I cannot believe I’ve been blogging for 1 year!
Seriously, where has the time gone!? I feel so unbelievably thankful to everyone who has supported me over the past year and genuinely encouraged me to continue posting week after week. I had no idea what to expect when I started A Midwestern Mix, just that I wanted to share outfit details, fitness tips, and real life with anyone who would listen. I created the blog as an outlet for myself to write on a regular basis, unsure how it would be received. Looking back on my first few posts {HERE, HERE & HERE}, it is crazy to see how my writing style and posts have grown. There were an immense amount of nerves when I first began because I did not want to be looked at like I was bragging about anything or showing off things I had, though I knew that there would be those who rolled their eyes every time I shared photos on Facebook. I accepted the fact not everyone would be supportive and thought I was OK with that but to be honest, I wasn’t fully prepared for people that I thought would actually follow along not being in my corner. But enough about the nay-sayers because for every one of them there have been 100 incredibly positive comments, people, and results!
‘#Blessed’ is overused but totally appropriate at the moment.
Often times, I still cringe when I see #blessed on a photo because I’m like ‘c’mon girlfriend, we’re all quite blessed’ but I recently stopped with that attitude. Instead, I enjoy seeing that hashtag because I think it’s great to show your gratitude and thankfulness about the life you are indeed so truly blessed to be living! I feel blessed every day, but today in particular. I’m blessed that I have a husband who has gone out of his way to learn how to use a DSLR, who never hesitates to take photos wherever we may be {no matter how awkward a location or how terrible the weather!}, and who probably doesn’t like the slight increase in my shopping but never has asked me to stop. I’m blessed to have a sister who proof reads every. single. post. even though she is averaging maybe 4 hours of sleep/day with a new baby and blessed with two other sisters & a sister-in-law who never miss liking a photo on social media; for parents that didn’t really ‘get’ blogging at first but never discouraged me from putting myself out there. As I think about the future, 5 reasons come to mind why I plan to continue on this journey…
Why I’m not stopping any time soon 🙂
*I’m having FUN
I really am. It’s so fun to put looks together, inspire someone to try an outfit combination they may not have otherwise thought to, share fitness tips that worked for me and share my experiences. It is also a lot of fun to receive feedback on what people like and see what others respond well to.
*I’ve discovered a community of AMAZING ladies
Through blogging I have gotten the opportunity to become a part of the Style Collective Community and meet SO MANY awesome girls. Total bosses for sure. I’ve made new friends, cultivated both personal and working relationships, and extended my circle of positive female influences in my life. Despite never have meeting most of these girls in person, I regularly text, Snapchat message, and Insta DM with them {especially when I need an opinion from the fitting room, HA}.
*I’ve forced myself outside of my comfort zone
As a fairly extroverted person, I typically have no problem striking up conversations with strangers but when it comes to talking about personal info, I rarely get that deep with those outside a small number of trusted individuals. With this blog you’ve seen me go through ups like the birth of my first nephew and various travels and downs like my family’s move 1,000 miles away. It’s been cathartic to write out my struggles and my triumphs but it’s also been outside my typical comfort zone.
*I’m more confident
Not to sound into myself, but I have truly seen an increase in my confidence this past year. I’m more confident in speaking up for myself and what I believe in, more confident in my decisions, and more confident in the fact that not everyone is going to like me, agree with me, or be on-board with what I do and that is totally OK. I’m more confident in my own skin than ever before.
*New opportunities
Doors have opened for me that I never in my wildest dreams would’ve thought possible. I’ve connected with small business owners, reps from large companies, had collaborations with well-known brands, been asked to write guest posts for other blogs, along with so many other great opportunities. With new opportunities come new goals, new aspirations and new avenues that I didn’t realize I even wanted to pursue until now.
The future is uncertain but my goals are not.
While none of us can accurately predict the future, there are many ways that we can work towards plans down the road. The same way I set smaller, attainable goals for the blog last year, I have decided to write down similar ones for Year 2. I won’t bore you all with every one of the items but instead want to share 3 of those goals: 1) Hit 10k followers on Instagram 2) Transition to 5 posts/week by end of calendar year 3) Say NO. I know the ‘say no’ goal seems funny but lately I’ve gotten some quite odd collaboration requests and/or ones that just don’t line up with my style, aesthetic, etc. At first I felt bad about passing on opportunities but I realized that my time and writing is valuable and it’s also not free. This year I want to choose partnerships wisely and work with brands that I sincerely love.
