5 Things A Year of Blogging Taught Me

Has it only been a year? How on earth!? It’s Fueling Function’s first birthday, you guys!

Honest truth: It’s been the most incredible—and the most challenging—journey I’ve ever started. I never could have guessed the types of opportunities that would unfold in just one year. I've met some inspiring people along the way and have been tested in the best ways. So today, I thought it’d be fun to reflect on some of the lessons I’ve learned over this year.

Fueling Function began as a resource to help people take an active role in their health. It’s flourished into much more than that and it continually inspires me to produce more. It’s all because you (YES YOU) find this information valuable. Time is the most valuable thing we have. The fact that you carve out a little time to read my posts, cook these recipes, comment, and support Fueling Function means more to me than I could ever express.

Makers gonna make; and that’s what I plan to keep doing. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey.

Lesson 1: Start Where You Are, Use What You Have, Do What You Can

Sure, this pertains to blogging. But it's also about that thing you’ve been wanting to do but haven’t yet because the timing isn’t right, or you don’t have the all the resources, or you’re concerned about how people will respond.

I’ve been thinking about starting a blog for years and, in 2017, I finally jumped. No DSLR here: I have an iPhone that I take all of my photos and videos with. I recruit my poor husband and brother for SO MANY jobs and pay them in lunch. I gained EVERY technical skill I have from YouTube videos and tutorials. I’m not even a self-proclaimed cook! I am continually learning and growing in all areas related to this gig.

The takeaway is: Start. There’s never a perfect time to start and there’s always room for improvement. But start, you'll thank yourself later.

Lesson 2: The Art of Distance

Do you ever feel like your brain is broken? I do ALL THE TIME. Writing a new post is like swimming in molasses, I have approximately 0 ideas for new content and think to myself “am I losing it?” Over the past year, I’ve had to recognize that, for some reason, there are stretches of time when I’m just not sharp no matter how hard I try.

If you're ever in the same boat: it's okay! Ride those highs like crazy when you feel fresh, productive, and motivated. But on the days (or weeks, even) when creativity just isn't there, give yourself grace + distance.

Go on a run, take a long drive with your boo, invite friends to dinner. Distance can cultivate more inspiration than straining to produce!

Lesson 3: Look Out the Window Every So Often

Sometimes Fueling Function stresses me out because it’s my baby. Maybe I’m a perfectionist. Maybe I’m afraid of failure (both are true). But because it’s SO valuable to me, I want to put my best out there and continually improve.

One lesson I’ve had to learn this year is to step back occasionally and enjoy what I made. These days, I jot down my small wins and proud moments so that I can reflect on them. I highly recommend this practice for any area of your life—you’re doing great.

Lesson 4: Community Over Competition

There are plenty of ladies out there doing what I’m doing. I have two choices: I can view them as my competition OR I can view them as my allies. And, omigoodness, choosing the latter has been the wind beneath my wings.

In my experience, people doing what you’re doing are your BEST supporters. They’re right there with you working out the same struggles and celebrating the same success. They’re usually happy to help you when you’re in need. They often turn into great friends! Women have this awful tendency to tear each other down. There’s room for all of us to thrive if we just change our perspective.

Lesson 5: Be Adaptable & Do Hard Things

Between us: My stomach TURNS whenever I have to talk in public. I stress for days about it. But fortunately, I've forced myself to push past that feeling instead of giving up.

Exercise taught me this lesson! That's the whole point of getting in shape: It f*king sucks. It hurts, it's miserable. But you've got to do hard things and be adaptable. When you want something you've never had, you've got to do something you've never done.

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Here's to another year of health and vitality, everyone. CHEERS!!