The 1-year anniversary of the Sunny Side Up Living blog seems like it happened yesterday. With trembling hands, I hit that publish button. Without a doubt, blogging has been a true adventure. It’s really allowed me to stretch creatively, learn SO MANY new things, and connect with my readers on the things I’m passionate about. I’ve spent countless weekends and evenings writing and refining content, and taking and editing photos. And sticking with it is not unlike training for a marathon. You don’t always feel like tying your running shoes, but you know you have to keep at it to get to the finish line.
Frankly, blogging has also been a way for me to conquer a few fears and keep working on that personal stumbling block of mine, patience. And to keep chipping away at the things I need to work on. The struggle is real, but it’s encouraging that other bloggers I know said their staggering number of followers is due to the length of time they’ve kept at it. For most, that’s over eight years’ worth of work! It would be so easy to throw in the towel when frustration hits, but quitting is not in my DNA. A 1-year anniversary is worth celebrating!
Highlights Over the Past Year
We’ve done a lot of DIYs, large and small, over the past year. Here are a few that got the most attention and comments:
Chocolate Swoon Cake
Warning: this chocolate swoon cake is NOT a healthy food. However, if you love a good chocolate cake, you will not be disappointed. There’s a secret ingredient in it that adds the “swoon” factor!
The Best Chilled Soup
I had friends who reached out to me to say they loved this recipe so much, they made it multiple times, hot and cold. It’s going to be on the rotation again very soon in our home!
Our Trash to Treasure Lawn Chair Makeover
The before and after of this chair are a true testament to Matt’s skills, and our love of turning junk into something you can be proud of.
Farmhouse Door Facelift
We had a LOT of really ugly standard-issue doors throughout our house. We thought about replacing them but we couldn’t find new ones that were constructed well and attractive without breaking the bank. So Matt totally changed up their look and even added a think frame around them. Those doors went from blah to beautiful!
GreenStalk Vertical Planter
I cannot profess my love for this planter enough. If the thought of a garden is something you feel you can only dream about, think again. I’m currently growing salad greens in mine, but it’s beyond versatile. Even if you only have a tiny apartment patio, you can get a garden going! Best of all, you can get $10 off your purchase if you want one by using the code SUNNY10 at checkout, no matter if you’re buying it for yourself or want to give it as a gift. You can find all kinds of planting inspiration on the GreenStalk website, by visiting here. Fair warning: you may go down the rabbit hole!
1-Year Anniversary Changes
Now, with our 1-year anniversary of blogging under my belt, I’ve been reflecting on a few things I plan to modify within the next year. I used to hate change, but now I’ve made peace that it happens whether you want it to or not. Change comes with a level of anxiety, especially when you’re faced with something you never anticipated. It can be really hard, but it’s also really out of your hands, honestly. It’s a given in life, and I’ve learned to embrace it instead of dreading it. Rolling with the punches is just what you have to do sometimes.
Therefore, you’ll see a few aesthetic changes happening to my site and content areas refined in the near future. I really want my readers to feel they can connect with me while staying true to myself. My videos may not be slick, and I may not be glammed up for the camera, but I like to keep things real on my blog. Anything less isn’t really “me”. Rest assured, you’ll still see recipes. Some will be for your diet cheat days, but the rest will be healthfully homemade or reflect my love of easy gourmet. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it! DIYs and renovation projects are still very much on the table. I’ll also be adding a whole new section on great reads to inspire you. A few new things are still thought kernels in my head.
Thanks To You!
Thank you for sticking with me through my 1-year anniversary of blogging. Your encouragement is invaluable and it means so much to me. Life is never boring here at Sunny Side Up. I’m always happy to share our joys, our successes, AND our stumbling blocks with you as we embrace our love of simple inspired living. We’re buckling up for the year ahead. No doubt, it’s going to be another twisting and turning chapter in our grand adventure!
Congratulations Angie. I love following your blog. Keep up the good eork.
Thank you, Mary Lou! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!