Welcome to the 5th annual THM Business Update – the insightful 2018 edition! For those unfamiliar with this tradition, I highly recommend exploring previous year’s reflections to witness the evolution of The Healthy Maven:
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
Each year, these posts serve as a monumental recap, chronicling the most significant experiences, lessons, and growth milestones achieved here at The Healthy Maven. They offer a unique narrative, detailing how this platform has evolved over time. While I often wish I had documented the very first year in 2013, the overarching story remains exceptionally clear: every single year brings a distinct set of challenges, triumphs, and transformations.
Typically, these annual reviews would feature a separate recap of The Healthy Maven’s top-performing posts alongside a comprehensive business overview. However, this year feels inherently different, making it feel right to seamlessly integrate both aspects. This decision stems partly from a profound shift within the blogging industry itself. For an extended period, the worlds of content creation and business operations often felt like polar opposites, existing at extreme ends of a spectrum. Yet, today, these two facets are undeniably intertwined. It’s truly remarkable, almost surreal, to encounter individuals who aspire to pursue a career path identical to mine – a testament to how much this industry has matured.
I won’t sugarcoat it: as the landscape of blogging continues to transform at an accelerated pace, so too have my personal perspectives on being an integral part of it. The delicate balance between maintaining genuine authenticity and effectively operating a thriving business has become increasingly challenging. There are moments when it feels almost impossible to reconcile these two crucial elements. The expectations and standards imposed by both our devoted readership and our esteemed brand partners have reached unprecedented levels. Meeting these diverse demands, striving to keep everyone satisfied, is a continuous tightrope walk that demands immense dedication and strategic navigation.
While I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers, 2018 emerged as a pivotal year – a masterclass in learning how to skillfully manage this intricate ecosystem. It was a year dedicated to refining the art of producing content that not only filled me with pride but also flowed authentically from the heart. Simultaneously, it required meticulous attention to fulfilling the strategic goals of my brand collaborations and, crucially, sustaining the livelihoods of my rapidly expanding team. This year made it abundantly clear that the comprehensive demands of this enterprise simply cannot be shouldered by a single individual, emphasizing the indispensable value of a strong support system.
Rest assured, I am certainly not complaining. I recognize the immense privilege of dedicating my life to work that I genuinely adore. However, I also feel a responsibility to peel back the curtain, offering a transparent glimpse into the behind-the-scenes realities that often go unseen. For a deeper dive into the intricacies of this journey, I wholeheartedly encourage you to listen to my podcast interview featuring Tanya Dyrdahl, our dedicated operations manager. In this candid conversation, we explore the authentic, unvarnished truth of what it truly means to run a dynamic and evolving blog in today’s digital age.
Beyond the ongoing evolution of The Healthy Maven, 2018 also marked the significant launch of a brand-new business venture. While Camp Wellness is undeniably still in its nascent, “newborn” phase, embarking on this fresh adventure has been an incredibly humbling and exhilarating experience. Its development has necessitated me stepping away from the daily operations of THM more frequently than usual. This shift has only amplified my gratitude, making me more appreciative than ever for the unwavering support and dedication of my exceptional team.
Key Learnings from Running a Blogging Business in 2018: Navigating Growth and Authenticity
In previous annual recaps, I meticulously broke down my insights into distinct categories such as social media metrics, financial figures, team dynamics, and more. While many of these areas remain relevant, their boundaries have become far less rigid and binary. My perspective on nearly all these topics has undergone a significant transformation. Today, I find myself liberated from the constant anxiety over numerical performance – be it website traffic, revenue figures, or the expansion of my social media following. This newfound comfort is partly attributable to a deeper sense of self-assurance, but more profoundly, it’s the result of substantial personal development that has empowered me to confront and overcome the fear associated with these metrics.
Notably, 2018 saw an unprecedented financial commitment to my business. A quick glance at my Freshbooks ledger reveals an investment of a staggering $90,000 – a significant sum that speaks volumes about the strategic decisions made this year. Yet, this substantial investment was mirrored by an equally significant return, as I also achieved my highest earnings to date. Perhaps even more impactful than the financial gains, I successfully developed and implemented a more sustainable operational structure around my business. This crucial shift has allowed me to reclaim invaluable personal time, freeing me from the relentless cycle of working “all.the.time.” This strategic decision to invest more financially in order to retrieve deeply valued personal bandwidth was a profound and unexpected transformation that I never anticipated would materialize.
