‘Morning Ladies!
MWS turns 5 today – 5! Did I ever think I’d hang around this long? No.
Did I ever think I’d enjoy it this much? No.
Did I ever think we’d evolve into such a strong beauty-loving community in which to share our tips, secrets and beauty thoughts? Nope!
Am I enjoying it? Hell yeah! 😀 5 years in the blogging scene has given me my fair share of ups and downs and trite as it might sound, I could never have pulled through without all of you 🙂 So let me share with you the 5 things beauty blogging has taught me in these 5 years. Lessons I’ve learnt and applied to my daily life – whoever said nothing good comes out of blogging doesn’t know what they are talking about 🙂
Learning to prioritize
In the 5 years since I started this blog, I’ve been around the block where blogging is concerned. Done it for the money (not ashamed to admit I’ve done it and I can safely say why I won’t again), chased the rainbow for news and “the latest”, run scoops, and shouted promotions from the rooftops. At the end, I’ve decided and learnt to prioritize my time and space. Time is a limited resource and I’d rather spend that limited resource on something that brings me joy. So I talk about things that bring me joy – products and brands that I enjoy using. If its a brand or product I’m not so keen on, I decline. Also, when it comes to skincare, I’m very happy with the state of my skin right now and I’m less wont to stray so I’ve become quite picky and I prioritize.
Ditto life. Time is a limited resource so I prioritize the areas of my life I want focusing on and the people I want to surround myself with and try not to dwell too much on unpleasantness. Learning to prioritize what I want out of life and my blog, is probably the biggest lesson I’ve learnt 🙂
There are good… And nasty people in the world
5 years, and I think I’ve seen it all from both ends of the spectrum and in between. Or maybe I haven’t. For the most part, I must say I have met the loveliest people from my online exploits, and I have made many fast friends this way. The best part for me is making friends from all over the globe thanks to a common love (much love to my Sherlock loving lipstick bandits!) which gives me a little thrill everytime because it tells me that the internet has no borders and we’re global, baybeh! 😀
The nasty ones or not so nice ones are there, and will always be there but I have chosen to turn a blind eye. I can’t and will not live my life wanting and waiting for you to be my friend nor for me to be yours, and perhaps I don’t want it either. There are lots more things to do and more to life than just getting upset over things people do or don’t do, and being petty and all round childish. I will confess that I sometimes let irritations get me down but once I brush it off, its time to get up and move on. Life’s short, and I plan to live it to the fullest 😀
Its ok to look stupid sometimes
I’ve been known to pull some silly faces in FOTDs – something I do to detract from the norm. Case in point, this silly face from the Dior Rose Porcelaine palette review, Granted, it makes me look stupid, and for those who don’t know or aren’t familiar with my usual style, vapid and vain. But its ok to look stupid sometimes, because it makes me human 😀 When I translate it into real life, it just means that sometimes, when you take a tumble and end up looking silly, its ok to sit and laugh at it and then pick yourself up and move on. You may think it looks silly but to someone else, it may look cute or just not so silly 😉
Don’t be afraid to admit you do not know
Sometimes, I receive email questions or I think of something that I have no answer to. I’m not afraid to admit that I don’t know the answer. The beauty of it is that, most of the time, some of you readers do! So, posing a question, seeking your answers, offering topics for discussion by the majority is a great way for us all to chat and discuss and perhaps even, find some answers. At the very least, it offers some interesting topics for discussion 🙂 In real life, its the same thing – you don’t and can’t know everything, so once you admit and realize that, its easier to seek help and then, learn from there because life’s a long learning process.
Don’t sweat the small stuff
Once in a while, my blog goes down. It could be a simple error in the blog theme when I tweak codes, or it could be something bigger like a database or server connection time out or the exceeding of my allocated bandwidth, as just happened recently. In the early years, I would panic and go into a cold sweat – “Why??!!” I’d throw my hands in the air and lament, and bug my webhost to death. I’ve since learnt not to sweat the small stuff. I have an excellent webhost I’ve been using from Day 1 and he works his magic when I ping him in desperation. But as with real life, a lot of these panic attacks can be blown up into something bigger than they really are and stress levels go through the roof. So nowadays when something happens, I take a step back and weigh the size of the problem. If its something that can be resolved through time or with a bit of expenditure, I try not to stress over it. Again, its my new life philosophy. Its short – live it to its fullest 🙂
Sharing is caring
Let me sneak in just one more (in case you’re counting) The title says it all. I wouldn’t be blogging about my thoughts on products and beauty tips and snippets if I didn’t think that someone somewhere could benefit from the little bit of sharing that I do. If you have benefited in any way, then I am going to now get into a contortionist pose and pat myself on the back for a job well done 🙂 Just like in real life, I’ve learnt that sharing ideas, thoughts, gifts and above all, time with others can make a difference to some people. That you share something or some time or just lend a sympathetic ear to someone tells them you care about them and that can be enough to lift ones spirits even if you have no solution to offer bar a sympathetic ear.
Thank you everyone for being with me this far. I promise to hang around so long as this continues to be fun and while you still want me to 😉 If you have learnt anything off my blog, or if you have found a product review helpful, it’s been worth it 😀
xoxo
Paris B
jen says
congratulations…may there be many more.
Paris B says
Thank you Jen 🙂
xin says
congrats on being 5! it’s definitely been a long journey, and I sort of feel like we have grown up together!
