I’ve been blogging for 18 years; Here are a few things I discovered

I started blogging at dejiolowe.com in April 2001, 2 years after blog became a noun and a verb. I didn’t even know it was called blogging; I just wanted to be the cool dude. I mean, companies didn’t even have websites in 2001 abosi abosi a recent graduate?

Since that time, over 100 million Nigerians have been born, 160 million + phone lines have been sold, and banks have reduced from 89 to 21 + Five.

It has been a fun and fulfilling ride. Done a few tech changes since I went live in April 2001 but dumb me lost all my postings between April 2001 and July 2005. Very sad but I’m probably also grateful as most of what I wrote before they weren’t better than chicken shit.

I learned a few things

1. Writing is hard; so hard that I know only psychopaths enjoy doing it. Procrastination and writer’s block are the biggest enemies
2. Only a few bloggers will get to super-stardom and nobody really cares about your writing anyway. But if you are driven by passion instead of applause, Hallelujah!
3. The traffic doesn’t come unless you are hosting that sex video of Kim Kardashian
4. Consistency is key
5. If you don’t love blogging, you can still start. Nobody would beat you up if you fail at it.
6. My grammar improved significantly over the years. When I look at some of the sloppy writing I did, I cringe so badly my teeth rattle
7. I managed to stay out of trouble by focusing on the few things I love to write about
8. I finally discovered that I really do enjoy writing even if it’s a difficult thing. Does that make me a psychopath?

What do I love to write about?

Science fiction, personal development, payments, and technology. At one time I posted a few jokes, but they were just too crummy for me.

Greatest Joys

1. Someone used my article as a reference for his Masters abroad. It was gratifying
2. I get the most traffic for the Nigerian constitution as I have managed to collate all of them

My top 5 favorite articles

1. In 100 years, 9 women will deliver a child in a month
2. The end is nigh. artificial intelligence
3. Certifications broke your heart
4. Ladies, please stand up
5. 10 predictions for digital payments in 2019