Blogiversary | 6 Years In the Making

Can you believe it?! This past week marked my SIX YEAR anniversary of Live Life Your Way.
I am so stunned that it's already been six years; it does and doesn't feel like that much time has passed. Looking back on the last six years there have been so many changes in my life and I wanted to share a bit of a "Then vs Now" type post.

     Oh my, so it was May 10th 2011 that I first started my blog (as Facebook Memories so kindly reminded me of this week). I was just finished my second year of university at that point and what really got me started was discovering the brand BH Cosmetics. I can't even tell you how I stumbled upon them, as social media was definitely not what it is today. But they must have only just started up around the time I saw them because they were a muuuch smaller brand. Anyways... they had this amazing Spring Bundle set that had almost one of everything they sold and I was never very much into makeup - I'd wear it for the odd occasion - so I didn't really own very much. I had bits and pieces family/friends had given me and a few things I'd purchased but not much of anything really. So the chance at getting a full kit with everything was super appealing. 
     When I saw this bundle, I told my (then) boyfriend how awesome it would be to try it out and get basically everything I needed. So he bought it for me as an early birthday gift. I was SO excited to try it out and as I had only just discovered YouTube and the Beauty Community, I was ready to learn. 
     So makeup in hand, YouTube at the ready, and my love of clothes (having worked retail for several years) I was ready to put myself out there for the world. I wanted to cover so many things on this blog, aspirations, health/fitness, food, beauty, fashion, nails, etc. etc. and I tried to do all of those things but felt it was a bit much. So over time I took away some of the sections that I felt I couldn't really do justice to (like health/food) and decided that my focus would be strictly fashion and beauty. I knew that I wanted to do outfit posts because I've always loved clothes and I wanted to do tutorials and product reviews for makeup, hair and nails. I was using this blog and later on my YouTube channel as a creative outlet. I've always enjoyed the arts but without time to hone my skills I never felt very successful with it and it was always seen as time consuming. HA, little did I know how much time it would take to run a blog and channel! So I thought that despite not knowing a whole lot about makeup (or anything), that I would try my hand at sharing tips and more with the world. 

     The blog has definitely changed over the years which is important because no one stays exactly the same person, if they do they aren't living life.  I've always wanted to encourage people to "Live Life Your Way" because you are the only you on this earth. You are unique and special and I never wanted anyone to dull their sparkle for anyone else. I want(ed) to empower everyone and give them the courage to be themselves despite what anyone else has to say. I've been in places in my life where I didn't have much control or was held back in one way or another and I've learned over the years that it can be difficult to live your life. People always have something to say - good or bad - and it can be hard to deal with but I promise everything always works out in the end. If it hasn't, it's not the end. Sappy internet quote for the win. 
     I am by no means done my blogging journey - it's always been a hobby that's been pushed to the side while I was in school and while I've been teaching. I've never truly been able to throw myself at it 110% or 24/7 despite always wanting to. I've tried to be reasonable and rational about committing to it as I wanted to work on my career. I am AWFUL at posting and yes I take massive hiatuses that are never really intentional - time just moves so quickly sometimes, that I blink and it's been months. It's terrible and I don't want anymore excuses. I've been blessed with another year at my school for the 2017-18 school year so this summer I'm taking time off of all work and doing me. I'm going to be committing myself more to my blog and my channel so please join my journey and keep in touch. Whether you're someone who's been following me from the get-go or are just finding my today - Thank You. Thank you for any and all support you send my way, all the encouragement and inspiration. I aspire to do more with my blog and take it to new heights. This is the year of pushing my limits and reaching out to brands and fellow bloggers/influencers/YT content creators. I want more and I need to make it happen. I'm aiming to set up a consistent posting schedule to keep me accountable so expect at least two blog posts a week, some weeks there may be more, but at least two a week. I may branch out a little more into lifestyle posts as things progress, as I never like to shut doors or burn bridges. So buckle up and enjoy the ride!

2011 Snapshot:
Age: 19 turning 20 
School Status: 2nd year of university (UTM represent!)
Relationship Status: Had been dating my boyfriend for about a year and a half. 
Job Status: Worked in retail at Old Navy

2017 Snapshot:
Age: 25 turning 26
School Status: HBA from University of Toronto Mississauga, BEd from York University
Relationship Status: Scott and I have been together for just shy of a year and a half.
Job Status: Full time teacher in a Private IB School of Grade 4

     So I thought I'd share some of these fast facts about me from 2011 and now, that really makes me go, "yup...time has passed!" The biggest difference, other than my age, would be school and work. Second year of university to having two degrees. Working in retail part time to working full time in the career I've wanted since I was a child.
     I have grown so much as a person over the last six years and sometimes I look back and thank God that certain things happened to me, even though at the time I thought the world was ending. Life is for growth, we all need to grow - I'm not the same friend, daughter, niece or girlfriend I was when this all started but I'm definitely a better person from all that has changed. 
     So here's to change! to life! and to Live Life Your Way!

Connect with Me
​YOUTUBE - Sydneexo
INSTAGRAM - @livelifeyourway
TWITTER - @sydnee_xo
FACEBOOK - Sydneexo
SNAPCHAT - @syd_xox