Today marks the fourth year.
Four years ago I hit publish and everything changed. December 21 was no special day any year prior, but in 2014 it meant something. That was the day that I made the choice to take a little idea and run with it like I was Usian Bolt. That idea was to launch this blog, Follow My Gut. Prior to it all, I had spent months coming up with the name, worked with my friend Daren to design the logo, and then visited a few restaurants to get content ready before the site went live. When the big day arrived, it was exhilarating to see it all ready and available on the interweb! While it was hard work, it was the first thing I could say I created and actually call my own.
In the years that have passed since then, I’ve learned more than I ever could have expected. In some cases more than I would have wanted. While I accidentally skipped writing about year one, year two taught me to be cautious of the friends in the industry. Year three showed me that I could come close to losing everything and still bounce back. But in year four, I learned that it’s ok to simply stop.
To stop, to say no, to apologize, and to ultimately say I can’t do it all.
This was the year when I realized that the personal roadblocks that you never expect to arise while following a dream, will supersede anything else you hope to accomplish. You may lose your job, someone you care about may get sick, or worse. It’s in those instances, something like “nurturing your dream” is the last thing on your mind. What made it harder for me in this year was I recognized that the social media world places a significant degree of pressure to appear as if you live a perfect life. That the only concern a food blogger may have is deciding between a ribeye or a filet mignon – go with the ribeye. But at a point, real life sets in and things don’t go so well outside of your blog.
In year four, continuing to grow this website wasn’t a priority considering all I had happening personally. Look over my Instagram and you know that there have been a few scenarios a tad more important than talking about my favorite burger or telling you where to get lunch in La Canada. If I couldn’t take care of me, there was 
no way I could take care of this site and offer anything of value to you and the readers. But that’s the thing—life is, and always will be, more important. I couldn’t continue with a façade that everything was great when it wasn’t. I couldn’t keep going to restaurants, as much as I loved it, knowing that I wasn’t in the mood to socialize or eat. Instead, I decided that it was ok to say no and just stop. That although I agreed to go to the event that I could say I could no longer attend. That I could still be a successful blogger and still be a part of this industry, even if I didn’t go like everyone else. Sure I learned this a bit in year three, but this was the year when I actually stopped to better myself.
Within the last 364 days I said no more than ever.
I declined events saying “sorry I can no longer attend”, or I just disappeared. I needed to do that in order to get better. In the last year, I stopped going out as much so I could get a handle on my depression and suicidal ideation. I spent more time speaking my mantras, opening up to friends, going to therapy, and actively going to kickboxing. Doing that meant I had less time to blog, but it gave me more time to get back to a stronger version of myself and ultimately helped me refocus my blogging strategy and content.
Within the last year I said no a lot and it was the best decision I ever could have made. Taking the time away has given me the ability to figure out how to improve on myself, assess my current situation, and get into a better place and I’m incredibly happy that I did. Sure there was less traffic to my blog, I didn’t gain followers across social media, and I wasn’t able to do what I loved. But in the fourth year, I learned that even though you’re going after a dream it’s ok to stop. The beautiful thing you started will always be there and the people who love what you produce will continue to support you. I needed to take a break and if you do too, please do it. Let yourself breathe and restart when you can. And if you have to take multiple breaks, do it. You don’t have to be what others portray themselves to be and you don’t have to make everything appear perfect. That’s what I learned to do this year. I said no and I’m glad I learned this lesson now because I’m pretty sure year five will come with many opportunities and I’ll need to know which ones to agree to and which to decline for the best interest of myself and this site.
This is such a great post to read! Saying no is always harder than people think, yet probably the most imporant thing we can say at times!!
Happy anniversary!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
You hit it right on the head there. Super hard to do, but important nonetheless. Thank you for your anniversary wishes, it was a great day!
Happy anniversary!
http://www.comfycozyup.com
Thank you!! <3 <3 <3
Congratulations, Danielle!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!!
Thank you and I hope you have a great new year!
Good for you! I think it’s hard to find that balance you need to do what’s right for you and we all struggle with it. BUt taking care of yourself comes first and at the end, you will be happier and do what you love and it will show in your work too. Happy 4th year and can’t wait to see what the 5th year brings.
