Wow, I cannot believe the last time I sat down to write a blog was over three months ago. Wait, thats a huge lie; I sat down and even started to write tons of times. But something would always distract me or keep me from finishing my thought. And thus the blog idea would be forever lost in the busy sea of other thoughts in my mind. I feel very different from the last time I wrote, my outlook on life has some what changed – which is another reason I took so much time away from The Whitney Story. To be honest, I have just been lazy – like to the point I have seriously contemplated watching gossip girl for the fourth time (don’t judge). With that being said, I felt I should explain my leave of absence before I return to a regular blogging schedule…whatever that is.
My life seems so different now compared to when I first started this blog. I was bored, lonely, sick, and felt unfulfilled in my life in Georgia. Before I became an army wife and a mother, I was always working full-time. When I say full time, I mean 40-60 hours a week in a sales type job. I was always busy making money to afford all the things I wanted and needed. So, when I married John and quickly became pregnant, then moved to a place with no friends or family, I felt more lost. I missed the social interaction with people and the confidence of knowing that I could stand on my own two feet financially. After a year or so of feeling like something was missing, I found blogging and began on a long journey back to my happy place. Blogging was also the first stepping stone on my way to becoming a business owner and being my own boss. I was so amazed that I could make a “living” from writing about products and services thats I already used and loved. The lotion I already purchased at the store could be a paid post? Yes, please – sign me up. It was all so exciting to me, at first. I also loved “meeting” other women that were doing the same thing I was – I use the “” since meeting in the online world means chatting on Facebook/Instagram. Some of these women are some of the most amazing people I know and I have learned so much from them.
But, over time I became bored of writing the same words over and over again about the same products that say, 20ish other bloggers were writing about. Or feeling like I couldn’t post photos of my family on my blog Instagram because it wouldn’t fit with my aesthetic. Also, I started to become someone I didn’t want to be – someone who needed to keep up with the Joneses. For instance, the feel that I needed to have every new lipstick that hit the market or the latest outfit style. I felt like I was becoming ridiculously superficial. And yes, I still like to have nice new things, but it was starting to consume my life and negatively impact my family. Weekends that I could have spent with my husband and daughter were being spent stressing over a deadline for a post about shampoo or lotion. I was spending money on makeup that we could have been saving to take a fabulous beach vacation. Being a relatively unknown beauty blogger doesn’t get you as many free products as Jaclyn Hill, so trying to stay on trend and ahead of trends was stressful AF. And yes I still love blogging about beauty products, I just don’t want it to feel forced, ya know? So, I started to look for another way to work from home.
Cut to early February of this year – I had the bright idea of starting my very own business. House of W was created with the idea of printing cute and sassy beauty slang phrases on t-shirts. However, my love for fashion and styling quickly drove the business into a full on women’s clothing shop. House of W now carries everything from jackets, to sweaters, jewelry, shoes and everything else in-between. Starting this business was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. It brought me back to who I really am: a business woman who loves to work. Running a small business takes A LOT of work – which is just what I needed. I needed something that kept my mind thinking all day while still staying true to myself. I am not saying blogging isn’t those things – for some people it is, just not for me. House of W is also a place I can practice my photography without stepping on other local photographers’ toes. Photography is really my true love. I could shoot and edit all day long – it feeds my creative soul. Someday, I would LOVE to add full-time photographer to my list of job titles. But for now, having photo shoots with the HOW dolls and taking photos of beauty products will have to do!
Another reason I have been so absent is I have been traveling A LOT since we moved to Kentucky. We are only four hours away from “home” in St. Louis, so we take every opportunity to make the short drive there. Our next move could be anywhere, so I want to spend as much time with our loved ones as I can while we are local. I was also diagnosed with celiac disease during my absence – that is a very long story and calls for its very own post. Other than that, I have just been chasing my very sassy almost three year old around trying to teach her to be a good person who doesn’t repeat all the bad words mommy says -aahaha!
So, if you are wondering where the hell I have been, now you know. I really do miss blogging for myself – so I hope to get back here as much as time allows! I’m still unsure of what I would like to write about here in this little space of mine. Beauty and fashion are still my passions, so I am sure there will still be those types of posts. Maybe I will add some more lifestyle posts and gluten free recipes! Let me know in the comments below what type of posts you would like to see!
Jaelan says
I think you’re doing a great job with HOW!
Also – I could just squeeze your neck. I JUST wrote a very similar post that will go up next week. I am OVER thinking I can’t share my life because it’s too boring or readers won’t like it. I’m going to blog about what I want, when I want. I’m done with trying to keep up. I love writing, and my life is good enough. 🙂
Whitney says
Yes girl! I can’t wait to read it <3
Ashley Robyn says
Lots of amazing things going on. Sometimes then break from blogging shows us what really is important on our blogs and what could be left out. Yay for House of W and all the success I know you have and will have. Enjoy this time with family and friends.