I recently shared my 100th blog post, although this blog isn’t my first rodeo. 

When I was 13, I authored a fashion blog called A Rose and Her Clothes. It was at the very beginning of the blogging era when people commented on each other’s blogs more than anything else (what in the world even was Instagram??). The blog industry was its own industry. It was a nice place with nice people and communities that supported each other. At 13, I averaged 4 comments on each blog post—from total strangers on the internet! Reading what a 13-year-old girl from Iowa had to say about fashion! I simply cannot believe it. 

We didn’t know it then, but that was a special time of creativity and collaboration. I am of the full belief that blogs aren’t dead. But that’s not what we’re gathered here to talk about today. 

As I’ve looked back on my posts, outfits, and writing from my OG blogging days, I have both burst out laughing (this Midwestern middle schooler had some hot takes!) and also been so deeply proud of that young girl. She so desperately wanted to share her work, and also have a 9-5 job where she could wear such fabulous outfits.

My trip down memory lane sparked many thoughts on my writing, blogging, and creative roots. Many things have changed my go-to blue and white striped J. Crew dress, but also, a lot has stayed the same. Here are my key takeaways from my younger self’s creations. I hope you find yourself in here, too—what are the things you used to create for fun? What brings you joy? What could you bring back into your life now, even just in small doses? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear!

001. The confidence!

Oh my goodness. The confidence I had! To try something totally new. To photograph my outfits and play personal stylist. To share my writing and creations so young. To jump into an unknown world of technology. It’s endearing and inspiring to look back on all of it. In similar ways, I’m sure I’ll look back on my current self in 20 years and think the exact same thing. This is a great reminder to be kind and compassionate with myself as I create—I’m doing better than I think. After all, we are our own worst critics. 

002. These creative gifts have always been inside of me. 

My desire to create, write, style, design, and share has always been there. It has not wavered. And it was vibrant from the ripe age of thirteen. I didn’t even know to call myself a creative or a writer at the time, but those things were inside of me from the jump. I didn’t put them there—God did. And it’s beautiful to see that I acted on them so young. Our gifts may feel common or average to us, but they are truly so unique and intentional. Very worth acting on and sharing. 

003. Learning to develop your voice as a writer takes time. 

I look back on so many of the posts and am astounded at how clearly I was a writer but how nervous I was to say anything of substance. I was doing what many writers do at one point or another—write what we think we should be writing and sound how we think we should sound—with a mix of trying to mirror our favorite authors’ voices. This isn’t a crime; it’s part of writing growing pains. I am so proud (and humbled lol) to look back on that initial awkward stage in my tone of voice and that I kept going. The breakthrough was coming, and I found it! And am still finding it, truthfully. 

004. I was having SO much fun. 

I don’t remember ever really being stressed about sharing and creating. If anything, I was upset that I wasn’t able to capture more outfit photos and devote more time to it. This spirit of zeal, passion, and joy is one I am embracing more today. I’d love to pair up my developed skills, knowledge, and strategies with that childlike wonder and awe. Creativity is fun. It’s a get-to, not a have-to, and I want to channel all the FUN into my current work. 

005. I didn’t get mad at myself when I had to set it down. 

Life was life-ing, even in 7th grade. I didn’t throw in the towel when I had to shift my focus to science projects or English papers. Instead, I picked back up when I could. While I do value consistency now, this is a healthy reminder that even though I have to focus on my full-time job, house hunting, and building a marriage with Mitch, it doesn’t mean I’m giving up. It just means I’m human and life is full of beautiful things. I can pick back up when I have the margin—and also—practice the seven-minute theory. Shame off me!

Your Turn!

What were you doing when you were growing up? What was fun to you back then? What gifts have developed in you that were clearly there from the start? Leave a comment below—I would looove to hear!