It was 3 years ago today that I started Swatch And Learn. Back then, I had no idea how much joy it would bring me or how much I would grow as a blogger and as a person.

Although I initially began blogging because I enjoyed trying new beauty products and because I’m passionate about writing, looking back now, I started this project to give myself some direction and hope.

You see, a few months before this blog was born, my father passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. It shattered my world.

Blogging was a productive distraction. It kept my mind busy, away from negative, depressing thoughts. And it also forced me to create goals for myself that essentially put me in the mindset of thinking about the future.

(When my dad passed away, I got into a funk where I didn’t care if tomorrow never came. And I was always surprised when I’d wake up the next morning. I felt as though life shouldn’t go on without my father. But it did.)

Back in 2010, I alternated blogging days with my friend, Fiona. Then, after a year, she quit because she no longer enjoyed blogging. (It’s not for everyone. In fact, some people think it’s all fun and games. It’s not.)

Although it was challenging to go from having a blogging partner to sailing the ship solo, I did it, and I loved every minute of it!

I stretched my creative legs, experimented, and made tons of changes to the layout, the focus, the social media, etc. It was really fun and exciting, but it definitely was a lot of work.

I believe that the best things in life are the ones you have to work hard for and that aren’t just handed to you with a silver spoon. Putting in the effort makes the potential reward that much sweeter. And even if you fail, there’s something to be said about trying. (I’d rather try and fail than to never try. After all, if you never try, you fail 100% of the time. At least if you do try, your odds of succeeding are higher.)

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