This post contains affiliate links from which I will make a commission from your clicks and/or purchases.
Earlier this year my friend recommended a book called Pivot to me. I went to the library to find this book and, even though the Chicago Public Library’s website said that it was on the shelf, it wasn’t where it should have been. So I picked up this other book called Pivot instead, because I did find that where it was supposed to be.
Same same, right?
I mean, I’m sure both books covered basically the same ideas, just probably with different audiences in mind. Both were focused on reinventing your life and your career. Both were focused on switching gears.
Anyways, I read this other Pivot book and, in it, the author really drove home this idea that you should stop doing the things that aren’t working for you and that you need to, instead, focus on the things that are. That can.
I’ve always considered this, Choosing Figs, to be my “main blog.” It was the first blog I started back in 2006. It’s where I’ve documented my life, my travels, my thoughts, ever since. I’ve always wanted it to grow, to get more readers, to continue to thrive.
When I started 2019 I had big goals to increase my traffic. And my revenue. I’d never been particularly focused on making money with blogging but the longer you blog, the more money you have to spend on blogging. I have to pay for domain names, hosting, SEO keyword software, several social media scheduling tools because I need each one to function differently, Photoshop, Lightroom, iPhones.
It’s an expensive hobby.
So I made a list of SEO topics to create content for. I was curating my Instagram feed with a perfect checkerboard pattern full of advice and inspirational quotes. I was creating Pinterest pins and pinning every post. I was trying to do everything “right.”
Because, the thing is, I do everything you’re not supposed to do on this blog. I have no niche. I write about me. I write for me. I post 10,000 photos in one post. I neglect most of my social media accounts and just post Instastories of my cats sleeping on top of each other.
I get decent traffic through SEO but most of those posts are bucket list listicles and pudding shot recipes. I get decent traffic through Pinterest but I always wonder if those people who click through are disappointed to find a personal narrative instead of advice on traveling to a city.
But still, it’s my “main blog” and I wanted to focus on growing it, getting it to a point where I was getting even better traffic, steady revenue, before focusing on any of my other projects. I mean, despite the fact that this blog has no niche and is written about me and mostly for me, it had so much more traffic than any other blog I had. It made sense to continue to try to grow this, to get it to a good point, before moving on to the next project.
But then I read this other Pivot book. And I stepped back. And I changed course. And I pivoted.
I have another blog that’s about roadside attractions and road trips. I used to post there a lot but neglected it for a while after traveling abroad for three years and selling my car, making road tripping a much harder endeavor.
But it had a clear niche. It had a focus that made it 1,000% easier to find an audience, to create authority, to rank, to find income-generating keywords. And, despite the fact that the current traffic was a small fraction of what this one gets, it would be so much easier to grow.
So I spent the last 6 months optimizing old posts for SEO, creating new posts about every roadside attraction I’ve ever visited, creating keyword-focused SEO posts, consistently creating content for Instagram and Facebook and Twitter.
This month, on that blog, I had an over 300% increase in pageviews, sessions, and users year over year. I made five times as much income from ads and affiliate links this December than I did last. The Instagram account for that blog is up by over 4,000 followers.
All while on this blog, everything has stayed pretty stagnant.
By shifting my focus, by changing my priorities, by pivoting from something that wasn’t working to something that was, I was finally starting to see progress.
Last week I was looking at the list of New Year’s resolutions that I had made for 2019 earlier this year and, while I hit few of my goals, I did make some progress. And I actually feel kind of OK with where I am.
I didn’t lose 40 pounds. I was actually doing really well with this goal for the first few months of the year. I was going to the gym consistently, I was eating better, I wasn’t consuming as much sugar. I lost ten pounds. But then a project at work took everything out of me and I struggled to get back on track afterwards. I at least kept those 10 pounds off for most of the rest of the year but I’m afraid that they probably crept back on over the last few months of holidays and chocolate.
I didn’t get to 25,000 monthly sessions on my blog because, again, I pivoted my priorities. But I am happy with the progress I did make towards my new goals.
I think I did take more time to relax and have fun this year. I still have trouble, both mentally and financially, pulling myself away from home many nights. But when I did go out I felt more there, more in the moment, most of the time. I felt less like I should be home doing other things instead of being wherever else I was.
And while I didn’t leave the country, I did take that big road trip I had wanted to take, even if it was to somewhere completely different than I imagined going.
I’m looking forward to sitting down this week and coming up with my goals for 2020, the new year, the next decade.
As for this blog, no, it’s not going anywhere. Even though my priorities in terms of blogging have shifted, this will still be the place where I write about my life, my travels, and whatever else happens to be on my mind. I’ll probably even still write some bucket list listicles and pudding shot recipes for traffic.
Anyways. Since I have you here and since this is my blog where I just write about what I want to write about for my own sake and post 10,000 photos in a post. I’ll leave you, the year, the decade, with 10,000 or so photos from 2019…
Mediterranean Bread at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder.
Pizza pot pie at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder.
Cider at Galway Arms.
Live music at Galway Arms.
Valentine’s Day dinner and drinks.
