Top 5 Things I Learned in my Second Year of Blogging

5. Your trust means everything! 

One big oops over the summer and I really gained a whole new perspective.  I jumped on an Amazon deal that sounded too good to be true and posted it on my FB page …and guess what, it was too good to be true! I usually don’t post unless I’ve tried the item myself or it is something that I would love and has raving reviews (because reality is, I can’t buy everything, although I’d love to). This item had no reviews and I got wrapped up in the moment and just took my chances it would arrive as pictured/described. A big fat nope on that one. Not only did I lose out on the item (along with many of you), I lost a few nights’ sleep worrying I’d lost your trust.  Every time I post I realize my reputation and trust from you is on the line. If I don’t believe in a product/item, I just can’t show it.  I also keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to take on collaborations. If it’s not somewhere I’d shop or not a product I’d wear/use I will politely decline.

4. There is soo much more that goes on behind the scenes, especially as you continue to grow (not complaining about that)

It may appear that I just stand in front of my mirror playing dress up and talking to myself all day? ! That is def a part of it ? (just ask the UPS guy who has caught me in the middle of a convo with my mirror while dropping off a package at the front door…so embarrassing), but there are also the things you don’t see. Mind you, I NEVER thought even 100 people would follow me, let alone over 85,000 of you across my social media platforms (still pinching myself)! So here it goes-*Searching for items that I love to buy*Finding all the good deals/sales each day*Running to the stores to try on clothes/buy/return what doesn’t work*Finding those items online (or not-ugh) and linking them in the program*Taking pics*Editing Pics*Taking Videos*Reading/Answering emails*Responding to comments, messages, and DMs*Writing/Scheduling Posts for Blog, FB, and IG*Scratching plans when items go out of stock*Making stories for IG*Brainstorming content*The list goes on and on so thank goodness my sister Samantha shares the work with me (now if only she’d take pics!). No way I could do all this on my own!

3. Stop comparing yourself to others

Guilty.as.charged. The good news, I was wayyyy worse my first year. I used to really let it get me down and affect my mood. Now I’ve learned to accept (for the most part)-I am who I am, my road is my road, and there are plenty of paths for ALL of us to succeed on. I read a quote from a celebrity that I can’t remember (grr), who said something along the lines of, “We have to stop saying we’re just too (insert word)”.  It really struck a chord with me. In my case, my thoughts were, “I’m just too short”, “I’m just too petite”, “I’m just too shy”, “I’m just too average”, “I’m just too awkward in photos/videos”, and the thoughts went on. This year, I really tried to brush away those thoughts and instead put more focus on my love of fashion and helping others.

2. Balance is hard

Being present in the moment while being a blogger is difficult. I am not proud of how often I was on my phone/computer in this second year of blogging. Going into my third year, it is a goal of mine to set times to put the devices down and really be there.  While it is a 24/7 job, I am realizing I don’t need to be on top of things 24/7. I am learning that the little things can wait-not everything is going to blow up because I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of an outfit that day, there is a wrong link, a question, or an email that is not immediately responded to.

1. I have the most amazing community

I can count on one hand the number of negative interactions I’ve had since beginning this blog. I cannot even begin to count the number of positive interactions I’ve had, especially this past year. When all you hear and see lately is the worst in people, this blog has shown me the best and how much kindness and love there is in the world. From the support I received when making the tough decision to resign from teaching, to the daily messages of appreciation for helping you with your fashion choices, to the uplifting comments you give to me day to day, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Not a day goes by where I don’t share with TJ how blown away I am by the kindness of strangers, who are now my little (ok big) family.  At the end of the day, it is actually all of you who are helping little ‘ole ME to make my dreams come true, and I CANNOT wait to see what my third year has in store!