This isn’t a sad post. The post entails a move that may or may not change the way I see things. Want to know more?
Even before 2016 came, I have been owning it since the last week of December 2015. I’ve been telling myself that it is going to be my year in various ways that I could think of. So far, the year has been good to me. But the main event is that:
Mariaisquixotic is now on WordPress!
The move is not that simple especially in my case since I’m not gifted with coding/HTML skills. So as early as the second paragraph, I will be thanking already the people who have helped me with the move. From Rae, Yen, Danah, Rej and to my artist consultants, Christian and Adam.
But before anything else, I kinda feel great about the move. I’ve used Multiply and Tumblr (since high school days), Blogger (for around 3 years) and now, WordPress.
There were thoughts before that came across my mind about moving. I always search about blogging whether on Google or Pinterest and there are posts that would really compare WP (.com & .org) and Blogger. Both are really nice platforms but there are really things that the other cannot do.
Here are my stereotypical thoughts about moving:
- As a non-IT person, it will be quite hard for me. My knowledge is only limited with the basics and with Blogger, the basics can already be used there.
- I even though that hosting would cost so much that I would starve to death if I did it. (Yeah, kinda an exaggeration but it’s true.) Seeing the amounts in PHP, USD, SGD would really make me click another site quickly.
- I was scared that I would lose everything and start from scratch AGAIN.
But, various gigs/opportunities came in and seeing the other bloggers (who were at various events) use WP really made me think, what if I do it? What’s next for Mariaisquixotic? From then, I started searching for affordable hosting plans that I could avail and luckily, thank you to Pangalan.com!
Super thank you to my college friend, Julie Bulaklak, who made this possible.
Then after all the process of moving has been accomplished (of course, with the help of my talented IT friends), MQ is in WP already and here are my reasons/answers why I moved:
- The interface is quite different from Blogger. It surpasses the limit since Blogger is under Google and they could just delete your blog without even warning you. Yet here, it’s your own site, your own space.
- There are more templates to choose from and you can tweak them more according to your own flavor without getting scared that you might lose your blog. Blogger offers templates as well but not as much as WP.
- Plug-ins, widgets – they make life easier! You just look for what you need, check it if it’s really compatible with your WP then install. Gadgets in Blogger are quite limited and you can’t customize it sometimes so you’re stuck with something that can’t really make you that happy. (I srsly just realize things now while I’m writing this.)
- Improvement, I want to improve my blog and as well my writing skills (or English skills) since I think I may be losing it to the dark side. 😂 But seriously though, I want to improve my blogging skills and to become better with what I do and I guess WP can help me with that.
- EMOJI (very self-explanatory) 👊🏼
So now that I moved, I’m setting some goals for both the blog and for myself:
- Continuity for the blog series that I have and to explore more about creating blog series.
- To push the numerous ideas (for the blog) that came across my mind or the ones I see from the sites/blogs that I browse.
- Still continue goal-setting for the many things I have on my plate.
- Lastly, to connect with more people through different modes of communication (may it be readers/followers).
And of course, I changed my banner and included some leaves as it symbolizes my love of calligraphy and watercolor. It represents my artsy side that I want to share with you. Also, my font changed hinting a more adventurous but a bit reserved Maria.
Currently, I’m still exploring what WP can do to my blog and how I could improve as a blogger (seriously, I don’t see myself as a blogger. I feel weird when people call me blogger and Idk why 😂) and as a better student. Also, I’m trying to organize my posts, you may feel that some are missing or cannot be found that’s because I may have deleted some. I call it good riddance; like cleaning my room and getting rid of the stuff that I don’t want/need anymore.
P.S. If anyone stumbles upon this and gets to read this and you know how to import comments from Disqus to WP, please do tell me. Thank you! 😃
Cheers to a better Maria and a better Mariaisquixotic. Here’s to more adventures this 2016! 🍻
So how you doing guys and girls? ☺️
30 Comments
Yen
May 7, 2016 at 7:47 PMYey for Mariaisquixotic! Indeed, to a better Maria! Will be supporting you and your blog as possibly as I can!
Kristine Redillas
May 7, 2016 at 8:10 PMYay! Thank you so for the love and support, Ms. Yen Olay!!
chrismiraart
May 7, 2016 at 9:31 PMYou’re always welcome. :)) Good luck!
Kristine Redillas
May 7, 2016 at 9:38 PMYay!!! Thank you! 😀
Stella @ Travelerette
May 8, 2016 at 4:18 AMCongratulations! I also made the switch from Blogger to WP recently. Before my blog had just been a personal blog to share with my friends about my travels and I didn’t want anyone else to read it. But when I decided to try travel blogging seriously, I knew I had to switch. Like you, I am not an IT person, but I am also happy with the change so far. Good luck!
Kristine Redillas
May 8, 2016 at 8:51 PMI saw your blog and I adored your travel posts. When I was browsing, it motivated me to really work hard so I could travel in the future as well. Thank you. Good luck to you too! 😀
Klaudia
May 8, 2016 at 7:00 AMGood luck with your new / better Maria blogger 🙂 I feel the same as you about being called or calling myself a Blogger . I am just enjoying writing , whatever it may be called . I think , you are on a good way , sounds like improvement on skills . Keep going , I know less than anybody else about all these technical issues , take it slow and easy , with time everything gets better . I think , if you enjoy blogging , you will never stop changing things and improving your site .