Paris B says
Thanks Xin and yes! Its like we were babies together and are all grown up now. 😀
Michelle Beh says
Happy 5th Anniversary and Happy birthday to MWS!!! Great job and keep it up ya!!!
Paris B says
Thank you Michelle for the support! 😀
Eli says
Happy anniversary and here’s to another 5 years! *raises glass*
Paris B says
God and interest willing, yes! *clinks glass* 😀
electronicfly says
Only two characters is required to show what I think everyone feels about MWS: <3
Paris B says
aww… you made me go all mushy… 😀 Thank you so much 😀 <3
Phoenix says
Happy 5th anniversary to My Women Stuff! Gosh…time really flies…I’ve been a silent reader most of the time but i’m your loyal reader & fan of your blog for at least 3 to 4 years…Everytime when i open my Firefox browser, i will check out your blog without fail…it’s very informative & your honest reviews have always created new lemmings for me…I like that you share your thoughts on life in general too like what u typed above. Keep up the good work gal! Hope to wish u a happy 10th anniversary in time to come. =)
Paris B says
Wow Phoenix, you’ve been with us a long time! Thank you for your support and I’m glad the diversions from beauty doesn’t bore you 😀 If I ever make it to the big 10, we’ll have a big celebration yes? LOL 😀
onnjaejun says
Congratulations Paris! Looking forward for another 5 years and more…
Paris B says
Thank you so much! I appreciate all the support 😀
Jyoan says
Happy 5th Anniversary! At least, what reader see from the outside is really so far so good! =D Yes, yes, keep the sharing going. =)
Paris B says
Thank you for the support, Jyoan 😀
Vicky says
Happy 5th Birthday! Thank you for all those articles to fill up my lonely and miserable days.
Paris B says
Thank you Vicky, and aww I hope your days are brighter and less lonely now 🙂
jen says
happy 5 years anniversary ms. paris! more years to come! i hope my blog would last this long too! i’ve always love your blog! 😀
p.s. u don’t look silly on that pic above, u actually look like song hye kyo’s character from full house ;D
Paris B says
Thank you Jen for your support and for likening me to Song Hye Kyo who is uber gorgeous 😀 I wish you the best in your blogging too!
Jenn says
Happy Blog Birthday MWS! Here’s to many more blog birthdays to come! 😀
And oh come on, you and stupid don’t exist in the same sentence, so keep those adorable pictures coming! You know we love them! Haha!! 😀
Paris B says
Thank you so much Jenn! I’ll continue being silly for your viewing pleasure hehe… 🙂
peach_ says
Happy 5th anniversary!!! 😀 Keep it up! CHEERS, Paris!
Paris B says
Thank you Peachy! 😀 Keep up the good work on yours too! 😉
Tine says
Happy blogaversary darling! 5 years! What a milestone. Here’s to many more years of blogging goodness from you 😀 *break out bubbly on your behalf*
Paris B says
*downs lots of bubbly* Thanks so much Tine 😀 You know what this means? That we’ve known each other just a bit longer than this – quite a milestone too I’d say 😀
Cas says
Happy 5th B’day MWS and here’s to many more years and reviews to come!
Paris B says
Thank you Cas 😀 I hope to keep going 🙂
Aisyah says
wow, 5 years! that’s a long milestone! happy anniversary MWS! 😀
Paris B says
Thank you Aisyah! Its like 50 years in internet years hehe…
Lumi says
Yayy, Happy 5th anniversary! I’m a new reader to your blog. I was looking for some reviews a few weeks ago. I skim reviews on sites and I don’t usually linger much longer after. But I was drawn to your blog after the very first review. ^^
Thank you for the great info and keep up the good work! 🙂
Paris B says
Thank you so much Lumi and welcome to my blog! 😀 I hope you stick around 😀
Jess says
Thanks for all the sharing !! Happy 5th Anniversary!
Paris B says
Thank you Jess 😀
gio says
Happy 5th anniversary! Here’s to many more!
Paris B says
And to you too Gio! Thank you 😀
Honey says
Love your blog. Happy Anniversary MWS!
I’m sure I benefitted from your blog reviews and recommendation but I must say the retailers benefitted more $$$!:)
Paris B says
Thank you so much Honey! And I think its time to seek commission yes? hehe… 😉
Helen Nguyen says
Aww you’re so sweet Paris. Happy the 5th Birthday! Wish you’ll have many more to come 🙂 I’m a new follower of your blog *shy face,lol*. But right away I can see the difference in your blog that stands out from most of the blogs that I been reading. There’s definitely a sense global community here that you have created and not much ppl have succeeded of doing so, or even thought of it.
And other thing is, I have to admit that I sooo dislike the word ‘stupid’. Don’t like hearing ppl saying it and totally hate when ppl calling each others that. If theres some one disliking the ways you take pics, I still dont think they have the rights and should have respects to express it kinder way. But if you just say it to yourself, then you shouldn’t – You should always be nice to yourself 😉
Paris B says
Thank you Helen 😀 No need to be shy, even if you are new. I’m so happy that you sensed the community feel I’ve been trying to cultivate here on my blog, and that you are joining us. I think its more fun this way, learning and sharing together, don’t you think? And thanks too for the advise. Perhaps I should amend it to say silly instead 😉