10 Lessons In 10 Years
Hi, my inspirations! - Is that my new thing? Because you are an inspiration and I want to remind you of that!
Happy new month of June!
On Sunday 19th March, as well as being Pentecost Sunday, it was Pursue:Inspire’s 10th anniversary! I think I celebrated on the day with an Almond Croissant - ha! - as I didn’t get round to planning anything. I was also in the middle of essay writing so my mind way preoccupied. However the days following, I shared 10 lessons I have learnt in 10 years of blogging which I wanted to collate all in one post. So here it goes (I have also linked the Instagram posts in the headings so you can see all the images/videos for each post):
1: Starting is easy. Maintaining is harder!
In hindsight starting P:I was easy. Continuing to produce content has been harder. It’s easier to start a blog post, exercise regime, diet with the best intentions, but the actioning of edits, modifications, trial, and error come into play. As well as battling against thoughts of insecurity, fear and life. Continuing to do something you love and enjoy takes discipline, perseverance, failing, tweaking, and determination. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming, but as Arthur Ashe said:
“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”
2. Rest is needed, but announcements are not necessary.
Rest is vital for a reset. Rest is needed to clear minds. Rest is needed for recuperation. Social media can be a lot sometimes, and so can content creation. I have had to be disciplined and include periods of rest into my times online. Whether it is a certain day a week, a full week here or there, or a month at a time.
Sometimes, I mention when I am going on a break - partly for you all to know and for accountability 😅. However, in my April break, I decided to just go, and it was fine! I was doom scrolling and just needed to remove myself from Insta ASAP. I was consuming too much information and spending too much time on my phone. Also, when life is tough, scrolling on social media is NOT the answer - it just adds to the overwhelm. Take breaks - your brain will thank you for it.
3: I am enough now, and will continue to be enough.
I am me, and that is enough. God made custom shoes for me to fill. I cannot fit into the shoes of the YouTube OGs and the upcoming TikTokers. I must stay in my lane and run the race I am meant to, being authentically me and being led by the Lord. Comparison is the thief of joy indeed.
4: Purpose will keep you going!
Friends… THE AMOUNT OF TIMES I have wanted to be done with this platform, but then the Lord says no haha! Practising obedience is not easy!
Also, I do believe there is a bigger purpose for Pursue:Inspire and that bigger purpose may just be the push for one person. This platform could be the push for someone to go on and do great things.
So Lord, grant me the grace to keep going for Your glory 🙏🏾
5: Seeking perfection can affect how I share.
I’m done with striving for perfection y’all. I just want the content to glorify God, and I'm repositioning that as my first aim. I have coveted (and and repented of doing so 😅🤣) the high production and quality value of other content creators in 1080p and 1440p. Sometimes 4K quality. At times, mine will be 780p or 640p, and that's ok! No longer can I strive to produce what I do not have the resources for because this also has put a mental block on what, when, and if I share posts. Perfection is not the goal. Excellence in what I have for His glory is.
I cannot give 100% of my energy to all the things I want to accomplish. I cannot give 100% to Pursue:Inspire, study, relationships, and rest all at the same time. I have limited energy, resources, time, brain space, patience, and resilience. And then when you chuck in things like grief, difficult life situations, health issues, etc, it becomes even more limited. And I’m glad I can’t do it all. It means that I HAVE to take rest more seriously and deepen my relationship with Christ Jesus, for He is my strength and a very present help in times of need.
7: Deciding what to share with the world is hard!
Ideas for this platform have been piling in the background, but have they been executed/shared? No. Why? In all honesty, even after all these years, lack of confidence, fear of rejection of an idea, catastrophizing possible comments, and lack of planning. Sometimes there are ao many ideas it can get a bit much. Are these things annoying? Yes! But I don't have to let them paralyze me. There is something about the art of remembering the feedback and opportunities that have arisen when I have stepped out. Doing this helps me come out of blog paralysis.
My prayer is this: Lord, may the joy of sharing outweigh the fear of it, and would I remember the things you've done through this platform. I pray the same for anyone who resonates with this post in their various spheres!
IN FACT, in honour of this particular post, I have republished a lot of old videos I made private because I didn't think they were good enough. Taking a leaf out of lessons 3 and 5!
This platform started off as a type of journal moving from Chemistry to Fashion, with the aim of inspiring others to “Know the passion. Chase the dream”. But as a baby grows into a child, as life happens and character forms, some of the expectations, dreams, and plans you had in place for them pivot and shift. You may have wanted your child to play netball, but they have a keen interest in football. You may think they are talented in photography, but actually, they have a love for dance. All this to say, I am learning that it is ok to journey this platform and see what it becomes. Yes, there is some steering needed, but that also needs to be married with freedom to be. The aim of pursuing who we are created to be is still the same, but the format is different from what it was, and that’s ok!
I wouldn’t be where I am without the people I have collaborated with. Each person has played a part in this 10 year journey. Whether it’s photographers for photoshoots, interviewees for P:I Talks and now Predominantly Prayer, stylists, musicians, companies, other blog spaces, contributors to P:I… I’m so grateful! I also wouldn’t be here without the people who believe in the blog and regularly encourage me to keep going. It takes a village!
Check out some of my collabs here.
10: God is good all the time. And all the time… (you respond in the correct way 👀)
Honestly, when I look back over the last 10 years of Pursue:Inspire, I am grateful. The Lord has revealed more of who I am to me, imperfections and all. He has brought amazing people my way that have supported me. All I can say is thank you, Jesus! And thank you all for journeying with me, no matter where you joined. Here's to more!
