There are tons of reasons you should consider blogging. It is no news that people get money, a career, flexibility, and opportunities for just being a blogger. Bloggers get countless opportunities if they make the right moves. 

That said, now and then, we hear that blogging is dead. I can't confirm this to be true because I am yet to see an obituary, and I have not gone to its funeral. Jokes aside, blogging remains relevant to the point where many are still searching for ways to be part of it.

Nobody speaks on how blogging helps you develop yourself intellectually and contributes to a person's well-being.

Blogging has helped mold me to be who I am 4 years after starting. As a housewife who once had a career or is used to working, blogging has helped me fill that void. 

It has exposed me to different people around the world, even if I am an introvert. And for some weird reason, it fulfills me. And I will share with you how, together with other perks that come with blogging.

Here are the reasons you should consider blogging:

IT GIVES YOU EXPOSURE

Blogging is a lucrative act and art to be a part of; it bestows its creators the ability to speak to billions of people worldwide. Just by moving your fingers. 

Not very different from standing in the presence of billions of people to give a speech. The catch is that you don't have to deal with stage fright, anxiety, or an inferiority complex. And if you have to face people, it will no longer be as exhausting as zero exposure.

You get access to countless people from across the world. This makes sharing your story, experience, and training very easy.

JOB FLEXIBILITY

Blogging allows you to work from the comfort of your home. Blogging is an excellent alternative to the typical nine-to-five work schedule.

As much as I will not encourage you to quit your day job because you have decided to start telecommuting, blogging gives you a better balance between work and life. 

Meaning, you are your boss. You can spend time with your family and friends. Take out time for yourself and plan your work schedules as you desire. I guess this is everyone's dream job.

FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE

One important reason you should consider blogging is that it can gain you the financial independence you desire.

Consistent and hard-working bloggers have been able to build their careers and empires through blogging. It has contributed to sustaining people and has helped them live their best life.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE BLOGOSPHERE  

Google is super happy with bloggers, and our innovativeness is appreciated. Let's leave it as we make their market boom. 

The beauty of this is you are adding value to the blogging industry. Ultimately, blogging brings a smile to you, Google, and those for whom you provide a solution.

YOU GET A SENSE OF FULFILMENT

It is exciting and fulfilling when my blog visitors commend my work. It makes me feel special. It makes me check and recheck everything I put out. Above all, knowing I am adding value to someone somewhere makes me feel at the top of my game.

Blogging has improved my confidence, and I wouldn't trade this for anything except Jesus.

I have touched lives, blessed many, and been a source of inspiration for many. 

YOU BECOME A STAR

Have you ever thought of being a star? This is another reason you should consider blogging. Blogging gives you a platform to share yourself with the world. In return, people, brands, and companies could consider working with you. 

Working with brands could get you free items, sponsorships, monetary rewards, among others. You could appear on media or get partnership opportunities. Just put in the work and build your authority in your niche.

Checking my email and finding collaboration requests is everything! I know I would reject some offers and say no to some suggestions, but having them contact me makes me feel like I am doing the right thing, and I am being noticed.

To sum up, blogging can open diverse doors of opportunity for you.

CONNECTING WITH NEW PEOPLE

Blogging has helped me dynamically connect with readers. It gives room for meaningful feedback, which is very important. Frankly, it makes the whole process fun.

Today I have friends from all walks of life. We have never met, but I feel connected, loved, and respected by these people. 

I have gotten gifts and have had chats that have contributed significantly to how I see and perceive people. As one who likes to keep to myself, this has helped me a lot.

IT CHALLENGES YOU

If for nothing at all, a huge reason you should consider blogging is it challenges you to be the best you can.

Blogging puts you in a position where you are always looking for the best way to improve yourself. 

For instance, I have discovered that my writing style has evolved. Looking back at my old posts makes me question my serenity and my ability to write. I have grown so much over time.

Also, my desire for committee tasks has increased. My communication skills have also evolved for the best.

Strangely, I am now addicted to writing, and I consider that a good thing. I prefer to be addicted to an act that secures my bag than a habit that could ruin me.

In summary, blogging can be a creative outlet.

BLOGGING IS NOTHING CONVOLUTED

Blogging has a more flexible mechanism. Writing a blog has its own rules, but it is not as complicated.

This is to say, you can freestyle via your blog. You can choose to go professional, informal, or conversational; pick what works for you.

With tools and resources all over the internet, you can start your blog with the two shakes of a dog's tail. You can also check below for articles that can help you create your blogging quest.

Start from where you are. As you progress, you must consider growing and improving yourself.

YOU CAN LEVERAGE YOUR THIS OPPORTUNITY

Another top reason you should consider blogging is to leverage your love for blogging into other arts. 

Thanks to blogging, I have written five books and published two. I have gotten the opportunity to feature amazing people in the business. I have sold my services to those who are interested.

Because of the brand and voice, I have created through my blog, people are most likely to do business with me instead of working with zero presence online. Except, of course, they can get the needs done by someone offline.

Opaque by Calix Leigh-Reign is a book I was eager to read. I have not had the best experiences with science fiction novels; however, I got drawn to this book because it has good ratings. I found this book to be paranormal, romantic, and mysterious. Most young adults are likely to appreciate this book, but I can't say the same for me.

The story is about 16-year-old Adam Caspian. He has everything an average child needs to survive; however, he cannot seem to fit into the society he finds himself in. His only comfort is his mother; strangely, he is sexually attracted to her. Adam has some demons in him, and this darkness is about to eat him when he meets a girl his age who changes his world.

