A Magical Day – Create Your Day Party.

As a busy mom, as birthdays approach I find myself wondering how I’ll make all of my sons birthday dreams a reality. Luckily, my sons expectations weren’t through the roof this year, and he simply and very confidently explained that all he really wanted was a Bear Grylls Adventure Party with a few of his friends.

Me being me, my imagination runs WILD, and I find myself overcomplicating things. I see everything through photographs, and become a bit of a perfectionist. Thankfully, I am an overly organized person at times, so I plan ahead. I recall visualizing exactly how I imagined the party, and my heart sort of dropped as I wasn’t sure how I’d find the things I needed to bring those thoughts to life.

And then, it all just happened. I somehow came across Create Your Day Party on Instagram. I realized she was based in Cape Town, and I knew that this was exactly where I needed to be. I contacted her to find out how we could use one of her existing themed boxes in order for it to still work within the Bear Grylls theme my son had set in his mind.

Before I knew it, the box overflowing with wild adventure had been delivered, and oh my heart, I don’t even have the words to express how content and relieved I was. This box had everything I needed and more. The decor, the activities, and more!

Inside your Wild Adventure box you will find:

• Party decorations: bear plates, leaf napkins, cups and paper straws, cake toppers, garland ‘Adventure Awaits’ balloons, confetti, party bags.
• Their inspirational guidebook full of tips and tricks, activities and a shopping list – which is basically like a printed out version of Pinterest.
• Paper animal ears for all little adventurers, 1 ‘Billy the Bear’ mask and face paint.
• Nature Scavenger Hunt list, including 1 magnifying glass and a bag of toy insects.
• DIY slingshot set for all kids.
• Personalised digital ‘Wild Adventure’ invitation.
• Printable ‘Wild Adventure’ colouring picture.
• Short video clip of the storyline.

The kids had the time of their lives! Give me the decor and idea challenge and I’ll throw you a beautiful party. Give me entertainment for 10 kids under the age of 5, and I’ll send them to Disneyland. Just kidding. But in all honesty, that part isn’t my forte’ which really gives me added stress when planning my sons party. Thankfully Create Your Day came to my rescue, and with using the guideline, I managed to keep the kids entertained for the duration of the party. We made slingshots, they hunted down the bear, they spent loads of time on their scavenger hunt in our own garden, and they just loved the independence and freedom it gave them. Some working in groups and some pottering around the garden on their own.

The decor was just exquisite! Apart from the beautiful environmentally friendly balloon garland done by Cape Town Balloons, everything else came from the box and complimented the theme and the party to perfection. I had a houseful of ‘wild animals’ roaming around the house, cake smeared over the faces and dirt on their hands from taking their Scavenger Hunt so seriously.

The parents raved about such a visually beautiful and interactive party. What I love is that you aren’t limited to a Wild Adventure party if you use Create Your Day. You can also choose from the following:

– Let’s Go Glamping
– Silly Circus
– Superhero
– Tea Party
– Tropical Fiesta

And even within those themes, you can really make it whatever you want it to be. I found that going this route was an affordable and convenient option. Because you aren’t having to drive around back and forth to find everything you need yourself, as well as having to buy in specific quantities, the Create Your Day option was the best I could have done, and honestly, I’m not sure I’ll be able to go back to what I did for previous years.

I honestly didn’t know we had such exclusive and high end products available to us for parties in South Africa. But thanks to owner, Willemijn, a Dutchie living in Cape Town – mom to three kids – she brought her European standard with her.

This will be a party that won’t be forgotten by our family or my little birthday boy.

Supplier List: 

Decor & Party Box & Kids Accessories: Create Your Day
Balloon Garland: Cape Town Balloon
Photography: Kindred Kind
Cake: Sweet Lionheart
Letterboard: Fable Lifestyle & Baby
Ceramic Fox: Calico Ceramics

Warriors Of Hope – The Beautiful Initiative by Keedo.

I was recently asked to work on a campaign with Keedo. I’m sure that by now, you’re all well aware how much I love the local brand – I love them for their beautiful, childlike designs. In a world where we so often dress kids way beyond their years, Keedo brings us back down to earth. Their garments beg to be played and explored in.

