Three Years

Tomorrow marks the three year anniversary of Because Shanna Said So. Who in the world starts a blog smack-dab in the middle of holiday craziness? This girl, right here. That gives you some sort of idea of how my mind works...crazy.

My intentions were to plan a fun photo shoot, maybe add some balloons, blow out a few candles, offer a giveaway to everyone as a thank you, jot down ideas for what I wanted to say, think this post through and write something super meaningful, but all these things didn't happen. What actually did happened? It's something called life.

If I can say anything about my blogging experience this year is that real life, real relationships and real obligations took precedence. I am not saying that my blog isn't real or that I don't share who I really am with all of you, I am just saying that when you come here to read, know this is only a tiny portion of my life.

My first two, maybe two-and-a-half years of Because Shanna Said So, I typically posted five days a week...every week. If I missed a day I thought I would lose readers, lose money, my stats would plummet, people would think I was lazy or that I wasn't taking my site seriously. 

This past summer I decided to take my weekly posts down from five to three. I wanted to spend more time with my girls while they were out of school. I was staying up into the early morning hours just to publish a post. I got a mild case of blogger burnout. I knew I didn't want to quit, but also knew that I needed to focus more on my personal life and stop stressing about something that only has a small shelf life in the grand scheme of things.

After the summer ended and my girls were back at school, I intended to start posting five days again...well, if you are a regular reader friend, you are well aware that didn't come to fruition. My intentions were there and I even created more than three posts a few times since August, but mostly I have only shown up Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

I like it like that. I feel that I have been able to offer better content, photographs and engagement with all of you. It's also made my personal life a heck of a lot better, given me the chance to spend extra time with people who mean the most, relax a little more and not be stuck behind a computer hours upon hours every single day.

My advice to all bloggers is to make sure you are doing "this" for the right reasons and that it brings you more joy than stress. I can only hope that you don't sacrifice living life for your blog. Don't miss a celebration, a good night's sleep or the chance to spend time with friends and family for the sake of a blog post. Believe me, I did it and still have to snap myself back to reality on occasion. 

Anyone that says blogging isn't time consuming or hard work hasn't done it or at least taken it seriously. It's a TON of work, commitment, a place where people count on you to show up and share something that interests them, a scary world that can create an immense amount of self doubt, scrutiny and negativity. 

At the same time, it is a beautiful, rewarding community, one that I have thought about leaving a hundred times, but would be lost without.

The extra income and part time career that my blog has provided definitely keeps me going, but without you coming here and reading everyday, once a week, once a month or a few times a year, I would not have made it to three years. Every single one of you are the reason I am here. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I may not have the biggest readership, crazy amounts of Instagram followers, the most beautiful Pinterest boards, highest quality photographs or the greatest grammar, but I have YOU and your daily comments. You guys make it all worthwhile. I am so incredibly grateful for the support, you making me laugh, bringing me to tears, words of encouragement, sincere loyalty and friendships that I know will last a lifetime. Much love and humbleness. 

Target Faux Leather Jacket (option here and here) // Forever 21 Stripe Turtleneck // Express Sequin Skirt (option here and here) // Black Ankle Boots (option here and here) // Clare V Leopard Flat Clutch // Forever 21 Earrings (option here and here)

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