The English Maximalista

Today marks one month since my husband and I launched the online presence of the English Maximalista. 

One whole month!!? How is that even possible — so much seems to have happened during this short period, that the month has flown by.

Tempus truly does fugit.

Since July, I have UNBELIEVABLY learned how to build an entire website!!!!!! I created EnglishMaximalista.com using WordPress… and I am not tooting my own horn, here, because truthfully it has been a team effort. I could not have built it without their online tutorials. I most certainly do not have an I.T. background, so without Wes Theron’s patient guidance, I would have thrown in the towel within a week.

Point being, if a thick-head such as myself is able to build a website, I can assure you that ANYONE can build one. If it’s something that you have been considering, then I encourage you to give it a go. You will regret it if you don’t try. 

[Edit: That sounds vaguely threatening — I meant it in a kindly way!]

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There are a lot of web hosting providers out there. We ended up using WordPress because it was listed on Google search as one of the Top Five best providers. It was important to us, as laypeople, to find a service with global name recognition, as well as user-friendly technical support.

Frankly, what I have found even more challenging than building my website was, somewhat surprisingly, creating a brand new social media presence for the English Maximalista. Trying to figure out how to boost views on X, Instagram, et al, from scratch, without seeing overnight results was somewhat dispiriting. 

I am old-school, having spent twenty years on Facebook, and having NO CLUE how to navigate any of the other social media platforms. The Top Banana and several of her contemporaries have been an enormous help to me, not to mention supportive (with only mild youthful derision) of this old Luddite.

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As I briefly mentioned in my first ever blog on EnglishMaximalista.com, my smashing hubby is who came up with the idea for the lifestyle blog. He provided me with a business plan. He suggested a lot of great ideas during our initial brainstorming sessions. 

Some context: This all came from the brain of the [WONDERFUL] man whose idea of sweet talking me over dinner is by asking whether I know what the mathematical formula is for RSI (Relative Strength Indicator). Answer? No, darling, I do not.

And yes, I SWEAR on my dog’s life this was an ACTUAL conversation we had, today!

My point is, dear reader, that Mr Maximalista is generally the right-brained one in our relationship, the financial mastermind who keeps this shipwreck [me] afloat. Which is why I was genuinely, pleasantly flabbergasted by his idea.

Despite considering myself to be the left-brained one between us, it had never even occurred to me that outlining our life together, writing about the things I love, could become a creative outlet for me. 

See what I mean when I say that I have the most wonderful and thoughtful husband in the world? A massive thank you to Mr Maximalista!

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As the creation of the English Maximalista’s online presence has been our joint endeavour, our 1-month blog-versary surely ought to be an anniversary for us both to be celebrating. And without getting entrenched in any etymological pedantry of the word anniversary, I have been wondering to myself how we should celebrate it? 

Personally, I believe that diamonds are to be encouraged to mark ANY occasion, not just in celebration of 60 years of anything… but even I acknowledge that diamonds might be a little too excessive, at this premature juncture.

Traditionally, one year is symbolised with paper, five years is wood, twenty-five years is silver. But one month? *scratches head* I hearby decree that it should be pink champagne!

Cheers to that!

Lots of love,

M xo