And just as I thought that my love for Keedo couldn’t get any deeper – they launched their Loenix Warriors of Hope collection. Talk about a beautiful range. For many of us, having a child with cancer is unfathomable. Yet, for the other percentage, you may have walked the journey with a child of your own whose tiny body has had to fight off cancer. You may have been the shoulder to cry on for a friend whose child has been fighting cancer. Or you, yourself may be a cancer survivor. Either way, their aim is for whoever reads this blog post to feel uplifted and inspired. See the beauty in the words – in the range, and let it move you.

This collection has been inspired by the little soldiers across the world who are up against the invisible enemy. To those who face a beast that is daunting even to adults. However, what Keedo is trying to show us is that as difficult as it is to watch the disease break down the little solders’ walls of safety, to witness the feats and tribulations that parents face – instead of turning their faces away, rather wipe the tears from their faces and open your eyes to the beauty that can be found along this dark path.

She continues to explain that somewhere there is a warrior creating butterflies from the cracks on the ceiling of the oncology ward. Another warrior is painting the most beautiful, colourful masterpieces. The lesson to learn is that there is always hope, even in the darkest of times. This collection is a tribute to all of the brave little warriors who refuse to let the beast win. Even when it takes its tolls on their bodies, their bold hearts proclaim a battle cry of laughter. They are the Warriors of Hope and their mission is to open the eyes of the World.

These deeply moving experiences resulted in the Warriors of Hope range which you’ll find in Keedo stores countrywide. The designs incorporate both the dark times faced by children suffering from cancer, and the bright, unbreakable spirits of these little soldiers. Incorporating dark colours, stripes, colourful polka dots, and yellow cancer pom-poms, the pinnacle of the design is the artwork of the children and the way they bring colour to their world. The designs illustrate the contrast between children who suffer internally, but still wipe their parents tears and make each other laugh in oncology wards across the globe.

This collection is truly beautiful! It was designed to spread the hope that these children wish to share with us. The intention isn’t to make you feel sad, but rather to make way for the future generation. A generation that chooses to see beauty in every situation. They do not allow anything to steal their joy.

I feel honoured to have been asked to spread the word for this incredible initiative. I love how Keedo has decided to speak so much positivity, honesty and reality through the Warriors of Hope collection. I also appreciated how they have a special place for this collection in their stores. Really creating a space for it to stand out – they have created unique tags for the garments and have informative posters in the stores that will share insight on what the different styles mean. As you can imagine, every single item is stunning! And of course, the purpose behind it all just makes it even better.

Please pop into your nearest Keedo and see the Warriors of Hope collection for yourself. Educate your kids – don’t be afraid of them knowing about children their age and younger who are fighting cancer. Allow them to be thankful for their health. And enable them to be sensitive and caring for those surrounding them who are walking this frightening journey with so much positivity and hope in their hearts.

 

If you purchase any of the garments – don’t just buy it for what it looks like, but have your kids understand the meaning behind it. Please do tag me if you buy any of the garments – I’d love to see which one you chose and hear your thoughts on this beautiful collection too. The collection caters for kids from newborn – 6 years.  In light of Mandela Day, I am encouraging YOU to donate to the Warriors of Hope campaign online www.keedo.co.za or at any Keedo store nationwide. Allow this range to help you see the light in dark times.

Not sure where your nearest Keedo is? No problem – simply click here to see the full list of stores countrywide. https://www.keedo.co.za/storelocator

A Girls Weekend at Shiraz Estate Guest House.

Being the type of person that I am, I wanted to organize a girls weekend away with my bridal party. With only a few months left until the wedding, it was time to go on a little roadtrip with the girls to just relax and enjoy the calm before all of the craziness hit.

When looking for the perfect spot – I knew that I wanted a place that had beautiful interior, as well as an outdoor area that would work for entertaining. When I stumbled upon Shiraz Estate Guest House in Riebeek-Kasteel, I immediately knew it was exactly where we needed to be.

We booked months in advance, and as I told Kristine, the owner of Shiraz about my plan to put together a special surprise for my bridal party, she was so open to allowing me to create a beautiful space outside for them. That being said, Shiraz is the perfect getaway for a bachelorette or birthday weekend.

After an incredibly busy few months, the four of us were excited and relieved to finally be on the road after work. We arrived that evening, and were appreciative to have found such a wonderful place so close to Cape Town.

We were greeted by Kristine and shown around the gorgeous house.  And although it was late, it didn’t take long for us to settle in and to feel ‘at home’. A bottle of champagne was awaiting our arrival, and we took full advantage of our first child-free night and it being beneath the moonlit sky outside by the pool. It was so great having the feeling of not bothering anybody even though we got reasonably late and without even realizing, we were only climbing into our bed around 3am!

