It's that time of year to reflect on 2025, share the good and the bad of my blogging journey, and a bit of my personal life.
Let me just say, 2025 was a very tough one.
It's like this year tried to bring me down, but I wouldn't let it. It made me stronger, helped me start pivoting, and taught me to be thankful for what I do have and not stress too much about what I don't.
I will say that my six-figure year did not happen again, and I thought it was mainly because of AI; however, once again, with another web designer I have been working with for over 5 years from Fiverr, I discovered that he had scammed me.
Here's the story...
I was Scammed by My Web Designer from Fiverr
Back in 2023, I noticed my blog traffic was declining.
I asked my web designer what was going on, and he told me that Google had a Review Core algorithm update and that my blog had been affected.
Honestly, that didn't sound right, but I believed him.
Later in the year, in September of 2023, there was another Google algorithm update, the Helpful Content Update, known as the HCU.
A lot of website owners were hit by this, including me, but slightly. My traffic was already going down because I thought the previous update hit me.
I kept reaching out to my web designer to figure out the issue, paying him money to fix the problem and help bring my traffic back. I even noticed my images were disappearing from search results, including my blog posts.
Fast forward to 2024: almost all my traffic was gone, so I thought, because my blog design was dated, maybe it was my mobile speed causing the traffic decline.
I hired someone else, and they fixed the speed issue; however, my blog traffic continued to decline.
This time, I hired someone else to find out what is going on with my blog.
The person I hired said I must have hired someone who didn't know what they were doing, and that they noindexed my blog.
So stupid of me, I thought the person I hired to fix my blog's mobile speed was the one who did it, and I had my graphic designer check that person's work.
Little did I know that my web designer had noindexed my blog again.
So, I was noindexed for two years! Yes, two years! All my search engine traffic was pretty much gone!
I would have figured it out sooner if I didn't have a lot going on in my personal life.
And here's the kicker!
When I stopped paying him to fix the issues he created, and he noticed I was catching on to what he had done, he made a website with topics similar to mine to compete with me.
When that didn't work, he closed the website. He created AI-generated articles similar to mine on his personal website to compete with me. He still has those articles up today and still comes to my blog to steal my ideas.
I have been rebuilding my blog this year, and I hope my traffic will return in 2026. But with so much AI happening, it's going to be hard to return to my normal levels.
So, how I'm pivoting is to be more active on social media and build a community there to drive traffic to my blog.
I want to say: Be careful with Fiverr. So many scammers want to take what you have, and with AI, it is so easy to scam people now.
Cheap labor on Fiverr is not worth the cost of losing years of work. Find someone local if you can. And if you have to use a site like Fiverr, make sure the person is from the US and has good ratings.
Thank goodness that I didn't give Mr. M my web designer's info, or he would have ruined his business, too.
Good thing Mr. M's business is helping us out with bills, so I can focus on bouncing back. But it has been a struggle!
That web designer will reap what he sows, and I'll let God handle him.
What's Been Going on with Me Personally
So, although this year has been a financial strain on me, not all was bad.
With my daughters now adults and one of them having moved out, I have more time to figure out what my next step in life is.
I have done more for myself, like going to Pilates, taking walks along the Beltline, attending several local conventions, trying new cuisines, and even going to a couple of concerts.
Honestly, it felt freeing. No more dealing with schools, teachers, and students.
I may not have gone on any trips this year, but it felt good to explore my own backyard, and I'll continue to do so through 2026.
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| Paulanka's last picture at the Vet ER in a Oxygen Tank |
If you follow me on social media, you know that my sweet Paulanka, the guinea pig, passed away towards the end of summer.
She was sick on and off all her life, but it was hard on me when she passed. I knew it was coming, but I didn't want to let her go.
But I had to remember that she is free from all the pain and suffering, and I know she enjoyed her time with us, and she is thankful for taking care of her.
Now we're down to just one guinea pig, Lumi, and she has been such a joy. Since Paulanka was the dominant piggy, it was hard for Lumi to open up and be herself.
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| Lumi cuddling with me |
Now, Lumi is so cuddly, loves to be held, walks all over the house, watches TV with us, and popcorns often. She is just one happy piggy!
Oh, you know how I would review cars several times a year?
Just like last year, I didn't review any cars because of my blog traffic. I wanted to fix my blog first before I start reviewing cars again.
But I did go to a couple of events with my auto group and previewed new vehicles, and the standout was the 2026 Lexus LX 700. Make sure to check that out.
Another thing...
Things are still going well with my health and wellness journey. My blood pressure is still normal. I exercise several times a week; however, I can still improve my diet. That sugar is hard to break away from!
What I Look Forward to in 2026
2026 will be my comeback year, I'm claiming it!
I'm not giving up on my blog because I love creating content and sharing my thoughts and opinions.
As I mentioned before, my blog will focus more on me. Yes, I'm still a mom, but sharing what a mom my age, with adult children, likes and navigating that next chapter of her life.
I hope you all continue on this journey with me, and I thank you for all the years of support.
Also, if you would like to help me with my traffic, all you have to do is share my blog. If there is a blog post you enjoy, share it! I appreciate it!
Cheers to 2026!
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