Meg asked me if I’d join in a second round of Things I’m Afraid to Tell You posts (a movement inspired by Jess, started by Ez)… and I have to admit, it was a hard decision to agree to participate. I think because we ALL want to be liked and admired, and in the case of a business blog, hired!
But the idea behind the movement is to eliminate that need to appear perfect in blogland. Yes, in general blogs are “positive” places and personally, I don’t like to bring a lot of complaining or negativity to this space. But in the process I’ve probably missed an opportunity to connect on a more personal level. So in case you had any lofty expectations of what I’m like, brace yourself!
1. My home doesn’t always look perfect. Far from it, in fact. I’m kind of messy and tend to leave things lying around EVERYWHERE. Add in the fact that we live in a pretty small (700ish sq feet) apartment and I’m home most of the time… well, it doesn’t always look picture perfect. My messiness is probably why I’m a chronic unclutterer (I am constantly purging crap because it’s sitting out where it doesn’t belong). Plus, we moved here in August and I’m not done decorating. I’m not even close. I don’t have a huge budget and I don’t get free stuff just for being a blogger (occasionally, but I always divulge that info, so you know it hasn’t happened a lot!). It may be another year before I wrap this up. No one-day-makeovers happening here, even in the home of a decorator.
2. I don’t always look perfect. In fact, as I write this I’m not wearing makeup, my hair is frizzy, and I’m still in my pjs. It’s 11 a.m. I don’t have a closet bursting with cute clothes. Most of the time I’m in jeans and a tee. I wish I dressed cuter, but here’s the other part… (deep breath!)… I’m not at a weight I’m comfortable with. I put on some pounds in college and out of a love for food and a loathing for exercise I haven’t been able to shed them… so I feel frumpy any time I try to look cute (and dang it, I WAS super cute in high school and early college!) I have great taste in clothes, I just hate putting them on 
But I’m the maid of honor in my bff’s wedding next summer so I think that’s enough time to get my ass in gear and find a workout routine that I enjoy. Because let’s face it – I’m no dieter.
3. Business is not booming. Ya’ll, starting a business is HARD. I knew that it was going to be a lot of hard work going into it, but for some reason that doesn’t really mean anything until you’re in the thick of it. I’ve been getting some work, but MOST of my working hours are spent in marketing, networking, and coming up with activities to draw in more clients (um yeah that’s just more marketing). I could stand to be about 3x as busy as I am now with design work. Money is tight (hence the slow decorating of my own place) and I’ve considered getting a side job to keep the bills paid. I’m enthusiastic and confident about 70% of the time, and the other 30% goes from discouraged to total self-doubt. I’ve wondered if this is even what I should be doing with my life. I probably would not have lasted this long without encouragement from Ryan. That and the fact that I’ve learned SO much since quitting my job last year that I know that more learning and more success is ahead. I just have to keep plugging along… that being said, there’s no time like the present to book an e-decorating session, wink wink. No overnight success here, and no rolling in the dollar bills.
Ok, well that’s about all the uber-honesty I can handle right now without feeling like I’m naked in front of a classroom and didn’t prepare my presentation… but I do feel like being more open and honest about what real life is like can be a great way to build a better bond with YOU (and the connections I make with people is my absolute favorite part about blogging). So leave a comment, tell me something about yourself. We’re all friends here 
Visit the other participating bloggers for Wave No.2
Cassie: Coco + Kelley / Christine: Court & Hudson / Caitlin: Sacramento Street / Roxy: My Cup of Te / Crystal: Blog / Meg: MIMI+MEG / Ashlina: The Decorista / Katie: Modern Eve / Erin: Apartment 34 / Erica: Design Blahg / Victoria: Vmac & Cheese / Christine: Miles to Style / Franki: Life in a Venti Cup / Sue: The Zhush / Erika: Radiant Republic / Gabrielle:Savvy Home / Monika: The Doctor’s Closet / Naomi: Design Manifest /Tobe: Because It’s Awesome / Becca: {extra}ordinary wonders / Lynzy: Sparkling Footsteps / Hitha: Hitha On The Go / Sarah: Note To Self / Liz: So Much To Smile About / Sarah:Blogstar / Alissa: The Goods Design / Jessie: Style & Pepper / Erika: Small Shop Studio / AV: Long Distance Loving / Maggie: Maggie Rose Blog / Nicole: The City Girl In Me / Priscilla: The Best Laid Plans / Jen: Concrete Jungle DC / Janelle:Food Fashion Fitness / Natalie: East Coast Chic
Thanks again to Jess for her initial post, and to Ez for starting the movement.
Here are the bloggers that participated in Ez’s Wave No.1 of Things I’m Afraid To Tell You:
Design for Mankind | Little Brown Pen | Beautiful Hello | Curating Style | Sweet Fine Day | The Jealous Curator | Happy Days |Sage & Berries | Really Handmade | Peck Life | Satsuma Press | Rena Tom | For the Easily Distracted | The Hemborg Wife | Vitamini Handmade | Courtney Khail Stationery and Design | Meg in Progress | Dando Photography Blog |Widdershins22 | Alison Citron | Pink Moon Daily | Just Pretty Things | From China Village | Tea with Me | The Darling Ewe |Not Your Average Ordinary | The Electric Typewriter | Elleby Design | Parsimonia {Secondhand With Style} | Life as an Artistpreneur | Hello Cupcake | Dellie | The A & B Stories | Pretty Little Things | Feistyelle | Nib & Zed | Well and Cheaply | I Ripple. I Dance. | Whitfield Awesome Blog | Foxtrot Press | Dry As Toast | The List of Now | Apple Blue | For the Love of | Four Flights of Fancy | Miss Modish | Snapshots & Secrets | Dirty Laundry | Bubby & Bean | Penelope’s Press | Little Nostalgia | Vale Design | Pikaland | Fleurishing | Print Pretty | Vespa Tales | Hazel & Agnes | Amanda’s Musings | Mo’ Funk Designs | Ordinary Mommy | Camp 1899 | In Honor of Design | Liberty’s Yarn | Love, Life & Pictures |Stacey Winters | Owl in the Rain | Living Life Creatively | Emma Elizabeth Clease | I Live in Vacouver Now | British Cream Tea
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Dude, my business is not booming either and that was super hard to admit. I just hope it does someday.