Arriving at night meant that we couldn’t quite make sense of our surroundings, so it was such a wonderful surprise when taking our first look outside when we awoke. The weaver birds singing and working hard was really something special, and although they’re loud, it was actually one of the highlights of our stay. That sweet sound of birds singing happily truly is something unique.

We made good use of the Nespresso machine, and enjoyed the rusks left for us in our room. I loved that we shared the ‘family room’ which has a main bedroom, twin beds, little dining area and en-suite bathroom. This was perfect for the four of us sharing, and although we had all of the space in the remainder of the house, it was nice to have some down time in our suite.

That first morning, we decided to have a slow morning, and enjoyed breakfast under the garden gazebo. We were blessed with beautiful weather and took full advantage of it! It was amazing having full access to all of the crockery and cutlery that we needed. Two of the girls then headed into town for coffee, while two of us set up the little surprise for my bridal party.

Riebeek-Kasteel is a tiny little town with some of the best coffee shops, restaurants and galleries! If you come up for a few nights, there is definitely no shortage of things to do. You can actually walk there from Shiraz, it’s a beautiful, peaceful and quick walk up the road. However, it’s also just far enough to feel that you’re secluded.

Kristine and the other two ladies from Shiraz were amazing while I was setting up – they were super helpful and helped get the outdoor area perfected. I was initially a bit worried about feeling that I was being an inconvenience, but they were excited for me, and never once made me feel that I was putting them out. This really made the entire event that much more special and it all turned out beautifully.

It was great having a space as beautiful as this to create what I was envisioning, and the fact that I didn’t need to bring any additional things like plates, knives and forks, etc along was so appreciated and helpful.

Overall, Shiraz feels like a home away from home. It’s perfect for families when booking out the whole house – there’s loads of space for playing in the garden, swimming and braaing. We’ll definitely be back with a group before too long!

I was so excited to have found such a gem so close to home, and especially one that so well suited our aesthetic and décor standards. Kristine and her family have created such a beautiful space – one that isn’t easy to find in the Western Cape. They stay on the same property in a separate home, however, they’re only at the house when needed, and certainly understand the meaning of hospitality!

But, Lauren from Lauren McCreath touches on all of the juicy décor details below:

Shiraz boasts the best of simplicity and luxury. The lovely Norwegian owners have showcased their take on an AfroScandi aesthetic. Beautiful, simple and clean lines inspired by their heritage, combines with an African ethic, creating a sophisticated and stylish guesthouse in Riebeek Kasteel.

The renovated homestead has been rejuvenated to its former glory. The love they have put into creating the beautiful guest house is felt around every corner.

The traditional architecture of the home with terracotta tiles, large open fireplace and areas of exposed original stonework, smartly framed and showcased, pays homage to the Cape vernacular of the homestead.

The combination of beautiful traditional African fabrics, local artworks and woven wares combined with bespoke and Scandi inspired furniture pieces punctuates the crisp interiors, creating a warm and inviting ambiance in which to relax .

Organic elements are combined with a gentle muted color palette which creates a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

The locally made bespoke furniture, has a distinct Scandinavian feel.

Individual pieces sourced from Ikea and Danish company Muuto bring authentic Scandi style, and, combined with classic pieces sourced from local artisans such as Pederson and Lennard and Sacs in Woodstock, is balanced and considered. The owners have perfected the look and feel of minimalist design with ease and flair.

The upstairs loft bedrooms boast large en-suite bathrooms. The King sized beds with custom made headboards which reference local “riempie” furniture, are beautifully dressed in crisp white linen. Stylish, simple Muuto pendant lights complete the look. Carefully placed plants create an organic link to the gorgeous outdoor spaces.

The reed ceiling veranda has an inviting comfy sofa, providing a perfect spot to watch the abundance of bird life in the palm filled garden, whilst dining tables and chairs provide a relaxing place to enjoy meals.

The symmetry and balance of the inky blue pool and its pool house are a feast for the eyes, and provide an idyllic and tranquil area to unwind.

Comfy African print cushions brighten the bench seating in the pool house… a perfect area in which to enjoy long leisurely meals, celebrations or sundowners.