This story was good; however, I found some things confusing.

Some of the things I love about this book include the creative imagination of the writer. The story was rich, and I could tell that the author researched well. The characters were well developed, and I love the way Adam's character evolved. This material was flawless.

As one who has little to no history with science fiction books, this material has me considering reading more science fiction novels. Not all science fiction novels are bad, after all.

The author did well to share the story behind this creation. I found this fact exciting, and it made me eager to read this material.

Unfortunately, I got confused at the beginning. This book came with different emotions, which I was not expecting. The description said it was a science fiction novel. I expected the story to be along that line. 

In the beginning, I got some paranormal vibes. While trying to get my head around it, the story went all lovey-dovey, and finally, we got into the science fiction part.

 I think there could have been a better way of arranging this book. I am in no position to tell an author how to tell their story; nevertheless, I think a reader is likely to be put off because the science fiction aspect started at about 60% into the book. 

This fact made the book's start very slow, and Adam’s attitude made it difficult to like him and harder to learn his story.

There were lots of ups and downs that got me exhausted. It started at a slow pace; at 40%, the pace picked up, at 50%, it came back down, and after 60%, it became medium-paced, which transitioned once more into a fast-paced. Whew!

Carly is a sweet and likable character, but one decision she made changed everything for me. This event made the whole book unrealistic. Carly is ready to go to war because her father got kidnapped, yet she is quick to wave Adams's secrets, one of which got an innocent girl killed. This story must be a joke!

I like this story, and I would not mind reading the next book.

Jollof rice is a popular dish in West Africa. It is loved and enjoyed by both young and old, in families and parties, with friends and frenemies. 

From my research, not only West Africans enjoy the goodness of jollof rice. Over the years, Africans have introduced this delicacy to non-Africans. I am yet to see one who has frowned at this dish.

I have a well-traveled Singaporean friend who continually sings the praises of jollof rice. 

Even my Italian husband confessed jollof rice is one of the African dishes he can eat for a week straight without getting tired.

A standard Nigerian jollof rice a made with long-grain rice, a spiced stew made out of  tatase (bell pepper), ata rodo (Scotch bonnet), tomato, onion, chilly, garlic, and ginger, chicken or beef broth,  and seasoning with curry and dried thyme. 

In Nigeria, jollof rice is served with fried or baked beef or chicken, dodo (fried plantains), and coleslaw. Depending on your eating pattern, this might be too much. So you might need to cut down on some of the things served with jollof rice.

Are you interested in trying out jollof rice? Or are you interested in surprising someone with your yummy jollof rice dish?

To make the perfect jollof rice, you need to have the ideal jollof rice sauce, chicken or beef broth, and long-grain rice.

NOTE

This recipe is based on long-grain rice, not thin long-grain rice, like basmati rice or scented rice.

This recipe is perfect for three people.

Rice must be adequately rinsed to get out excess starch.

You can replace the broth with water. Just add all the spices and herbs in the stew instead of meat broth.

Make sure not to burn your onion when stir-frying. If it happens, please discard the onion and start new.

 Don't worry that there isn’t much liquid and the rice is not cooked at the final stage. At a low temperature, and foil seal to seal the pot will help cook the rice by steaming.

INGREDIENTS NEED FOR MAKING JOLLOF RICE

300 grams of long-grain rice

3 medium-sized fresh plum tomatoes

1 large red bell peppers

1/2 medium-sized red onions

1/2 Scotch bonnets

1 tablespoon tomato concentrate

2 tablespoons oil (vegetable/canola/coconut, olive oil not (extra virgin olive oil)

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 small-sized fresh or dried bay leaf

1 cups broth (vegetable, chicken, or beef) or only water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon unsalted butter, optional

PROCEDURE FOR MAKING JOLLOF RICE

• Chicken or meat broth: In a pot, place your meat or chicken, add garlic and ginger paste, curry and thyme, salt, one stock cube (optional), and enough water to cover the meat. Place on the stove and allow to cook till the liquid is half the quantity initially added.
• Once it is ready to separate the broth from the meat, give your meat a deep-fry or place on a baking tray, add 1 tablespoon of oil, then bake till evenly brown. 
• Jollof rice sauce: In a pot, combine tomatoes, red bell peppers, 1/2 chopped onions, and Scotch bonnets. Add enough water to cover the vegetables. Cook till the liquid evaporates. Please make sure not to burn them. If you have a heat-resistant blender, go ahead and blend the vegetables till they become smooth. If not, wait till the vegetables are cold before blending. Measure out 300 grams of sauce.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in the pot you will use to cook your jollof rice. If you have fried your meat, take out 2 tablespoons from the oil used in frying the meat. It will help with more flavor. 
• Add sliced onions, stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the bay leaves, stir-fry for 2 minutes on medium heat. Then add the tomato paste or tomato concentrate, stir for another 2 minutes. Add the jollof rice sauce and stir fry for extra 7 minutes on medium heat. 
• Add 250 grams of your properly rinsed long-grain rice into the stew. Mix thoroughly before adding your chicken or meat broth. If you don't have enough broth to cover the rice, add some water, then cook on medium heat with the lid on. Make sure to keep an eye on your jollof rice. 
• Once the liquid is reduced in quantity, reduce your stove to the lowest setting. First, cover the pot with foil/baking or parchment paper, then put a lid on the pot. Cook on low heat for 15 minutes before lifting the lid.
• Stir, taste, and add salt if required.
• Finally, take off the heat and add butter.  Stir till the butter fully melts.
• Leave the lid on to "rest" for around 20 minutes before serving.