Kristine Redillas
May 8, 2016 at 8:50 PMI think we both enjoy sharing stuff about our own adventures and misadventures. Hihi. Thank you!! 🙂
ROBERT LEE
May 8, 2016 at 3:41 PMWelcome to WordPress and being self-hosted. There are a lot of things to learn, but the platform itself has already taken care of so many things for you. I hope you continue to grow as a blogger and your site continues to evolve to be better and better.
alison
May 8, 2016 at 4:56 PMThat is a great move but I get why it is so hard to do! There are a lot of worries like you said about what could happen if it doesn’t all transfer over. It is a change but one in the right direction and I think you will adapt quite easily. Congrats and keep going!
Dorothy Mae C. Torretijo
May 8, 2016 at 5:32 PMMariaisquixotic!!! Love this blog name!! I’m still at blogger but I’m planning to switch to WordPress.
Berlin
May 8, 2016 at 5:49 PMCheers to Maria! Welcome to WordPress as well. Like you, I am exploring the widgets and buttons of WordPress as I would like to utilize everything it could offer for me to blog more. Blogging has kept me sane and insane and I would like more of those in my life to balance my being a stay at home mom.
Kristine Redillas
May 8, 2016 at 8:48 PMI always admire mommy bloggers! I always wonder how do you get to balance blogging and being a mom and everything in between. Happy mothers’ day! 😀
aika
May 8, 2016 at 6:19 PMCongratulations! I once used Blogger as well and when I decided to start over, I used WordPress. It was really shocking for me at first since it was too complicated compared to Blogger. Good thing is, like you, I have a friend who helped me go through it. We’re both lucky!
Kristine Redillas
May 8, 2016 at 8:49 PMSo much feels! We’re lucky to have met as well through blogging. Yay! Good luck to us!! <3
Princess Mikee
May 9, 2016 at 1:13 AMCould you tell me more about how to switch from Blogger to WP? I’m thinking about it too. Please! Thank you. 😉 Btw, great blog.
Kristine Redillas
May 9, 2016 at 6:08 AMIt’s simple if it’s under WordPress.com but if it’s self-hosted, you need to find a web host first and choose a plan that suits you. After which, have the host help you set it up with the shared server. (Swear, it is tough especially if you’re not an IT person. So I strongly suggest to ask the tech team of the host to do it for you.) Thank you! 😀
sabine - so far so sabine
May 9, 2016 at 5:33 AMBeing a blogger is pretty much a status right. For me it feels weird too sometimes. I love the new website. WordPress is truly the best in my opinion. Traveling is very cool to blog about. I sometimes do that too. Hope you will have much more blog posts and keep enjoying to be a so-called “blogger. =) http://www.sofarsosabine.com
Eden Redillas
May 10, 2016 at 12:48 AMCongrats baby girl on your blog!
Swayam Tiwari
May 10, 2016 at 12:49 AMWordPress is the best thing to have happened to me so far.I am also exploring Medium for blogging but WP beats the rest by at least a mile.Kristine, which theme do you use, please email it to me at swayamt at gmail dot com.Please
Kristine Redillas
May 10, 2016 at 1:45 AMHola! I’m using Rosemary from Solopine Themes. 😀
Dominic Barrios
May 10, 2016 at 7:30 PMWooohooo! Congratulations on your new wordpress domain. Blogging is fun especially when you own your own domain name and space. I’ll be looking forward to seeing your blog posts and what it’s all about. It’s nice to have a niche when blogging so that readers would always come back to your blog whenever they want to know something about these topics. 🙂 Congratulations again!
Cai Dominguez -Travelosyo
May 11, 2016 at 11:17 PMI started with bloggers too when Im not that serious with blogging then when I decided to level up. Read some articles and hear some advices i moved to WP. Its like totally different world at first it’s quiet confusing but when u get used to it. Wp is the best platform for bloggers. Simply amazing! Congratulations 🙂 and welcome to wp family hahaha!
Kristine Redillas
May 14, 2016 at 10:26 PMYay! Thank you! 😀
sam
May 26, 2016 at 8:21 PMGood to know! I’ve tried all the blog platform. WordPress is the best. It makes it easy for you to have good templates!
Sonnie
May 27, 2016 at 8:50 AMIf anyone stumbles upon this and gets to read this and you know how to import comments from Disqus to WP
1. Download and install Disqus plugin
2. Go to settings then advance
3. Import and Export
4. Sync comments
mariaisquixotic
May 31, 2016 at 2:22 PMHola Sonnie! I tried doing that but it still won’t import. 🙁
Eva Rabinovich
June 28, 2016 at 11:27 PMHello and welcome to world of full time blogging with WP. This is big step for any blogger. Technical issues on WP are minor, almost anything is automatic, and there is vast community of fellow bloggers who are always ready to help. Hope you are going to make excellent blog.
Thelittlelai: Beyond limitss
May 30, 2017 at 6:57 AMWow, I’m really smiling while reading this blog post of yours. This remind me of my friends who were using WordPress, but they transfer to other hosting and I’m still with wordpress until now. I like everything about wordpress. I don’t have knowledge and evenan idea about the technical side in blogging and with wordpress, it made easy. I like how they provide all the instructions when you get to update or customize your theme. I hope that you have enjoyed in the wordpress community. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Maria
May 30, 2017 at 6:13 PMWait, you’re on WP.com?