Beyond financial metrics, I genuinely stopped fixating on numbers. When I review my Google Analytics data or assess the growth of my social media following, they often appear lower than in previous years, or progressing at what could be described as a nearly glacial pace. BUT – and this is a critical distinction – I also feel an immense sense of alignment. My content and my authentic voice now more fully embody what I truly believe in and resonate with the audience I genuinely aspire to reach, even if that audience is quantitatively smaller than it once was. As I mature, my willingness to engage in the often-exhausting “social media game” diminishes. I now view social media primarily as a strategic tool to effectively promote my content and work, to foster meaningful connections with my audience, and to facilitate connections among them. However, I have no interest in emotionally investing myself in the fickle algorithms and other elements beyond my control. As 2018 draws to a close, I’m increasingly embracing a more unapologetic, #fuckhashtags attitude – choosing to post because I genuinely have something valuable to say, rather than succumbing to the pressure of feeling like I “should” post. The sense of liberation and clarity that comes with this mindset is truly indescribable.
I am also a keen observer of the broader industry’s ongoing evolution. As I previously mentioned, the very notion that “blogging” has blossomed into a legitimate industry in and of itself is utterly mind-blowing. It’s certainly been a welcome change not to have to painstakingly explain my profession and business model to every new acquaintance. However, it’s equally surreal and, at times, incredibly strange to encounter individuals who openly declare their aspiration to “grow up” and pursue the exact same career path as mine. This phenomenon also signals the entry of players who may not have been drawn into this space purely out of an intrinsic passion, or from the organic process of transforming a beloved hobby into a sustainable business. Furthermore, the landscape of brand sponsorships has become remarkably intense, almost frenetic. My inbox is consistently inundated with emails from numerous companies whose sole purpose is to connect “influencers” with brands. This signifies a massive industry, and the sheer volume of money being circulated within it can feel overwhelming. Like many others in this dynamic space, I am actively striving to navigate how to remain a relevant and impactful part of it, while simultaneously staying unequivocally true to my core values and authentic self. This remains a continuous and evolving work in progress.
These transformative shifts are not isolated to the industry as a whole; they also profoundly impact individual creators. While I wholeheartedly encourage anyone with a story to tell or expertise to share to start a blog, I must candidly admit that initiating a successful blog today is significantly more challenging than it was in the past. With over 1000 blog posts under my belt, I possess not only a wealth of experience but also an extensive digital footprint. Any aspiring blogger entering the arena now faces a formidable task of catching up. Moreover, I’m observing a powerful trend where The Healthy Maven, along with many other influential bloggers I admire, is strategically branching into diverse areas. For many years now, I haven’t simply been “just a blog.” My creative output now encompasses producing video content (albeit occasionally), hosting a popular weekly podcast, teaching yoga classes, and organizing engaging events. The Healthy Maven has unequivocally transcended the definition of a mere blog; it is a multifaceted platform, and crucially, it is larger than just me as an individual. And, to be brutally honest, that multi-platform approach is rapidly becoming the industry standard.
Indeed, 2018 has been a year of profound learning – not just about the intricate nuances of running a blogging business, but also about the fundamental principles of business and entrepreneurship in general.
Anticipating 2019: A New Chapter for The Healthy Maven and Beyond
As discussed in my most recent solo podcast episode, 2019 is poised to bring forth some definitive and exciting changes. While The Healthy Maven is certainly not disappearing, I cannot deny that I have, in some significant ways, begun to outgrow certain aspects of this original space. I’ve discovered a profound satisfaction in sharing my thoughts and insights more deeply and fluidly on the podcast, where I feel a different kind of creative freedom. Furthermore, I’ve found deep fulfillment in the vibrant community and empowering spaces we are meticulously crafting through Camp Wellness. Consequently, I feel less compelled to be present here on the blog consistently three times a week, and I have a strong intuition that many of you might share this sentiment. Please feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments below if you agree or disagree!
