April 15th, 2017 was the day that changed my life. It was the day I decided to open my heart and share everything with the internet. It was the day that a dream that became a reality. The growth between from the start to now is a tremendous amount of change in the best way.
When I look back on all the blog-a-versaries I’ve had, this one is different. Year four was the year of accomplishment. It was the year of having an idea and making it into a reality without hesitation. It was a year of taking risks and not worrying if I failed. It was a year of being consistent and posting content I loved. It was the year of taking my content to the next level – and that was truly what made this year so special.
It feels so good to say that I’ve been blogging for 4 years. I’m proud of myself for sticking to it for this long and staying strong. Why I started this blog was to share my confidence and share where I got my clothes because I was always asked in high school and college. I realized that this is bigger than fashion and lifestyle; it’s sharing how I got to where I am today through confidence and my passion. That is why blogging is so important to me.
How I Started It All
Yes, I did start my blog because I wanted to share my confidence and my fashion, but that was just an idea at the time. My first class at the University of Tampa was a class called Management Information Systems. I failed the class, but before failing it, we had an assignment to start a blog. When I was in high school, after being rejected from American Idol, I decided to start a notebook of business ideas. At the bottom of the list was a blogger, but I never specified what. Taking this class made me dig out that notebook and say “I think I can do this”.
If you read yesterday’s blog, Bullied To Beautiful, you hear my story and how I wrote a paper about my story as a Freshman in college for my English class. Looking at that notebook as a Junior in college made me say not only that I could do it but, “I HAVE A STORY.”
I remember so many days sitting out on the Veranda at UT just editing blog website to prepare for April 15th, 2017. After a long day at an art museum with my sister in law, I came home and posted my first blog. That was that start of something that would open so many doors that I didn’t know could open. I knew that this blog was something special; I kept being drawn to it.
The day I know that this blog was meant to be was the first time I received a message saying that my words helped inspire someone. I knew if I could inspire one person, that what I did was good. This isn’t just about me, it’s about you reading this.
The Girl Boss State of Mind
After four years, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been with my content, myself and my confidence. I achieved a lot this year that I didn’t even realize as I was always on the go. I grew the most this year in was I wasn’t even expecting. From viral videos, to growing 5 times the following I had on April 15th, 2020, from consistently blogging daily in October and December, from finding the plus size community, to working with several brands. It all went by so fast, it really feels like I blinked and it all happened.
But I worked hard everyday. I was determined to make content. I was inspired to make content. I want more for this blog so I started to openly share more of my story than I had ever done before. That’s the Girl Boss State of Mind – determination, confidence, the ability to make things happen – and they did and still are happening.
There is only growth from here. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come with my confidence in my content and myself. I look in the mirror and I don’t see the person I used to be; I see a confident and happy plus size girl who loves herself.
Why I Started Cheyenne Lenore
I never knew that going and getting my education would open the door for me to do what I am doing right now. If I didn’t go to school, I would’ve never thought about this. I was so grateful for my education and every year on December 15th, I throw myself a little party because that’s the day I graduated with my Bachelor’s.
I started this website because I had an idea and a dream. That dream is now a 4 year reality. When I was younger I wanted to be a singer. I wanted sing on stage and perform for thousands of people. That girl on stage was the girl I always wanted to be. So many years later, I finally am at peace with moving on from that dream. The dream I have is even bigger now. I realized that my passion for singing saved me when I was being bullied. One common denominator in all of this was my writing. Writing songs to get me through my bad days helped save me.
Instead of a microphone, I have a keyboard. I always knew my voice was special, I just didn’t know it was meant to be in words on a blog until now.
If I didn’t go to school, I wouldn’t have that paper I wrote, gained confidence in my ability to be successful, or have learned how to write a blog and start a website. I realized that I have a story to share, and I’ll keep sharing it to bring awareness and help those who have been through the same thing I’ve gone through.
I want to help those who need the confidence to love themselves. I want to help those that are being bullied or who have been bullied. Those scars on our hearts and our minds don’t go away that easily. It takes time to heal, but it’s all possible.
Confidence is not something you are born with, it’s something that has to be learned. It’s a long journey to self-love, but you can you do it. For me, it was a 10 year journey of self-love and accepting myself, but it was all worth it.
Goals For Cheyenne Lenore
My goal for this year is to continue to grow with consistently posting, daily blogging and sharing more of myself to you all. I know there are so many people out there that are inspired by my story and need to still hear it. My goal is to possibly start a workshop for bullying awareness or self-love. This year I also want to finish writing my book. I know all those goals are big, but in my eyes, if I just keep working on it everyday, I can make it happen with that girl boss state of mind!
Favorite Blog Posts From This Year: Bullied to Beautiful, Swimsuit Confidence, A Girl Boss Christmas, Where It All Started, Pumpkin Lovin’ Girl Boss, Why I Love Being Plus Size, A Decade of Confidence, I Dress Like My Animal Crossing Villagers
I cannot thank you all enough for supporting me and reading throughout the past four years. This month, I surpassed every and any goal I had for this month, doubling the views I had last year this time. It’s unreal and I cannot believe it! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Wether you have been here from the beginning or just now, I’m thankful that you take part of your day and choose to spend it with me.
So cheers for four years of blogging! Cheers to confidence! Cheers to self-love and acceptance. Cheers to having a dream and making it come true. I hope you feel inspired to go after what you’ve been dreaming. Sending so much love and confidence your way always.
