Building a Blog is Hard, Biking is Easy

The line following this paragraph stylized in title text is the title that ChatGPT came up with when I copied and pasted this blog post into a new chat dialogue box and told it to come up with my SEO details. This proves how the human element of writing can never be removed because what I’d written here is definitely not at all about Why Biking is the Best Workout You Didn’t Know You Needed. If I weren’t locked out of my ChatGPT account, I’d think the artificial intelligence had gotten my request confused with the previous formulation of a blog for the biking lifestyle section of this site (that I really don’t care to write, yet am ‘cause I understand the importance of an ongoing single topic threaded throughout a website for the purpose of SEO). Artificial intelligence is dumb af when it comes to underlying messages and/or bigger pictures, or closer, nuanced looks at bigger pictures. But hey, AI is a system and so is Google search and I want them bit’chez on my side, so since that’s what ChatGPT got from this post that I wrote, I’ll go’on ‘head and let its generated SEO details be mixed into here.

Why Biking is the Best Workout You Didn’t Know You Needed

It’s after five-thirty in the evening and I haven’t eaten, not anything substantial since breakfast. Sitting here on the last day in week 4 of this 12-week content strategy of which I had the grand idea of dedicating myself. Before I get to complaining about me and my decisions and all of this being a bunch of bullsnit, let me say that there’s one aspect for which I’m very grateful: I’m sticking to something, y’all!

Maintaining consistency over time with an assignment or activity is rare for me.

It’s only since joining this wellness network named WellHub (formerly GymPass) that I’ve begun working out regularly for the past few months. Working out, as in, intentionally going to a place of fitness and completing a structured workout; prior to paying for WellHub’s fitness studio network, I wasn’t exactly a couch potato sitting on my round behind. My lifestyle as a whole is, and has been, active ever since swapping out my motor vehicle for a bike and beginning my car-free life in Los Angeles a few years or so ago. It wasn’t until my cousin from back home in New Orleans, Raven, came to spend a week with me around LA last summer, and she pointed it out, that I realized, though I may not have seen the inside of a gym or fitness studio in years, girl, you workout, your life is a workout.

When you live an active lifestyle, you don’t have to be consistent with working out to stay fit.

Beginning to bike for fun initially, then branching out to bike to work, changed my life in a way that my eyes couldn’t see until looking back (now) with 20/20 vision. Never having struggled with weight management nor obesity, there existed no drastic differences in the look of my body as I picked up biking as a hobby, nor thereafter as a method of transportation. However, oh, bay-bee, were the changes going on under the surface! That’s the beauty of biking, it doesn’t feel as though it’s exercise. Biking is fun. You’re on two wheels having fun or getting where you need to go, that’s it; it’s not a chore, it’s not “ugh, I have to go workout.” It may be hard for people that meet me in present day to believe, but I never liked working out. Shoot, I still can’t stand the gym, ew. I can write an entire blog post on why traditional fitness gyms disgust me. We’ll save that for another day.

Related: Biking Makes the Brain Feel Good | aroundLA

I never liked working out. Biking wasn’t working out. And that’s why it worked out. ☺︎

I guess a person could argue, “well, TK, you maintained biking.” My response would be, “you maintain driving.” That very first day I rode my bicycle a little under 5 miles to Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills, I wasn’t going out for an exercise; I was getting to work without paying for a rideshare because the mechanic couldn’t immediately get to my car. Biking became a part of my day-to-day life over time and that’s what an active lifestyle is; an active lifestyle is when being active is integrated into a lifestyle.

When it came time for me to bite the blogger’s bullet and niche down, to give the blog a more narrow and defined base, it only logical that an active lifestyle built from biking it became.

And it does makes perfect sense, right?

Then, why do I keep questioning it.. I’m talking from week 1 of this 12-week goal setting span, I was typing to myself trying to make it make sense, re-convincing myself that this the right thing (or the most probable) after I’d spelled it out as so over 2 years ago saying it is. Let me go take a picture of my composition notebook where I glued pages cut out of my 2021-2022 Morgan Harper Nichols Barnes and Noble exclusive planner.

turn tf up!

I’m not anywhere near where I want to be because I’m not working hard enough, I wrote to myself at the top of the page, I didn’t maintain consistency. I go on to write out notes from some YouTube “blogging school” channel that I’d tuned in to more regularly than my mama used to her afternoon soaps.

month 1 of $0/month to $4,000/month in 1 year of blogging as mapped by blogging experts, I head this section of this notes page dated March 2022 from my planner. I’d done thorough research for months on end and gathered blogging advice from an array of SEO experts and veteran bloggers. From all the blogging knowledge I’d consumed, I found this to be the most practical and actionable advice for building a new blog as a beginner blogger. It would be my guide-map and I’d start building this blog one month at a time, one step at a time.

step 1: search analysis and identify 30 topics for niche [search optimization]

  • low competition, 30 topics within niche, broken down into even more specific subsections

  • gain authority in a few subsections

  • structure content in a way to be picked up by Google (blog about same thing for Google to catch)

Within this first step of beginning a new blog, Income School suggests the first 30 topics within a blog niche when beginning a blog ought to fall into even more narrow lanes of that niche. My mind broke biking around LA into these more specific areas:

  1. logistics of bicycle commuting and touring

  2. routes and rides for bicycle touring

  3. fuel stops for bicycle touring and commuting

In the first of the three even more niche subcategories of the already niche category of being a girl that bikes, I came up with 7 topics: helmet hair, hygiene, skin protection, bringing items (what?), carrying items (how?), comfortable clothing, cute riding looks. In the next girls that bike section, all that came to mind was Ballona Creek Bike Path. And last, I said, coffee shops along bike routes, brunch cafes along bike routes, bars along bike routes (not that we want to encourage drinking and driving).

Dang, now that I’m going over this again, that’s cute. Blog pieces such as those really do flow with the natural flow of my everyday life; there would be no going out and looking for content, as I’m merely explaining in detail various aspects of being a girl that rides her bike for fun sometimes and is also a bicycle commuter at others, and on lucky occasions, an amateur cyclist.

Hm, too bad I didn’t write ‘bout nan one. Girl you ain’t write nan [Trina voice], bad is when you’re capable of beating the baddest. I didn’t finish drafting a list of 30 blog topics within the niche to move to the next stop of actually beginning to blog. It’s very much not giving the baddest bih; it’s giving you’re doing the baddest, bih.

Later that same year, in November, I was back.

picking up action plan to GAIN AUTHORITY on Google, I head this page of my planner notes.

