Five Years in Review
February 15, 2021 was Fashion Schlub’s 5-year anniversary. Woohoo. I think I’m a little surprised I’m still here doing this five years later.
The very first post explained what the heck a Fashion Schlub was…and why I was writing this blog at all.
The most popular post of that first year was “Gwynnie Bee: It’s Not Just a Clothing Rental Service, It’s An Adventure.” If you’ve been around awhile you certainly have heard me talk about Gwynnie Bee. It was a huge part of my style evolution in the 2010’s.
And I was going along gangbusters and then 2017 hit. And cancer. And while I never gave blogging up entirely (thank goodness for Week in Review!) creating content certainly took a back seat to other things.
The most popular (?) post of that year was “Well, THIS Happened” about my experience with losing my hair due to chemo and having my head shaved. Oofah.
That was a rough time and I have always appreciated and will never forget the support and love I got from y’all.
You’d think “well, ANYTHING would have to be better than THAT year,” and yet….
2018 was no picnic. I was secretly broken up with and my dog died 🙁 I was left with two giant holes in my life and heart. Fortunately, I had the blog to occupy my mind and time.
In 2019 my life was thrown into upheaval again when I had to move (seven moves in ten years). Again, the blog gave me a sense of steadiness, reliability. There were times I felt like IT really kept ME going. It…and all of you.
The most popular post of that year was Farewell, My Love, the one where I broke up with sugar (though we do still have illicit rendezvous from time to time). Another highly-viewed post that year was Angry At Asos, the one where ASOS broke up with me (the nerve).
Boy, y’all really like the ones where Things Leave My Life: men, dogs, hair, sweet sweet sugar, online clothing retailers. I need to think about that one 🙂
Then 2020. Well, we all know how THAT year went. EVERYONE’S lives were thrown into upheaval. And folks hunkered down at home baking banana and sourdough bread, whipping up dalgona coffee, and learning TikTok dances. Fittingly, the most popular post of the year was The Best & Easiest Coffee Milkshake. We all wanted to eat and drink (and dance) our anxiety away.
Always interesting to me that the most highly-viewed posts are ones that have NOTHING to do with style, fashion, plus-size, etc. Am I totally missing my calling?? I will start working on “The One Where I Give Up All My Worldly Possessions and Live in a Cardboard Box” toot suite.
Towards the end of 2020 and into 2021 I spent some time working with a website consultant and she is responsible for the blog re-design. There may be some minor tweaking ahead, but overall, what do you think? Good and bad? I’m still working on behind-the-scenes stuff. And all that sorta shook me loose from the blog a bit. I’m still working on melding her insights and advice into my own voice on here. It’s a Process.
But I will wish to myself, one of my favorite sayings of the past year: You’re doing great. Keep going.
We’ve come a long way, baby. Thanks for taking the ride with me.
Carol
Congratulations on your 5 year blogaversary 🥳!
bettyewp
Thanks, Carol!
Rhonda
You ARE doing great!! Your blog is always entertaining and honest. Your photography is beautiful and I always look look forward to getting a glimpse into your day. Life can sometimes suck, and sometimes it seems like it REALLY sucks, but you keep it real and that’s what makes you so relatable. Thank you for sharing, and I wish you you the very best!❤️
bettyewp
Re: keeping it real…I’ve been told I share TOO much…but…I don’t know. When I see someone else post about something that I’m…struggling with or embarrassed, insecure or anxious about…it gives me a little boost of…comfort…like I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS. So whether it’s…anxiety or body issues or messy apartment or inability to adult properly or health or whatever…if someone else seeing me keep going in spite of these things can help them feel just a LITTLE bit better about themselves or their situation…then that’s good.
Thanks for your encouragement!
Rhonda
I hope this comment comes through-I have posted several times, different postings, and it never appears for some reason ..??? Anywhoo, just wanted to let you know how much I look forward to your posts, love your photography and thank you for sharing your corner of the world! and CONGRATULATIONS on 5 years!!
bettyewp
Thanks so much, Rhonda!
This disappearing comment thing has been happening a bit lately. Apparently, the spam blocker gremlins are out and about, but you should be fixed now.
Leslie Susan Clingan
So thankful to have this retrospective to learn more about you. Bless your heart, there have been so hard days in the last 5 years. But you are still standing and hanging tough. And looking beautiful
bettyewp
Thanks for your kind words, Leslie.
We all have our turn with hard days.
xox
jodie filogomo
There is something therapeutic about writing things down this way, I totally agree. Even with our style because you can see how it looks together from a different perspective.
Congrats on the 5 years!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
Thanks! Onward and upward to Ten Years! Oh jeez. Fashion Schlub at 70. I don’t know. But…I guess I’ll still be putting clothes on most days (AND overthinking everything), so…why not?
Ashley
You ARE doing great and you SHOULD keep going! Your blog is an honest, straightforward delight. 🙂 Happy 5 years!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
bettyewp
Thanks so much, Ashley. And nothing can stop me, I’m all the way up 🙂
Pam
Congrats on 5 years. That’s probably much longer in blog years. I’m not sure of the conversion rate.
bettyewp
Ha ha, blog years. Seems like a LOT. I certainly feel like SO much has happened and changed in these five years.
Daenel T.
Happy anniversary! You’ve been through so much, I’m happy to have gotten to know you and to collaborate with you. You make me laugh, smirk, and think. Thank you for that.
bettyewp
We’ve all been through so much 🙂 Glad you’re here smirking with us!
Michelle
Congrats on 5 years! Your blog is one of my favorites – you are always interesting and genuine.
I like the Fashion posts! You have challenged me to try to buy clothes that I will actually wear and not just keep filling my closet with pieces I love but just sit there.