10 Lessons in 10 Years of Blogging
To celebrate a full decade of writing, healing, and showing up, I’m sharing a 2-part series: first, the 10 biggest lessons I’ve learned from blogging and building this business – and then, a letter to the girl who started it all.
Ten years ago, I started sharing my work as a hairstylist on Instagram in hopes of getting new clients. That’s when I discovered the world of blogging. I wanted to share my cosmetology knowledge on a greater scale so I started my own blog, Caitlin Cosmetologist in 2015. I had no idea what I was doing and honestly, a lot of the posts I wrote in the first couple years weren’t very good. But it was so fun!
What I didn’t know then was how much this little corner of the internet would change me. As life had downs, my blog became more than a place for me to share hair, makeup, and some style – it became a creative outlet to share my story of chasing my dream career and then overcoming trauma. The more I shared the less alone I felt.
This led me to add wellness as a permanent blog category. Which meant it was time to embrace beauty and wellness and move away from Caitlin Cosmetologist. I worked with a professional designer and rebranded to Everyday with CEA in 2021.
When I became a certified coach and started offering coaching services I formed an LLC and looked into trademarking my blog name. I learned I probably wouldn’t be able to do so. This was around the same time I switched from a WordPress (self-hosted) blog and an email platform to ShinePages, my current platform, that allows me to have my blog, courses, digital products, and email all in one place. I still loved my branding and felt that it still fit my business so I didn’t want to rebrand again, too. Plus, switching everything to the new platform took so much time (honestly, I still haven’t re-published some of the older posts because it’s so time consuming, lol). So, I kept all my branding and started using my LLC as the name of my business and my website which now includes my coaching offers, my hair business hub, wellness offers, and digital products in addition to my blog. Caitlin Emily Anne is now a whole site instead of the little WordPress blog it once was.
Take a look at all 3 logos!
Instagram and blogging have changed so much in 10 years. Back then, life looked completely different and I was chasing a different version of success. Today, this space is still a creative outlet during the busyness of life. But, it’s also been a way for me to connect and a place to heal and grow. And I’m using it to build a business to help women do the same.
So to celebrate 10 years, here are 10 lessons this blog, and this journey, have taught me about life.
1. Start messy and keep going.
You don’t need perfect branding or the “right” plan to start. Honestly, it’ll never feel like the right time. Just start because you want to and learn as you go. Every post you write or every step you take towards a goal teaches you something.
2. Your story will change – let it.
What you write about, how you share, and who you are will evolve. That’s not inconsistency – it’s growth. Life is about growing and changing, embrace it.
3. Healing doesn’t make you less relatable.
Your wholeness helps others believe healing is possible. You can lead and still be human. People want to connect. We look for others that seem like ourselves.
4. Burnout isn’t a badge of honor.
The seasons you rested didn’t set you back – they taught you sustainability. Rest made you better at showing up.
5. Connection beats perfection, always.
The posts that hit most were the honest, “me too” moments. The times I was scared to hit publish are some of the posts I’m most proud of.
6. Beauty is powerful.
Whether it’s hair, skincare, or a makeup routine, beauty is a form of healing. It’s personal and can mean so much. Don’t doubt the power of it, even when others don’t see it.
7. You can be both soft and strong.
Quiet doesn’t mean weak. You don’t have to shout to be powerful.
8. People remember how you made them feel.
Your words plant seeds long before you ever see them grow. People are watching. You’re making a difference even when it doesn’t feel like it. It’s not about instant gratification. It’s about helping women feel like themselves, again.
9. Celebrate the small wins.
The comment that said, “Thank you for sharing,” the one person who stayed – those moments matter.
10. Keep showing up as you
You and your story matter. Algorithms change, platforms shift – authenticity doesn’t.
Let’s take a look back at a few highlights:
When I started my blog the background was gray and white stripes and I used this as the logo until I had that 1st one made. I thought the stripes were so cool and so unique! But, then someone said they were too busy as a background for the whole page so I stopped using them.
Buying my first domain was so fun! I was working in a salon doing hair and running a blog with my very own domain (and I think working part time as a server, too). It was exciting even though I didn’t feel like an entrepreneur, yet.
I wrote a blog post to celebrate Year 2. I like to think my writing has come pretty far.
Year 3 I got professional blog (branding) photos taken because I felt like a real blogger. Looking back at these pictures makes me emotional. I looked at them and thought, look how pretty and confident I was. The best part? I feel like the girl in those photos again. The pain and trauma I went through just a couple years after those pics were taken wrecked me. But, I persevered and overcame it. And I didn’t stop there. I worked on myself, unlearned a lot of what was holding me back, broke generational curses, and focused on my mindset and mental health. I’m still working on those things. I’m proud of myself. And so happy to share my story because if I can do it, so can you. Here’s the post where I shared them.
There were many times where my blog was on the backburner as I dealt with life. But I’m glad I kept coming back to it – it started my business after all! And I’m happy to be celebrating it now. Especially with a big milestone!
I loved the rebranding process and what we came up with. Obviously, since I still use it except for the name and original logo. Here’s the post sharing my new brand. This was during the pandemic so I had to do a photo shoot at home, but it was still fun and so exciting!
Writing these lessons down and looking at old pictures reminds me how far I’ve come – and how much can change when you just keep showing up.
I’ve taken breaks and made even more changes to my blog and website. But, ten years later, I’m still writing because I believe in the power of showing up as yourself and helping others feel seen and heard.
Thank you for being part of this story. Whether you’ve been here a long time or found this space yesterday – I’m so grateful you’re here.
Here’s to another decade of growth, grace, and sharing my journey.
Let’s stay in touch. Join my email list for new posts, gentle encouragement, and honest conversations about burnout recovery, beauty, and feeling like yourself.
If you want to read the other half of this story, head to A Letter to Me, 10 Years Ago. It might be what you need to hear, too.
(After I originally published this post I realized I didn’t include my most recent branding photos from a couple months ago. They were actually done with the salon but I made sure to get some I could use for my site, too. They’ll be fun to look back on in a few, maybe 10, years.)
