Hello! My name is Jessica Small. Welcome to my very first blog post!!!

It seems everyone and their mother is starting a blog these days… Amiright?

Statistics from eMarketer estimate that in 2014 there were 4.4 million reported mommy bloggers in the U.S and that figure has, no doubt, grown over the past few years.

With these staggering numbers in mind, it is easy for me to have feelings of defeat before I even attempt to start a blog of my own.

I wonder who the heck would bother reading my blog when there are so many other talented and qualified bloggers out there?

I had come to realize that there are many benefits to starting a blog regardless of whether anyone reads it or not.

1. It Pushes You to Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone

I’ve recently experienced a life-altering trauma that has caused me to want to withdraw into my safe, little shell away from all hurt and harm. Add that to my already introverted personality and you’ve got yourself a hermit in the making.

The thing is, that’s just not the way anyone should live their life and it’s not the way I want to live mine.

Once I realized this, I set an intention to pursue courage and allow myself to be vulnerable. For me, having a blog will put courage and vulnerability to practice.

Of course, there is the risk that someone won’t like me or that I may fail, but I’m done with allowing my fears and insecurities to hold me back from reaching my full potential.

It’s a gigantic hurdle for me to get over but I’m going to do it because, heck, it’s just plain good for me!

Rather than allow the setbacks of life to get me down, I’ll repurpose it as the fuel behind this blog.

I recently heard a saying, “Suffer the pain of change or suffer no change at all”. Can I get an “Amen!”?

2. It Provides a Creative Outlet

The great thing about blogging is that you get to talk about the things that you are passionate about with people who share the same interest! It doesn’t get better than that, folks.

Blogging will give me a platform to showcase some of my skills, motivate me to improve in those skills, and allow me to give my two cents about what I’ve learned along the way.

Being a SAHM is such a privilege and I will never take that for granted, however, I can’t help but feel like my brain is turning to mush when all I have is my two toddler boys to interact with most of the day.

I feel like starting a blog will give me the mental stimulation that I need and challenge my creative side.

If someone can be helped or inspired as a result, then I couldn’t ask for a better outcome.

3. It Allows You to Form New Connections

The best thing that could come from this blog, for me, is that I make lasting friendships and meet new people along the way.

I want to find my people!

If you love learning about DIY, home improvement, health and fitness, parenting, and anything related to growth as much as I do, then you have come to the right place and you are my people!

SO BASICALLY…

From Grit to Pearl is about creating and cultivating a captivating life!

No matter what we’ve been through, how we started out or where we’ve come from, we all have the potential to transform our lives into something beautiful.

My hope is that you’ll see my heart and be inspired by it in some way shape or form.

I don’t know how to do all this just yet, but I’ve learned so much since starting a blog and I am ready for the challenge. After all life is not about the arrival, but the journey.