Citrus and Sun is officially one year old!!! I’m excited to share how Citrus and Sun began, the unexpected parts of this blogging journey, and my favorite posts that were so special for me to write this past year!
Photo by Studio Eiler @studioeiler
The Beginning
Citrus and Sun actually began back in 2013. Kind of. My first post Love and Letters was mostly written back when I first started blogging almost 5 years ago. I was standing in my tiny kitchen of my apartment on a bright sunny day and peeling an orange, and just like that the name Citrus and Sun popped into my head. At that time there was no significant meaning behind the name; I just thought it sounded bright and cheery. So, I set up a free website, wrote a few posts, but never shared them with anyone. Time went by and the inspiration just wasn’t there to keep up my private blogging space.
Flash forward to February 2017. I woke up one morning and had this sudden urge to start something. I still can’t identify WHERE it came from, but it was such an overwhelming feeling that I couldn’t ignore it, and immediately began brainstorming. In the beginning I had no idea what I wanted to do; I just knew that I wanted it to be something creative. My mind naturally went to writing or music, and I finally decided on writing, remembering that old blog that I started after peeling that orange on that beautiful spring day. Within a few days, my husband Chuck had helped me build my website and taught me the basics of WordPress. Just like that, Citrus and Sun was reborn, and I was committed this time to taking the steps to share my work.
The Unexpected
While I was so excited to take the leap into the blogging world, my number one goal with starting this blog was to grow as a writer. I had deserted my hobby of writing for a couple of years, and I strongly wanted to get back into it and find my voice again. Along with finding my voice, Citrus and Sun also continues to bring some other unexpected elements to my life!
1. Inspirational Friendships
I was hopeful that people would want to read my blog, but I didn’t expect to actually make strong connections with so many of my readers. Starting this blog has helped me connect with people who continue to inspire me through their writing and pictures. I have “met” a community of people who lift each other up, and offer support and encouragement. It has truly been amazing to get to know people all over the world and learn about their lives through conversation and their creative spaces!
2. Creativity & Collaboration
Collaborating with my husband Chuck has been one of my favorite unexpected surprises with starting this blog. His talent with photography and Photoshop bring a whole other dimension to my posts. I love coming up with photo ideas together, and picking out props, outfits, and settings that best represent what I am trying to say with my words. I don’t know if I will ever get used to posing for the camera under those hot lights (Models, PRAISE to you. I don’t know HOW you do it.) If you follow me on Instagram, please know that I am feeling ALL KINDS of awkward in my “behind the scenes” photos of our shoots. Thankfully the end product is always totally worth it!
3. Hitting “Publish”
Back in 2013 when I first started “typing” my thoughts instead of putting them in the safety of my journal, I never imagined that I would be so willing to share them with the world. I don’t regret not sharing my writing before now; I think for whatever reason it was just not the right time in my life. Yes, I still have that piece of me that is a little nervous and anxious about having a part of myself “out there.” But I have found that hitting “publish” has also made me more resilient and okay with being open and vulnerable, both of which have helped me grow as a writer and a person. Now finishing a post and hitting “publish” is thrilling and exciting, and something I celebrate with each finished piece.
The Meaning
“Find zest and light in all of the small moments of your life.”
While the name originally began from peeling an orange on a beautiful sunny day, the meaning behind Citrus and Sun has evolved into so much more. When I started the blog last year, I noticed how I was mainly looking towards future moments of my life: weddings, weekends, birthdays, summer vacations, and holidays. I was counting down the days to these “bigger moments” so often that I was missing the details of the small moments in between.
Part of the fun of reflecting and learning how to navigate this life is to zoom in on those small, random moments and thoughts throughout your day, and find meaning in their presence. We learn so much from the big memorable milestones in our lives, but the days in between shape how we think, how we feel, and who we are as individuals.
Citrus and Sun represents the vision of finding zest in these every day experiences of our lives, and shining a helpful ray of light on them so that they are noticed. Whether joyful or trying, these day-to-day moments make up the majority of our lives. When I say shine a light on these moments and find some “zest” in them, I am referring to sprinkling them with energy, interest, and liveliness!
My 3 Favorite Posts
Finding my voice and being vulnerable have been two of my biggest growths as a writer this past year, and these three posts truly mean the world to me. They are very different from one another, but all have taught me something about myself, and have helped me look at my world a little differently.
My Unbirthday Wish To You was one of the first few posts that I wrote. I was approaching my birthday and, as it does every year, my mind was racing with thoughts of being another year older. Writing this post helped me think of my birthday in a completely new light, and made me appreciate the days in between. Also, I am completely obsessed with Alice In Wonderland, so this post was an absolute blast to write!
The Piano Man is a tribute to my dad and how he has positively impacted my life with his love for family, making memories, and most of all music. This was a very emotional post to write; I remember sitting in Starbucks balling my eyes out as I was writing the last paragraph. Sharing this post with my dad and with all of you was so special to me, and I am grateful that him and I will always have these words and this beautiful image to remind us of our bond.
Stormy With a Chance of Sunshine has been one of my more therapeutic pieces to write. I remember feeling a sense of clarity and calmness towards some tough thoughts that I was experiencing in my life at the time. Writing this post also lead to some powerful conversations, and reading comments and messages in response to this topic made me feel less alone in what I was personally experiencing in my own life.
Thank You!
Citrus and Sun is growing into more of a community every day, and I can’t thank you all enough for being a part of this space. Whether you have subscribed to the blog, are following along on Instagram, or are a part of the Facebook page, I appreciate all of your thoughtful comments and encouraging words. Your engagement and involvement in this space are what have brought this blog to life, and I can’t thank you enough for your stories, connections, and personal thoughts on my posts!
