Hello my lovelies,

So this post, I never thought I would be writing. A year ago today I had the idea to start a blog, I thought that I wanted to be creative and I just thought it was about time I shared my love of beauty with like-minded people. A year ago today I was in a very dark place which a lot of people don’t know about. I was signed off work with depression and anxiety to the point I was too scared to leave the house. I would ring my mum multiple times a day crying and I couldn’t see a way out.

I spent my days just watching YouTube, a lot of make up and beauty videos and I knew for a long time I wanted my space on the internet but I was too scared to film myself. This is where I thought of blogging. I owed it to myself to give it a chance and it wasn’t for followers or making my mark it was for me. I wanted something for me, a hobby, my own outlet where I could express myself.

I then found WordPress, thought of my name and the rest came naturally for me. I designed my page and took the plunge to post a blog post. I was incredibly nervous to post, not because I was worried no one would read it because I didn’t expect any one to. I was worried because I didn’t feel worthy of having something for me that was positive when everything else in my world was falling apart. I felt selfish but I posted it. I first told my older sister who encouraged me to do this and I’m so pleased I did.

The amount of love and support I got from fellow bloggers and my friends & family was overwhelming. After posting my first post, I was so proud of myself. To do something for me that was positive. I got the blogging bug and until I was ready to go back to work in January I blogged like there was no tomorrow. It gave me a purpose to get up in the morning and I absolutely fell in love with blogging.

I started gaining followers and I was so overwhelmed that people wanted to read my blog there were a lot of happy tears! Social media went crazy and I finally felt like I fitted in to the blogging community. I met so many different people and still to this day I am overwhelmed with the love and support from the blogger world.

To share with my friends and family what I had been doing was a very daunting prospect. Although those closest to me knew, there was an awful lot of people that didn’t know. I thought do you know what – what can I loose if I share it on my personal Facebook? I finally took the plunge and the support I got was amazing. I had so many people messaging me asking for my advice and opinions on beauty products and it meant so much.

As the year has gone on, working with brands and the following I have still shocks me. To most people it’s not a big number but for little old me it’s a big thing. I have people who I haven’t spoken to in years telling me that they read my blog religiously and that they love it, family members who constantly support me and I can’t tell you how much it all means to me.

If you were to tell me a year ago that I would be writing this post with the success I have had I would of laughed in your face and thought that’s impossible. Now, I think that anything is possible when you set your mind to it. My life has changed dramatically in a year and most of it is down to my blog. To have my small space on the internet that is mine, where I can escape and be who I want to be. I’m now working and happy and feeling more positive than ever.

There are a few people that have really helped me in my journey which includes my Mum who is just a gem and has supported me like there is no tomorrow, trying new products that I have recommended and shared my posts with her friends. My older sister Kelly who continues to support me and encourage me every time we speak. My boyfriend Tom who is my biggest supporter of my blog. He reads every posts and daily tells me how proud he is of me and what I have achieved. My best friends Nadia and Charlotte who read every single one of my posts and are always there for support and to share my experiences with.

Basically, this is a massive thank you. To each and every one of you reading this post, who follows my blog, my Twitter, my Instagram or Facebook page. You have no idea how life changing this experience has been for me and what you can achieve. I thank my lucky stars that I have my blog, something for me because without it I genuinely don’t know where I would be. It gives me a purpose in life and I am forever thankful.

Here is to another year of blogging and I know that each and every day I will still pinch myself that I have the following and support that I do. Who knows what I will achieve or whether I will outgrow my blog, a year is a long time but for now it’s my biggest achievement in life.

To anyone who is wanting to do something like a blog and you are unsure, DO IT. I can’t put into words how happy and grateful that I made the move and started blogging. You deserve to do something that makes you happy. If anyone want’s advice or needs help then come and ask me – if I can do it, anyone can!

Thank you once again, I love you all and let this amazing journey continue

-A x