Moreover, as I navigate my own journey of personal growth, I’m continually learning to establish and honor my boundaries, particularly concerning what to openly share and what to intentionally keep private. In many respects, I have quite literally grown up alongside this blog. Over the past six years, I have poured an immense amount of myself into this platform, sharing deeply personal experiences and insights. While I harbor absolutely no regrets about this transparency, I have increasingly found myself yearning to live more fully in the present moment and, paradoxically, share less of every single detail. This recalibration has involved considerable growing pains and the challenging, yet rewarding, process of discovering innovative ways to connect with all of you without feeling as though I am giving away my entire being. The pressure to perpetually share has only intensified as our digital platforms have, in essence, opened up our day-to-day lives for perpetual public viewing, making this boundary-setting even more crucial.
So, what exactly is on the horizon for 2019? My intention is to embrace more heartfelt sharing, but only when it genuinely feels *right* and authentic. This may manifest here on the blog, but it is highly probable that much of this deeper connection will primarily occur on the podcast. More than any concrete plan, I am committed to letting my intuition serve as my ultimate guide. For the very first time in my life, I find myself without a meticulously detailed plan for the year ahead. I am consciously letting go of the rigid three-times-a-week publishing schedule, choosing instead to observe organically what naturally blossoms from this newfound freedom. My focus and attention will also be more evenly distributed between cultivating The Healthy Maven and nurturing the growth of Camp Wellness. Part of this strategic shift means that the incredible Team Maven will be increasingly taking the reins here at THM – which is undoubtedly for the best, given that Jess has masterfully made THM’s culinary content ten times more delicious! – but it also means I will be less actively present on the blog and significantly more engaged with Camp Wellness. I feel an incredibly deep and personal connection to my mission of empowering women to identify their authentic passions and forge meaningful connections with one another. I am wholeheartedly committed to witnessing how this mission evolves and expands, even if it entails a gradual step back from my previous level of involvement here.
My gut instinct tells me that the time has come to release the immense pressure I’ve placed upon myself. It’s time to relinquish the rigid schedules, to let go of the perceived obligation to share every facet of my life, and simply trust that everything will unfold precisely as it is meant to. Does this prospect scare me? Absolutely, hell yeah. Yet, six years ago, I could never have possibly envisioned sitting here, writing this very post. This undeniable fact makes it abundantly clear that the universe holds plans for me that I will likely never fully comprehend or be able to foresee. Therefore, I am simply buckling up, preparing myself for what promises to be an extraordinary journey. I have a profound feeling that it’s going to be a truly good one, filled with unexpected joys and continued growth.
Highlights: My Favorite Wellness and Lifestyle Posts of 2018
As is customary, I always take this opportunity to highlight some of my personal favorite posts from the past year, alongside those that resonated most deeply with all of you, my cherished readers. It’s worth noting that the top recipe highlights have already been featured in this dedicated post, so this selection specifically showcases our most impactful wellness, lifestyle, and travel content:
- What My Curly Hair Taught Me About Self-Love
- Vancouver/Whistler Travel Guide: Exploring British Columbia
- How To Survive Shingles (and not go totally crazy!)
- Is Blogging Dead? A Candid Discussion on the Future of Content Creation
- Does Organic Really Matter? Delving into Food Choices
- Here’s The Truth: College Was Not the Best Four Years of My Life
- What I Learned from Yoga Teacher Training: A Journey of Self-Discovery
- The Wedding Series! Insights, Planning, and Memories
This post marks the final content piece of 2018 from The Healthy Maven! I will be returning in the new year, though the exact date remains flexible as I embrace a more intuitive approach. In the interim, I will also be consciously stepping away from all social media platforms for the next two weeks. Perhaps I can inspire you to join me in this much-needed tech detox? My plan involves deleting all social media applications from my devices, dedicating my full attention to being truly present with my cherished friends and family. I also look forward to immersing myself in watercoloring and thoughtfully setting my intentions for 2019. I am filled with genuine excitement and anticipation for all that the coming year promises to bring.
As always, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for everything! The Healthy Maven would unequivocally not be the thriving platform it is today, nor could it have evolved into what it has become, without each and every one of you. Your unwavering support means the absolute world to me, and I am profoundly grateful for every connection I’ve made and every individual I’ve had the privilege of meeting through this incredible platform. I extend my warmest wishes to all of you for a truly wonderful holiday season and a joyous, prosperous new year! I eagerly anticipate reconnecting with you all in 2019!