A little over a year ago I started Within the Grove with no prior experience with blogging.  After purchasing our first home I grew such a passion for decorating and doing a lot of it through DIY projects.  All of a sudden I felt that I needed an outlet.  A place where I could document my journey, to share with others, and ultimately find my happy place within my passion of creating.  That’s where the idea of Within the Grove was created. There was only one thing stopping me.  I had no idea what I was doing.  How would I start a blog, create one, and what type of support would I receive from others?  Let’s be real.  Would anyone even take interest in reading my blog or like my style?

Needless to say, after a month of this debate happening inside of my head, I decided to just begin. Those two words: just begin. I haven’t looked back since.  It hasn’t been easy.  Although you tend to see the pretty side of things, the final reveal of home projects, and the fun DIY tutorials, it isn’t always glitter being thrown in the air like the picture below {although that was pretty amazing}.  I have had moments of frustration, tears, and times where I’ve even questioned where this blog is going.  But I have a team, a community, and family behind me that won’t allow me to stop.  

Then I stumbled upon Belong Magazine around the New Year.  A magazine that was created out of a passion of belonging, reaching goals, and knowing that it’s okay to fail within the world of blogging and entrepreneurship.  I found my tribe within a magazine that I simply couldn’t put down. Around that same time Brooke, the editor of Belong Magazine, emailed me to be a contributor for a DIY feature in her June issue all because of finding each other on Instagram.

Stop everything.  She must have the wrong person.  Me?  In a magazine? I’m a new blogger decorating my home in Orlando still feeling very new to this journey.  Then I remembered: just begin. In a matter of minutes I emailed to confirm my spot for an upcoming issue.  Did I have any clue what I was doing? No.  But what I told myself is that I would figure it out along the way.  I met with another blogger for advice, worked with an amazing photographer, and did my research on working with magazines.  What helped me the most?  Was letting myself know it was okay to fail.  It was okay to struggle.  As long as I kept going. 

The beauty of Belong Magazine is that this is their philosophy. YOU can do amazing things if you just dare to begin. You belong. We all belong. So fast forward 5 months from the initial email from Brooke. I’m standing here today holding a magazine with my work in it. You can see my picture as a contributor. It’s really me and I really did it.  

Was it easy? No. Did I doubt myself? Yes. But did I keep going? Absolutely and I would do it all over again. So there you go. I’m in a magazine and it’s going to be hard to top the moment when the magazine was delivered to my door.  It took me two days to open the package because I knew this was an amazing moment for me and there will never be a first like this again for Within the Grove.

We all have to start somewhere and all we have to do is just begin.  Belong Magazine is my permanent coffee table and office magazine that I always keep out for inspiration and the courage to keep going. You can find me in Issue 4 along with other amazing women that contributed to make this a one of a kind magazine. You can order a print version or a digital version that I promise won’t disappoint you! Click the links below to get your own personal copy:

Issue 4 Print Edition 

Issue 4 Digital Edition

Thank you all for your support over the past year.  You haven’t seen the last of Within the Grove. 

Let’s keep in touch!

We have a brand new community over on Facebook, House & Home, where we’ll be chatting, sharing, and helping one another when it comes to home decor and projects. Come join us! Check it out here.

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