A LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF / THE BEGINNING NO. 2

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.