Today’s a special day (well actually, Sunday was a special day haha): My four year blog anniversary! To celebrate, I’m sharing four lessons I’ve learned over the past year 🙂
Four Year Blog Anniversary: Lessons Learned
Outfit Details
Eliza J Gown c/o | Show Me Your Mumu Coat (old – similar here) | Mary Frances Handbag c/o (also seen in this post) | J.Crew Factory Headband (sold out – similar here)
So here it is….my four year blog anniversary. And I’m legit crying ugly tears right now (Kim K style). At this very moment, there’s an influx of emotions that completely overwhelms me in the best way possible. Blog anniversary posts always make me so emotional. Maybe it’s because as bloggers we write out the details of our hopes, dreams, successes and failures week after week. It’s a digital diary of sorts and it’s so crazy to go back to where it all began…because sometimes we need that reminder. Seeing your life unfold in front of your eyes in the form of blog posts is truly amazing and somehow, it gets better and more unbelievable with each passing year.
Sometimes we get so caught up in day to day life that we forget just how much we went through to get there. When life gets crazy and we feel overwhelmed or we start to compare our lives to others or we feel down on ourselves because things aren’t working out the way we think they should, it’s important to remember where you came from and to remind yourself that you are living and breathing your dream…the very thing you’ve been chasing all your life…the thing that you sacrificed for, overcame hardships for, persevered through rejection for and the thing you never gave up even when the odds weren’t in your favor. You see, I truly do believe that things happen for a reason. Doors open when you least expect them to and sometimes your life turns out the way it’s supposed to even if it’s painful in the process. There is not a day that goes by that I’m not grateful for every single thing (good and bad) that brought me here. This blog and this community have completely changed my life in so many ways and I can’t thank you enough for following along on my journey. I an only hope that my story inspires you as much as you all inspire me.
Four Lessons Learned in Four Years
Take Risks
If you can dream it, you can do it! Think about your biggest passion…something you would do even if you weren’t getting paid and do everything you can to MAKE IT HAPPEN. But that’s the thing… YOU have to make things happen for yourself. Opportunities don’t come knocking at your door. You have to hustle, sacrifice and work really, really hard but if you want something bad enough, it WILL happen. There’s always an excuse or an underlying fear that it won’t work out and if I’m being honest, we’re our own worst enemies. It’s not the right time…we’re not good enough…we don’t know how to do it….these are all lies – you can totally do this! If you believe in yourself, it’s entirely possible to create your dream life (whatever that looks like for you).
Be Confident
In the past, I always mistook confidence as cockiness and I wanted no part of it. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized just how important it is. I allowed others to crush my confidence and self-esteem in every way imaginable. I truly believed that I wasn’t good enough in every aspect of my life because of the lies that others had made me believe about myself. Little by little, I am learning how to feel confident in myself and it really is such a game changer. I’m learning how to feel comfortable in my own body, how to be confident in my skill set and talents and how to network with others, something that was completely terrifying to me even just last year.
Guard Your Heart
I am too nice. This is a fact. When someone needs help, I’m the first to respond and somehow, this always ends up one sided. In the past, I was a bit too naive when it came to other people and their intentions. I learned the hard way that most everyone is out for themselves and if you stand in their way…too bad. I also learned that you cannot depend on anyone else but yourself. There are some sneaky people out there that take advantage of my kindness and openness only to further themselves and their initiative, which usually results in me feeling used and abandoned. With practice, I have learned to discern a person’s true intentions and who they are as a person, but it’s not always so easy. Of course not all people are like this, but I have learned that I need to put myself before others and not be overly trusting.
Be Yourself
This has been the biggest lesson (*ahem* revelation) I’ve learned so far and I’m actually going to dedicate a whole post to it in the coming weeks. It’s so hard to be yourself in a world that doesn’t always celebrate the strengths of each individual person. While I do share some personal tidbits from time to time, it has been SO hard for me to go all in and be vulnerable. I’m not like everyone else and that’s what scary because it’s so much easier to be judged. However, the longer I blog, the more I realize just how important it is to stand out and be different. It can be really hard to embrace your uniqueness when you see certain things working for other people, but you have to remember that the things that are working for others are the things that make them unique and the things that work for you will be entirely different. Moral of the story: Don’t try to be like other people. You have a specific set of skills for a reason, you look the way you do for a reason and your personality is the way it is for a reason. Embrace who you are 100%.
Year Four was a whirlwind beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your endless support and encouragement with my four year blog anniversary! Love you all so much!
Cheers!
xo
P.S. If my story, style or feed has inspired you in any way over the past four years, I’d love if you could share a short testimonial about why you follow me **here** (it takes less than a minute). I applied for an amazing opportunity as a Sephora ambassador and it would mean the world if you could show your support <3 This would be such a dream for me! Thank you so much for everything!
Happy 4 years Lizzie! You have created quite a lovely and unique space and I agree with what you shared. I have been blogging for almost 3 years and it has been filled with ups and downs. The biggest and best revelation for me is that if it is to be it is up to me! I learned that when I started this with a partner and she wasted a whole year of my time and money. Congratulations to you and I wish you all the success in the world!
xo,
Kellyann
http://www.thisblondesshoppingbag.com
Happy happy happy 4 years!! Blogiversaries are the best!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
First, you look stunning! I love this whimsical combo on you. Second, happy 4 years!
