The truth is that I felt a little nervous when I started cupofjo. Can you imagine starting your dream while your heart beats fast? On one side, there was my passion to share my thoughts with the world. To make a small corner where I can share my talks. On the second side, I worried about who would read. I intended to write about small things from my daily life, share some ideas, memories, or maybe a funny story. I thought mostly my mother and a few friends would read.
That was the time when I was not behind the big dream. Just writing was my passion. But with time, this small blog turned into a big journey. This journey was not only about stories; this was a journey of inner changes. A journey that taught me more to listen to myself instead of just writing. Life taught me what books never could.
Now, when I look back, my heart says cup ofjo gave me ten gifts that will stay with me forever. I am sharing those gifts with you because maybe you are also thinking about writing or starting something new. Who knows which word out of them will touch your heart? Are you ready to start your journey?
1. People don’t want perfect stories. They want real stories.
At first, I had a dream that my blog should look like a magazine. Every post perfect, every picture clean, and every word shiny. But everything changed one day when I wrote a post in which I told how coffee fell on my white shirt before an important meeting. I looked like a cappuccino defeated me. I thought people would laugh and move on. But that post got maximum comments. People said that this also happens to us. Ever had a day like that?
That’s when I learned people don’t want things that only look good. They want to see your real side. They want to see you’re a human person who errs, tires, and feels weak. Show your weakness, and they will trust you more. And connections are made from the heart. What’s your real story?
2. Community is more important than numbers
In the early days when I started the blog, my first task every morning was to check how many visitors came today and how many new followers? Do numbers really show success? Seeing more numbers made me happy. But that joy was not long-lasting.
One day, I got an email: “I’m going through a hard time, but your blog felt like a friend beside me.” I read it again and again. That day I realised one true connection is more important than thousands of clicks. This blog is not for millions. It is for those few people who feel peace here. Who takes two minutes from their day to read something, and to smile. That is real success: connection, not just numbers. Who’s your one true reader?
3. Consistency is better than perfection
In the beginning, I spent hours trying to make each post perfect. I read each line again and again and changed words again and again, and then I was afraid to post. I feared people would laugh. Is this good enough? Perfect or consistent—what wins?
One day a friend said to post something today, even if it’s not perfect. That really touched me. I made a promise that I would write at least three posts every week, even if they are not perfect. And two things changed. I grew confident in writing. Readers felt me there, not lost in perfect posts.
Lesson: Perfection delays. Consistency builds confidence, and confidence keeps readers returning. What will you post today?
4. Opportunities for Ideas Are All Around Us
Are ideas really hard to find? At the start, I thought I needed big events, special interviews or strange experiences to write great posts. But soon I realised the best ideas come from daily life. One day, a child was dancing in the street. That moment became a post. I once saw two friends laughing in a cafe. It became a story. Now I always have a notebook or phone with me because ideas come uninvited, just like Cup of Jo finds beauty in simple everyday moments.
The lesson is simple. Life gives you stories. You just need eyes to see them. What small moment inspired you today?
5. Feedback is for learning, not for hurting.
At first, negative comments broke my heart. Ever felt crushed by criticism? Someone said that your website design looks like an old site. I felt sad for many days. At first, I thought I failed. But with time, my thinking changed. Someone told me, “The font is small. Please make it bigger. Someone told me to make the font bigger; it is hard to read. So I increased the font. Someone said to write more personal stories. I did that, and engagement became twice as much. Now I see all feedback as a gift. It feels lighter now. If people are talking, it means they care. It’s the best and most helpful advice you can get for free. Can feedback actually grow you?
6. It’s fine to ask someone for help — you don’t have to do it alone.
Do you try to do it all alone? In the beginning, I did everything alone. Writing, photography, design, social media, and even website coding. Result? Less sleep, more stress, and less happiness. Then one day, my sister agreed to take the photos. A friend helped with design. Later, I hired a part-time assistant. The result was surprising. The quality got better. I saved time, and I got more hours to write. The lesson? Asking for help is not a weakness. It is smart. Who could help you today?
7. Weakness is not something to hide — it is a sign of strength.
My hardest post was about how lonely I felt working alone from home. My hands were shaking before I posted it. I was afraid people would say he is weak, but the result was surprising.
Comments came:
“You said what we cannot say.”
“You are not alone.”
That day, I learned that showing weakness makes us human. It brings us closer to others. It creates a real connection, something a perfect mask can never do. What truth are you hiding today?
8. Without balance, everything breaks
In the first year, I didn’t stop myself at all. Every day I worked on the blog. Every night I edited. I woke up early and some time I ate meals with my laptop. I thought these sacrifices would bring success. Then one day I got very sick due to tiredness. Everything stopped. That day I decided: balance is important. Now I stop working after 7 p.m. I take every Sunday off, and I do one digital detox day each month. Do you set limits for yourself?
The result? More energy, more happiness, and more new ideas.
9. Small wins bring big joy
In the early days, I only felt happy after big successes like 100k visitors or an award. But those moments were rare. Waiting made me tired. Then I started celebrating small wins.
- Finished a post on time? Joy!
- Someone shared a post? Joy!
- Got a kind comment? Joy!
These small moments make the journey light and sweet.
10. In the end, it’s all for the people
Do you wait for big success to feel happy? Finally, I understood it’s not about websites or algorithms. This is for the people who take a few minutes from their day to visit here. The mother is reading with her coffee mug. The young person who feels less alone after reading a true story. The stranger who sometimes becomes a friend. Even if cupof jo org closes tomorrow, the lessons and the connections will stay with me. True success is these people and their hearts.
Final Words
Starting cupofjo.org was not just starting a blog for me. It was a lesson in my life It taught me that people are more important than numbers. Doing something regularly is better than trying to make it perfect. Weakness builds trust. Balance is necessary. If you want to start something new, my advice is to start now. Don’t wait to be perfect. Speak the truth, listen well, do your work regularly and always be kind and real. In the end, we connect because we’re human. What human truth will you share?