Today marks the 1 year anniversary of starting this blog, to the day. Not only am I overjoyed with how I've committed myself to this for a whole year without fail, but I'm amazed at how blogging has become a regular part of my life. I don't know what I would do without it!
So, I've been thinking about all the things that I've learned this past year, and I thought I would share some of them with you today!
Blogging is truly a full-time job. I never imagined that it could take so much time to write blog posts! And the truth is, it doesn't really. What takes a lot of time is the preparation work; taking photos, editing photos, finding photos, sourcing photos, making graphics, planning posts, thinking up ideas, writing code, uploading. It's a ton of work!
Photography has nothing to do with how fancy your camera is, or how much money you pay for it. I'm rocking a digital point-and-shoot and it serves me well.
Great ideas are meaningless if you do nothing about them.
Revel in your imperfections. They are what make you, you. They make you interesting, unique, and special.
Do what you love, and love what you do. Forget the naysayers, the critics, and those who doubt you. You have the strength to make your dream into a reality.
Everything is based on an input/output system. If you give, you will receive.
You can teach yourself anything you want to know, right now, just by searching for it on the internet or in a book. I've self-educated myself in a huge variety of subjects. Take it upon yourself to broaden your education.
Nothing is too difficult. If you are passionate, motivated, and determined, then nothing can stand in your way. There isn't a single thing which is too complicated for someone who is driven.
Rest & relax frequently. (Especially if you're self-employed.) If your body desires food, water, sleep, rest, or anything, you should respect that. It's important to take a lot of breaks during the workday and set specific work hours. (Vacation/Hiatus is also a great way to rejuvenate from a creative burnout.)
Support your artists and creators. The arts, crafts, and handmade communities are quite supportive atmospheres. Whether you're at a fair, at a gallery, or on someone's blog, let that person know that you appreciate all the effort they put in. It can make a huge difference in someone's day!
If you can't find a source of something you want to share, then you probably shouldn't share it. The best solution is to only use photos/tutorials/etc. which are sourced to a reputable place. Then we can give the original creators the credit they deserve for their work.
Practice, practice, practice. If you put in the effort to practice doing something often, you'll always get better. You can improve your writing, drawing, photography, or any other skill you want to be expert at, by simply practicing often.
I hope you may have picked up a grain or two of truth out of this. This past year has been so fulfilling, I can't wait to see where my second year takes me. Thank you to each of you who reads this blog, your support is absolutely priceless to me. I appreciate every little comment and each e-mail, they make me so happy. Thank you!
peace & love,
kaylee
(no source, possibly 
