Moms Who Blog : Geethica Mehra

As regular readers know Mom Blogger October is when we meet Indian Mom Bloggers from across the world in an effort to understand their challenges and triumphs as they work on being themselves while juggling motherhood, as well.

Today, in the 'Moms Who Blog' series, we meet Geethica Mehra, the mom who runs the blog 'Thoughts by Geethica' that features her writing in many genres from poems to features and opinions and more.

Could you tell us about your life before Thoughts By Geethica?

Hi Shweta, my life before my blog Thoughts by Geethica was incomplete on a creativity level. I was a good daughter, daughter in law, wife and mother but I lived under their shadows. I was happy and content in my life but at times I would think that there’s something more to me that I was not able to recognise.

What was it that prompted you to create the blog and how did you come up with the name?

My inner fire to be self-independent both creatively and financially drove me to start my own blog. I was good at writing my emotions on paper. After giving 10 years to my family and kids, now I wanted to do something that would quench my thirst for creativity; my love for writing. At this point of time, I couldn’t join any regular long courses to pursue formal training for writing. Or in better words, I just didn’t want to wait anymore before I start something. Still, I managed to attend a two months Creative Writing Course at British Council Delhi which revised my English vocabulary. I was not in a place where I could take up the responsibility of a full-time job and therefore starting my blog was the best decision, I could take at the time.

While deciding the name of my blog, I wanted the world to know me by my name. My blog is a place where I share all my thoughts so naturally I named it, 'Thoughts by Geethica'.

What were the challenges you faced in setting yourself up as a blogger?

There were no challenges as such except when I worked on creating a self-hosted website by myself. Taking help from customer care and my new made Blogger friends. Luckily, I made many friends here being an introvert. Maybe it is one's writing that leads to like-minded writers easily.

Who was your biggest support while following your passion?

It is always God who supports you in your right decisions. After him, my husband and in laws are super supportive. They have always respected my decision to study more and be independent. I remember my mother in law was in tears of happiness when she held my first check of RS 200 in her hands. Our parents are always supportive but when our in laws support whole-heartedly then I feel blessed.

What has been the highest point/happiest moment in your journey as a Blogger?

I feel there is no highest point in fact it keeps increasing with every new opportunity. However, the first happiest moment was when my poem got published in Woman’s Era Magazine in May II Edition 2016.

Which has been your most memorable post to date and why?

I don’t have one post but a series of posts that are close to my heart. I wrote this series for a Pro Blogger Challenge by write Tribe. In those posts, I wrote about my childhood memories; about my old home, old people, my grandma and gradually came to the present times. It is totally nostalgic. I still read them to revive my old memories.

What has been the most memorable comment on your blog been so far?

Every comment is memorable to me. The good ones encourage me to work more because my readers are looking up to me. And the one who criticizes also add value to my work as I know what is not accepted by my readers and where do I need to improve.

Have you ever been trolled? How did you handle it?

Not on my own blog but yes many times on Momspresso.com. Whenever I write a blog on their website that states tips to lower your ego or the advantages of joint families, I have been trolled badly.

I always thank them first that they read my blog and took time to comment. Then subtly I state that it is just an opinion and I appreciate their views on the same.

Do you stick to a regular posting schedule or do you post whenever inspiration strikes? Do you have a writing routine?

There’s no particular schedule of writing. It is just that I try to do my maximum blog work when kids are at school. Then I take part in challenges that exercises my brain and give me a chance to write on different topics. But here too, there is no particular time to write. The posts are in my mind and points in my diary, as and when I get time and my creativity strikes the best chords, I write. Sometimes, it is one post in three days and on the other days it may be 2 posts on the same day.

Do you find it hard to get your voice heard in the crowded blogosphere?

No, I don’t think so. When you write in your real voice you become different from the crowd and get the readers that want to read you. This blogosphere is vast like a universe. There are small groups of admirers for every blogger.

Many say that blogging is dead thanks to other micro-blogging avenues like Instagram,Twitter and others. As the owner of a traditional blog, how would you respond to that?

Yes, I agree. Today, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are equally important as your blog. If one hour goes in publishing then 1 day goes in promoting; unless you have reached the stage where people wake up to read you. These platforms help reach the audience. They are like advertisements of your work to the nation if you are here to earn through your blogging.

Do you see your blog as a stepping stone to something else? Do you see yourself wearing the tag of 'blogger' five years down the line?

I want to write motivational posts for Times Life by Times of India. I don’t know will that happen in less than five years or more. But the title Blogger has certainly given me my first sips of success so it will remain with me till my grave.

What tips do you have for other Indian Mom bloggers?

There is a change in the thinking of Indian Moms today. And most importantly, the world has started respecting us as intelligent people who can manage home and work. As a mother and a blogger, I would only say to all Indian moms to just believe in their dreams as parenting teaches a lot to be calm and reach your aim.

And here is a question from Zainab, who nominated you for the feature - What is your happiness mantra?

Thanks a lot Zainab for believing in me and recommending me for an interview.

My happiness mantra is to be quiet and don’t react instantly. At times of negativity, it is just not easy to stay calm but I meditate and chant my God’s name. The results are not instant but soothing to my soul.

You can follow 'Thoughts By Geethica' here..

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