It’s a pretty well known fact that I love to get inspired. The mug on my desk at work reads cherish the journey, the wallpaper on my phone says believe you can, and you will, and I try my best to spread positivity like confetti. I’m a glass-half-full kind of girl.

There’s enough ugliness in this world, my attitude doesn’t need to contribute to it.

A year ago yesterday, I created this blog, after many moments of collective inspiration. It used to go by a different name, 26 and Stumbling, and was created at a point in my life where I was trying desperately to figure it all out. I don’t think the fact that my blog has now turned 1 is a particularly big deal, but I do think the changes that I have undergone as a person during this past year are.

I remember when I wrote my first post, I had no clue what I was doing. I didn’t have a plan, or even an outline for a plan; all I knew was that I wanted to write. I had an intense desire, and need, to get my voice out there to something that wasn’t my journal. I was nervous, intimidated, and incredibly excited. I knew, deep down, that somehow blogging would help me. And I hoped that it would also help others.

One year later, if I could sum up blogging in one word, that word would be therapeutic.

Through blogging, I have been able to use writing as an outlet for my emotions, as a means to replenish my spirit, and in order to nurture my creative side. In the process I have had some lovely readers reach out to me to connect, had the opportunity to guest post on other blogs, and have become a featured writer on BlogHer- a large community of women bloggers. I have found the writing process to be incredibly healing and freeing, and I have gotten to know myself better along the way.

So, here we are, 366 days older and wiser. Still inspiration-obsessed. Still choosing joy daily. Still aiming for the stars, and still working on finding my truest, authentic self.

Thank you all for your support, your feedback, your kind words, and for your continued reading. You have helped me to embrace my vulnerabilities, to channel my voice, and to create something I am very proud to call my own.

“Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.” – Buddha

xoxo

Sarah