There are already so many blogs out there that you might wonder—why would anyone, in their right mind, start another one? I asked myself a lot of questions before taking the plunge:
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Will my blog find a place in the already saturated bookish blogosphere?
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Will people actually be interested in reading my articles?
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What difference will my blog make?
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What unique perspectives can I bring to the table?
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Where will I find my audience?
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Can I really write well in English, considering French is my first language?
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Who is my target reader?
These questions left me feeling overwhelmed. Then one day, a friend asked me about my latest ideas—I always have ideas floating around—and I told her about my hesitation in starting a blog. Her advice? Just start. Don’t overthink it. Figure out the rest as you go.
So, that’s how I hopped on this blogging journey. But why was I thinking about a blog in the first place? What pushed me to start writing?
1. Writing as a Way to Express Myself
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved reading and writing. In middle school, I wrote short fictional stories that my classmates would read and rate. As an introvert, journaling became my refuge. I had friends, but opening up to them wasn’t always easy. My journal became my safe space—an intimate friend that listened without judgment. Even today, I find it easier to write about my feelings than to talk about them. Writing puts everything into perspective for me.
When I write, my emotions, mind, and soul align. It’s as if a deep sense of peace washes over me, shutting out the noise of reality. I escape into another world. Putting words on paper has always been my most natural way of expressing myself.
So, starting a blog? It just made sense. The real question should be: Why didn’t I start sooner?
2. Achieving One of My Goals
At the beginning of this year, I wrote down several goals I wanted to accomplish. Yes, another New Year’s resolution! I know what you’re thinking—how many resolutions have I made, only to abandon them by February? Too many to count.
But this time, I was determined. I’ve mastered the art of procrastination (if you know, you know), but I wanted to prove to myself that I could set a goal and actually achieve it. Building the blog was challenging and took longer than expected, but with the help of online tutorials and a friend with web design skills, I made it happen.
There were moments I wanted to give up. I was exhausted, sleep-deprived, and frustrated. But I wanted to use my maternity leave to create something meaningful. Now that the blog is live, my next challenge is to stay consistent and not give up.
3. Bookstagram
I’ve been running a bookish Instagram account—@dawnunchained—for five years. There, I post book reviews, engage in bookish discussions, and participate in reading challenges. However, until late 2024, I wasn’t very consistent. Between school, work, and two pregnancies, keeping up with posting regularly became difficult.
Despite that, my Bookstagram experience made me think about starting a blog. My reviews tend to be long, but Instagram’s algorithm and audience seem to favor shorter captions. I tried writing brief reviews, but it’s just not my style—especially when a book touches on complex themes that deserve deeper exploration. I also noticed that many book reviews on Instagram, while great for quick recommendations, often don’t go into much depth. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—short, snappy reviews are useful—but I personally wanted more space to dive into discussions.
So, I thought: Why not create a blog where I can write in-depth reviews and expand on book-related themes? That’s how DawnUnchained was born—carrying the same name as my Bookstagram.
4. Motherhood
Yes, motherhood! Being a mother is tough. For me, it’s not easy. I have three children, two of whom are still toddlers. It’s exhausting. Some days, I feel completely overwhelmed by my never-ending “mom duties,” and I desperately need a way to recharge. Books have been my escape. Any spare moment I get—whether it’s 30 minutes or just 10—is spent reading.
At the same time, motherhood is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Watching my children grow, learn, and develop their personalities is incredible. But that doesn’t mean it’s not challenging. The exhaustion, the constant demands, and the feeling of being needed 24/7 can take a toll.
As my youngest grew, I started feeling like all I did was take care of my family and household. Deep down, I felt like I was losing myself. This is not to say that motherhood is a waste of time—far from it. I cherish my role as a mother, but I also realized that I needed something that was just for me. I wanted to reconnect with my passions outside of parenting and find an outlet that allowed me to be creative and feel fulfilled in a different way.
Whenever I feel overwhelmed, my instinct is to write. So, in a way, motherhood pushed me into blogging. It gave me the drive to create something that nourishes me as an individual, beyond being a mom. And that, in turn, makes me a better parent.
Does that make sense?
5. Another Source of Income
Before immigrating to Canada, I worked as an Administrative Assistant in Cameroon and ran a small online makeup business on the side. That experience taught me the importance of having multiple income streams. Who knows? A side hustle might one day turn into something bigger.
I still don’t know how my blog will generate income, but for now, my focus is on consistently posting and building an audience. I have no idea where this journey will lead, but I’m willing to take that first step and see where it goes.
Sticking to the Journey—What About You?
If you’ve ever made a New Year’s resolution and followed through, I’d love to hear about it! What motivated you to stick with it? What strategies helped you stay on track? Let’s share and learn from each other in the comments.