One year ago, with all kinds of excitement, I sat down at my computer, did some writing, and hit publish. Why blog? I had a sense that there were more people in the world who cared about the things I cared about, and I wanted to connect with them. I had a sense that there were real creative communities online, and I wanted to be part of them. And I wanted to have a space to bring all of my creative and real-world adventures together, a place to preserve memories and to write about the things that make me spring out of bed every morning. My very first post ever, imported from an early non-public blog experiment, still rings true to me, and that makes me happy. Looking back on it, I am not exactly sure how this whole blog launch happened, since we had just made a huge move two weeks earlier, and I was, of course, in the throes of my final semester of my dissertation, but somehow we pulled it off. I say “we” because this blog is, and always has been, a joint effort. My husband helped set everything up for me with the hosting, and he manages the back end and coding, as well as being my (fantastic!) photographer every week for the style posts. But much more than that, he is endlessly supportive and encouraging of everything I do, and this blog is no exception. I asked him a few times this past year if my blog was cutting into time that we could be spending together, and his answer has always been that this blog is something that brings us together, not divides us. He is the best.
While the final semester of one’s dissertation might universally seem like the wrong time to start a personal project, I found the opposite to be true. This blog got me through those crazy months, and I’m so grateful that I had a space for myself and a sense of myself beyond a number of pages written per day. Now that I’m past that hurdle and into my next adventures, I’m so happy to have this space to record it all. It’s no lie that the past few months have been hectic, and I am really proud of the fact that I’ve blogged every weekday for a year. Sometimes I’ve come to the computer dragging, but I never regret writing, never regret trying put my thoughts into words, never regret creating a record of our life here and now. The day will come, I most sincerely hope, when I’ll be up all night with a newborn or chasing after toddlers all day, and I won’t be able to blog on a daily basis anymore. When that happens, I’ll happily shift into another phase of writing and publishing, but for now, I’ve got some time to spare, so I plan to keep writing every day, and I’ll let you know when that changes.
This little reflection would be so incomplete without thanking you, every single one of you, who have stopped by, read and written to encourage me, and shared your lives with me too. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for making this space what it is.
And thank YOU my lovely! Reading your blog is such a treat; I don’t know what I’d do without it. Just like your marriage, you ( and your behind the scenes partner) are so good at it that it seems you have been doing it much longer! May the good times continue to roll!
Thank you so much! I am definitely one lucky girl!
Sooo, does this make today an anniversary or a birthday? Either way, congratulations for a year of dedication and hard work. It’s quite an accomplishment. Much like your 365 Project, I’m sure this blog has taken you places that you never could have imagined. I look forward to what’s ahead for you.
Thank you! That’s definitely true. I feel like one of my favorite things about the blog this year is that it encourages to write about the things that flit through my mind that are important, but might otherwise be lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s those posts, in which I address the things that are most meaningful to me, of which I’m most proud. Thank you for your support!
While the first year can be magical, it is really only after the first five years you’ll be able to tell what having a blog does to you as a person
But who am I to speak? I might be past those first five years, but I’ve still got four years left unti a decade of blogging is behind me… We blog as we learn!
Definitely true! You are such an inspiration, and I hope you celebrate big when you hit 10 years!
For me, it has been much more than just a connection to my sweet little girl who lives so far away. Reading your post everyday has given me wonderful insights into your thoughts, your feelings, your dreams, your memories, your happiness, your pleasures, and your adventures. Reading and re-reading your posts and seeing your pictures gives me a chance to reflect on your words which often reveals a whole level of richness that might be missed in a phone call or a conversation in person since those are occurring in real time. Thanks for the time and effort you and Eric have put into this to make this year so enjoyable. I look forward to many more creative and exciting posts…
Ok, and now I’m crying. Dang it.
Awww, love you!
I forgot to say that that’s another big reason for keeping the blog–for my loved ones who live way too far away! Thank you so much for your endless support and encouragement! It makes me happy to think of you reading my posts and being part of my day, even from so many miles away. Love you!
The birth of your blog is a wonderful reason to celebrate! It’s been such an inspiration to me in many, many ways (creativity, marriage, vivacity, etc…). I think I can say I’m one of the people out in the world who cares about the things you care about!
Plus, your site has allowed me to get to know you better, albeit from afar — and the more I know of you, the more you make me smile.
Thank you so much, Moriah! That, as always, means so much coming from you! I am so happy too that we’ve gotten to know each other better through our blogs and through the joy of creating things. There are so many things I miss about the Bay area, and you are definitely one of them! Here’s hoping sometime soon we can amble down to Market Hall for coffee and croissants:)
I’m eternally grateful to have your blog be a part of my cyberverse; once upon a time I could walk for 20 minutes and step into an apartment filled with the scent of coffee (always coffee) and other good things (split pea soup, pizza and sometimes bread), and now this is my window into your world. Congratulations on your blogging anniversary and I’m looking forward to hearing about your future adventures, even if on a less regular basis!
P.S. Love what you say about the blog being a joint project; I feel that way about mine, too. The Greek doesn’t take many of the pictures, but his discerning eye is always consulted before I go live…and his hearty appetite and palate are appreciated, too.
You are so sweet! Thank you so much! I so miss having you close by, and you have no idea what our walks (and our teas and dinners and baking sessions and even trips on the bus) did for my sanity! I can only comfort myself with the fact that right now it is way too hot to go for walks! That is so sweet about the Greek. I was actually just thinking this morning about how happy I am that you found each other and have made a home together. Everyone needs a scientist in their life! And one who can cook and enjoy all kinds of culinary adventures is even better
I don’t know when/if you’ll ever be in LA, but please know that you always have a place to stay with us. We have a bona fide guest room (even if it is also full of desks and art supplies!) I miss you so much and am so grateful to have you as a friend. You’re the best 
Congrats on one year of blogging- what a milestone! I know over time my reasons for blogging and what I put into it have changed, but as I come up on two years of running Frugal Beautiful it makes me pause and reflect too… it’s a cool way to look back and document your life. Can’t wait to read more posts from you, your gracious attitude is fabulous
Thank you so much! I am looking forward to finding lots of treasures in your archives, and am so happy to have a new So Cal blog friend:)