Elektra opera on Valentine’s Day.
Choir, Choir, Choir
National Margarita Day
RBG BLT at an Oscars Party.
Isle of the Dogs pigs in a Blanket at an Oscars Party.
Mary Queen of Scotch Eggs at an Oscars Party.
Blackthorn Panther drink at an Oscars Party.
My predictions at an Oscars Party.
Karaoke at Brando’s
Dinner at The Gundis Kurdish restaurant for a dinner club.
Dinner at The Gundis Kurdish restaurant for a dinner club.
Dinner at The Gundis Kurdish restaurant for a dinner club.
Dinner at The Gundis Kurdish restaurant for a dinner club.
March
In March I went to a Seance, drank a pink squirrel, drank some beer, ate some cheese curds, saw Alan Menken talk about his career, and, other than that, pretty much worked 24/7.
Work end of season party.
The Seance with We Play With the Dead.
Pink Squirrel at Pink Squirrel in Chicago.
Pink Squirrel in Chicago.
Dinner at Twisted Hippo.
Cheese curds at Twisted Hippo.
A Night of Music with Alan Menken.
Art on the Mart
April
In April I went to the Teach Abroad Film Festival and Art Institute After Dark. I celebrated Easter with my family and the launch of a big project at work.
Rooney my cat recovering from surgery to remove a piece of string.
Rooney my cat recovering from surgery to remove a piece of string.
Rooney my cat recovering from surgery to remove a piece of string.
Rooney my cat recovering from surgery to remove a piece of string.
Poutine
Doughnuts for National Donut Day
Eggplant Parmesan at Italian Village
Bring Your Dog to Work Day
Bring Your Dog to Work Day
Creating art at my friend Shanna’s party.
Sausage at the Rooftop at Gene’s Sausage Shop
Tinman at OZ Park in Chicago
Karaoke.
July
In July I was supposed to travel to New York but I had to cancel my trip to pay for Rooney’s surgery. But instead July brought Square Roots Festival, a visit to the world’s largest rooftop bar, and a new haircut.
Lumpia at Square Roots Festival
Band Playing at Square Roots Festival
Fried cheese at Square Roots Festival
Band Playing at Square Roots Festival
Seeing CATS the musical
Famers Market Haul
Making my own juice.
Shelby with churros at the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel
Riding the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel
Riding the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel
Drinking a cocktail in a bag at Offshore at Navy Pier – the world’s largest rooftop bar.
Frozen cocktails at Offshore at Navy Pier – the world’s largest rooftop bar.
Cocktails in bags at Navy Pier – the world’s largest rooftop bar.
Sausage from Hot Dougs at a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.
Welcome the staff of Lyric Opera of Chicago at a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.
Maid Rite Loose meat sandwich in Iowa.
Carhenge Stonehenge made from cars in Alliance, Nebraska
Posing with a Sinclair Dinosaur in Sinclair, Wyoming.
Posing in front of the Salt Lake City mural
Eating an Ice Cream Potato – ice cream in the shape of a baked potato
Visiting the Big Potato Hotel and Dolly the Cow in Boise, Idaho
Drinking at Chico Hot Springs
Jumping in front of the Fargo Mario Wall Super Mario Bros mural
Standing in front of Otto the Otter
At the Spoonbridge and Cherry Sculpture – a giant spoon with a big cherry in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Posing with Pinkie the Elephant
Frozen cocktails at Show Tunes Friday at Sidetrack Bar in Chicago.
Frozen cocktails at Show Tunes Friday at Sidetrack Bar in Chicago.
Muffin and coffee at Colectivo Coffee
Chicken wings and sticky rice at Crisp.
Eclair.
September
In September I ate all the burgers at Hamburger Hop and all the dim sum at Duck Duck Goat.
Dogs at a bar
Ethiopian food.
Hamburgers at Hamburger Hop.
Hamburgers at Hamburger Hop.
Me and Amanda at Hamburger Hop.
Hamburgers at Hamburger Hop.
Celebrity chef judges at Hamburger Hop.
Hamburgers at Hamburger Hop.
Hamburgers at Hamburger Hop.
Hamburgers at Hamburger Hop.
Hamburgers at Hamburger Hop.
Hamburgers at Hamburger Hop.
Dim Sum at Duck Duck Goat
Dim Sum at Duck Duck Goat
Dim Sum at Duck Duck Goat
Dim Sum at Duck Duck Goat
Dim Sum at Duck Duck Goat
Dim Sum at Duck Duck Goat
Doughnuts at Bombo Bar
October
In October I went to a pumpkin farm, Open House Chicago, and a Hocus Pocus trivia night (and, you know, dressed my cats up as llamas for Halloween).