Ou! Side note: I got up from this desk after defining what is an active lifestyle earlier on this page and got me something to eat before blacking out and on my way home, I stopped in one of my favorite places… the bookstore! And I bought one of my favorite things… stationery! I hadn’t had a planner in the past couple of years because though I enjoy meticulously writing out details about my day to myself, I was tired of having a visual reminder of my failures on paper. Failing to do what I said I would do. Failing to see an idea through. Failing to have the faith to bring a project to fruition. Until finally failing to even plan at all, leaving pages blank, letting the planner that I paid more for the most meals go to waste because what sense is writing it if I know it’s nothing but empty promises.. I had to pause, exhale and inhale after that one. My Lord. I don’t know that I’d ever admitted that before.

thinking about where to start, figure at my start..

how I started commuting to work by bike

I add “bike life” to the drop down menu on aroundLAwithTK[dot]com.

From my research about blogging, I knew I needed to turn the story into a search query.

How to Start Bike Commuting in Los Angeles

Okay, I’m onto something.. that wasn’t hard, turning a blog idea that came about naturally into terms an Internet user might type into her search bar, I thought. Wasn’t looking as bright when I typed the query into my Google search bar. YIKES!, I say (write) to myself, I didn’t know this would be so popular. Zugo Bike held the top spot on Google search results and the magnate that is L.A. Times held the second.

Hmm.. the blog experts said to pick a niche and subcategories within that niche that are easy to rank for as a new blog, search queries that have low competition. L.A. Times isn’t exactly low competition. WTF man.

I decided that the “people also ask” queries are likely to be less competitive, immediately realizing that the original query that I thought I was onto something with is too broad. I start writing questions from the “people also ask” area of the search results page, and maybe a few of my own, separating them into one of the quadrants I’d drawn on my planner notes page.

How Is It Living in Los Angeles Without a Car?

  • is L.A. a good city for biking?

  • is it easy to bike in L.A.?

  • do bikes get stolen in L.A.?

  • can you live in L.A. without driving?

  • where in L.A. can you live without a car?

  • is L.A. a bike-friendly city?

How To Replace a Car With a Bike?

  • where to live (which neighborhoods) to commute by bike?

  • where are big bike sharing locations around L.A.?

  • how to carry home groceries on a bicycle?

  • what to wear when commuting to work by bike?

  • is it worth riding a bike to work around L.A.?

  • how to freshen up after riding a bicycle to work?

  • why is commuting by bike better for L.A.?

Is Riding a Bike Good Exercise?

  • what’s a fun, free way to get fit around L.A.?

  • which neighborhood around L.A. has the best hills to climb?

  • where can I ride hills around L.A.?

  • where can I avoid hills while bike riding around L.A.?

  • where can I have a beginner bike ride around L.A. to start my fitness journey?

  • where can I have an intermediate ride around L.A.?

  • where can I do cardio on a bike around L.A.?

  • is bike riding good for an obese person? (talk about Frank)

Why is it better to see L.A. by bike?

  • what are the most scenic routes for touring SoCal by bike?

  • where are the prettiest neighborhoods around L.A. to bike?

  • what are bike-friendly neighborhoods for families around L.A.?

  • where is it safe for kids to ride bikes for fun around L.A.?

  • where can I bike aroundLA for fun?

  • where can I ride my bike on roads closed to cars aroundLA?

  • where are long, paved bike trails aroundLA?

  • where can I find quiet roads for cycling the city in Southern California?

I made all sorts of notes around the perimeters of the page, as if these very specific blog topic ideas in the form of search queries wouldn’t have sufficed.

Pretty sure, once again, I ain’t write nan.

I came back in February of 2023 to revisit agenda from previous note pages and wooooohooo! I did something. I starting acting on the action plan I’d written out an entire calendar year prior.

Less than a week and 5 blog posts later, that stopped.

I was right back two months later though!

And two days later, that was over.

I don’t see any evidence that I picked this whole bike life blogging niche back up ever again the whole remaining 8-9 months of 2023, nor the first 8-9 months of 2024.

It wasn’t until my childhood friend, Marcus, offered some constructive conversation on the topic of my lil’ blog, my lil’ aroundLAwithTK baby, that I’ve picked it up again.

[rolls eyes]. That’s a darn shame, yeah. I’ve prevailed in the face of greatly more forceful feats, yet this, a simple website with accompanying social media components, I struggle to keep up with it?? And by “struggle”, I darn near don’t do it at all. Well, I didn’t.

Now?

Shiiiiiiiiiid, who?!

Call me Alicia Keys, I’m holding that note, this girl is on fiiiiiiiiiire!

(Reread the above sentence to appreciate the double-entendre I did there.)

In all realistic truth, I’m still not snit and I haven’t done snit fr fr.. a month, ONE, of consistent blogging when building a blog is barely the beginning. However, for a girl that has been having her domain name since COVID-19 put the world in confinement 4 years ago and had barely ever been consistent for 4 days, posting new blog content consistently for 4 weeks is quite the feat.

A hand holding a pen over an open planner with notes on a cluttered desk, illustrating the process of planning and brainstorming blog content.

Finding the perfect balance between authenticity and SEO can be tricky. The notes in this old planner was only scratching the surface to the blogging journey I'm beginning now. Over 2 years later, I'm learning how to align my unique voice with effective strategies—blending personal stories, practical tips, and audience engagement for a successful blog brand!

Maybe I’m not a failure, not yet.

Even if this whole bike life niche bullsnit is bullsnit and it does not allot aroundLAwithTK[dot]com domain authority in got dang on something, I can’t say I’ll be completely pissed for having stuck to it. I’ll have showed myself, looka dea bih, yo’ raggedy ahh can stick to something after all. Imagine to what else you can apply this effort, consistency and discipline. And even if nothing ever “works out,” it works out. [shoulder shrug emoji]

Sitting here scheduling blog posts to publish over the new few weeks, I was questioning myself again. What else to do in this moment than turn to my best friend?

I explained my conundrum to ChatGPT. That’s what I initially opened this blog draft in the blogging page group to share, helpful advice from artificial intelligence. I figure, who knows a computer better than a computer?!

Writing out what was only supposed to be a quick intro to this blogging advice has helped me sort out my thoughts. I feel reconfirmed on my niche’ing down decision, why I’m doing it, and where it’s not a bunch of bullsnit.