Christine | https://dailykongfidence.com/
Self care is become so on trend, but it’s totally important and necessary. As odd as it may sound, saying no became a bit of a self care for me and it’s making me really excited to navigate my 2019 with a new lens. Thank you a whole bunch for your awesome support, Christine!
I think we all believe that doing everything that people ask, or that we are offered is expected. But you remind us that it is not! We need to say no for ourselves. It’s self preservation. We need to take care of us first. Thanks for the reminder!
I used to do everything that came my way and quickly burned out. But this time around I forgot about that and had to have a friendly reminder — I don’t have to do and go to everything. Thank you so much too!
I’m so happy to hear that this past year you focused on yourself. Saying no is one of the hardest things but the best thing we can dot o ourselves. Happy Anniversary and wish you more continued success!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Goodness it’s really so hard, but can be very worth it in the long run. Thank for the anniversary wishes =]
Congrats on reaching 4 years! I agree its important to take time for yourself, because your blog then can grow with you x
Laura
https://pinkfrenzymissl.blogspot.com/
Thank you a whole bunch, I agree with ya completely! <3
Happy blog anniversary! I have also learned to say no more over the past year or so. It can be hard, but at the end of the day it’s important to remember that if saying yes to someone else means saying no to yourself, it’s often not worth it. Here’s to many more years and to saying yes just to the good stuff!
I think you said it so perfectly, Shea! Saying yes to someone else if it means no to myself is not worth it all. It can only lead me to being worse off in the long run. Thank you for that reminder and for the well wishes. I wish you decades on decades of beautiful blogging success =]
Well congratulations on hitting the 4 year mark. I started about 4 years ago too. I have learned a lot along the way. Yes that sometimes other bloggers are out for themselves but I have also met a lot of great people, got to attend FW which unlike many other bloggers I am excited about. I learned new skills, discovered a new hobby-photography and recently taught myself FCP and started a You Tube channel. But there are days when I want to quit. No Instagram Husband and my life is really nothing like the blogosphere but still I do get some joy from it. But it a lot of work.
Yes sometimes we do have to say no. I wish you much success in the future.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Woah wait a sec, what’s “FW” and “FCP” I have my pencil and paper in hand to take notes. I love all that you haven learned in that amount of time. It’s crazy to think we’ve been doing this for four years and all the things we’re teaching ourselves. I mean you even have a youtube channel which is so awesome! Gonna find you over there. Now if we can just find our instagram husbands we’ll be in an even greater position =]
You have to do what works for you! Sometimes saying no and taking those breaks are so important!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
Exactly! I think everyone is going to be different and some people may not agree with it, but this has worked for me thus far and I feel much stronger about going into 2019! Thank you, Ruth!
Happy Blog anniversary babe, and I agree that sometimes you need to take a break and there is nothing wrong with saying no.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thank you so much, a break is always a good thing when ya feel it deep down inside =]
Happy blogiversary!! 4 years, wow! This was such a wise and well written post. Being able to ‘say no’ was actually one of my 2018 resolutions. I was living in constant ‘fomo’ and had to attend every single outing and event that I was invited to in fear of missing out on any fun. In reality, I was spreading myself too thin and I wasn’t enjoying myself.
xo, allie
http://www.champagne-tuesdays.com
Thank you so so much, Allison! And I’m glad you realized what worked for you/what needed to change. Now that I see more than ever that it’s ok to say no, I — just like you — don’t feel FOMO and actually feel much better!
This is such a lovely read dear. Congrats on your 4th year. Cheers for more blogging years!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Thank you and cheers right back to ya!!!
Congrats on your blog anniversary, this is a great post and thanks for sharing.
Thank you I appreciate that oh so much!
This is a beautiful post. I’m so glad that you were able to find the right balance between pursuing your dream and living your life in the best way. I hope the new year brings you many wonderful things.
Kathrin | Polar Bear Style
Thank you and thank you for the well wishes for 2019. I so need it and I accept it wholeheartedly :-***
happy anniversary!
Thank you Quincy!!!
A massive congrats on four years, and hopefully there’s many more to come xx
xx Bry Jaimea
Thank you and yes hopefully many many more =]