Shiraz is a warm and welcoming reflection of the detail and care of the AfroScandi aesthetic of the wonderful owners and the perfect destination for those wanting to enjoy peace and tranquility in a beautiful setting.

Book it out as a 6-Bedroom Villa:

From September, the guest house will only be able to rented out as a whole house. It is also super affordable when dividing the total price per night by the amount of people. This is something we’d totally make use of! We love the idea of booking out the entire guest house as a self-catering holiday house!

Get a group of friends together, pack your bags, and have a relaxing few nights in Riebeek-Kasteel. The house sleeps up to 14 guests in 5 double rooms with king size beds (beds can also be made into twin upon request) and 1 Quadruple Suite. All rooms are en-suite, have air-con or fan and a coffee & tea station with a Nespresso machine. Relax in the tranquil garden with pool, sun loungers, garden gazebo (perfect for entertaining – which is what we used it for), and braai facililities. Enjoy meals together in the dining room with a fireplace, or outside on the shaded stoep or in the garden gazebo. The kitchen is fully equipped with a gas stove and with all the necessary crockery, pots & pans and utensils for self-catering. Located in a gated complex with plenty of off-street parking.

---

Make your booking now. And follow them on Instagram to keep up with the latest news and any specials as time goes on!

 

Winter Snuggles In Keedo.

As the months fly by in a flash, we already find stores filling their shelves with knitted beanies, snuggley jerseys and colorful, warm shades of winter.

Keedo has always been one of our favorite stores that we turn to each year when we need to stock up on clothing for the new seasons. There’s just something about the quality of the fabric and how each garment is made.

We visited the Cavendish branch a week ago to see their winter range. I love how neutral many of their garments are – especially for older kids. As cute as slogans can be, there’s also something about plain clothing that can be worn for every occasion.

I must admit that returning to their store did have me wish for a baby to snuggle in their soft blankets, and tiny beanies and rompers. But, we also found some beautiful items for my wild 4 and a half year old.

The first garment I’d like to show you is these PJ’s, because I can’t get over how cute they are. Apart from the fact that you can rub the print for it to smell nice, which is the most exciting part of each night at the moment – they really have been made so well. They are super cute, loose where needed and have the drawstring so that they can fit even the smallest little waists. I love that the neckline is normal size, as so many garments are so tiny around the neck these days, so it’s easy to get on and off. The Llama print is just adorable and so trendy at the moment. They had these PJ’s for girls and boys.

Next up are these denim shorts with suspenders. I was actually worried that my son would refuse to wear them, but they are his new favorite. I know they aren’t really for Winter, but just pop a long sleeve shirt and sweatshirt on, and they work perfectly! This is great for cooler Autumn days with a pair of sneakers or Wellies. The suspenders are able to be adjusted, and can also be removed so that the shorts can be worn on their own. Again, phenomenal quality – and super affordable!

Our third purchase was this cute long sleeve set. Kids seem to love prints and pictures on their clothing, and as much as many parents want to steer away – kids will be kids and must be kids. I found that these, however, were a good compromise that left us both happy. The fabric is thick and warm with a nice stretch to it, and again, the quality is lovely.

Lastly, over the years we have sadly lost some really beautiful beanies – don’t ask me how, but we always seem to need to replace them a year or two later. I thought that this beanie was really well priced and I just loved the pops of color, especially because I dress him in reasonably neutral colours. It’s warm and thick and promises to keep his ears warm. You can also pull the fold down, which means that when necessary, it can cover more for super cold days.

I was very happy with our Keedo shop, and felt that we got a good variety to stock up his wardrobe for winter. I love shopping for him, but don’t often do it, because I believe in getting by with what we have for as long as possible. That being said, we do donate a lot of old clothing, ones that I don’t keep for when baby number 2 comes along – and with brands like Keedo, I love that we can pass them on and they’re still as good as new for the next child.

I still remember a bag of second hand clothing being given to us when I was pregnant with Olly from a family friend – and many of the items were from Keedo. Some of them being my favorite which have been packed in the container for when we do have our next baby. And even two babies later, is still absolutely fine for the next one.

Keedo makes me so proud of our South African stores. They really do provide some beautiful, high quality clothing, toys, books and accessories for our little people. If you’re quick, you may still be lucky enough to get some of their beautiful sale items which are online at the moment.

You can browse Keedo online or 

alternatively, pop in at one of their many stores around South Africa – you can see their full list of stores on their website.