(Y’all, I don’t want to write about the same narrow topic over and over and over again, and for darn sure not ‘bout no darn biking! I like riding bikes, I like playing outside; I don’t like writing about the technical aspects of the two in a redundant and remedial manner for SEO purposes; I like to be in the act of doing, simply living my active lifestyle, not sitting in front of this computer talking about it, shoot. Sitting in front of a computer for 8 hours straight is most definitely not giving active lifestyle, honey. It’s now 1am.. I’m getting annoyed again. I’m thankful to be writing; this is quite fantastic.. this circle of abuse. [melting face emoji])

I explained to ChatGPT that I’m 4 weeks into giving this blogging all about bike life thing a go, and though I’m glad to be adding content to the site regularly for the first time in the blog’s existence, I dislike it. I dislike the feel of the blog all about the technicalities of biking and the details on the benefits of biking. I don’t want to say “idgafatbs” (if you can read that, you’re ghetto), but I don’t. I want to spread the freedom and joy of life that is biking regularly, living car-free, I do. However, a knockoff cross between Healthline, Liv Women’s Cycling, and L.A. Times is not what I’m trying to be. It’s difficult though, as that’s where SEO leads. On my personal lifestyle blog, I want to be me and share me, which yes, includes an active lifestyle, absolutely, moreover though, she’s limitless. The problem is, that’s not the way SEO works. You can be you, freely, no strategy, sure — Google will likely never get it. Or, you can strategize tf out some snit, forcing SEO, in the footsteps of any profit-earning blogger that came before you. Whatchu go’on do?

I don’t know. I’m going to see these 12 weeks out to the end, simply to say I did.

You thought I didn’t type whole essays in the chat box with artificial intelligence? Ha. Think again. That’s really my friend. The following text between the divider lines is what he told me in response to the challenge I’m facing as I try to build a blog that’s both an accurate reflection of me as a person and a writer, as well as have the potential for profitability and/or exposure for opportunities.


Struggling to marry your unique style with SEO? Here’s how to keep it real while getting found!

Striking the right balance between authenticity and SEO can be challenging, especially in personal niches. Discover strategies to align your unique voice with effective SEO practices. Learn to emphasize your perspective, blend lifestyle with practical tips, leverage local angles, and engage with your audience. Explore how to diversify content and reflect on your goals for a successful blogging journey. Stay true to yourself while optimizing for visibility!

Finding Your Voice: Balancing Authenticity and SEO in Your Blog

Finding the right balance between authenticity and SEO can be tricky, especially when you’re passionate about a niche that’s more personal and less saturated. Here’s a strategy to help you align your content with your unique voice while still optimizing for visibility and engagement:

1. Emphasize Your Unique Perspective

Your blog’s strength lies in your unique perspective as TK, a girl navigating Los Angeles with a car-free lifestyle. Highlight your personal experiences and how they shape your view on active transportation. Share stories, challenges, and the quirks of living car-free in LA. This personal touch makes your content stand out and offers readers something they can’t get from generic health or bike blogs.

How to Do This:

  • Personal Stories: Share anecdotes about your daily adventures, how you adapt to challenges, and the benefits you’ve experienced.

  • Unique Insights: Offer tips and tricks that come from your own experience, like the best bike routes or ways to integrate active transportation into a busy lifestyle.

2. Blend Lifestyle with Practical Tips

Instead of focusing solely on health and wellness, which is a crowded space, blend practical advice with lifestyle content. This approach gives readers actionable tips while also providing a glimpse into your vibrant life in LA.

How to Do This:

  • Lifestyle Integration: Write posts about how active transportation fits into different aspects of your life—like weekend adventures, social activities, or exploring hidden gems in LA.

  • Practical Tips: Include advice on navigating LA car-free, like the best spots for bike parking, how to use public transport efficiently, or how to maintain a bike.

3. Leverage Your Local Angle

Your content about active transportation in Los Angeles offers a valuable local angle that many national or international blogs might miss. Focus on LA-specific content and how it intersects with your lifestyle.

How to Do This:

  • Local Guides: Create guides on the best bike paths, walking tours, or scooter-friendly areas in LA.

  • Events and Features: Highlight local events or features that tie into active transportation, like bike-friendly cafes or outdoor activities.

4. Engage with Your Audience

Building a community around your blog can help you gauge what resonates with your readers and adjust accordingly. Engage with your audience through social media, comments, and emails.

How to Do This:

  • Social Media: Share behind-the-scenes content, ask for feedback, and run polls to understand what your audience wants.

  • Comments and Emails: Respond to comments on your blog and social media, and consider creating content based on reader questions or interests.

5. Diversify Your Content

Mix up your content types to keep things fresh and engaging. While SEO-focused posts are important, incorporating different formats can help attract and retain readers.

How to Do This:

  • Visual Content: Use photos and videos to showcase your bike rides, favorite routes, or daily adventures.

  • Guest Posts and Interviews: Feature local experts or fellow enthusiasts to add variety and offer different perspectives.

6. Reflect on Your Goals

Regularly reassess your goals and whether your content aligns with them. It’s okay to pivot if you find that certain topics or formats aren’t working as well as you hoped.

How to Do This:

  • Analytics: Review your blog analytics to see which posts perform best and adjust your strategy based on that data.

  • Personal Satisfaction: Make sure you’re enjoying the process and feeling fulfilled by the content you’re creating.

⚡ Blogger Babe Quick Tip: Stay authentic by sharing your unique experiences while blending personal stories with practical tips relevant to your niche!

Final Thoughts

Remember, building a blog is a journey, and it’s okay to refine your approach as you go. Your unique voice and perspective are what set your blog apart. By focusing on your personal experiences and offering local, actionable content, you can create a blog that is both authentic and valuable to your readers. Keep experimenting, stay true to yourself, and trust that your unique angle will find its audience.

If you’re still feeling uncertain, consider brainstorming a few blog post ideas that combine your passions with practical advice, and see how they resonate. You might discover new ways to merge your interests and offer something fresh and exciting to your readers.

You've already shown commitment and creativity in your content strategy, and that dedication is bound to pay off. Keep pushing forward, and remember that the journey itself is as valuable as the destination.


The text between the divider lines above was formulated in collaboration with ChatGPT. I have a tendency to write out what I’m thinking to figure out what I’m thinking, then bounce it off of someone (or, in this case, something — an artificial intelligence language model) to help me nod my head and really know what I’m thinking. It seems I’m definitely one of those extrovert types that best processes information aloud (in conversation).

I have Pilates at 7am, then need to make my way to Alliance Francaise by 9am to do ses devoirs before class ‘cause of course I’m still the girl grade school and college that never did her homework at home. I was telling y’all in the last blogging blog post how my brain acts as though it doesn’t know how to function until pressure forms. Sickening. Really. I’m going to get fixed one day.