Me and Auggie
Me, Auggie, and Maggie
Maggie at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Maggie picking pumpkins at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Pig at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Riding the train at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Riding the train at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Waiting for the pig races at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Waiting for the pig races at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Pig races at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Maggie riding a tractor at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Bastian at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
World’s largest corn maze at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
World’s largest corn maze at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Heather and Auggie at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Me, Heather and Auggie at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Bastian picking pumpkins at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Me at Richardson Pumpkin Farm
Big yellow door at Big Monster Toys at Open House Chicago
Behind the Big yellow door at Big Monster Toys at Open House Chicago
Morgan Park Academy at Open House Chicago
Shanna reading a book at Morgan Park Academy at Open House Chicago
Ridge Historical Society at Open House Chicago
Mannequin at Ridge Historical Society at Open House Chicago
Givins Castle at Open House Chicago
Mead at Wild Blossom Meadery at Open House Chicago
Mural at Hector Duarte Studio at Open House Chicago
Inside Hector Duarte Studio at Open House Chicago
Hocus Pocus movie night
Margaritas at Hocus Pocus trivia night
Margaritas at Hocus Pocus trivia night
Quesadillas at Hocus Pocus trivia night
Hocus Pocus trivia night
My cats dressed at llamas for Halloween
November
In November I went to a baby shower, saw a couple of operas, ate all you can eat sushi, ate weird pizza slices, returned to skee ball league, celebrated Thanksgiving (with a giant turkey leg just for me), and went to Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Photo wall at my friends’ baby shower.
Dead Man Walking opera.
Set for Earth to Kenzie children’s opera.
Program for Earth to Kenzie children’s opera.
All you can eat sushi.
All you can eat sushi.
All you can eat sushi.
Cocktails.
Me and Amanda drinking cocktails.
Dimo’s pizza.
Dimo’s pizza.
Drinking at Sluggers before Skee Ball League.
First day of this season’s skee ball league at Sluggers before Skee Ball League.
Playing skee ball at Sluggers in Chicago.
Dueling pianos at Sluggers in Chicago.
Playing skee ball at Sluggers in Chicago.
Drinking free beer at Sluggers in Chicago.
Pug dog at Thanksgiving.
Nephews playing a homemade board game about storming Area 51 at Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving dinner (I took the entire turkey leg)
Pug dog trying to eat my Thanksgiving dinner.
Pug dog passed out after eating Thanksgiving dinner.
Lighted ceiling on the CTA holiday bus in Chicago.
Santa riding the CTA holiday bus in Chicago.
Holiday bus in Chicago.
Sign for Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Light up penguins at Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Nephews posing at Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Singing port a potties at Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Posing in front of lights at Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Light dancing Christmas trees at Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Light dancing Christmas trees at Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Light dancing Christmas trees at Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Light up monkeys at Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Light up monkeys at Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Light up birds at Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Light up cat at Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
December
In December I went to all the Christmas bars, went to Christkindlmarket, and celebrated Christmas.
Baking cinnamon roll cookies for a holiday cookie exchange.
Baking cinnamon roll cookies for a holiday cookie exchange.
Cookies at a holiday cookie exchange.
Eating mozzarella sticks with Quinn and her dog at Gino’s East.
Eating deep dish pizza with Quinn and her dog at Gino’s East.
My cat Ford meets Zulu the dog.
My cat Ford meets Zulu the dog.
Christmas Club Christmas pop up bar in Wrigleyville.
Eggnog at Christmas Club Christmas pop up bar in Wrigleyville.
Popcorn chicken and a tree of onion rings at Christmas Club Christmas pop up bar in Wrigleyville.
Carolers singing at Christmas Club Christmas pop up bar in Wrigleyville.
Ornament wall at Christmas Club Christmas pop up bar in Wrigleyville.
Writing Christmas cards while watching Elf.
My custom Stay Home Club Christmas portrait of me and my cats on my Christmas cards.
Cranberry drink at our Holiday Party at work.
Making potato pancakes at Christkindlmarket in Chicago.
Potato pancakes at Christkindlmarket in Chicago.
Drinking hot chocolate from a snowman mug at Christkindlmarket in Chicago.
Drinking hot chocolate from a snowman mug at Christkindlmarket in Chicago.
Dimo’s Pizza.
Skee Ball team dressed in Harry Potter outfits.
Buddy the Elf at Elf’d Up Christmas pop up bar in Wrigleyville.
Drinking at Elf’d Up Christmas pop up bar in Wrigleyville.
Drinking at Rudolph’s Bar Christmas pop up bar in Wrigleyville.
Drinking at Rudolph’s Bar Christmas pop up bar in Wrigleyville.
Hugging a stuffed reindeer at Rudolph’s Bar Christmas pop up bar in Wrigleyville.
Rudolph’s Bar Christmas pop up bar in Wrigleyville.
Corn dog and pineapple drink at Twisted Hippo.
I went to a friend’s party and played with her cat.
Skee Ball lane at the Skee ball League finals! We came in second place overall.
Hi, I'm Val. I spent most of my 20s in a standstill, unable to pick which path in life I wanted to take. I wanted the nomadic life of a traveler but also wanted the husband, the condo, and the kitten. Unable to decide which life I wanted more, I did nothing. When I turned 30 I’d had enough of putting my life on hold and decided to start “choosing my figs.” So, I quit my job, bought a one-way ticket to Europe, and traveled for three years. Now I'm back in Chicago, decorating my apartment in all the teal, petting my cats, and planning my next adventure.
