Thursday 28 June 2012

Four Years Ago Today.........


Four years ago today, I started blogging.

You will notice that my first blog has a different name : Work That Wardrobe.
I started blogging to help me save money.
My work as a freelance writer was dryng up and our income was rapidly dwindling.
I looked at my biggest non-essential expense and it was no surprise to find clothes topped the list.
I pledged not to spend an extra penny on new clothes for a year and the blog followed my journey.
However, being the creative sort I did apply some creative accounting to my pledge.
I could sell clothes on ebay and use the money from that to "swap" for new clothes.
Friends and family could give me gift vouchers for birthdays and Christmas and I did spend the odd Tesco Clubcard voucher on a new skirt.
I didn't say I was perfect.
But it was fun.
I played around with ideas.
I experimented.

Sometimes I looked a disaster.
I still shudder at my Star Trek outfit.
But I learnt a lot about myself.
I got the blogging bug.
And I am still  here.
Four years on.
When I look back so much has changed in the past four years. 

I am no longer a freelance journalist or writer in residence at a men's prison.
Those days are gone and a new career in Education has opened up for me.
I have lost my father and my mother in law.
I have survived four years as a parent of teenagers. 
Just.
And still have another eight years of that to go.
Our  marriage has survived several difficult patches and we have come out of it much stronger and happier.
Who knows what the next four years will hold but I thank you all, fellow bloggers old and new for sharing my journey.
Whether you have left a comment, emailed me, followed me or just read in silence I thank you.
During my lowest times it was so heartening to know that I had connections out there.

Thank You for connecting.

Today I am wearing an outfit in homage to that first post when I wore:  jeans, sleeveless top and Converse.

I wore:
Trainers - Converse
Trousers - Top Shop
Vest - Tesco
Necklace - Fossil


9 comments:

  1. Well done on your 4 years. It sound like you've had quite a journey during that time.

    Looking forward to reading your blog for the next 4.

    x x

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  2. Well, you looked good in it 4 years ago and you look good in it now!
    Well done for making it to 4 years of blogging, it's a great way to meet like-minded folk.
    What an interesting career path you've had too. xxx

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  3. Well done on your fourth year of blogging. We started around the same time, and I remember that you were the first person to comment on my blog. Thank you!

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  4. Congratulations of the 4 years of blogging and the positive changes that have happened along the way. I always enjoy my visits here.

    Darla

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  5. What a lovely post to recognize your blogging anniversary.
    What a journey it has been for you. I enjoy your blog immensely...keep on bloggin'

    Love the casual outfit you posted....and the converse shoes just top it all off!

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  6. What a fantastic read and I have to say I LOVED the Star Trek outfit!
    You have been through a roller coaster of a time but have come out on the other side even more attractive and stylish. Here's to the next four years! x

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  7. WOW Jane congrats :)
    I think blogging is wayyy more than that shallow part people tend to point to. You discover so much about yourself, your spending habits, how your thoughts evolve... i continue to enjoy it
    I think we ALL have shaky starts ... I have my blogganiversary next week. It's been 3 years online.

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  8. Woohoo!! Congratulations! Four years is an accomplishment. By the time I started blogging, I was following you, and didn't know you were only a few months old at the time! I was impressed from that early on!

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  9. A very happy bloggiversary to you, Jane! I really enjoy reading your blog. You're a great style inspiration and I love your writing style! I'm honoured to have you as a blogging friend. Thank you!

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