It’s hard to believe that a year of blogging has already passed me by, and I just want to say THANK YOU to all of you lovely people who make blogging so much fun!  While I’m sure recording my DIY life would have still happened, without you guys, it just wouldn’t have had nearly the impact on me.

LIFE CHANGES

When I started this blogging adventure, I had no idea where it would lead.  I didn’t know I’d meet the most amazing friends, I didn’t know it would change me, and I didn’t know it would change my life.  True story.

My Friends

For those of you who may not write a blog, this may seem super strange… it did to me before I started a blog.  BUT, starting a blog and meeting other bloggers introduced to a whole network of amazing people, and some of them have become what I consider, really good friends, even if we’ve never met in real life (IRL).  Seriously, who would’a thought that this would happen, and I truly can’t wait to meet some of them IRL some day soon!  And readers, I definitely cannot forget you in this category!  So many of your stop by every day and are constantly leaving me love in the comment section!  I can’t tell you how much y’all mean to me and I really consider you guys part of my blogging family!  Eric laughs when I start referring to each person by their first name, without any other reference.

Me, Rewritten

Since blogging, I’ve learned the importance of promoting others more than promoting yourself (hopefully that doesn’t make me sound shallow that I’m now 26 and just truly learning this lesson), the value of listening to my heart and being true to myself, and the benefits of challenging myself creatively.

Promoting others may seem counter-intuitive to some when trying to become successful yourself, but it’s not.  This is particularly true in the blogging world, but I really believe that it goes beyond blogging.  I’ve always believed that networking is how you become successful, after all, networking has gotten me my last four jobs, without really needing to interview.  Safe to say that I felt that I was obviously networking and marketing myself in the right way.  Some would probably say that I was, but I would tend to disagree.  I believe that marketing only you, is a short-term marketing strategy that will in the end prove to be unsuccessful.  By marketing others alongside marketing yourself, your network will grow and flourish!  I am forever indebted to blogging for this lesson!

Since blogging, I’ve realized exactly how much I can be inspired and influenced by others.  Being inspired is an amazingly wonderful thing… who would want to live life uninspired?!?!?  But, being influenced is not and this goes beyond blogging.  A lot of us are raised with expectations regarding who we are and what we should become, or these expectations are developed as we get older.  Sometimes, the expectations, we put on ourselves.  I challenge you to ponder the difference between being inspired and being influenced.  This assessment has led me to finding my own voice, my own passions, and my own dreams, and recognizing that I may not be like everyone else, but I am the best version of myself.

Along with finding myself came rediscovering my creative side.  Blogging forced me to challenge myself creatively.  Being in such a literal field (law), I’d forgotten how important and necessary it was that I challenge my creative side.  I am a very passionate, enthusiastic person, so without creativity, I felt stunted.  My home gives me the opportunity to use my creative side with my analytical side.  I often rethink the way we live in and use our home.  I try to assess what we have, what we need, and what we want, and find the best possible way for us to accomplish all of our wishes in our home.  The funny thing about finding creativity in one way, you tend to find it in others too… I had no idea how much I’d enjoy clothing fashion (Pinterest shows my addiction), and my love of food has grown ever more creative too (Pinterest can account for this too)!

My Redesigned Life

Blogging has given me a lot, but one of the most important things it’s given me is direction.  I struggled a bit after college trying to confirm my desire to go into law.  After two years, I decided that it was in fact for me, so I took the plunge into law school.  While there, I’ve grown and changed as a person, and I’d began to struggle with exactly what I wanted to do after law school- you’d be amazed how many options there are!  I’d definitely realized I wanted to go in a more business direction, but I just didn’t know in what way.  About two weeks ago, I suddenly had an epiphany!  It was like this super bright LED lightbulb went on in my head and everything was clear for the first time!  Seriously, it was THAT amazing.  For the first time in my life, I am truly at peace with my future career.  I know exactly what I want to do, and I’ve found a way to incorporate all of my passions- Love, Life, Home, and Law.  Since I’m still working out the details and will work to define each role over the next year, I’m not yet ready to share all the details on the blog, but I promise you will know when the time is right!   After all, you’re family!

YEAR 1 BLOG HIGHLIGHTS

In looking back on my first year of blogging, it’s fun to see how our styles have morphed and progressed, so I thought, in honor of our 1st Blogiversary I would share a highlights reel of sorts…. ENJOY!

BLOG CHANGES A’COMIN’

Now, since we’re embarking on a second year of blogging, I figured I should add on and reaffirm my “New Year’s Resolutions” (see here for blog and personal resolutions) in a way.  So, what’s changing…

• More BIG builds
• Challenging ourselves to decorate out of our comfort zone
• Better time management so I can whip up awesome projects and great posts
• Better blog navigation- still working out how I want to approach this one

-what I’m adding-

• Gettin’ more personal (here and there, I promise I’m not drastically changing the focus of this blog… DIY will still be it) – relationships are important, and it’s a big part of the behind-the-scenes action at DBL.  I’ve been inspired by a lot of amazing friends and family, and I’d like to share the occasional tidbit with y’all!
• Throwin’ in a recipe here and there – Lord knows I love food, and it’s about time you guys do too!  This will probably occur mostly around party and holiday time.

THANKS ALL FOR COMING ALONG FOR THIS CRAZY RIDE CALLED DESIGN BUILD LOVE!