Has it Already Been 6 Months?!

 

They say time flies when you are having fun! I would have to agree with that. A short 6 months ago yesterday, I started a blog. I started this blog…Re-Fabbed. I had big ideas and had all of these things I wanted to say and do. Then, reality set in. Once I started putting everything out there and realizing the time and effort that a little ole blog took, I had to reel myself in just a tad and realize that in the point of life I was in, I needed to slow down just a little bit. There was NO way I could do everything I had wanted to, and there was definitely no way I could say and write everything I wanted. There were weeks here and there that hardly a post was written, and there were times that I had several on stand by. There were days when my views were out the roof and others that I wondered if anyone had even heard of this blog. There were days that I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this blog was heaven sent (most days), but then there were days that I wondered if I had made a mistake. You see, when you start a blog, you put yourself out there. You don’t just put your work and your ideas out there, you put yourself out there. You put your personality, your insecurities, your awkwardness, your confidence…you put your heart. I know I sure did, and it hasn’t always been easy.

This last 6 months has been filled with some of the most amazing moments! I have worked HARD and have had some great success with projects that I honestly never imagined would be so popular!! Hundreds of thousands of people have viewed some of my projects and renovations on Hometalk and my blog, and I have just sat with amazement that people truly loved what I was showing them. It seriously leaves me speechless. But, so many times, insecurity still wants to set in and I think- “Why would anyone want to follow ME?” But, just like that- God shows up and shows out and reminds me why he set that fire in my heart, and I realize…they follow me because they relate to me. They can see themselves through my blog. They see projects and renovations that are not beyond their own realm of doing. They see a girl that has all of the same struggles as them. She is nobody rich and famous, who is out of touch or reach. She is right there, just showing things that anyone can do. That is why they want to follow along. And it hits me- this is pretty dang awesome.

Now, don’t get me wrong here. There have been some moments along the way that my heart has felt the harsh reality that there are some people out there that are not supportive at all. Heck, they don’t like anything I do! My JOY Pallet Sign has gotten almost 140,000 views at this point on Hometalk, and nearly every comment has been positive- but you know what? There was one person who wrote, “Horribe.” Yes, horrible. No other words, just horrible. Why do people like that even take the time to comment at all? I will honestly never understand that, but what I do understand is that all of the other 140,000 people had nothing bad to say…so there you go- there is always that one. Don’t let them define you or ruin a good thing. That is always a constant learning lesson with a blog. Not everyone will like your ideas, but keep creating. Not everyone will like your style, but keep decorating. Plenty of people will, and plenty of people do. God gave you talents, so use them to glorify Him and let the haters hate!

So, as I reflect on the past 6 months as a “blogger”, I guess it comes down to just a few thoughts. Most of this is speaking to other bloggers who may be reading this, whether seasoned veterans or newbies like myself, but it can relate to anyone. Keep on keeping on because you never know when that big break will come. You never know when that 1 person will give you a chance to shine. Believe in yourself. Be kind and show your support for others. Encourage and uplift. It will be what gets people through. If you like what someone has done, leave a comment. Let them know you stopped by. There is nothing better than reading people’s comments. That 1 comment could be just what they needed to keep going forward. Build relationships with other bloggers. We are all in this together. We need each other’s friendship. Stop and smell the roses, but don’t stay so long that you let the bread burn in the oven.

And the main thought I want to leave with, as I prepare for another chapter in my blog’s life is this…“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” As women, I feel like we sometimes hold back on uplifting each other and complimenting each other. I see it all the time. I see it, but I don’t understand it. If another woman looks pretty and you think so, tell her! Who cares if you look like a haint {spelling?!} at that moment. Tell her she is looking good. Make her day! If someone does an awesome project and they are receiving accolades, tell them congratulations! Who cares if your recent project was a major flop. We all have them. Your next one may sky rocket, and you can rest assure you will hope that people will be there to support you.

Thank you to each and every person who has commented, liked, shared, supported, and most of all- prayed for this blog. (And I know as a matter of fact there are several who have.) You are the reason I love doing this and will continue to do it!

And for good measure, I have to include some of my favorite posts from the past 6 months 🙂 You may have missed some of these, so be sure to check them out!

         

               

Last Updated on November 15, 2015