
Grenada
Germany
Luxembourg
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
South Africa
St. Kitts & Nevis
Russia
Bermuda
Indonesia
Oman
Senegal
Spain
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Sweden
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Nepal
Pakistan
Sudan
United Arab Emirates
Switzerland
Zimbabwe
Thailand
Turkey
New Zealand
Tunisia
Lithuania
Uganda
Vietnam
Thanks for coming by Its Joy Within. If you’re inspired to support this blog whether with a $1. today or more monthly, the PayPal email address is itsjoywithin@gmail.com – thanks very much and hope to see you in the next post.
thank you