A LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF / THE BEGINNING NO. 2
Wholehearted
Meg,
It’s February 1st, 2012 and you’re writing your very first blog post called ‘The Beginning’. The title seems fitting, but there are no written words that can describe what the next seven years will hold. You’re starting this for yourself, but soon, you’ll realize it’s so much bigger than you. Most of your friends + family won’t know how to support you. Some of them won’t even try. They’ll unintentionally hold you back in some ways with negative commentary and their inability to celebrate something they don’t understand. Don’t let them bring you down – your dreams have purpose. Chase them. Even after your eight hour work day, pour into this space. I know you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, and you may never, but simply create content you love + have fun with it. These are the easy days.
After a year or so, you’ll surprise yourself. Your dedication will start to pay off and the outfit posts you thought no one would ever see suddenly have traction. You’ll watch as your creative outlet slowly turns into something others care about. A place they come back to each day and look forward to. You’re suddenly labeled as a blogger and you’re not quite sure what to do with that. People will start to take notice and ask what you do, but you won’t know how to answer them. Keep moving forward. You just know you love doing it, and for now, that’s enough.
Shortly after, you’ll begin to make friends within this space. You’ll leave your small town and step outside of your comfort zone – eager and excited for community. It somehow makes all of this more meaningful to know that you’re not alone in navigating this world. A couple of them will be your lifelong friends, some of them acquaintances, and others will remind you why God gave you discernment. Regardless, you won’t change who you are. Trust that.
Within the next season, you’ll be reminded to stay grounded. Your hobby has thrusted you into an entrepreneur. You’re 3 years in and you have enough followers to fill the Clemson football stadium. You’ll reflect on the days when only your mom and sister read your blog and your heart will drop when you see that number has grown to 30,000 people a month. Your inbox is starting to become overwhelming and for the first time, you will feel like you’re doing something entirely right. It’s during this time that you’ll feel changed in a lot of ways. Shaped into someone else. Defensive at times. But, never forget who you are or where you come from.
At 26, you’ll be exhausted. Over-committed. Turning down opportunities because you’re scared to take a leap of faith. You’ll finally quit your full-time job, but you’ll struggle with it. You love what you do + the routine of it and it will take you some time to figure out how to function without it. All while feeling anxious and excited to dive into a new chapter head first – it’s all you’ve wanted. Don’t look back, you’ll eventually find your new normal. Trust the process – God will prove to you within these next few months that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be.
What comes next will be priceless. Truly. Your calendar is suddenly open and you decide to make the most of it. Your carry on is constantly packed and re-packed as you travel the world and get to call it work. Grab J and just GO. It looks a little different than a Carolina coast, huh? The water is clear, the hotels are beautiful, the pinch-me moments are life changing, the languages are new, even the transportation is exhilarating, the mountains are breathtaking, the room service is endless, the air feels different, and the flights home are cancelled. You’ll be so grateful for those nights where you chose this over sleep. Those weekends you worked while your friends were at brunch. Each and every day you poured into this space for the last five years got you to this very moment. Soak it up.
Each and every paragraph above has prepped you for right now. For the first time in your life, you know exactly who you are. What you want at the end of the day and who you want to do life with. You’re settling into your new home and you’ll be so happy. You’ve gone from hot pink J. Crew skirts and polka dot tops to quite the collection of vintage Levi’s + white tees. You’re beyond grateful for the last 6 years, but so content with settling down. You won’t feel the need to be ‘on’ all the time and you’ll find a peace at home that you’ve never felt before. Your focus will shift – you’ll be more intentional than ever. More thoughtful and with more feelings. If that’s even possible. The game has changed a bit, but you’ve developed such a thick skin. You’re still going. Still pouring into what you love. The person you’re becoming in this season will cost you people and relationships, but choose her over everything. She’s not going anywhere.
On August 7th, 2019 – you’ll be so thankful for that 22 year old with a dream. She was fearless. Young, but so capable. And she got you here. You’ll transition what you’ve poured your heart and soul into for seven years into something you’re so proud of. And you’re allowed to be. With every struggle in your life, you’ve gained so much strength. Even if it doesn’t feel like that every day. You’re ready to dive deeper, share your story, and write something that’s meaningful. The days of endless outfit posts will slowly dissipate and the real + raw will surface. Know you can do it all and please don’t settle – the days of’ ‘OR’ are gone. You’re launching an all encompassing Lifestyle site – give them all of you. With this next season, never be afraid to share your heart. Be a light in a dark world. Don’t worry about being known for your accomplishments, how many followers you have, or even the past. Be known for the way you love. Do hard, Holy things. This is why you started – this is your new beginning.
Welcome to the new MeganRunion.com – I’m so glad you’re here.
XX.
38 Comments
Leave a Reply
Neutral. Classic. Feminine.
Oh Meg. What a way to start off this chapter of your life and career. Such beautiful words. Thank you for taking me on your journey. Now, I’ll have to go change your blog name on my website! 😉
I can’t wait to see what’s to come! x
She Sweats Diamonds
Congratulations I always knew you would do great things.
Love this post so inspiring 🖤🖤🖤
Love this post, so inspiring 🖤 can’t wait to see what comes next!
