Today is officially my one-year blogiversary and I am truly SO happy with how things have turned out in the past year. So here’s a bit of a look at the past year and the ups, the downs, and all the in-betweens.
November 2010
I quit my job and started this blog with no idea that it would be a major part of my life.
December 2010
Nothing too exciting. I probably ate a lot and visited family.
January 2011
I challenged myself to blog for 31 days straight. I had a really hard time with this and now I almost always post twice a day. I met a blog friend offline for the first time. I did my first vlog. (And I kinda miss doing them. Err, it. I did one. Should I do another?) I unveiled the cost of my wedding dress ($25 from a thrift store!) We lost our pet rabbit and it still stings. I turned 24. The After Nine To Five shop launched on Etsy!
February 2011
We held a help us pick our last name giveaway. (We haven’t changed our names yet, but we will be after Mexico!) I shared my first lovingly weird letter to my now husband. We bought our first camera that I’m still learning how to use.
March 2011
I got my PO Box! Nathan did his first post on the blog. (He should do more, I think.)
April 2011
We got married in Jamaica and went out of the country for the first time!
May 2011
We had our reception. I reminded myself why I blogged. I broke my blog every day streak. I quit Facebook. I spent no money for a week.
June 2011
I moved my shop to Big Cartel. I decided to not cut my hair for the rest of the year other than trims (it’s working!) The Seven Day Push was launched. I got kinda real with how I felt about self-employment (and still do a lot of days.) I got rid of Google Friend Connect (and STILL love that I did!) I pledged to live outside of the Internet more. I called out the lurkers and found tons of wonderful people!
July 2011
I shared why I love and hate work now. I had my first craft show. I discussed how emotional I am and how that’s okay.
August 2011
I shared some of my secrets. I talked about how every day has the potential to be pay day for me. I talked about life without blogging.
September 2011
The blog party began! I got Facebook back, but only for business purposes. I shared my A to Z post. We started canning. I discussed my new direction with the blog and the business. Megan joined the After Nine To Five team (And I don’t know that I’d be where I am with this blog or my business without her.) I released my first e-book.
October 2011
I started doing blog and shop design. I took a long look at who I am. I introduced Pay-What-You Can-Consulting (and am SO happy I did as this is something I intend to grow in the next few months so keep an eye out!) I completed my first full blog design. Went to my first corn maze.
November 2011
Decided I needed to step away some. Felt overwhelmed with appreciation from you guys (and still do!) I defined my success.
And this brings me to today. 555 published posts later. Hosting the Big Give Giveaway to show my appreciation with much more to come in that area and hoping that I’ll at least make it to round two of the Top Blog of 2011 from the Blog Guidebook. I never thought I’d be nominated for something like this, but I am so honored that someone so sweet would do so!
Starting this post, I had no idea that it would be this long or that my life was filled with so many amazing things from a year ago. I had no clue that I had done so many things, life-altering things, that I would have most likely forgot about without this blog. I really cannot wait to see what the next year has in store for me – and for all of you, the readers and my friends – that go along with this journey for me.
As a last part of the blog party, some wonderful people offered up their testimonials for the things I’ve done over the years. If you’d like to be a part of this page, please let me know! I’d love to include your words.
DON’T FORGET! TODAY IS:
The last day to get the holiday specials. The last day to use HEREFORTHEPARTY to save 25% off in the shop. The 15th of the month so advertising can start today! The first day to start voting for me at the Blog Guide Book!
I choose solitude over social scenes. Tea and wine over soda and beer. Simplicities over complexities. And chocolate over all of those things any day.
This is all pretty incredible – it's amazing to see the whole year laid out like this. Congratulations on everything you have achieved and may the future be full of more wonderful things!
Happy Blog Birthday!!!! What fun!!! You are such a sweet spirit lovely Ashley :) I can't wait to see everything that is in store for this new year!
I love this. So exciting to look back. xo, rv
http://aneclecticheap.blogspot.com/
Happy blog birthday!! :) I cant wait to see everything in store as well :)
Sounds like you have had an incredible year! I got rid of my google friend connect button too. I have follow button, but without the gawdy icon and the listed numbers and people. In fact, I got rid of it a couple days ago, and today I wrote up a post and scheduled it for later today explaining it. Oddly enough, I went over to read your post and they are very similar. It's becomes numbers. I go over to other bloggers blogs and I my eye find that widget, and sometimes it's more intimidating than anything else. I'm tired about blogging being a numbers game. Kudos to those who enjoy it, not me. Anyways, sorry, just found that ironic!
You have had a great year, and this post seriously just took me like an hour to read because I kept going back to all of your other posts! Have a fabulous day! :)
I love that I've been reading your blog long enough to know EXACTLY what posts you're talking about – I don't even have to go read 'em! Happy blogiversary, dear friend. <3
Great recap :) Have a fabulous blogiversary!
Such a great recap! Love your blog.
Happy Blogaversary!!!! Celebrate. That's a huge milestone.
Great post :0) thank you for sharing your experiences both up’s and down’s with us … i wish you even more success, happiness and love, going into year 2 !!! You totally deserve it..__xoxo__
Happy Blog Birthday! Its nice you started the blog.. Enjoy reading it :)
Wow! You have had quite the year, lady! Good for you!