About building this blog brand in a way that’s both authentic (so I don’t ask a motorist to hit me with his car) and optimized for search engines (so it doesn’t die in the dark corners of the Internet), I can see it’s going to be hard af.. I’m talking harder than a horn ball on the first date with his dream girl after practicing semen retention for sixty days. Hard! All that said and done, I’ve decided…

You can, you can, you can, you can do it!
Put ya, put ya, put ya, putcha back into it!

Thank you for riding, riders. ❤︎

What I'm Building and Why I Won't Stop Even Though It's Hard

Embark on the journey behind aroundLAwithTK—a blog born not out of traditional career pursuits but inspired by the genuine curiosity of friends, family, and unexpected connections. Discover the intertwining threads of storytelling, personal growth, and LA living. Join me as I unveil the tapestry of experiences that make up aroundLAwithTK, inviting you to turn up the volume on potential, embrace healthy living, and explore personal development in the City of Angels.

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Starting to Earn $4,000/month From My Personal Blog Website

I’m not anywhere near where I want to be because I’m not working hard enough; I wanted to start kicking it up at 20fine and reach my goal, well one of my goals, by the finale of my 20-fine year, however, I didn’t maintain consistency.  Now I must put in TWICE the work!

That’s how I opened a notes page entry in my planner back in May.  “June action plan” titled the next section, where I began writing out a strategy to go from earning $0/month from my personal blog to earning $4,000/month from my personal blog in one year.  I was really supposed to start at the beginning of my new year (I start my new years at the start of my new year – the day that marks another year on this earth for me specifically), but here I was halfway through another rotation around the sun and hadn’t done jack squat.  That’s why I was thinking I’d double-up on the workload and achieve in six months what I’d originally said I’d do in a year.

Yeah, well, some more months passed and now I’m only one month out from this revolution’s end.  An ELA girl, mathematics isn’t my strong suit, but I think that means I’d have to do 12x the work to make up for what I haven’t done these past 11 months.

Yeah… no.

Okay, so what your personal blog won’t bring in $4,000 January 2023, as was your original year-long goal.  If you sit around twiddling your thumbs thinking about all you didn’t do, your blog won’t be bringing in $4,000/month by January 2024 either! 

So, whatchu gonna do right now, sis?  You go’on be mad because time is moving and you ain’t?!  You go’on roll your eyes at all the hoes that got saved by their Prince Charming ballers and don’t have to make their own money?  You go’on kick the ground because the Universe didn’t have a magical opportunity fall into your lap?

No, you ain’t no fool.  You know being upset that your life and career isn’t going the way you may have pictured it going isn’t going to create that picture.

You gotta do the work, my baby.  You gotta do the work. (It’s me talking to me, don’t ask me why I didn’t italicize all of it.)

In the month of June, I did complete half of the action plan, so I suppose that was something.  I found a 30-day writing challenge to follow, giving me a prompt to write on each day and I said I’d write on it for at least 30 minutes.  Simple (...probably too simple and that’s why I didn’t come anywhere near meeting my potential that month… and basically fell off after).

Related: 30 Days of Writing Prompts to Get Yourself Writing

Though some of the pieces that came out of that 30-day writing challenge are especially rich and genuine, that’s not what’s going to get me to rank higher on Google’s search engine.

Why does ranking on Google matter?

Ranking on Google matters because that’s where the vast majority of Internet users search for information.  There is very, very, very little that social media can do when it comes to blog websites with written articles getting read.  The bread and butter of (most likely) every income-earning blogger is thanks to ranking well on Google.  

Yes, I need real humans to share my personal blog website directly with other real humans, but the powerhouse that is Google will reach readers that my friends, family and followers can’t.  

No, I don’t want to sacrifice quality nor authenticity.  However, it would be nice if this quality and authenticity could get in front of a larger population of people.  And in order to do that, you have to feed the machine what it wants, how it wants it. Think about TikTok users that post about the same particular topic over and over and over again and their account/views undoubtedly grow; it’s because they’re feeding the TikTok algorithm.  It’s similar for blog websites.  The way TikTok content has to feed into the algorithm for better performance on TikTok, blog content has to feed into Google search optimization for better performance on the Internet.  Have you ever noticed an account on social media whose actual content is trash, but performs well (in numbers/views)?  It’s the same way in the blogsphere.  There are blogs I’ve stumbled across where I wonder if the writer made it past 1st grade, but they have high numbers for website clicks.  It ticks me off a bit, but I realize that even though they can’t write for sh!t, they obviously have a decent handle on search engine optimization.  (Their blog content sucks, but it’s pleasing to Google’s system, so Google ranks them highly which results in more website clicks.)

I’m tired of people who suck getting ahead simply because they know how to play the system.

What do you do when you can’t beat them?

Yep, I’m going to work towards pleasing Google’s robots.  There’s no way my being would let me put out trash blog content, so there won’t be any SEO keyword stuffed blog posts that are saying a bunch of nothing.  It’s going to be much more difficult for me to optimize my blog website for Google’s search engine.  I’d like to structure new content that’s easily recognizable by Google (and likely to be searched for on Google) while keeping my quality level of writing.  Whew child… it’s sounding like work.. And not that “this doesn’t feel like work” work.  It sounds like real work.  But hey, it’s either put in the work, or be sitting in this same spot a month out from my next birthday broke too.

What exactly do I have to do to start earning money from my blog website?

my notes from Income School’s $0 to $4,000 per month in 1 year of blogging video on YouTube

Step 1: search analysis and identify 30 topics for niche

  • Low competition, 30 topics within niche, broken down into even more specific subcategories

  • Important: these need to be topics you can “win” (gain top spot on Google search results) early on because this builds authority for website as a whole which ends up benefiting other posts on site

  • Gain authority in five subcategories, starting with 3 to begin process

  • Structure content in a way to be picked up by Google (i.e. snippet optimization: tactic for Google to grab a few sentences from post and put it on first page of search results)

Niche: biking blogger around L.A. … possibly not the best way to summarize niche, almost sounds too narrow and too broad at the same time, but let’s continue

3 subcategories I’ll start with

  • Logistics of bicycle touring and commuting around L.A.

    • How to combat helmet hair

    • Hygiene

    • Skin protection

    • What to bring on a bike ride

    • How to carry items on a bicycle / while bike riding

    • Comfortable clothing for bike riding

    • Cute looks for bike riding

  • Routes and rides for bicycle riding and commuting around L.A.

    • Ballona Creek Bike Path

  • Fuel (food and drink) stops for bicycle riding and commuting around L.A.