The Misunderstood Life Of A Blogger/Influencer.

So you want to be a blogger???

I often have people asking me about how they can start their own successful blog. My first response will always be to ask them why they want to start one in the first place?

8/10 they will say because it looks like such a great lifestyle, and it is an easy way to get freebies and earn money. They want to quit their 9-5 and work from a coffee shop or the comfort of their own home.

If they were standing in front of me, instead of being behind a screen, I’d most likely give them a little mid forehead tap. This is almost never the case. So, let’s put the assumptions aside.

Want to start a blog?

Firstly, prepare to work hard. Understand that for the first while you won’t be getting paid to do a thing. If writing and blogging isn’t a natural passion of yours, you aren’t going to be inspired or driven. I am often switching on my laptop at 10pm to work on reviews and articles. There is no off button.

If the desire is purely stirred by what you see plastered all over social media by the influencers that you follow who are jetsetting around the world, being sent designer clothing and shooting massive campaigns, know that they had to get there.

Do you feel that you are incredibly passionate about something in particular that you wish to share with the world? Be it a life event that has changed your life – for me, being adopted and becoming a mom. For you it could be something else. Do you have a love for fashion? What makes you different to the next? What will make you stand out? There’s no point in just copying another influencer’s style or trends just because he/she gets thousands of likes on their images. Because, once again – they built their empire, and worked towards getting that response. Do you love to travel? Are you willing to cover your own travel expense to share your favourite places with your readers? Because in order to be invited to review beautiful places around the world, you need to have a portfolio before anybody is going to be inviting you to stay free of cost. And even then, for a long period of time, you’ll be covering little bits of your trip.

I’m sure by now you’re catching my drift. What is the point of starting a blog full time when you are just trying to become someone that you may idolize? Social media is a world that more often than not, shows you the wonderful things of life and forgets to mention all of the in betweens.

To the younger girls that are reading this, HALF OF IT IS FAKE. There is an entire world that isn’t being shown. These days, someone could share an image of the Eiffel Tower, but in reality, they could be sitting on their couch at home reminiscing of their trip 10 years ago.

I’ve had readers messaging me saying that they so wish they could also have beautiful clothes given to them – but, in reality, some of the wardrobe I shoot in is just borrowed for photoshoots.

Back to the point…

You want to start a blog? You want your blog to be a success. Before you quit your job, and jump into this industry, consider the following.

– Do I have the passion?
– Do I LOVE to write?
– What would my niche be?
– Do I have something to share with my readers that will impact them in a positive way?
– Can I accept being turned down by companies?
– Can I earn money from this?
– Who would I be targeting?
– Am I wanting to blog just to replicate the influencers I follow with over 50k followers?
– Is this a hobbie, or could I actually turn this into a full time job?

Now, if you’ve answered those questions, and are still wanting to go ahead with it, let me share a few tips with you.

1. Don’t quit your 9-5… yet!
Don’t quit your job that you are earning a salary from until you start earning money from your blog. First get your blog established and make sure that you  are earning enough over the period of a few consecutive  months.

2. Just start.
Start by reviewing things that you already own. Maybe it’s a perfume that you love. Perhaps you just bought that new product from Lush that you are obsessed with. Perhaps you travelled somewhere recently and you feel it was amazing. This helps you build up a blog with decent, quality content. Tag those brands in your posts as this also helps you get recognized.

3. Be true to yourself.
Don’t write about anything that you do not believe in. Don’t review a product that you don’t like and say that you love it just to get brownie points by a big brand. Write about things that inspire you, help you get through a day. Being authentic is admirable and invaluable. This is what draws readers and followers. When they feel that they are connecting with another person that they can relate to. Let’s get real- you aren’t a celebrity. People don’t know you until you create a platform that allows people to get to know you. On this note, don’t be that person who buys followers and likes just to grow their following. That doesn’t work anymore. It ain’t real, so if it’s making you feel better about yourself, you have bigger issues than learning how to run a blog.

4. Share beautiful content.
It’s all about being real, and everybody loves seeing in the moment snaps. But, try to keep your feeds looking professional. Brands want to work with bloggers who have a high standard – photos, written content, etc. I’m not saying you need to go out to invest in a camera if you can’t. I’m also not saying you need to spend thousands on working with photographers. I AM however saying, that take time to consider a photo before you push the button. Have a focal point and share a little story behind it. Let the photo tell the story – especially for Instagram as many people don’t read captions unless they have a reason to.