Thanks for sharing Maggie! I totally relate.
it’s so hard to put yourself out there like this. kudos to you, maggie! i have to remind myself all the time that i don’t have to know my path right now, and not everyone is blessed with immediate success (in fact, most aren’t)…the skills you’re developing in the meantime are priceless. you’re beautiful, smart, capable and i owe you an email
oxox
Maybe you should get a retail job for the discount and grow your closet! Wait that may be counter productive. You gett major props from me for going for your dream! I’m too scared.
I’m so excited when I see other people participating in this! Everything you said really struck home with me – as I type this, I, too, am in my PJs with no makeup and unkempt hair!
Thanks for linking to me in your list, too
Good luck with your business!!
Great blog. Honesty is essential to wellness. It’s absolutely okay not to have all the answers, and it’s so great that you’ve had the chutzpa to follow your dreams and now to admit that it’s challenging. Doesn’t it take a bit of pressure off? Now we who love you can support your efforts even more wholeheartedly, knowing more about that 30% of the time when you’re facing your doubts. And, hey, we’ve all got them! You’re still inspirational, maybe more so than ever! Love, Mom
Such a great post. I’m one of the other bloggers who did this, and I really loved your post… So glad to be introduced to your blog!
[...] Jessie: Style & Pepper / Erika: Small Shop Studio / AV: Long Distance Loving / Maggie: Maggie Rose Blog / Nicole: The City Girl In Me / Priscilla: The Best Laid Plans / Jen:Concrete Jungle DC / [...]
Oh, thank you for sharing your realities of being a business owner. Being only a few months in, I freak out when one week is different than the next financially, even when I KNOW that’s just the way it’s going to be. But it’s tough. I looked at part time jobs in a moment of weakness last week as well, but decided to shelve it for now. Some days, I worry I made the biggest mistake in the world JUST because of the money part.
Just know that we’re behind you and believe in you! Keep pushing forward, ok? And I will too!
[...] Jessie: Style & Pepper / Erika: Small Shop Studio / AV: Long Distance Loving / Maggie: Maggie Rose Blog / Nicole: The City Girl In Me / Priscilla: The Best Laid Plans / Jen: Concrete Jungle DC / [...]
[...] Jessie: Style & Pepper / Erika: Small Shop Studio / AV: Long Distance Loving / Maggie: Maggie Rose Blog / Nicole: The City Girl In Me / Priscilla: The Best Laid Plans / Jen: Concrete Jungle DC / [...]
[...] / Jessie: Style & Pepper / Erika: Small Shop Studio / AV: Long Distance Loving / Maggie: Maggie Rose Blog / Nicole: The City Girl In Me / Priscilla: The Best Laid Plans / Jen: Concrete Jungle DC / Janelle: [...]
If you like doing dvd workouts at home, there are two I would recommend. Women’s Health Total Workout in Ten and Women’s Health the Wedding Workout- I was also bridesmaid and wanted to get in shape, so I used this one : ) Getting in a routine and sticking with it is hard, so good luck and power to ya!
Ooh, thanks for the video tips! I also added a few on Netflix to our streaming queue, I’ll have to see if those are on there!
I just discovered your blog; I’m so glad I did. And what a great first post to read! Thank you for baring your soul. I’ve started a new adventure with my blog and I’m finally publishing my book. I realize that the long days and sleepless nights are part of the process, but at times it does get old. It’s comforting to know that I’m not alone and I’m in such good company. I know that it’s all worth it, so I am making the most of the journey! Again, I say thank you.
Great post, Maggie. Despite being a design blogger and an aspiring decorator, my home is also super sub-par due to lack of funds. And I totally resonate with you on the wardrobe thing too! I also feel like I have great taste in clothes but at least half of my tiny wardrobe is stuff from years ago that doesn’t quite fit right or is rough around the edges or just isn’t my taste any longer. Super frustrating, no?
At least you HAVE a business. Haha. I’d kill to be in your shoes and have so many of the scary “Should I do this? How do I do this?” decisions behind me. I wish we lived in the same city because I would love to chat and possibly collaborate with another young woman with aspirations like mine. Keep up the great work!
[...] Goods Design / Style & Pepper / Small Shop Studio / Long Distance Loving / Maggie Rose Blog / The City Girl In Me / The Best Laid Plans / Concrete Jungle DC / Food Fashion [...]
[...] Goods Design / Style & Pepper / Small Shop Studio / Long Distance Loving / Maggie Rose Blog / The City Girl In Me / The Best Laid Plans / Concrete Jungle DC / Food Fashion [...]
[...] / Jessie: Style & Pepper / Erika: Small Shop Studio / AV: Long Distance Loving / Maggie: Maggie Rose Blog / Nicole: The City Girl In Me / Priscilla: The Best Laid Plans / Jen: Concrete Jungle DC / Janelle: [...]