    • Coffee shops along bike routes

    • Brunch cafes along bike routes

    • Bars along bike routes

Step 2: link articles of subcategories together; plan ahead which articles can link

  • Linking articles within website will help Google know what site it about

  • Keep track of when writing where I can interlink future posts from topics list

Step 3: “for this, I recommend…” set self up for affiliate marketing

  • Begin thinking about future monetization opportunities

  • 5-10 products sprinkled throughout first 30 posts 

    • Example: the protection serum that Cali-based brand sent me can be mentioned in blog post about protecting skin from sun when bike commuting

Chiiiiiiild.  You see what I mean by work work now?

This is only month 1 of a 12-month plan to go from earning $0/month to $4,000/month in one year of consistent blogging as mapped by the blog experts over at Income School.  I’m trying to close my eyes and blink away the year-long part of the process.  Right now, it’s only one month.  4 scrawny weeks.  30 days.  That’s it, T.K., that’s it.  You can be consistent for a month, that’s nothing.  It’s really only 5 days right in front of you, for real; we’ll worry about the next 5 after the first 5, then the next 5 after those.  You can do something for 5 days.  Yeah, 5 days?  Piece of cake!  Sit your raggedy a$$ down and do the freaking work, one day, one post at a time.

I have to create content that is Google-friendly, but I will not neglect the content that got my day 1 riders riding with me in the first place.

I will still write the spicy pieces y’all love riding with me for, such as “Only Broke Men Are Mad When Women Say They Date Rich Men” and the story about my ex-BFF, that I allowed to use and abuse me for years, saying she’s going to sue me now that I broke up with her.  Y’all love the mess and I love that for you because if there’s one thing I can do, it’s tell a juicy story.  If I could only write the juice or spend my time pouring out my heart on deeper emotional topics, I would.  Unfortunately, there’s not enough Internet users searching “should I date a man with more money than me?” nor all that other randomness I yap about over there on my soapbox.

When I was expressing my woes, saying how I need to do something different, two of my old college mates with writing-related disciplines as well, Taylor and Crystal, both told me that they don’t want me to compromise my authenticity because that’s what makes my blog enjoyable.  Taylor said, “so what about what Google wants.. your writing will eventually be seen by who it should be seen by,” and then related it to her journey on TikTok.  And Crystal told me to not worry about making money from writing because that pressure may hinder the creative process, and then she related it to her commissioned artworks and such.

Though our situations are not the same, I agree with them both.  The work should be the focus, not the analytics.  However, I can’t continue wishing upon a star for my personal blog website to grow and I’m not even giving proven methods a go to make it grow.

Whew!  1700 words in.. on this explanation to myself alone… let’s do this tomorrow on a low competition topic within my niche, structured in a way for Google to pick up, and boom!  We’re rolling, baby.

Easy Writing Prompts to Kickstart Creativity and Productivity

If you’ve been paying attention to this blog, you probably already know I did a 30-day writing challenge last month. If you haven’t, I’ll tell you about it.

What do you do when you have trouble coming up with content for your blog?

Well, I don’t know what to tell you because that’s never been my problem. When I initially began sharing the idea of my personal lifestyle blog website, most people asked, “what are you going to write about?” And, even more commonly, “how are you going to keep coming up with stuff to write about?!”

People couldn’t fathom having endless ideas and thought I’d eventually run out of topics to cover on a lifestyle blog. That couldn’t be further from the truth for me because sometimes I feel like a maniac the way my mind is always racing with a gazillion thoughts.

Having too many ideas created an alternate problem for me, I often found (and still find) myself not knowing where to start. I don’t want to claim ADHD, but I saw a YouTube video where they said that people with ADHD brains get overwhelmed by too many tasks and then do nothing.

See, different problems, but the same problem… words not getting on the page. What do we, those of us that struggle to get words on a page daily, what do we do? I’ve got something for us.

How to start writing every day?

If you’re having trouble writing daily, try a writing challenge.

For those that struggle coming up with ideas of what to write about, find a writing challenge with a set amount of days and corresponding writing prompts.

For me, a person with too many ideas, a writing challenge with a list of given writing prompts helped narrow my focus and not be overwhelmed. There was no guesswork involved. Indecisiveness couldn’t cripple me. It was very simple. Today is day [blank], you’re writing about [blank]. Easy. Done.

30 Days of Writing Prompts That Are Easy To Write To and Will Help You Be More Productive

Here’s a writing prompt for every day of the month. And, if you still need help coming up with something to write, or you’re just curious, check out how I responded to each writing prompt. I’ve linked my corresponding posts. (Yes, there are a few without a hyperlink. Hey, I said I did the challenge and it helped me write more consistently, not that I magically became the model writer.)

Day 1: List 10 things that make you really happy.

Day 2: Write something that someone told you about yourself that you never forgot.

Day 3: What are your top three pet peeves?

Day 4: Write about someone who inspires you.

Day 5: List five places you want to visit.

Day 6: Five ways to win your heart.

Day 7: List 10 songs that you’re loving right now.

Day 8: Share something you struggle with.

Day 9: Post some words of wisdom that speak to you.

Day 10: Write about something for which you feel stongly.

Day 11: Something you always think, “What if…” about.

Day 12: Write about five blessings in your life.

Day 13: What are you excited about?

Day 14: Post your favorite movies that you never get tired of watching.

Day 15: Bullet-point your whole day.

Day 16: Something that you miss.

Day 17: Post about your zodiac sign, and whether or not it fits you.

Day 18: Post 30 facts about yourself.

Day 19: Discuss your first love.

Day 20: Post about three celebrity crushes.

Day 21: What three lessons do you want your children to learn from you?

Day 22: Put your music on shuffle and post the first ten songs.

Day 23: A letter to someone, anyone.

Day 24: Write about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way.

Day 25: Think of any word. Search it on google images. Write something inspired by the 11th image.

Day 26: Write about an area in your life that you’d like to improve.

Day 27: Conversely, write about something that’s kicking ass right now.

Day 28: Post five things that make you laugh-out-loud.

Day 29: What are your goals for the next 30 days?

Day 30: Your highs and lows for the month.

Disclaimer: If my intro didn’t make it clear, I did not come up with these writing prompts. I found this list of 30 writing prompts on the Internet, on a WordPress graphic I came across on Google Images. It is not mine; I don’t want the Google gods mad at me, thinking I’m plagiarizing. Hopefully the bots understand what I did here. List source: WordPress blog, “Life, Entirely”

30-Day Writing Challenge

Don’t they say that it takes 21 days to build a habit? Well then, this 30 should be good for good measure. I won’t hold you in this closing. It’s time for you to get those writing thoughts to percolating.

Share this post with someone you know. This is great for anyone.