5. Set your bar.
I feel that I have learnt so much since I first started blogging. I too started on the first step. I also misplaced my footing a couple times on my way up. And, I am far from the top of the staircase. But, I do believe that it is important to figure out what type of brands you want to work with. Write a wish list of who you’d like to work with – maybe not now, but someday. Don’t ever let your bar slip for a product you want, because someone has influenced you or for any other reason. Know what quality work you are content sharing with your readers. Give yourself a reason to have pride in it, and don’t let it slip.

6. Give yourself a time limit.
When working out a plan for your blog, write down what your dreams are for it. Give yourself a year, or a year and a half, for instance, to create a platform that will stand out to brands. Once you start getting contacted by businesses, you can pat yourself on the back because that is your time to shine. I always say that that is when you can start unpacking your rate card, and you can start charging brands for your reviews.

7. Know your worth.
When it does come to the time to start charging brands for marketing, don’t get overly ambitious. Understand that you charge dependent on what you are able to offer them. If you have 1000 followers, start small. Once you get higher and know that your blog is reaching a good amount of readers, that’s when you can start raising your prices, because the brands are getting more exposure from you. I change my rate card once a year, unless I have a huge rise in followers. Brands are normally happy to pay when they feel that you are being reasonable and not trying to rip them off. Also, understand that there are some brands out there who do take advantage of bloggers. If you firmly believe in the rates you charge for the quality of your work, don’t let them intimidate you into waiving your fee. Your time and skill is valuable. Many brands promise to work with you again and to pay you the next time, and you never hear from them again.

8.Connect with your readers.
Nobody likes to be ignored. If you want to have a successful blog where people interact with you, you need to set time aside where you prioritize thoughtful and genuine responses to your readers. If it wasn’t for your readers, you wouldn’t have a successful blog in the first place. This is also a great opportunity to inspire further. Brands also like to see correspondence between influencers and their readers. I am also so often inspired by my readers through their comments on my posts, and have found many special friends and connected with inspirational women through my accounts.

9. Go easy on yourself.
It isn’t easy being a blogger. One month, I have bookings and big campaigns streaming in. The next month I’m twiddling my thumbs. Not really. That’s when I take time writing articles for my blog and creating content. But, understand that just because you aren’t being contacted by brands, doesn’t mean that you and your blog aren’t worthy. Brands also have budgets that are allocated to marketing and working with influencers. Once that is up, it’s up. Don’t beat yourself up over the quieter times, instead, spend that time creating valuable articles and reflecting on how you can make changes. You can also take this time to do research on new brands you’d like to work with, prepare strong proposals and get in touch with them to let them know what you can offer them.

10. Last, but most certainly not least – understand your social media platforms.
Nobody wants to work with someone who doesn’t even understand what they’re doing. Do research on the platforms you will be using – for me, it’s Facebook, Instagram and WordPress. Do weekly research on how these platforms have changed. Understand SEO’s and google analytics. Know when the best time of each day is to post as well as which days get the best response. This is incredibly important for when you are being paid by brands. Keep educating yourself, and keep yourself updated. Also, understand algorithms. One day you could be reaching 1000 likes, and the next day only 500. Don’t kick yourself, just understand that Instagram and Facebook is a business too, and they have made changes so that people like you and me feel that we need to pay to sponsor posts.

There is so much more that I could share, but time is money, and I’m applauding you for getting this far anyway without having to switch screens as your boss walked by.

For me, blogging happened by accident. It wasn’t planned. I wanted to create a platform that I could turn to to get support from other moms after my son was born. It escalated from there, and I am incredibly grateful for that. I love blogging. There are times where I have writers block. There are times when I just don’t feel inspired. But, it’s all part of this industry, and every single influencer and blogger will hit a halt at some point.

I want to take a moment to encourage you to take the next step if after this article, you feel inspired and still feel ready to take on this next chapter. If you’re wanting to take on blogging full time, don’t quit your job until you’re making enough money to support yourself. Give yourself some time, and be gentle with yourself. Putting yourself out there is brave, and sharing parts of your life with others to inspire, motivate or help them is incredibly courageous. But, also keep in mind that even if nobody comments or you only get a few likes – there is always somebody that you have inspired.

I truly hope that this post has helped guide you in one way or another.

All the best for your journey!

– L

---

Images: Criene Images