Can you believe that summer is officially over on Friday (September 22)?! It’s definitely bittersweet this year because summer 2017 has been so good to me.
I got to see my best friend marry the love of her life (and stand by her side as Maid of Honor), my parents moved into the lake house of their dreams; my boyfriend started a passion project of his own, and I launched Rosé & Chambray! This summer I learned a lot of lessons, but I wanted to share one of the most personal ones with you in my last post of the season.
It’s never the “right time” to follow your dreams
Having a successful blog had always been a dream of mine. In college, I started a blog focused on fashion, food and pop culture. It was an outlet for me to share my healthy recipes (I LOVE cooking!) and sense of style with whoever wanted to listen.
It ended up fizzling away due to lack of dedication and resources, and I was so embarrassed about it. That failure, along with a lot of self doubt and excuses about it not being “the right time” stopped me from pursuing this blog.
When I tell you I wish I started blogging 3 or 4 years ago when I initially wanted to, I am not kidding. I’d always think “maybe when I lose 15 or 20 lbs,” or “after I’m financially stable.”
I always had an excuse of why I couldn’t get started, or why it wasn’t the right time. But really…is there ever a “right time” to start following your dreams?
On a random Saturday in early May, my dad sent me and my brother this inspirational video via email. The video is about how people don’t regret the things they do in life, but rather the things they never did. Before it could finish up, I had already made up my mind that I was going to start my blog.
By the end of the weekend, I had a notepad filled with content ideas and blog names, and I’d secured 4 different Instagram handles (just in case ?). A week after, my domain and web hosting were purchased, and within a month my blog and social media accounts were live!
Although I had the vision in my head and the desire in my heart, I needed that sign. That little boost to get me going. So I’m writing this for anyone who might need the same right now.
Don’t let your fears, doubts or outside negative voices stop you from taking the leap. No matter if it’s going back to school, learning a new language, starting a new business, traveling to a foreign country or starting a new blog, there is no better time than now.
I have a long way to go as far as where I want my blog to be, but I’m farther today than I was 4 months ago. A year from now, you will wish you started today. It takes courage and strength to stop dream and start doing, but if I can do it, so can you!
Thank you for reading, and I hope you found this piece helpful. What’s a dream or goal you want to accomplish this year?
Xx,
OUTFIT DETAILS
Plus red floral dress (50% off), similar in standard sizes here | Tan espadrille sandal: similar here, and here | Large bamboo tote
(under $45!) | Turquoise stone hoop earring | Kate Spade flower ring (similar to mine) | Rose gold “soul sister” bracelet
this is SUCH valuable advice. i think it’s exactly how you said – we keep waiting until the stars align for us to make moves or make a change or take a plunge when really there is no “right” time. and why look back in 10 years and think about the time you wasted NOT doing something you love?! the time is always now.
i’m so glad you started this blog and i love reading your beautiful words!!!!! <3
Author
YES exactly! It’s better to get started and fail than wait around and never know what your life “could have” been. Thank you so much for your support my sweet friend <3
100% love this post. It’s so true. I think that a lot of people don’t follow their dreams because they’re not only afraid of failure but they’re looking for some specific time to be pushed up with their backs against the wall or some crazy huge sign to push them in the direction their heart wants them to go. It’s definitely frightening to go for what you want, and some people never do this because they don’t want to be held accountable if they fail.
Author
Aileen! Thank you so much for reading and for your feedback. It’s definitely a combo of what you mentioned that keeps people from taking the leap. It’s so frightening, but so worth it! You’ll never know if you don’t try ?
Thank you for being raw and real. You are an inspiration to those of us who are new to blogging and a bit scared of what our future may hold with it. So thank you for the truth and motivation you’ve spread with this post. Much love and success to you and your blog!
Author
Wow, thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so happy you found this helpful and inspiring. Wishing you love and success on your blog journey as well!
xo,
Aryanna
You’re right! The bravest step toward any goal is the first step. I’m sure even though your first blog didn’t take off like you wanted, that you learned a lot of important things for this blog!
Author
Melissa, thanks so much for stopping by and reading! I definitely did learn so much from that experience, and learning every day.The first step is the hardest one!
Xo,
Aryanna
Stromectol