How I Started My Blog with WordPress: Tackling the Writer Badge and Trying Something New

When I decided to start my blog, Rebels by Nature, as part of the Writer Badge for the Rebel Badge Club, I knew I’d be stepping into unfamiliar territory. Blogging is something I’ve always wanted to try, but the technical side? That was enough to make me procrastinate for a good few days (or weeks).

But one of my Butterfly Effect tasks this week was to try something new, and diving into WordPress to create my blog ticked that box perfectly. So, armed with a cup of tea and a “let’s give this a go” attitude, I started building my corner of the internet.

Why WordPress?

When I started looking into blogging platforms, WordPress kept coming up as the most versatile and beginner-friendly option. It offers:

• Flexibility: Tons of themes and plugins to customize your blog.

• Ease of Use: Once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty straightforward.

• Room to Grow: Whether you’re writing as a hobby or building a professional site, WordPress can grow with you.

Plus, it has a free plan, which was perfect for testing the waters without committing financially upfront.

How I Got Started

1. Setting Up My Account

The first step was creating a WordPress account. It was simple—just a few details, and I was in. Then came the fun part: picking a name and theme for my blog.

Tip: Don’t overthink your theme at the start. I chose something clean and simple to get up and running quickly, knowing I could tweak it later.

2. Choosing a Name

Naming the blog felt like the biggest hurdle. After brainstorming a few ideas (and vetoing some questionable suggestions from my partner), I settled on Rebels by Nature.

3. Customising the Look

This was the part I’d been nervous about, but WordPress made it easier than I expected. I played around with:

• Themes: I started with a free theme and adjusted the colors and layout to match my style.

• Pages: Creating an About page and a Blog page was as simple as clicking “add.”

• Widgets: These are little tools that let you add features like a search bar or recent posts to your site.

4. Writing My First Post

The post editor took a bit of getting used to, but once I figured out how to add headings, images, and text, it felt pretty intuitive. Writing my first post, Where it all begins, was a mix of excitement and nerves.

What I’ve Learned

Starting a blog with WordPress wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. Here are a few things that made the process smoother:

• Start Small: Don’t stress about making everything perfect right away. You can always refine as you go.

• Use Tutorials: WordPress has loads of guides and videos to help you get started.

• Experiment: Play around with settings and features—you won’t break anything (probably).

Try WordPress Yourself

If you’re thinking about starting a blog, WordPress is a great option. It’s user-friendly, flexible, and perfect for beginners. As part of my journey with the Writer Badge, I’m using their platform, and I genuinely recommend giving it a try.

Transparency note: I’m including my referral link here. If you sign up using this link, you’ll support my blog and help me earn WordPress credits at no additional cost to you. It’s a win-win!

Click here to start your blog with WordPress.

What’s Next?

Now that the blog is live, I’m focusing on building momentum. My goals are to:

• Publish regular posts (this one counts toward my Writer Badge!).

• Explore more customization options to make the site feel truly mine.

• Learn about SEO (search engine optimization)—because why not add another challenge?

Have you thought about starting a blog? Or are you working on your Writer Badge too? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear about your ideas!

xo