5 LESSONS THAT I’VE LEARNED FROM BLOGGING

Who has been around from the beginning of Dashing Darlin’?? Well, if you are new to following along with me or if you have been an old faithful friend, I want to say, “THANK YOU”. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me, for reading my post, for sending me messages, for laughing with me, and for being one of the biggest reasons that Dashing Darlin’ is still thriving.

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Some people understand what I do each day, and some people do not understand. It is definitely the oddest job that I have had, but it has become the most rewarding. For me, blogging has never been about the money, free clothes or recognition from brands. It has always been centered around pouring into other women what God has poured into me. And, that basically means that I want us all to live from a place that we are deeply, madly, unconditionally loved by the Creator of our souls.

From that commitment, God has blown my mind and brought immense blessings. And, gosh, I have learned a few things from blogging that have forever changed my perspective of myself and of others. It is fascinating how God uses everything in life to teach us a thing or two. I’ll keep it short and just include the top 5 lessons that I’ve learned in the last 5 years.

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People’s opinions of you do NOT define you. 

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Y’all, you and I can not please everyone. It’s impossible!! Someone is going to have an opinion about everything that we do- from how we parent to what we do for our career to how we spend our money to who we choose as our friends to what clothes that we choose to wear. And, y’all, who cares!!!! I use to care if people approved of me. I use to care if people approved of me blogging. I use to care if they liked my lipstick or my outfit. I use to care if they watched me parenting. But, I learned a few years ago that my self worth and identity is not based on an approval rating!! Thank God!!!

My encouragement to every person reading this post is BE YOU you and don’t worry about the naysayers. God approves of you and believes in you. That is all that matters!

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The comparison game is a waste of time.

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Comparison does steal our joy!! It distracts us from seeing our worth. We focus on everyone else’s life, family, job, accomplishments, beauty. These comparisons make us feel jealous, inadequate, and not valuable. These comparisons make us feel anxiety, stress, and sadness. I lived in this negative mindset for too many years, and it robbed me of living life. It robbed me of seeing myself through God’s lens. Fast forward a few years {when I was in my 30’s}, I matured emotionally and mentally– I was able and still am able to celebrate others without questioning myself. In the blogging world and in the non-blogging world, someone will always be prettier, smarter, more successful, and gosh, that is OKAY. Their strengths and successes should never make me question my own.

Y’all, it is a waste of time. We are not in competition with anyone!!

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We will never regret being kind.

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Kindness is the one of the greatest gifts that we can bestow upon another. Proverbs 11:27 says, “Anyone can find the dirt in someone. Be the one who finds the GOLD.”. We are surrounded by people who just need to feel that they are valued, that their feelings matter. Our human nature is selfish and tends to worry more about our own life than for others. Encouraging and loving on others around me use to be a struggle. I was too embarrassed to go out of my comfort zone, but gosh, I see the change in others {in the atmosphere} when I use my words to point out the GOLD.

Our words matter. Our words can be used by God to make an impact on someone’s life.

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We all NEED a tribe.

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One thing that I surely have learned through tragedy, through the mundane, and through the celebrations is that we all need a tribe. We need friends to do life with each day. Friendships and being vulnerable with others use to be a scary for me. But, my dear friends in the blogging world and non-blogging world have been what my heart has always wanted and needed. When we lost my sister, God used my dearest friends to help my broken heart to heal. When I was scared and doubting myself about a big job opportunity, God used my friends to pour life and encouragement into me. I have Mike who is my best, best friend, but I need my tribe too. You need your tribe.

Just GO for it.

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YOLO!! This is probably the only time in my life that I am okay with using that term- You Only Live Once. Each one of us have dreams and desires. Some are suppose to come to life, and some are suppose to just stay dormant for now. When I have a burning feeling inside of me or I feel a little nauseas nervous, these are two signs for me that I know that God is pushing me to GO for it- it is going to come to life.

My encouragement to you is stop second guessing yourself and start taking that leap. I know that I am suppose to write books, and guess what, I will go for it. I know that foster care is in the near future, and Mike and I will know when it is time to go for it. Life is short. We need to just GO for it!!

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Thanks again for taking time to visit my blog and for showing support!! Y’all are the reason why I am able to do this blogging stuff so I’m forever thankful for you.

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