No one Everyone is shocked by this lengthy post I’m sure 😉 but I so appreciate you reading it through! I’ll leave you here with the 5 popular posts from the last year…again, it’s so crazy where the time has gone but I’ve loved every minute of it and really enjoyed looking back on the year! *THANK YOU* to everyone who has supported me along the way–I’m excited to see where the next year takes me! xox
This is so awesome Kristin! You are such an inspiration!! I’ve been at this for two years and have had no idea what I’m doing but you give me hope!
Congrats on year one! Super exciting! I am on year 2 and still so clueless haha but you rock babe <3
I’m not near a year so this was a good inspiration to keep going. I’m enjoying blogging but have the same reservations you mention about. Keep up the good work!! Love your post
Kristin you are seriously the cutest! Super congrats on hitting one year and you are actually killing it. You are so genuinely supportive and wonderful! I hope your next year is as amazing as this one was!
xoxo
http://www.the-over-exposed.com
CONGRATS MY DEAR!!! You inspire me EVERYDAY!! I look forward to your posts!! You are doing amazing. Keep up the amazing work, gorgeous!!! xo
OMG…that dress is super amazing!!!! <3
Looking forward to your posts!
Kisses,
Susana
http://www.myblueberry-trends.blogspot.pt
Congrats on your 1 year!! Isn’t blogging so amazing?!! I totally agree with everything you said. Keep it up babe!
I’m so excited for you! Great things are to come. Love your thoughts on the nay-sayers…I almost found it more difficult to put myself out there in front of my extended facebook friend group…not complete strangers! I hope you have a great week! Can’t wait to keep following along.
xoxo Kylen | Kylen Every Wear
Yay!!! Congrats, love! I SO enjoy reading all your posts and look forward to many many more!
Xo
Jess
http://www.fashionablyfitjess.com
Happy birthday to you and your blog! How exciting!
XO,
Anna
http://www.blushingrosestyle.com
Congratulations on your first year, love!!! Keep creating great content that we all love to see. xo ~Anna http://www.pepperedinstyle.com
Congratulations love!!! This is amazing and beautiful. I’m so proud of you, glad we connected, and I can’t wait to grow over the next year with you! Hugs, Kait
http://www.makeminemaroon.com
Love love love. You are amazing!! I’m so thankful for your blog because we never would
Have met otherwise! <3
Ah, LOVE everything about this. Congratulations on one year! and… that dress. GIRL total BABE alert.
xx, Lauren {www.rosesandrainboots.com}
CONGRATS!! Love that Style Collective has brought us together. You are amazing and have inspired me and so many others!!!
Xoxo,
Angelle
http://www.dashingdarlin.com
Congrats times a million and Happy Blogiversary babe!! So happy to have connected with you through Style Collective!!! XO, Roselyn
Congrats on one year of blogging! Keep it up girl! Can’t wait to see what else you come up with!
<3, Mindy N.
http://www.threadsnbreads.com
Congratulations on hitting one year!! It is such a massive accomplishment! It’s so fun to look back at how things evolve, and to have a record of growing and changing. I love your goals for year 2! They are perfect, and I can’t wait to watch while you hit them all and wildly succeed 🙂
http://www.tailoredandtrue.com
GIRLLLLL this is such an amazing post and I am so proud of you for keeping with this! I love this community too and I always feel so low when I am away but also love beign present and part of the ever flowing conversations about style and life. Congratulations and Cheers to many many more years!
xx | jordan taylor | petiteMODERN
Aw congrats lover! You’ve made such waves and are such a staple in our group and community! It’s been amazing to see you GROW!
Love love it!
xoxo
Krista
http://www.hundredblog.com
Congratulations, Kristin! I’m so glad to have followed your journey thus far. Loved reading this post and I am sure you will achieve those goals in the near future 🙂 All the best babe and I’ll be right here, following along!
Gunjan | http://www.songbirdechoes.com
Congratulations on your one year blogiversary! I always love reading your posts and am so glad that blogging has brought so many positive things to your life 🙂 Looking forward to see what year 2 will bring!
xoxo, CiCi
http://www.worldwidestylista.com
Woohoo!!! Congrats on one year! Blogging + social media really are so much fun, aren’t they?! This August will be EIGHT years for me. Whoa…
Love your posts + social media presence – keep it up!
Girl, you are AMAZING!!!! You should be so proud of what you have accomplished in 1 year! Happy Anniversary!! Major #goals!!!!