Better Late than Never

It's funny how two years can go by and still feel like yesterday. I originally began this blog for a short-lived English class but slowly realized how helpful it was to vent out loud. If you know me, you know I am driven by others. Writing in a journal wouldn't give me the same satisfaction that a blog does because even the idea that others may stumble across my thoughts gives me more purpose than a notebook shoved under my bed.

I have often been told that writing a blog that speaks to one audience or serves a single purpose is a great way to make money, but as much as I've tried... I can't seem to get my life directed on one path enough to even write a simple blog entry on a daily basis. This is how the cycle has played itself out...

Blog Fail 1: It's a Monday, I wake up feeling energized and refreshed. I stand in front of the mirror, suck in my stomach... exhale. I twist my body around seeing what ways are least flattering to my love handles and what kind of bends I have to do to get a dimple to appear on my not so toned butt. I decide that I am getting healthy. I know I'm not fat, but I want to be toned darn it. I'm going to write a blog about my journey to a Victoria's Secret body, motivating girls and maybe making a little money on the way. I weigh myself and come up with a goal weight, ideal workout schedule and improvements I'd like to see on my body. Next I eat a super healthy breakfast and go to the gym. After the gym, I binge on a kit-kat bar, salt & vinegar potato chips, a mountain dew and head to Chick-fil-A an hour later... It's okay though because I start tomorrow and that means I have 24 hours to stuff my face. Cycle repeats. I decide to stick to being "fit" on my Pinterest Board.

Blog Fail 2: I'm crafty. I have no shame in the game about tooting my own horn at the fact that I was born trying to become a small Martha Stewart (minus the jumpsuit.) I saved up allowance in elementary school for shopping trips at Party City and spent my Sunday mornings cutting coupons that my parents rudely forgot before every grocery store run. A DIY and craft-themed blog has seemed like a "duh" move on my part... that is until I checked out the competition. There are so many DIY blogs, they literally make my head spin. Moms and new wives with beautiful big houses to decorate, kids to dress up and parties waiting to be thrown. There is no way I could compete. A 20 year old in college, no house to decorate, a dog my boyfriend won't let me accessorize, parents that hate parties and nieces & nephews that have outgrown most of my crafting stages. One word, doomed.

Blog Fail 3: Ever heard of Barstool Sports? Well I have. In fact, Barstool has more communication with my boyfriend than I do. Any piece of news, humor, celebrity gossip, history or sarcasm that he shares with me... well, it normally originates here. Don't get me wrong, I think Barstool is genius. A group of guys surf the internet all day, write extremely vulgar and witty summaries of what they see, rate girls in a somewhat creepy fashion (but give guys like my boyfriend an excuse to look at half-naked girls "on accident") and make tons of money. I've wanted to do a female version of this more times than I can count, but it isn't very becoming of a Southern girl to make fun of people all day (even if it may be fun.) And, like my mama always said... If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Whoops, there goes that.

Blog Fail 4: Advice. Advice has ruined some of my best friendships. You know when you start to feel more like Dr.Phil than a friend? Yeah, it's not that fun. It's a tricky line to walk when you want to offer support and guidance for your loved ones but feel like no one wants to open an ear for you. My life is a beautiful mess that could use 100 Dr.Phil's, but I have had a really hard time finding even one or two. I love giving people advice but feel like it is better if you don't expect anything in return (hard to do this in a friendship) but who am I kidding... I don't know how to guide my own life. Go ahead and cross this one off the list too.

SO WHAT IN THE HEAVENS DOES THAT LEAVE ME?!

After a lot of thought and consideration, I found the happy balance. That happy balance is my mess of a life. I may not attract one audience, or any readers at all for that matter, but I promise it will be genuine. My blog used to be called "Between the Lines" and had a bubbly damask background, but lets just call that outdated. A lot has changed in 2 years yet also nothing at all. My new look represents where all of my paths cross... where the mess begins to make sense. I would love for you to join me on my journey & I pinky promise most posts won't be novels. 

XO