With Thanksgiving being this week, I have a lot to think about in the ways of being thankful when it comes to this blog… We get asked a lot of questions – all the time – about the blog. And you can take a look at the most frequently asked ones here. But the two most commonly asked questions Sally and I are asked are: 1) how did you come up with the name and, 2) what is the best part about having a blog. A Piece of Toast is a pretty strange name so that one is always kind of interesting to talk about (p.s. you can read about the naming here). But I especially like the second question… Mainly because it masks what people really want to know about blogs/bloggers: 1) why do you do this when it takes so much time and you don’t know who’s reading it, 2) is the best part making money and getting send stuff, 3) is the blog going to turn into your full time job some day.
Questions are good and I would much rather people ask than just make assumptions. Because Sally and I started this blog with no preconceived goals or intensions – we honestly just wanted to have a digital scrapbook that could store all our current likes, interest, shopping wish lists at any given time. We are creatives and it was therapeutic to start something that was disconnected from our days jobs and just for us. Of course we wanted people to read it though! We got attached to you readers very early on and even though we don’t know all of your middle names or where you are reading our blog from, we do feel connected to you and we like to know that when we write each day that you guys are the ones reading it.
Oh gosh, the monetary aspect and gratuitous products are something that does not happen as soon as you have a www.blog.com. Yes, we do make some money (no, it is not a lot and certainly not enough to quit our day jobs) but it is a nice “reward” to have when we put so much time, energy, and love into this blog. It makes me kind of sad when I first meet someone and they say, “I just started my blog yesterday and my hope is that it will become my full time job that will make me a ton of money!!” Most full time bloggers will tell you that it took them years to get to the point where financially they were able to devote all their time to their blog. And they will probably also tell you that they never started their blog with the intension of making money.
Bloging full time is not an easy gig – it usually means that a blogger’s email account explodes on a daily basis and that their content is 99% “original” and it takes a lot of time for them to create. They definitely don’t write one post a day and then chill at home in their sweatpants counting their money… As of right now, Sally and I don’t plan on some day making A Piece of Toast our one and only job. Never say never, but for now it’s not on our radar.
So, where is all this rambling going and what does it have to do with Thanksgiving? When it comes to A Piece of Toast, I am most thankful for the answer to the common question, “What is the best part about having a blog?” Answer: the connections with people. All the gifted products in the world could not compare to the friendships and relationships we have made with other bloggers, readers, and people at companies, brands, and PR firms. I hope you aren’t rolling your eyes thinking, “Psh, ya right” because I would never trade our readers if it meant making more money and I would take friendships over free stuff every day.
During the interview process for my current new job, I was told that all employees completed an assment each year to gauage how happy they were in the work environment. One of the questions of the survey was: do you have a best friend at work? The person I was talking to at the time said, “That should give you a pretty good idea of what the culture here is like.” And it did – because work is work and yes, you always want to like what you are doing – but friendships and relationships are such a powerful part of being happy and liking what you do. Who doesn’t want to walk into work every day excited to see their work best friend? I kept thinking about that and it made me realize what I already knew, that I enjoy having the blog so much because I get to do it with my best friend and sister and because it has led to so many friendships and connections I never would have had otherwise. I get lonely just thinking about who would not be in my life had we not decided to go for it 2 years ago.
When it comes to the blog, I am so incredibly thankful that what was once just a hobby has become the link to knowing amazing individuals. You friends (yes, you readers are my friends) make me so happy. And it doesn’t even have to be the week of Thanksgiving for me to realize it 
(Image via Jamie Beck, From Me To You)
I agree; I think the thing that I am most thankful for and get the most of out with regards to my blog is the personal connections and network of support. I think that it's really fantastic and I'm constantly humbled and in awe of how wonderful seemingly complete strangers can be.
Chelsea
Haute Child in the City
What a great toast talk today girls! Happy thanksgiving and have a lovely Monday!
Couldn't agree more- every word! Blogging has brought me so much happiness because of the friendships I've made. That and my passion for design is what keeps me going and posting every day. Thank you for reflecting on what your blog means to you girls- so refreshing and earnest!
this is a lovely post. i love your perspective. i think that is a GREAT question for work assessments… i know my job would not feel the same if i didn't have my work bestie right across the hall! have a happy monday!
I feel exactly the same way… it really is the friendships you make!
Great post. I love reading about why people blog. It's nice to know that it's not all about the money and that a few still care about content and connecting with other.
I'm just starting a blog and kind of flailing around, trying to find my way around establishing a niche and a pretty, professional look for my blog, while simultaneously entertaining doubts and pride about my new hobby! This is a great timely post to remind me of why I started blogging in the first place – as a creative platform and a place for me to share my thoughts and the things I love. Thanks so much for it!
P.S. I love the Toast Talk series – they're so awesome! Please keep them coming – I find myself wanting extra helpings of each Toast Talk all the time!
Hello! Mostly a lurker but an avid reader of your blog. Thanks so much for this. I just started blogging this past summer for a creative outlet since my day job doesn't allow for (or encourage) much creativity. It gets tough at times not getting caught up in the "No one comments" or when my google analytics views take a nose dive from one post to the next. Because ultimately, yes, you want people to read what you write, but for me, I want to enjoy blogging because it fills that creative space for me. I think I'm still working on my "voice", so if I keep with it, I anticipate it getting better! I always appreciate your honesty! Thanks for that!!
I really love how eloquently this post was written and I can completely relate to and agree with how you feel about your readers. I have a much smaller blog with a much smaller readership, but every time I get an email notification that someone commented on a post of mine, it makes me over-the-moon happy!
I make a point to comment on other blogs that I read and love (including this one of course), so the fact that there are people out there who are willing to take some time out of their day to leave anything from a meaningful discussion-worthy comment to a brief compliment is a huge reason why blogging is so great.
Happy Thanksgiving ladies
love this sweet + heartfelt post. it's always fun getting asked blog questions – with there being so many misperceptions. i 100% agree – it's the people i've met through what started as a personal outlet that make blogging so special!
Lovely post! I'm a pretty new blogger, but I already feel that way too! I have a group of readers who I know come "visit" me every day, and I visit them, and they really do feel like friends. It took me forever to get the courage to start a blog, but I had no idea how much I would really love it. And I absolutely LOVE A Piece of Toast
I am thankful for your daily inspirations, thank you to you both for always sharing wonderful things and tips with us!
http://www.inspirareland.tumblr.com
I read every word and loved what you wrote. It's so true, we don't make a lot of money but we are passionate about what we do and the friendships made are incredible! I hope you have the happiest Thanksgiving!
xo
Sharon
What a thoughtful and intelligent post. That's why I enjoy reading your blog so much – It's smart. Happy Thanksgiving!
I really love this post. My friend & I blog together and our blog is pretty new. We're obviously not at a point where we're making money or being offered amazing opportunities, but we know that that is OK. I of course have goals for the blog, but as long as I love what I'm doing – it really doesn't matter. I've fallen in love with making connections as well as the creative side of blogging. I hope to continue to make friendships through blogging, as it's proven to be one of the best parts!
xo Olivia
go for the glam
Love this. That's what I'm hoping to do with my blog – build relationships!!