One year, 68 blog posts, a multitude of support flowing in and a BIG thank you to YOU. As you can tell from the title of this blog post, today marks the one year anniversary day of lil’ thoughts with jen. I can’t believe how fast time has flown by and how much this blog has grown. None of this would have been possible without your constant support and encouragement. The past year has been a whirlwind of a rollercoaster — one that I actually enjoyed riding. To celebrate this day, I wanted to share the background of this blog, some the best memories and lessons and other thoughts I’ve had thus far!
A Lil’ Background
I’ve always wanted to start a blog. The idea first came to me when I was a freshman in college, but I was too nervous to start one and didn’t know where to begin. As time went on, I felt so restricted by the courses I was taking in college. My educational career path led me to take classes focusing on theories and policies that already exist. Don’t get me wrong, I love studying economics and politics with a passion; the learning curve ever ends. It was just hard for me to find a creativity outlet. My passion always resided in writing (I used to want to be an author!) so creating a blog was the perfects solution. It can be a creative and writing outlet as well as a platform for similar minded people to connect.
As the reasons of why I should start a blog started stacking up against the reasons of why I shouldn’t, I ran out of legitimate excuses to not begin. I made it my 2017 goal to embark on this journey, to push all “what-if’s” out the window. I worked on this site for 3 months, teaching myself how WordPress, web hosting and blogging worked. The initial steps of learning how WordPress and HTML worked was so daunting! Thank goodness Alex got me a WordPress how-to book for Christmas that year haha.
I also had to come up with a blog name that resided with me. After brainstorming with so many people, lil’ thoughts with jen rose to the top. Growing up, all the people in my life who were close to me called me jen and I thought it was important I had that closeness with my readers. And this place is a compilation of my lil’ thoughts. So the name stuck and a year ago today, I sat down at my desk with the support of my family, Alex and my best friend, Jules, and pressed “publish” to my first blog post.
lil’ thoughts with jen was created with the idea that I can explore life wherever it leads me, without any restrictions. I try to incorporate as much of my life as possible because it’s all of my lil’ thoughts. It has somehow transformed into my passion project. To see its constant growth is so motivating to continue. Thank you all for transforming lil’ thoughts with jen into my lil’ safe haven on the internet.
Lil’ Lessons & Memories
I’ve learned so many lessons after starting lil’ thoughts with jen. The first and most important is to push any and all doubts out of your mind. I doubted my own ability to start and I had people who doubted me. But you truly never know if you don’t do it. It’s cliche, but so true. I knew who in my life supported my ideas and believed in me enough to push me to go after my dreams. But I also had people who came up with every single possible reason of why I can’t. In the end, I had to learn how to push those voices out and to let the positive ones in.
Second, I had to work really hard to stop comparing myself with others. In the beginning, growth was slow. It was also hard to see other bloggers in my position growing 10x as fast. There were constant lessons that everyone’s growth is different and that hard work is necessary. Instead of focusing on what other were doing, I started focusing on me. I created better content, was more consistent and never lost the site of who I was. I want to always be true to who I am and to write about topics that I 100% believe in.
I’ve loved making new connections with fellow bloggers who are just as passionate as I am. To be part of a community that builds each other up with words of support and encouragement is so inspirational. I’ve realized how many talented people exist out in the world and how there is a space on the internet for everyone. As long as you have a dream, you can go after it and succeed. I’ve hit so many milestones this year and every one of them holds a special place in my heart.
Some Other Lil’ Thoughts
It goes without saying that you need people in your life who will support you no matter how big your dreams are. I got so lucky with my family who pushes me to go after every crazy adventure I think of, a boyfriend who never stops offering his endless support, and friends who are my personal cheerleaders. I truly wouldn’t be where I am without a single one of them in my life. These are the people who never miss a post, who tell me I can without hesitation and never think I’m crazy for all the nonsense I want to do with my life. From taking my blog pics (hi Alex, Jody & Jason), selecting the best pictures to post (hi Jules), advertising (Hi Dad/Mom & Sundy), to offering words of encouragement and advice (you know who you are), I am so eternally grateful for you all.
I am so glad I bit the bullet and just did what I wanted to do. I want to thank every single one of you who have visited my site. The past year of opportunities, relationships and memories would have been impossible without YOU. I am forever grateful for the messages, emails and love flowing in every day. I saw a vision in what I wanted to do, and the people around me believed in me enough to support me, and there’s nothing more valuable in that. So thank you to my family, friends, Alex and my readers for continuously coming back, for dealing with my random mood swings and content and for always supporting my vision.
I can’t wait to see what the next year of blogging will hold. I will now go into a corner and cry my eyeballs out because I am so emotional!! Focus on yourself, put 110% into whatever you do and believe that you can — because if I can do it, you can do it! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!
Thanks a million for reading — until my next lil’ thought then!
jen❣
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63 Comments
Happy bloganniversary ! 😀
And such beautiful photos 😉
Have a nice evening,
Olivia Poncelet <3
http://www.oliviaponcelet.com
Thank you so much for your kind words and for stopping by!
xx jen
Congrats babe… you look lovely x
https://zunera-serena.com/
thank you so much!! and thanks for stopping by!
xx jen
Wonderful pictures!You look gorgeous:-)
http://www.lostindaydreams.com/
Thank you so much adn thanks for stopping by!
xx jen
You’re such a beauty and have such a lovely smile, omg! Melts my heart. Love the simplicity of your outfit. Great fit with the denim. Happy blog anniversary and all the best.
https://www.missymayification.co.uk
Thank you so so so much for your kind words–they mean the world to me! And thanks for reading babe!
xx jen
Congrats on the one year! Love your pics!
xx, Daeyz
http://www.daeyz.com
Thanks sooo much and thanks for stopping by!
xx jen
Happy one year!! I love the photos, they are so pretty.
http://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much gorgeous!! And thanks for stopping by!
xx jen
Congratulations on this milestone!
