Back in January, when I launched this blog, I only expected crickets. I hit publish with no illusions that people would flock to my words overnight. Still, deep in the back of my mind, I was hoping that my voice would get picked up as soon as possible. But God’s perfect timing never misses, and now I understand why I had to wait until September to open my inbox to something special: my very first fanmail.
For eight months, I showed up here not knowing if anyone was really listening. There were days I stared at my Google Search Console and felt discouraged. The traffic wasn’t moving the way I hoped, and the numbers looked small compared to the effort I was pouring into my writing. On some of those days, I even thought about pulling the site down completely. But each time, my soul pulled me back to the light. A voice within reminded me that all I need to do is write. The rest will follow when it is meant to.
Then it happened. Someone read my Buscalan blog post (either my personal essay of my experience or my tips and advices)and reached out to me personally, asking for homestay recommendations. At first, I panicked a little. I smiled so wide when I saw the message, then reread it more than once. I even held off replying for a day because I wanted to get it right. It was not just a question about Buscalan village, it was proof that my words had reached someone who trusted me enough to ask for help.
That single message mattered more than any number on a screen. Analytics can tell me clicks and impressions, but they cannot tell me about the human being on the other side. This fanmail showed me that there are people out there who are open to reading my content in the middle of the magnanimous pile of other top-ranking articles online. There are readers who find value in my perspective, who are willing to step out and connect. That means more to me than any chart or ranking.
To the person who wrote to me (you know who you are), thank you. You reminded me why I keep showing up here. And to everyone who has been quietly reading over the past eight months, I see you too, even if you never comment or send a message. Thank you for being part of this journey in your own way. I hope you always feel welcome to reach out, whether you need advice, have questions, or simply want to share how my posts resonate with you.
This milestone is small in the world’s eyes, but it feels big in mine. It marks the start of something real. From here on, I want to provide better content – content that is both true to myself and steady enough to land. I want my writing to serve as both a guide and a reflection, whether I am sharing travel tips about places like Buscalan or diving into deeper essays about identity, work, and life.
Eight months, one fanmail, countless lessons. This is only the beginning.
— Drew Mirandus