You don’t have to be a writer to give this 30-day writing challenge a try. Practicing consistency in one simple task can help you with building better habits overall. The writing prompts, being all about you, can help you do a little introspection, get to know yourself a little better. Or, it can be a nightly moment of calm before bed, instead of scrolling on Instagram filling your brain with nonsense about folks you don’t even like.

Thank you for being here, riders. I appreciate you.

Who Is Trying to Bite My Blog Brand?!

As my next philosophy video was getting ready to auto-play on YouTube, an ad about earning $300 when you open a Business Complete checking account popped up. It immediately caught my attention because I was JUST thinking about opening a business account for my lifestyle blog/brand, aroundLA. (Isn’t weird how it feels as though these darn smartphones are inside your head?!)

aroundLAwithTK?

Instead of putting aroundLAwithTK, or Around L.A. with T.K., below the digits of my business card, I thought to myself that I’ll keep it short and sweet, aroundLA.

My standalone logo submark is rather universal. It's not too brand heavy; all it is is a bicycle, creatively drawn. Whenever I see people with a bicycle on their t-shirt or their baseball cap, I think “that could be my bike logo”.

Related: aroundLA rider cap

aroundLA is a lifestyle.

aroundLA is more than a brand, it’s a lifestyle. And that’s why I’d like to offer more lifestyle gear. We love a good biker short and crop top set to stomp aroundLA. No, seriously, a pair of biker shorts with a t-shirt is a very common casual outfit in Los Angeles. As mentioned in my post about what to wear to mansion parties aroundLA, people will dress up an athleisure look with a fresh pair of Jordans or even high heels. It’s really a look.

Related: How to Dress for House Parties aroundLA

Thee aroundLA girl is cute, fun, and fit. I said that when I released the aroundLA rider caps, featuring aroundLA’s custom bike logo centered above the brim. Now, it’s dropped in my spirit that I want to expand… I need to expand. (It dropped in there before too, but my priority was getting actual blog content on the blog before worrying ‘bout building a boutique on the blog.)

aroundLA rider hat being worn by @k.lashea. aroundLA lifestyle brand is for the babes and bosses that are cute, fun, fit, or on-the-go. Image: @aroundLAwithTK on Instagram

As much as I adore my custom-made full logo and name, aroundLAwithTK, it’s me heavy, if that makes sense. The shortened version, aroundLA, I’ll say again, is more universal. You don’t have to feel like you know T.K. to rock some gear that simply says “aroundLA”. All it takes is liking the idea of aroundLA, whatever that may mean to you.

This being said, I was thinking I’d make another website for more general information aroundLA, as opposed to here where it’s you coming aroundLA with me. You know what I mean?

Well my idea was brought to a halt when I searched and found, that a few months ago, someone purchased the domain aroundLA.com! Ugh! What a freaking whore, right?! (No offense to that whore, I’m sure they’re a nice person, but ugh!)

A few months ago, someone bought the additional domain name I was thinking about acquiring for the aroundLA lifestyle brand.

It makes me all the more upset that the person purchased MY domain name only a few months ago. If I had taken this step sooner, when it first came to my mind, I would’ve been the owner of aroundLA.com. F*** me in the a**, man. [deep sigh]

All is not lost, however. They’re a new domain. I can outwork them. I can bury them.

Wanna do your girl a solid?

I need a favor, because I don’t know if it’s only my browser. Open another tab and Google search “aroundLA” and tell me if this aroundLAwithTK site comes up, or if my blog biter’s site comes up. Pretty please, let me know.

On my incognito browser, I show up as the third result, coming behind Timeout Los Angeles in the first position and IHG in the second. My blog biter doesn’t show up on the first page of Google at all, and who clicks to the others?!

As I made my caption in one of the last Instagram’s posts on my personal page,

I can beat ‘em , I believe in me / just tell me what’s to bet

[inserts emoji with smoke blowing out of nostrils]

That’s a Lil’ Baby lyric. Yep, mm hm, I’m hipper in these late 20s than I was in the earlier days of ‘em.

aroundLA rider cap being worn by Beverly Hills luxury retail style advisor, @kim_saksbh.

In all seriousness, I’m calling this website creator a blog biter, but I don’t actually think it’s someone out there intentionally copying off of me. It's unlikely they’ve ever heard of aroundLAwithTK when they bought a domain for aroundLA.

What is aroundLA?

What I am serious about is expanding my brand, because it’s more than a brand, aroundLA is a lifestyle.

aroundLA is fun.

aroundLA is fit.

aroundLA is cool.

aroundLA is being on-the-go.

aroundLA is practicing self-care.

aroundLA is balance… and that balance could look like having an organic collard green wrap for lunch, then throwing back a toxic amount of Casamigos later that night.

Related: Viral collard green wrap by @tekeyakrystal on TikTok

aroundLA is you, my riders. Other writers have readers of their work, I have riders.

Thank you for riding with me.

I appreciate you for being here. In this moment, reading these words, you.. my rider 💗

Please, share this blog, this brand, this lifestyle with someone today. Right now, while you’re here. Go ‘head click share and send it off.

I look forward to growing with you.

Way Up, I Feel Blessed

Why do I keep wanting to say it’s August? Say like my grandma, “don’t rush yourself to an early grave, nah child!”

30-Day Writing Challenge, Day 12

Taking this first week of July to do the days I missed in June, that way, all 30 writing prompts are completed.

Hopped off the 4-wheelers at a family cookout situation a moment ago, hopefully getting ready to eat soon, and am an advocate of putting the phones DOWN when in social settings, so we’ll have to make this quick.

Riding ATVs out in a rural part of Georgia.

Writing Prompt: Write about 5 blessings in your life.

I opened yesterday’s blog post talking about how good God is.

It could’ve been me… with no clothes, no shoes, and no food to eat

Could’ve Been by Kirk Franklin

Waking up and doing whatever tf I want to do is blessing number one.

When I get back to L.A., it’ll have been about two months I’ll have been gone.

I didn’t plan this adventure; I just been letting the wind blow me as it may.

My Month Was a Sh*t Show

Ain’t God good?!

I need somebody that’s with me.

AIN’T GOD GOOD?!

[congregation in my head responds] Yes, He is!

I’m sitting in a rocking chair gazing out at the aircrafts lined on the tarmac at Charlotte Douglas International.

I’m alive and well, good and breathing, with food in my stomach. And not any old food. Hot food! When I bit into my sandwich, I could see the steam coming up from the chicken breast, or whatever that is Chick-fil-A puts in between those soft buns. Mmm hmm.

I'm in good spirits, I’m feeling good. Let’s get it on.