Lesley-Kim
Thanks so much Lesley!
xx jen
Happy one year anniversary to your blog, lovely! Wishing lots of success and many years to come. These photos in the snow are gorgeous, by the way!
xx
http://www.stylebydeb.com
Thank you SO MUCH for your amazing sweet words! And thanks for stopping by!
xx jen
Congratulations on your one year! Looks like you have built some amazing memories with your blog, which is always the best reasons to start one :3
http://www.rosegoldrhyme.com
Yes! It’s been an amazing year full of the most wonderful memories! Thanks so much for reading!
xx jen
Congrats on one year as a blogger! That’s a big deal. Each year you learn so much about yourself and gain amazing skills. Wishing you another great year!
xx Yasmin
http://banglesandbungalows.com
Thank you so much and I couldn’t agree more, I feel as if I am learning something new every day! Thanks so much for reading!
xx jen
Happy 1st year anniversary dear.
All the best on your blog.
Much Love, Jane | The Bandwagon Chic
New Vlog Entry!
Thanks so much!
xx jen
Loving your style! You are so chic. Would you like to follow for follow on Bloglovin? 🙂
Xx,
http://beatricebalaj.com/
Thanks so much!
xx jen
Not only is this post so lovely, but the photos are just gorgeous! Happy 1 year blog anniversary. All the best xx
Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.blogspot.co.uk
Aw thanks so much for your kind words–and thanks for reading!
xx jen
Congrats and happy one year!! You’re doing an awesome job so far!
Aw thanks so much for your sweet words–they mean so much! And thanks for stopping by!
xx jen
Congrats on your one year blogiversary! Glad you bite the bullet and started this journey. It is so rewarding!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Thanks so much rach! It’s been such an amazing adventure indeed! Thanks so much for stopping by!
xx jen
Happy blog anniversary! Your blog is going from strength to strength hun, looking forward to the next year xx
http://www.thatnewdress.com
Thanks sooo much babe!
xx jen
Happy birthday to you and your blog!!
PS.I love your pictures!
Have a great day!
La ilusión de Nina- http://lailusiondenina.blogspot.com.es/
Thank you so much! And thanks for stopping by!
xx jen
Great post! Photos are amazing! 🙂
If you want that we follow each other let me know by leaving a comment and please click on links at the end of this post –> http://beautyshapes3.blogspot.hr/2018/03/im-fine-thank-you-outfit-rosegal-zaful.html
Thanks girl!
xx jen
Thank you so much!! I can’t wait to see what the next year will hold — thanks so much for stopping by!
xx jen
Happy one year blogging anniversary! Always great to celebrate a milestone! Glad you overcame that initial fear and went with creating a blog :). YES! Comparison doesn’t do people any good if it means that they’re feeling down. Hope you will continue to blog and engage with others!
exquisitely.me
Thank you so much for your kind words! it’s been such an amazing journey and I cannot wait to meet more people!
xx jen
Congratulations on a year of blogging. You have a lovely blog and your photos here are amazing. x
http://www.franklyflawless.com
Thank you so much for you super sweet words — and thanks for stopping by!
xx jen
Happy 1 year girl! What an accomplishment! You deserve all of the success!
xx, mel
http://melinspired.com/lifes-big-little-problems/
Thanks gorgeous!! and thanks so much for reading!
xx jen
Congratulations on your blog anniversary and achieving your milestones! I hope you have many more great years!
Kathrin | Polar Bear Style
Aw thanks so much–I can’t wait either! And thanks for hopping by!
xx jen
Happy anniversary Jen!
http://www.thequinoxfashion.com
Thanks so much Gail! And thanks for stopping by!
xx jen
You look so cute in your pictures! Happy one year blog anniversary, here’s to many more years 🙂
amerzwithlove.com
Aw thanks so much love! And thanks for reading!
xx jen
Happy first year of blogging!
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com
Thank you so much lauren
xx jen
Congratulations on your 1 year blogiversary! Hope you have many blessed year of blogging! http://mariannyc.com/2018/03/23/summer-fridays-jet-lag-mask-review/
Thank you so much girl!! And thanks for reading!
xx jen
It takes diligence, creativity, and passion to keep a blog going. So cheers to you Jen on this first anniversary! Wishing you continued success and great opportunities.
Happy Saturday!
http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/thinkoutloud/jumpsuits
I 100% agree! thank you so much for your kind words and for stopping by!
xx jen
Happy anniversary! Those photos in the snow look amazing, I bet you were freezing though…x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Thanks so much Sophie!! It was snowing that day but the temperature was alright – I was too in the moment hahah. Thanks so much for reading!
xx jen
Such cute photos! Happy Blog Anniversary!
Thanks so much Jessica!
xx jen
Time indeed, flies so fast! Congrats on your blogversary dear. Wishing you more and more years of successful blogging!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Thank you so much Jessica!! I can’t wait to see what the next years will hold!
xx jen
Happy one year to your blog! For you, there will be many more wonderful years. I like all the photos, but I like you and the white snow together.
thank you so much girl!
xx Jen