Second Blog Post Anniversary

It’s that time of year – my second blog post anniversary time where I reflect on blogging since starting! I started Styledjen on Instagram end of July 2017 and my actual blog followed in November 2017.

The past 2 years have gone quick, but they also feel very very long. If you missed my first blog post anniversary where I explain why I started blogging, read it here.

Taking a Different Approach

I have put 100% my effort into blogging the past 2 years. It’s been A LOT to learn and it’s been A TON of work. I work full time as an Engineer, so between work and blogging I am constantly busy. The last time I took a weekend off to hang out with friends was Labor Day 2018! I have had a few slow downs this year that really forced me to cut back. I was going full throttle posting twice a day taking on 50+ brand collaborations a month last year. 2019 started with my dominant wrist being broken (finally going to PT now for that) and then went on medication that made me never want to leave bed. These health factors forced me to scale back and create a much healthier relationship with blogging.

I am way less stressed than I was this time last year. Do I miss the “highs” of getting really cool brand deals? Absolutely. But I feel so much more relaxed now and have time to do some things I enjoy outside of work and blogging. This time last year I was not able to cook or go out to eat because those things took too much time away from blogging. This year I am able to spend an evening out with my husband at a good restaurant and not feel guilty for taking 3 hours away from time that could be used to work. It’s all the learning curve and I’ll continue to learn as I go. For now, I am focused on my health and getting to feel back to my old self again after a long calendar year.

My Biggest Regret

It has been a whirlwind to say the least. I have doubts, regrets and am still confused most days – none the less I absolutely love what I do and am 100% happy with my decision to start. My biggest doubt is myself and I am trying to work on that. My greatest regret is not starting sooner.

I have lived so many interesting places since graduating college and I wish I was able to document all of that via my blog. I started my blog when I lived in Atlanta and now live in Tampa and I wish I was blogging when I lived in Virginia, Raleigh and Asheville. Finding your passion is life changing and I think about how those years could have also been happier had I been doing what I love. I have to find a way to get over that regret though because we cannot change the past.

I love to throw back my anniversary with old photo shoots. Here is one of my first photo shoots for your enjoyment!

Sizing reference: I am 5’4″ and typically XS in tops and 25 in bottoms.

Why so serious!? ^^^

Outfit Details:

Kooples Blouse, Rag & Bone Denim, Belt, Catherine Malandrino Mules, Chanel Bag