Happy Thursday guys! We’re officially 5 days away from Christmas, which is so hard to believe. I will say that this year, Christmas time has actually felt like Christmas time. Do you know what I mean? A lot of times, Christmas will get here and it just won’t feel like Christmas to me. It’s honestly the worst because it’s my favorite time of year. For the last several years it’s been warm outside for most of the season or I’ve been stressed about work or school. This year, the weather has cooperated for the most part, and since I work from home, I fully get to enjoy the holidays. I don’t have to worry about leaving family and going back to work immediately afterwards, which is so nice. The retail industry is not forgiving and it surely doesn’t take a day off.
In addition to actually being able to enjoy the holidays this year, I have one more pretty huge thing to celebrate. My one year blogging anniversary!! My very first post on Style Worthy went live on December 21, 2017! I can’t even begin to tell you how much this little adventure has changed my life. I also can’t believe that it’s been an entire year. So today’s post is dedicated to my one year blogging anniversary. Blogiversary? I’ll share how it started, how it’s changed my life, what I’ve learned, and what my goals are for 2019. And as always, I’m going to share one of my favorite outfits, maybe ever, with you!
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One Year Blogging
How it All Started
The purpose behind Style Worthy was to have a place to be creative since my corporate job at the time didn’t allow for that. It meant I would have something that was mine. Something that was constant in the middle of ever-changing military life. Never did I think that three months later, I’d be quitting my job to work on it full time. No, I obviously did not suddenly start making a ton of money as a blogger (lol, try no money). To make a long story short, I hated my corporate job so much that I was on the verge of depression. And one day I’d had enough, so Kevin just told me to quit. I was like, no way come on I can’t just quit. I’m not a quitter.
My whole college career, I had this picture in my head of what success looked like and to me. That was getting a corporate job in the fashion industry. The fact that I am a military spouse and found the exact job I thought I’d always wanted was a miracle. It’s not an easy thing to come by even if you aren’t a military spouse, so I would be so crazy to give up this job that so many people would kill for, right? Well, sometimes you just have to take a step back and realize what’s actually important. Spoiler alert folks, it’s not having the title of corporate employee.
After a lot of prayer, talking with my family, and really feeling at peace with it, I put in my two-weeks notice. Has everyday been a dream? Um no. Some weeks I work more than 40 hours. A lot of days I get lonely and miss my work friends. A lot of days I wonder if this blog is ever really going anywhere or if I’m going to fail miserably. It really just comes down to having faith in God’s plan now, but I do feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be, even on the hard days.
There are SO many positive things about being able to work from home, even without a steady paycheck. With Kevin’s job, he’s often gone on week long missions or on dangerous deployments, so now I have all the time in the world to spend with him when he is home. If we want to go on vacation or see my husband off for his deployment, I don’t have to get it approved by anyone. If I want to go to Colorado and watch my brother play baseball, I can. It really just came down to deciding what’s most important in life, ya know? And for me, it’s time with my family and my own well-being.
How Blogging Has Changed My Life
Where do I even start haha? First of all, I feel like I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. I feel satisfied with the work that I do, even though I don’t always get paid for it. Stress is at a minimum most of the time. Putting myself in front of a camera and out there for the world to see has improved my self confidence so much. Kevin might disagree with this one because I’m still my worst critic, but I think that comes with trying to start your own business. Somebody has to be, right?
One of the best things about blogging so far is the community I’m starting to build. I have met so many amazing people that I would consider friends now. I’ve met people who really value my advice and opinions and when I feel like I’ve helped them, whether though outfit ideas or military life advice, there truly is no better feeling.
What I’ve Learned From Blogging
One of the biggest things I’ve learned this last year is that not everyone is going to be supportive or understand the whole blogging thing. It’s foreign to so many, and I constantly have people say “so how does that work” or “can you really make money off of that?” It used to hurt my feelings, because it would make me feel like what I was doing wasn’t “real” or that people thought I just liked posting photos of myself on social media.
Which leads me to the next big thing I’ve learned. It doesn’t matter what people think. I used to be SO self conscious and worried about what others thought, it was crippling. When we first started taking photos for the blog I would actually shut down if I thought people were watching. Or if someone drove by and honked at me, my day was ruined. Now? I just laugh. Because at the end of the day, I will never see those people again, and their opinions don’t matter. And what else can you do? Haha.
So if you’re trying to start a business or side hustle of your own, whether it’s a blog or an Etsy shop, or whatever. Don’t let other people dictate whether or not you start and don’t let them make you afraid to go for something you love.
My Goals for 2019
Just typing 2019 is mind blowing. How is another year already gone, and HOW has it been almost 10 years since I graduated high school?! I’m in denial, it’s fine. I have SO many goals and hopes for this blog in 2019. There are a certain number of followers and page views I’d like to gain. I want to take at least one of those fun blogger trips with my new blogger friends. There are brands I’m dying to work with, and maybe even products and services I’ll try to create.
However, the big goals are a little more personal. One major hope is that I’ll be more patient with myself and my growth in 2019. I don’t want to be fixated on numbers or payouts, because ultimately those things will come with patience and most importantly faith in God’s timing. I want to help more people and really build up this community with the content I put out. It is my hope and prayer that I’ll be more present, more productive, overall proud of what I’ve created here, even if the numbers aren’t what I’d hoped.
So on that note, I need your help. If you would, below in the comments or even through email if you’d rather, please let me know why you follow my blog and what you love about my content. I want to keep bringing you relevant content in the new year, so please let me know what you want to see and what I could do differently to better serve you!
About the Outfit
Of course, I couldn’t leave without sharing all the details on this little outfit! This might actually be one of my favorite of the year. Mainly because of this tee lol. My little brother got this tee for me on my birthday this year, and it is the most perfect thing. If you know me at all, you know I basically live at Chick Fil a haha. It’s from Etsy and so affordable at just over $18. I’m wearing a size medium.
I’ve paired it with the leopard skirt that you all loved so much from a couple of weeks ago to show you a dressed down outfit option. I love to dress down a skirt like this with a graphic tee! I think it’s so fun and increases your outfit options drastically. I’m wearing a size small in the skirt, but size up to a medium if you’re in between. Next, I just threw my favorite leather jacket over my shoulders, topped it off with my go-to hat this season, and added my favorite new MVMT watch. Literally the most perfect, yet simple outfit!
THANK YOU!!
This year would not have been what it was without you and this amazing little community. It has been so much fun creating for you and being your personal shopper ;p I truly cannot wait to see what 2019 has in store for Style Worthy, and I hope you’ll come along for the ride. Love you all!
xo
Hayley