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A Journey from Journals to a Full-Time Writing Career

 


February 2025.
Today, I sat down with my cup of coffee, opened my laptop, and found myself on https://maithilyarulraja.blogspot.com/—a place I hadn't visited in ages. As I scrolled through my old posts, I couldn't help but smile. Each post was a time capsule, taking me back to a simpler time when my only intention was to record life’s little moments and put my thoughts into words. It wasn’t planned, it wasn’t polished, but it was pure passion—words written for the joy of writing.

The blog began in 2010. Back then, I was working as an IT analyst, with no clue that one-day writing would become my full-time career. I had no grand vision for the blog; I simply wanted a space to share my experiences, document daily events, and reflect on life. Little did I know that those casual posts would lay the foundation for something much bigger—a passion that would eventually turn into my profession.

Looking back at the posts, I felt an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. Some posts were funny, some reflective, and a few were deeply personal. They were far from perfect, but they were real, honest, and written straight from the heart. They reminded me of how far I’ve come—not just as a writer, but as a person.

In 2010, blogging was at its peak. Platforms like Blogger (or Blogspot) had become the go-to place for writers and storytellers. Blogger was launched in 1999, but it wasn’t until the early 2000s that it gained widespread popularity. By the time I started my own blog, writing trends were already evolving, and the internet was buzzing with content creators. Back then, it wasn’t about algorithms or SEO strategies. It was about connecting with people, sharing your story, and finding joy in self-expression.

Fast-forward to 2025

The writing field has changed dramatically. AI tools like GPT, Gemini, and Co-Pilot have become a new way to refine content and spark creativity. In fact, I used GPT to polish a few of my older posts, giving them a fresh twist while preserving their original essence. Revisiting my blog felt like flipping through old diaries—each post is a reminder of who I was, who I’ve become, and how my passion for writing has never wavered.

Part of My Story

What makes this experience even more special is the realization that my blog is not just a collection of posts; it’s part of my story. It’s proof of how writing, once a hobby, slowly evolved into a full-time career. Today, I lead a team of young writers, helping them find their voices and guiding them to create meaningful content. I work as a content writer, marketer, and team lead, but the heart of it all still comes from the same love for words that inspired my very first blog post.

Passion into Profession

There’s something magical about turning your passion into your profession. You wake up excited to create, to learn, to grow. You’re not just working; you’re living your dream. Even after 16 years of working, the fire to write, explore, and experiment with new ideas hasn’t faded. Instead, it has only grown stronger.

As I reflect on all of this today, I feel proud of how my journey unfolded. I’m grateful for the decisions I made and the ones I didn’t even realize were shaping my future. If you had asked me in 2010 whether I would become a full-time content writer, I would have laughed it off. And yet, here I am.

One thing is certain: I’m never deleting my blog. It’s staying right there—a beautiful reminder of where it all began. A collection of memories, moments, and milestones that shaped me into the writer I am today.

If you’ve got an old blog, journal, or even a forgotten folder of drafts, I’d urge you to revisit it. You might be surprised by what you find—pieces of your past that remind you how far you’ve come and where you’re meant to go next.

For me, Maithilyarulraja.blogspot.com isn’t just a blog; it’s my first love. And like all first loves, it will always hold a special place in my heart. 

Location: Mugalivakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

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