Happy Anniversary Lizzie! These are all great tips and loving this elegant look. Thanks for the link up!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
What a great post and way to reflect back on the last four years of your blog! That dress is beautiful, too!
That dress is all kinds of gorgeous. Congratulations on your 4 year anniversary. You’ve accomplished so much and your 4 tips are spot on. Good luck with the Sephora Ambassador app. I left a recommendation. XO
Happy blogiversary! You’ve done an amazing job in a short period of time-that is inspirational! Keep on doing what you’re doing! I agree with guarding your heart, so sad but true. Loving your handbag too!
XOXO
Cathy
You look so beautiful, Lizzie! Congratulation on your 4th Anniversary!
I absolutely love these tips! Definitely planning to take more risks with my blog/business in 2019!
Great and your dress is even better! Many thanks Lizzie. Jacqui Mummabstylish
Congrats, Lizzie. You have come so far and are such an inspiration.
I never thought of the guarding part. Like we always say there are bad people everywhere. I try not to focus on them because it brings me down….
Happy weekend, and thanks for all you do.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
This is such a beautiful outfit to celebrate your big day! Congrats on your blogiversary!
xx, mel
http://melinspired.com/jamaica-airtransat/
Stunning dress and photos! And congratulations on four years! It’s been a pleasure to follow you and see you grow. Cheers to many more,
Mary
https://windandspindle.com/
Happy anniversary! What pretty photos to celebrate.
Sincerely, Jennie
Happy Anniversary! And you are gorgeous! 🙂
http://www.tipsyheelz.com
Beautiful outfit on you Lizzie! Congratulations, a milestone – Happy Blog Anniversary! You have accomplished so much and I love your photography as well. I love the lessons, as we do learn as life goes on, and blogs continue. Being yourself is so important!
best wishes
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Your dress is so beautiful
Nice words
https://www.melodyjacob.com/
Happy Blogaversary! Such a great milestone, and I wish you all the best this year! It’s hard to be confident, it’s hard to standup for ourselves, it’s hard to say, “this is what I’m worth!” But every time we do, good things follow.
https://www.iamchiconthecheap.com/
Happy blogiversary, Lizzie! Four years is a huge accomplishment, and you should be proud of yourself!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
Happy anniversary! I hope you will keep on blogging for many more years! Your blog is unique and has fantastic photos and you are ever so charming!
Happy anniversary and May I say you look gorgeous. Great lessons I think I need to work on confidence because I keep on second guessing myself all the time which holds me back.
This outfit is absolutely gorgeous!! I love that pretty dress. And congratulations on your four year blogging anniversary. What an accomplishment. 🙂 I definitely get emotional writing these types of posts as well!
Miles of smiles,
Grace
gracefulrags.com
Aww happy blogiversary babe! You have come so far in your4 years of blogging and I am so so thrilled to see how much you have come into your own in terms of embracing YOUR unique style and just being you as opposed to trying to blend with all the fashion bloggers out there. Your style is so unique and it’s so nice to see that out there on the internet! <3
Beautiful photos! Congratulations on 4 years! That’s amazing… I’ve only been blogging 1 year and 4 years seems so long. You have some great tips on lessons learned. Thank you!
Congrats on great success!
Briana
https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/
Congratulations on 4 years! We’re coming up on one year – can’t believe how time flies!
happy 4 years! thanks for sharing with us!
kelseybang.com
4allthingsdisney.com
Thank you so much Lee! I appreciate that so much. It’s so hard to take the road less traveled but I think it’s important and will be much better in the long run.
Thank you so much Kelsey!
Thank you so much Anna! I appreciate it so much!
Oh my gosh! Thank you so much! I appreciate it so much!
Thank you so much Nailil!
Thank you so much Gabriel!
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much!!
Oh my gosh, thank you so much! You made my day! And you are so right. Being yourself is the best thing you can do 🙂
Thank you so much! You don’t know how much I appreciate that!
Thank you so much Carolyn! I couldn’t agree more!
Thank you so much Laura Leigh! You literally made my heart smile <3 I appreciate that so much! I love following you as well and am so glad we got to meet. Hope to see you again soon!
Thank you so much Elmear! You’re too sweet!
Thank you so much Belle!
Thank you so much Emma! I really appreciate it!
Aww Thank you so much Jacqui!
Thank you so much Trina! You are too!
Thank you so much Joan! You are always so sweet <3 To be honest, this is one of the major things I'm working on as well. I do the same thing. We can do this!!
Thank you so much Grace! I appreciate this so much! It’s definitely emotional looking back!
Thank you so much Shelbee! Cheers!!
Aww Thanks so much Catherine!
Thanks so much Torey!
Thanks so much Greta!
Thanks so much Kileen!
Thanks so much Jennifer! I definitely have!
Thanks so much Jennifer! I couldn’t agree more! time flies by 🙂
These pictures are just beautiful! I love the dress and that clutch is stunning. Happy Blogiversary!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
Aww Thanks so much Ruth!