Interview with Pro-Blogger Michelle Reeves

Please welcome Michelle Reeves, someone I've admired from afar for a while. She writes at Bod for Tea, and I recently stumbled upon her linky #sharethejoy. I've enjoyed reading the many posts that are linked up.





Why did you start blogging?


In 2008 my husband and I left behind everything we knew and loved in the UK - including my successful career in Internet Marketing - for a three year adventure in China. I started blogging there as part of my therapy for Post Natal Depression after the conception and traumatic birth of our daughter in 2009. We arrived back in the UK two years later and to my surprise and delight bodfortea.com continued to flourish growing a global readership.





What did you like most when you started?


Blogging gave me a creative outlet at a time when I felt very isolated, on the other side of the world away from family and friends. The connections I made with other new mums online were a lifeline for me. 




How long have you been blogging?


Since December 2009 so that's 5.5 years now and I'm still learning something new every month!




What do you love about blogging now?


It's very personal putting your life out there on the page for the world to read and I love the amazing feedback I get from my readers when a piece resonates or touches them. If I can reach out and let just one person know they're not alone (or example with my posts about post-natal depression) or encourage them to be more joyful with my Journey to Joy series this year then that's a wonderful thing.

There's also something very special about the blogging community and I'm so grateful for the wonderful friends I've made.




Do you have more than one blog?


Actually yes! I'm excited to be launching a new homes and interiors blog this summer - TheEssexBarn.com - with inspiration from our dream home in the countryside.

(I'll also be spending the Summer rebranding Bod for tea and it will be back in the Autumn with a new name and a new look!)




Why the new site?


We moved into our beautiful 17th century barn in the Spring and while we're working on making it our dream home with builders and decorators I realised that it would be lovely to document our journey and share what we've learnt along the way. TheEssexBarn.com will showcase beautiful products and tutorials that I hope will inspire people to create their own dream homes. 




What is the most important quality of a good blogger?


For me it's all about content and developing your own unique voice. A beautiful blog might be great to visit once or twice but it's fresh, relevant and well written content that will keep readers - and clients - coming back.




As a Pro-Blogger what has been the best opportunity you've been offered so far?


I'm proud to be a UK ambassador for the healthy habits mobile app Noom which has seen me attending press events, appearing in local media and representing them at Britmums Live this year. I'm also delighted to have a long-term relationship with James Villas holidays as it's a brand that I love and my family and I regularly get to travel abroad with them.




Is there anything you don't like about blogging?


Honestly? No. I love it all!




If you could recommend one blog to read, which would it be?


That's so hard! For amazing writing that speaks to me it would have to be Pouting In Heels, for glamour and style Honest Mum and for great blogging hints and tips You Baby Me Mummy. Hands Free Mama had a profound effect on me as a parent too. There are so many more blogs that I love though - I could go on for ages!




Thank you Michelle! Exciting times ahead, I look forward to seeing the new look (and new name) blog in Autumn and will definitely check out TheEssexBarn.com on my return from Orlando.

#sharethejoy linky goes live every Monday, please do take a look and link up.

You can find Michelle on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.