Spoiler alert: the blog’s gone now, I’ll tell you that for free.
In January 2016, 1weekmary.com was born. My little corner of the internet. I began with a love of writing and a desire to make something out of these phases I went through. I’d do things for a week and write about them. I loved writing, loved trying new things, and as I’d just started university in London, it seemed like an amazing idea.
The blog isn’t around any more. We went our separate ways in around 2018/2019. But I had so much fun with it and it kinda shaped my time at university. I grew up with it. But then sadly I outgrew it, so away it went. 10 years on, what’s changed? Everything. Almost.
I didn’t know the opportunities that little blog would bring for me. I attended blogger events and even held my own little one in Manchester. The skills I developed helped me host a charity event for water aid. The blog helped me learn about WordPress and websites and social media and taking pictures. It helped me a lot. Since then, and since graduating, I’ve gained a good amount of experience in marketing, especially writing and, in recent years, SEO.
That blog got me my job as social media officer for my university’s English department. And then PR assistant for the student union, where I won student staff member of the year. It helped me with my fundraising project in 2020, where I took part in the 2.6 challenge and wrote 26 stories that were 26 sentences each, to raise money for orphan sponsorship.
It helped me gain confidence. It helped create something for myself and handle it all – all by myself – at uni. It set the foundation of my career, without me knowing that was even possible. Now, almost 10 years later, I still love to sit and just write. To reflect. To ramble. To get those words out on the page and make sense of the muddle in my head. It’s something I haven’t done for so, so long. But whenever I get round to it – even if it’s years later – I love it.
I think when I started working as a content writer, things changed. It wasn’t just for fun anymore. It was work now. It wasn’t me just writing about whatever I wanted. It was different. But over the years, that’s changed. It’s less corporate now and I get to write about things I actually care about.
Back when I set up that little blog, I had no idea about the journey that was just about to begin. Honestly, it just goes to show, you never know how far you can get until you actually start.
10 years ago I started the journey and I continue learning as I go. I think 19 year old me would be proud of me.
Writing is my superpower. What’s yours? Let me know below.
Until next time,
Hana x
HAYCH WRITES 