I am excited to find more zest and light in this life with you, and I am looking forward to year two of Citrus & Sun!
Wishing you zest and light,
Stephanie =)
Stephanie,
All I can say is thank you for allowing me to make this journey with you! You are an inspirational!!
Love you!
Judy
Thank you for following along, Judy!!! Love you, too!!
The first post is the hardest and I’m glad you are still going today! I’m new to it all and I’m feeling a sense of empowerment by publishing new posts. It’s good to get the ideas out of my head 🙂
I agree, publishing that first post and sharing it with the world was scary! “Empowerment” is the perfect word to describe hitting publish!! Thanks so much for reading, Charmaine!
Congrats on your 1 year blog anniversary! This was really inspirational to me as a brand new blogger. I have always loved writing too and was really just looking for an outlet to share that. I love how you talk about your experiences writing your top three blog posts, writing can be such a cathartic, emotional experience. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Kristin!! Congratulations on starting your blog! Writing is definitely an emotional experience for me, too. I appreciate you visiting my blog and I wish you the best of luck with yours! I am excited to check it out!
This post was very well written. It has motivated me to work harder and to continue on my blogging journey. Thank you.
Wow, thank you, Rene! Your kind words mean so much. Thank you for visiting Citrus and Sun, and have fun on your blogging journey!
Happy Birthday! I found this post to be really inspirational as a new blogger because you have made me realize that I’m not the only one who gets nervous putting my thoughts out into the world. Your photos are stunning and I really loved the behind the scenes one! It made me laugh (in a good way) and makes you so much more relatable. Love it!
You are definitely not alone, Amanda! Even a year later I still get nervous putting my writing out there! Keep sharing yourself with the world =) Thank you for your kind words on my photos! The behind the scenes pictures are so much fun to take 😉
Congratulations, such a fun post to read! Your photos are fascinating!
Thank you, Claudia!! You are so sweet!
Congrats! I love the photos – looks like you’re having a blast!
Thank you so much, Cassie!! I will be sure to pass your compliment onto my husband Chuck! He does all of my photo art for my blog =)
Congratulations on the blogging anniversary! I really like your blog images, it’s so neat that you can use Photoshop to put yourself into images that fit the theme of your posts.
I totally sympathize with the feeling of uncomfortable excitement posting what amounts to a journal in personal details out for the world to read. It’s exhilarating knowing that you have a platform where your unique voice can be heard. I look forward to the next year and beyond of reading your content!
Thank you so much, Ashley!! I truly appreciate you following along, and for being a part of Citrus and Sun =) I 100% agree that it feels so good to have a space to share my thoughts. Even though it is public, it still feels safe if that makes sense. Thanks for following along!
Congratulations on your blogiversary! Such a fun look back at your faves!
Thanks, Christie!! It was so much fun to pick the my favorite 3 and look back at my writing from this past year I appreciate you following along!
I love all of your thoughts and your photographs are amazing! Wonderful and very classy blog!
Thank you, Amanda! This warms my heart!
Congrats on your 1 year anniversary, sweetie! It’s been a blast working with you on all the photos shoots! Looking forward to the next one!
Thanks, Love!!! I am so grateful that we get to work together on this project!! Thanks for your support and for making this past year so much fun =)
This is a great post. Congratulations on passing the one year mark. You work so hard to make it this far. Can’t wait to read your next post.
Thank you, Ophelia!! It has been a super fun year. Thank you for following along with Citrus and Sun!
Congratulations on your one year of your blog! I’m new to blogging in the public space (I too, would keep my blogs private) and I’m excited to see where things will grow! Thanks so much for being an inspiration!
Best,
Idora
http://www.ajournalofstories.com
Hi, Idora! I am so happy that you decided to share your writing with the world! You won’t regret it =) Congratulations on your blogging journey, and thank you so much for your kind words!!
Such a very well-written post. Congratulations on your 1st Blog Anniversary. You really did a great job on your blog.
Thank you, Shubhada!!! This is so sweet of you to say! I appreciate you visiting my blog!
Congratulations on your anniversary! I’ve not long had the first anniversary of my blog and it was so interesting to see someone else’s journey.
Thanks so much, Naomi! Congratulations on your “blogiversary” too!! Here’s to many more posts being shared with the world!
Happy Blogaverary and congratulations on a year of brilliant content and heres to many more years to come!
Congratulations! I started blogging a feed years back as well but life kept me from pursuing it fully. I love that you collaborate with your hubby on posts, that’s so awesome 💕💕
Happy Birthday to Citrus and Sun! You are really doing great and it always helps to look back and see how far you have traveled in your blogging journey. I love the photo edits!
Congrats on your first year! love your insightful stories and whimsical photos.
Anne E.
Happy birthday to your blog! I came across your blog when I was bloghopping and I just want to tell you that I love your blog because of its simplicity and content. I love knowing the meaning behind a blog’s name because it lets me see the dedication of the person running it. I wish you more blessings to come! ❤️
Rox | Transcendent Light 🌱
Thanks so much, Rox!! I appreciate you kind words and feedback, and well wishes! I hope that you will stop back by Citrus and Sun!!
Stephanie!!! I have wanted to write you to congratulate you on here for an amazing first year of blogging! So incredibly proud of you and all the hard work you have put in! I absolutely love reading your blog posts and enjoy seeing just how unique your posts are! I am also so happy that we could meet each l other and that blogging and Instagram were the two things that brought us together! Keep writing beautiful posts that make us think and reflect on life and all the beautiful precious treasures of life!