“In a sense who you are has always been a story that you told to yourself. Now your self is a story that you tell to others.”
― Geoff Ryman, Paradise Tales: and Other Stories

Two years ago I clicked the create button on WordPress and found myself a new blogger in the book community. I can’t even begin to put into words all the highs and lows that came with my new position. I’ve laughed, squealed, and cried through meeting new authors, finding new books, finding new friends, and facing the countless rejections of unfollows or lack of interest that hit me harder than I ever care to admit. Losing sleep got old fast but I wasn’t sure what to do. So, then I wanted to give up, deem it a lost cause and take my heartache to another project.

I’m still here though and wouldn’t be without the constant support of family, friends, and fictional characters that rooted for me when I was down or nagged me to keep going. Reading, slumps and all, helped me remember that I love what I do and it shouldn’t matter how many followers I have, if I can’t say yes to every review, if I need to take time for myself to really get back in control before moving forward. Special shout out to Mackenzi Lee’s The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue for reminding me that being me is who I’m supposed to be.

This isn’t a goodbye but a beginning for me – rather a restart. I’m finally learning it is okay to say no, to juggle only a few things but not so many projects I  don’t give my 100% best. I have a new list of goals, new fun things in the works. Whatever happens, wherever this takes me… I’m ready to make my third blog year count.

So with all that being said, stay tuned and thank you for everything!

It really matters – always.

-Rae