Happy 2019 everyone! I hope your year will be one filled with genuine connections, awe-inspiring moments and victories big and small.
I wrote a post on what my 2018 looked like a few hours before the clock struck 12 yesterday.
Today, I’d like to focus on my blog and give you guys a little peek into how it’s grown so much in the past year.
When I first started izzabelle.co in September 2017, I had just moved from Singapore to Vancouver, Canada. Writing on the blog was a way for me to process this transition, to reflect and ruminate on issues, share some of my favourite products and travel destinations, and also keep myself up-to-date on good web practices like SEO (search engine optimisation).
Slowly, the blog grew into a place where I wanted to share stories that were not my own, but of women who were (and still are) so inspiring in their faith. And it was also such a privilege to share stories penned by friends and fellow writers that totally blew me away with their wisdom and their power.
I wasn’t as consistent in posting here as I’d planned (yes, I have an editorial calendar!). And not everything I posted got a ton of views.
But in terms of the total number of pageviews for last year, this blog received…
over 13,000 pageviews in 2018.
No kidding.
I was so amazed when this figure showed up. Numbers aren’t everything, and they aren’t a target I need to reach to prove that my blog has been successful (thank God for that!). But they help me keep track of which posts are doing well and how I can continue improving my writing. And for someone who hasn’t spent a dime on advertising… I think this is definitely worth celebrating!
These were the posts that received the most love on this humble space. Thank you for reading them and sharing them!
inspiring christian instagram accounts to follow
This was the best-performing post for 2018, and I’ve received a lot of feedback that the recommendations have been really helpful. I hope these accounts encourage and inspire you too!
women who inspire: bernice
I’ve known Bernice and what she does at Graceworks for a number of years, but it was only in 2018 that the idea came upon me to interview her and find out more about the faith-focused publishing and training consultancy she co-runs with her husband Soo-Inn and how God has been faithful in her life. Clearly, a lot of people wanted to know more too!
what i’ve learnt after 3 years of marriage
Marriage takes work. And as a woman who has struggled a fair bit with it, here’s something I wrote after reflecting on being married for three years (it’s four now woohoo!).
there you are
I remember my heart thumping like crazy when I asked my friend Naomi if she would be keen to write something for my blog last January. And thumping even more when she immediately said “yes!”. Her words are filled with such incredible power, grace and love… it’s a total must-read.
review: herbivore botanicals’ coco rose body polish
One of my favourite beauty buys of 2018! Also, I now know how difficult it is to snap nice photos in a tiny bathroom :p
coffee with tze: life as a missionary, photographer and storyteller
My friend tze’s life story never fails to intrigue and inspire me. He’s been to some of the most incredible places in the world, and his images are truly one-of-a-kind.
women who inspire: yare
My friend Yare is an amazing singer-songwriter from Bolivia, and I was so happy that she shared her heart for music and for God with this blog.
where is God in the waiting?
This was a piece I wrote for Naomi’s blog. It was also shared on Thir.st, a faith-based online publication in Singapore. I wrote this while experiencing a time of limbo where I felt so uncertain about the future. If you find yourself in a time of waiting, may these words bless you.
life in vancouver, illustrated
My friend Angeline drew these series of comics to illustrate scenes from her new life in Vancouver. They’re full of humour and are such a joy to look at!
women who inspire: sharon
This was one of those moments in life where if you don’t do it, you’ll probably never even dream of doing it again… I approached Sharon after a church service where her husband, Darrell Johnson, was preaching at. She readily agreed to speak to me about life as a pastor’s wife, and I can’t even express how grateful I am that she would take the time to share so openly and honestly about her life with me.
And there you have it: some of my most loved posts for 2018 :)
Thanks for sticking around, and sign up for my newsletter (scroll all the way down) if you’d love to get more updates from me in 2019!
PIN FOR LATER:
xx,
iz
a singaporean-canadian couple on serving God faithfully