30-Day Writing Challenge, Day 30

Day… THIRTY?! Wow, if I had been on my shiz-nye-ee thee entire month, I’d be completing my 30-day writing challenge for June. But nooooo, I had to be a procrastinating princess that ain’t do what she was ‘posed to do! Now, my efforts in this battle have to rollover into July. Aïe aïe aïe!

Writing Prompt: Your highs and lows for the month

Hm, does the writing prompt want me to respond in regards to this writing challenge? Or, is it asking me about my life outside of blogging? Being that this is my own personal lifestyle blog, and I assigned myself to this month-long task, I suppose it’s up to my discretion. … If you’ve read previous posts in the 30-day writing challenge, you may not be surprised that’ll I’ll do both.

Writing high

Hold up, let me go scroll thru the whole section of 30-day writing challenge posts. It’s definitely going to be one of the ones in the beginning. I told y’all, my ENFP personality type is good for starting strong.. then falling off. [face scrunches up]

Okay, yeah, without a doubt, day 1 of this month’s blogging journey is my high. The writing prompt, “list 10 things that make you really happy,” is a good one, and I seriously went TF innnnnnn. It’s more than a list. It starts with a list, then it turns into an essay on happiness. I know bloggers are making money with flat listicles, but I like full (REAL) articles.

I spent ‘bout 3 work days on day 1’s post. Please go check it out. No, PLEASE! Click on it below:

My Grandmother's Laughter, and Other Things That Make Me Really Happy

I need to share that one on Medium and pray the algorithms work in my favor. That’s a good one. Dang. I’m grinning, in a silly type of expression; I promise I’m not egotistical.

Writing low

Well, you miss every shot you don’t take. That’s what they say, hein?

My writing would have to be the days I missed. Like come on, girl, it was only 30 days and you only had to make yourself write on the given writing prompt for 30 minutes. Aaaaaaaaand your raggedy a** didn’t work a lick thee entire month. [inserts Martin telling Tommy he ain’t got no job]

Even the days where I rushed in the last moments before midnight, the blog post came out halfway decent. At least it was something. I did day 25’s “think of any word, search it on Google and write about the eleventh image” prompt while I was on FaceTime in all of 15 minutes and when I sent it to the person with whom I was on FaceTime, to my surprise, I was met with laughter and told how creative I am. That’s always interesting, as I don’t find myself to be creative.

Every day I skipped was another low. I could’ve done something, it would’ve been better than nothing.

Month’s low

I don’t know.

Not to sound like the old lady deaconess that I am on the inside, but, count it all joy.

I don’t really have lows, not that I hold onto anyway. I’m trying to think of what I’d consider a low and I really don’t know.

I mean, both my landlord and the credit card company may look at me like I’m stupid this upcoming payment cycle because I spent the past 7 weeks f’ing off around the South, spending money I don’t have to spend and not earning money I need to be earning, but hey.. [arms bend at elbow hands swing up, palms to the sky] They’ll be alright.

I’ve spent two months doing a whole lot of nothing that means a whole lot of something — not making any money, but spending time with loved ones. This photo was taken at a popular event in Atlanta called “The Shit Show” with one of my cousins, Rashan.

Oh, I let the flights for my girls’ trip DOUBLE from the original estimate I gave the girls, so I need to figure out where in the world I’m going to get another 7-thousand-dollars to give American Airlines.

And I’m sure I made another slew of poor decisions that aren’t coming to mind at this moment these past 30 days.

Child, I ain’t go’ let them worry me, ya hea?!

Month’s high

[cheek tilts toward shoulder, corners of mouth turn up, hands clench behind back, body twists from side-to-side, eyes gaze in direction of floor, then girlishly flip up…]

I met a boy.

It’s nothing serious. Obviously, it’s barely been weeks. But it’s fun. I allowed myself to open up. I’m dating. I’m actually dating a guy and being a total girl, calling him at the slightest inconvenience during the day and pillow-talking into the wee hours of the night until one person is snoring on the other end.

Do I see my life with him? Um…

Do I see myself having oodles and boodles of fun with him for as long as God sees fit? Absolutely. Even if it’s only for a couple more weeks, that’s cool, that’s still my high of this month.

What a sh*t show?!

And I enjoyed it.

Attending “The Shit Show” in Atlanta, an Apollo-styled series of performances by aspiring entertainers.

Like the event I attended last night in Atlanta, this month was an entertaining sh*t show.

Scroll thru all the posts from this month by clicking here: 30-day writing challenge.

Old People Are Funny AF

30-Day Writing Challenge, Day 28

[Yawns] Whew child, the girl is feeling fatigued.

No extended intro today, how I was in the pet peeves post. Let’s get in here and out of here.

Related: Unfollowing People That Post Newborn Babies On Social Media, They're All Ugly

Writing Prompt: Post 5 things that make you laugh-out-loud.

It doesn’t take much to send me cackling and sending someone sitting next to me out of their seat. At a moment’s notice, I’ll yelp and my arm will extend to connect with whomever’s nearest. That being the case, why am I drawing a blank?

Oh, I know. Once again, that darn Granny.

1.A Sassy pants grandma

My 82-year-old grandmother with early onset dementia, who has been telling people she’s 28 (jokingly, but sometimes acting like she believes it), that doesn’t care WTF she says. Well, she cares, but I think she doesn’t always realize. For example, a “will you look at her head?! goodness!” in a not-so-low volume as we walk directly past a lady having a more-than-bad hair day.

Above is one of Granny Mable’s many funny moments I happened to catch on camera (@tekeyakrystal TikTok).

2. My mother reenacted by her sister

My mother is a hoot all her own, but it especially tickles me when my Teedie (as we call aunts in New Orleans) impersonates her. As we were leaving the bowling alley a few days ago, I wish I would’ve caught it on video, but by the time I’d caught my breath from cackling, the moment had passed. My Teedie Terri was telling the story of my mother checking, then choking, a lady behind an unpaid loan.

3. Making fun of hypersensitive people

When I was in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago, my cousin’s baby’s daddy exposed me to comedian George Carlin, and oh, what a delight?! He was immediately my vibe when he began ragging on how stinking hypersensitive the world is becoming, resulting in idiotic soft language.

4. People making fun of me (accurately)

It really tickles me when people accurately tease me. “Yeah, I left T.K. over there talking to a brick wall.” That’s funny. Lord knows I’m good for sparking up conversation with anybody.

“Uhnt uhn, juicy mouth, not over my food!” This is a tad embarrassing.. My salivary glands tend to overproduce.

