Then & Now: The difference 4 years can make
2014 | 2018
The picture on the left is from 2014 for an Unfancy guest blogger submission and on the right from 2018 last week for Spring10x10. Unfancy is the capsule wardrobe blog that inspired me to start a capsule of my own that year. I didn't get the gig but got the sweetest "no" I've ever received. I just looked back at our email correspondence and oy! I was a bit pushy to connect. Even after I was told I didn't get the guest blogger spot I asked Caroline if I could interview her for a blog spotlight series I was doing. Then I got the second sweetest "no" I've ever received.
The only thing I still have from this photo is my Cuyana bag & this Lake Superior agate necklace I made.
No's are an opportunity and mostly not personal. I kept applying for other guest submissions and getting No's until I got Yes's. Soon after applying to Unfancy, I had two articles published in Driftless Magazine. I'm not saying this to brag but to share an example of how No made way for Yes.
“I’m rooting for you — like a maniac. And I think you should keep putting your particular flavor of good out there — the world needs it.”
My photo set-up circa 2014
See, the sweetest right? I wasn't the right fit at the time. I now see my outfit and photo quality weren't that inspiring. However, those weren't reasons to quit writing and exploring my personal style, even though I was tempted to at first.
Through trial and error, I found what I liked wardrobe-wise. I also kept going with my blog visuals and tweaking things here and there. I don't shoot lower than me anymore and have a mini tripod with a remote for my camera phone for ease. My understanding of natural light has improved and I've taught myself how to use some Lightroom presets.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is this "Then & Now" photo is a testament to keep going. If we don't look up once in awhile we miss how far we've come in pursuit of how much further we think we need to be. You don't know what you don't know until you know it. And that comes with patience, perseverance, and most of all, time.
Do you know what's really crazy? Four years after my guest blogger submission, I stumble upon a 10x10 wardrobe challenge Unfancy co-hosts with Style Bee. At the end of the 10 days, Caroline shares my winter10x10 on her Instagram. That same day I receive 350 new friends who share a similar passion for capsule wardrobes as I do.
An old No turned into a new Yes.
You just never know how things will play out. But you have to stay in the game to find out. With all the tough yet delicate Love I can muster, Em
PS: I'm selling that camera from above right now for $150+shipping [SOLD].