Tears in my eyes. So unbelievably proud of you and the person you’ve always been and become! You are real, raw and authentic. Everything we all hope to be. Can’t wait to see what the next chapter looks like but I’m most thankful that I’ll be a part of it. ❤️ I love you so much! Cheers to MeganRunion.com! Where the heck is the Veuve?!
Meg this is beautiful and inspiring and everything my 26 year old soul needed to read. Thank you for sharing your life and space with us, for being so unapologetically yourself, and for staying true to who you are and what you love. Can’t wait to see where you go from here 🖤
So inspirational! Thank you for having the courage to do this. I have found your site just about a month ago and have felt really connected to everything that you are saying and everything you are putting out there. So thank you again. I am looking forward to seeing what the future brings. Xo
Your authenticity and comfort in your own skin is so beautiful to witness. You inspire daily and your dedication to creating a space that is a real reflection of your heart & soul has been so cool to see unfold. The website looks amazing and I can’t wait to continue to follow along your journey!! xox
Meg this is so beautifully written just like the author. You’ve worked hard, boldly shared easy and hard things and have earned this! I love you and am so proud of you. The site is gorgeous and I’m excited to see what comes next. ❤️
Truth with such humbleness! Every 22 year old self needs to read and be reminded of this with every passing change in life, no matter the path or direction they choose to take. Very inspiring! Congratulations on your hard earned success.
Congrats, Megan! I absolutely LOVE the new site. It looks SO GOOD and is SO you!! Congrats, beautiful!!!
🙌🏼
Beautiful! So proud of you and so thankful for your talent! 🖤
Always so beautifully written! 🥂🖤🍾Congratulations!
Obsessed with your new site!!! You are so inspiring, raw and real! Exactly the reasons why you’re my favorite to follow! Congrats girl! You deserve it!
I love this post so much and I look forward to continue following you, one of my favorites for the past 5.5 years since I first stumbled upon your site!!! XoXo!!!
Beautifully raw and authentic. And you are still very young and will be writing some more letters to your 30 year old self with newly acquired grace and wisdom. Thank you for taking us along for the ride 💕.
Meg this is beautiful and inspiring and everything my 26 year old soul needed to read. Thank you for sharing your life and space with us, for being so unapologetically yourself, and for staying true to who you are and what you love. Can’t wait to see where you go from here 🖤
Loved this post and that you wrote a letter to your younger self. It was the perfect first post. I’m looking forward to more!!
So happy for you sweetie! Congratulations!!!
Tearing up for you! I’m so thankful for your heart and your drive to share who you are and what you believe with us. I am absolutely in love with the new site and have already bookmarked it! ♥️
You are made of magic sweet Meg, thank you for sharing your journey with us all. You are so inspirational, sending love and prayers your way. ♡
Congrats Megan! This is such amazing way to start a new chapter in your life and I can’t wait to follow along!
Wanna say something…Meg, we are so proud of you and all your accomplishments!! It is so beautifully written and so you! We love you♥️
The page looks so so so amazing!!! Congrats on launching! I will be visiting weekly!
This is beautiful and so sweet! I love this!! Congratulations on this new chapter. 🖤
What a beautiful way to share your story!
Couldn’t be more proud of you sis!! You’ve always been inspiring, beautiful on the outside and more importantly on the inside, and have always had an amazing way with words. So happy you’ve found your niche!! I’m proud of all you’ve accomplished and will continue to accomplish in the future. You’re my ride or die and I’m so excited to have been by your side through it all—before, now and forever!! Love you lots 😘
Love the rebrand, Megan! It’s been a really fun journey getting to know you and see your evolution over the years. I’m a late follower (around 2015 I believe) but I’ve loved every minute of your content across style, travel, home, and your life updates. Keep being the awesome and inspiring creator that you are. We appreciate, support and love you!
Love hearing your journey from this perspective!! So excited for your new chapter! You are so authentic in your posts which had made me a long time follower!
So so happy for you and beyond proud to call you my friend! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for this next chapter!
What a great inspirational message!! 🖤🖤🖤
This is such a beautiful post!
As someone at the very beginning of this journey (literally, 1 post in!!) it’s hard to imagine that, with dedication, you can really succeed!
Keep up the beautiful work 🙂
Rachel | Teacups & Tartan
So beautifully written and I couldn’t agree more! Thank you for always being an inspiration to me. Can’t wait to see what more God has in store for you!!! Love seeing you walk out His calling on your life!! Xo Jeannine Gavlick @fabreview.
Love that you ended on “be a light in a dark world”! We all should strive to be that. Excited for your beginning #2!
The site is gorgeous and so very *you*. Congratulations!! I think if most of us wrote a letter to our younger self, it would also be a lot of “keep going – don’t stop – it all works out”. You regret the missed opportunities so much more often than the leaps of faith. Excited to follow along and witness the evolution continue!
You my friend are what I call a unicorn! Beautiful, magical, and rare! You are gorgeous and yet so down to earth! I’m so proud of you and proud to call you a friend. Congratulations on everything you’ve done and what you’re going to do! Love you!❤️
🖤🖤🖤Wanna say something…