“Well dang, you ‘bout know my whole life story and social security number; tf is even your last name?!” This one is especially tickling because it’s touching. At a glance, being extremely outgoing, I can seem open or oversharing. People with a keener eye, however, will notice that I’m pretty closed off and highly selective about what I choose to share and with whom I choose to share. It’s humorous when someone catches this and calls me out on it.

5. A real knee-slapper movie

Most movies that intend to be comedy, like anything with Kevin Hart in it, don’t evoke a single chuckle from my belly. However, the few that do, do! I’m no film fanatic. I can’t recall movies like magic bunnies out of a hat. I know there have been some where I actually LOL’d though. Hm, I think Life was one. Hey, it’s been a minute. Okay, yep, yep, just looking for a gif to embed into this blog post, Life is definitely a movie that makes me laugh aloud.

Ah-hee, ah-hee, ah-hee! [inserts bunny] That’s all folks!

Check out more of this 30-day writing challenge, with a range of prompts producing my laugh-out-loud responses, by clicking here.

Real B*tches F*ck With Me

30-Day Writing Challenge, Day 27

That’s wild. I’m really nearing the end. Twenty-eight. Twenty-nine. Thirty. After today, of course. And then, I have to go back and do days 12, 18, 22, and 24. And after that, I’ll do a summary page, listing all the writing prompts of this 30-day writing challenge, including a hyperlink to each corresponding blog post. Goodness. Looks like I’m not that near the end after all. That’s what happens when I don’t crack open my planner for weeks; I don’t realize how unproductive I’ve been. But, we’re not going to get on the topic of productivity (or the lack thereof) because we talked about that yesterday.

Related: A Gluttonous, Procrastinating Princess

What are we talking about today?

Writing Prompt: Conversely, write about something that’s kicking a** right now.

These transitions just write themselves, don’t they?

Last night this time, I was sobbing on my keys about my lack of productivity in pursuit of my passions. That’s an area of my life that has quite a bit of room for improvement. When I think about an alternate area of my life, where I’m doing my thug-thizzle, it would have to be relationships. My romantic life is on the up and up, but don’t quote me on this a week from now because Lord knows it’s good for fluctuating. And, I’d have to pay myself on the back in the friends department of relationships as well.

Blatantly honest with myself and others, in a previous blog post of this 30-day writing challenge, I told you how I’m All F*cked Up, especially when it comes to vulnerability. I tend to be closed off, and/or withhold, when it comes to deeper or softer emotions. As of late, it seems I’ve had a bit of a turnaround. I’ve made conscious efforts to think about how I feel and share those feelings when appropriate. Writing has helped considerably… dare I say, tremendously, even! What else could it be? I spill words on paper, and in turn, that habit has spilled over into my everyday life. My body is even more open, more receptive. I still have a tendency to be on edge, but I’m readily able to find calm in my physical.

Being more vulnerable, having a better relationship with me, has allowed me to have a better relationship with others. I’ve long been a good friend to others, but now I’m learning how to let people be a good friend to me. And, respecting myself enough to distance myself from those who are not.

My relationships are good.

Real n***** f*** with me, and I don't give a f*** who don't
- Lil’ Wayne

People really f*ck with me, and I’m learning to care less about those who don’t. I want to give my energy where my energy is being reciprocated. I want to be loved the way I love. And that’s what it seems I’m achieving in my relationships right now. It’s possible I’ve had this, but had to pull out some weeds to better admire my beautiful garden.

We’re watering one another. We’re growing. We’re glowing. And whoever is not, is going.


Thank you for being here. My relationship with you, my riders (my readers), is growing too. That’s very important to me. Please, share this blog with someone today.

A Gluttonous, Procrastinating Princess

30-Day Writing Challenge, Day 26

Whew, 11:51pm.

Someone spent an unusual amount of time on Twitter this evening after being forced into overhearing the wretched BET Awards, that I’d totally attend if I were invited.

No more time to waste. Can I write a response to a prompt in 5 minutes? Let’s see.

Writing Prompt: Write about an area in your life that you’d like to improve.

What?! They couldn’t have given me an easier topic today.

I have more areas to improve than a little bit.

Which of these horrendous habits should we attack first:

  • my procrastination problem?

  • my gluttonous eating?

  • my short temper?

  • my lack of cool?

  • my disabling indecisiveness?

  • my reluctance to vulnerability?

  • my overall undisciplined nature?

Honey child, the list could go on.

It’s 11:57pm now.

I suppose the last bullet would be my answer if I had to make it one composed answer.

The area of my life that I’d like to improve is my discipline. If I were more disciplined, I wouldn’t procrastinate as much and I’d get more done. I would bite my tongue more often, choosing my battles, and not immediately popping off the moment someone does something I don’t like. If I were more disciplined, I wouldn’t sit and eat chocolate until I couldn’t eat anymore.

I get a whole lot of pep in my step when it’s time to go eat (especially when I’m not paying), or a whole lot of hustle in my muscle when I want to go lay up under bae. Where is that energy when it's time to work?!

Yeah, that’s it. That’s what I need to improve. I need to be more disciplined.

If saying “discipline” is too broad, and not necessarily “an area” of my life, I’ll narrow it down to career path productivity. I really could be “further” (whatever tf that is) along in my career if I was putting in more work. I AM A GREAT WRITER GOT DAWG IT! And my work should be more largely seen, but no, Miss Ma’am doesn’t want to work like she needs to work to get there. There’s no reason, with my God-given gift of gab, that I shouldn’t be published in a major publication, or have made legitimate earnings writing for clients, or be regularly receiving 100,000 blog website pageviews. There is NO reason.

I know this and I have to say it aloud to make sure I know it. I need to stop being scared of it, or whatever tf is going on!

(I pressed publish at 11:59pm, then swung my finger over to edit to finish this thought. It’s now 12:12pm, so let’s wrap this up, since I’m about to hit the 30-minute mark.)

Related: 30 minutes of writing for 30 days

I need to be more productive in pursuit of my passions.

You want to write for a living from whatever corner of the Earth you feel like being on at the moment? Well, girl, WRITE! Double-you. Tee. Eff!

I make myself sick. I do.

But wait, T.K., remember, positive self-talk, like Dr. Caryn Winters taught in Interpersonal Communication.

I don’t know. I don’t know.

That’s what I need to improve. My good God, that’s what I need to improve. Because, at this moment, as it stands, I’m thee only one holding myself back. Now if I go producing like crazy, putting myself out there, entering writing contest, guest writing for other small/independent media outlets, really start beating the pavement, and THEN I still don’t get anywhere, well, then, I’ve done my part. And would that mean maybe I’m not that good? Is that what I’m afraid of?


Feel free to scroll through other posts of my 30-day writing challenge.