‘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
LOVE this!
Happy 5th birthday/anniversary to MWS and here’s to many more blogging years to come :).
Thank you Dani! 😀 I’m so pleased to have gotten to know you in this time 😀
Getting to know the bandits is one of the top highlights of starting my blog as well! Happy 5th, Paris <3 May the next 5 be filled with even more joy and prettiness 🙂
Thank you Xiao! I’m so happy to have gotten to know you and the bandits and to have met you even! Maybe the next time it’ll be with the rest of them 😀 <3
Happy blog-anniversary 🙂 5 years and keep going strong 🙂
Thank you for the support (and for bearing with my occasional rants) 😉
Happy 5th Birthday MWS!!!
Congrats paris! ^^
it’s been great enjoyment to read your blog every day!
It’s very nice of u to share us reviews, stories and reflections like this one! =) made me wann blog too hehe but again I don’t think I have time >.<
More discipline and time management skills needed! XD
Hi Gin, thank you so much for your support! It means a lot to me 🙂
Congratulations to PB and MWS for 5 years of awesomeness! 🙂 I really love reading your blog every morning~ 🙂 Thanks for putting in so much effort! Kudos to you! 😀
Thank you so much! Come hang around more yes? 😉
Happy 5th anniversary!!!! So so honor to be able to read this blog n knowing you…
Keep on going!!!!! Luv always!!!!!
Aww that was very sweet Priscilla. Thank you so much for the support 🙂
congrats with blog!!! happy 5 year anniversary!!!! keep up the great work!!!
Thank you Leesa, I will! 😀
Happy 5th Birthday MWS! Hopefully there will be 5 more to come. 🙂
MWS has become such a daily routine for me that every morning without fail, I will be checking MWS for new posts while I am getting my daily dose of Starbucks.
Keep up the great work Paris! 😀
I hope so too! And I’m so honoured to have replaced the morning paper hehe… 😉 Thanks for the support!
Happy Birthday MWS! If this site was a kid, it’ll be in it’s 2nd year of kindergarden~ Bwahahahaha. This means that I’ve been stalking this blog for the 3rd year running hahahaha~
Thank you Hanny and OMG you’re right! One day, I’ll wake up and this blog’ll be a teen with all its attendant tantrums… and where will that leave me? 😉
Congratulations on 5 years! Very valuable lessons. I’m still learning to prioritize.
Thank you Kuri and realizing the need to prioritize the different aspects of my life has made a lot of things easier to bear 🙂 Its a slow learning process but one when you do learn, is invaluable 🙂
Happy Anniversary PB! I will continue supporting your blog! If you enjoy blogging, I enjoy reading it! What I really love about you is you take time to respond to every comment that I make. 🙂 Thanks 🙂
Thank you so much Issa! I appreciate your support all the way from the Philippines! Wow! 😀
Congratulations!
I have stopped blogging since I started working and taking my master the same time.
Sigh…
Thank you Stephy. Its a big thing, working and studying and that will leave you little time for much else 🙂 Maybe you can get back to it once you’re done with your studies 🙂
Happy 5th Year Anniversary dear!!! Oh my, we’ve known each other for quite some time then huh? And I’m glad to have finally met you outside of the cyberworld last year…and twice!!!! I agree with all your Blogging Lessons and I’m so happy to agree with all your points (no wonder we’re friends) and Life is too short to sweat the small stuff! I TOTALLY AGREE!
I am praying for another meetup! Someday!!!
Thank you Nikki! *hugs* I can’t believe its been so long since we’ve “known” each other too! I hope to be able to meet up again soon. Who knows what lies in store for us right? 😀
congrats and happy 5th anniversary! i hardly comment but have been quitely reading, all these while. thank you so much for taking the time to share. 🙂
Thank you Missoopsie 😀 I truly appreciate your support! Don’t be a stranger now 😉
Happy 5th anniversary! Here’s to another 5 strong years 🙂 Cheers and a job well done. I’ll help you pat your back. Don’t break your bones. Lol!
Thank you Lily 😀 And thanks for the pat – I’m afraid these old bones can’t handle too many contortionist poses anymore hehe… 😉
Congratulations on turning 5! Your beauty blog was the first one I discovered and I’m so happy that it’s still going strong and getting better each year. Here’s to many awesome blog posts ahead!
Thanks Dom 😀 Am glad to see your blog going on strong too! 😀
Happy birthday to your blog! 🙂 I’ve found many of your posts very inspiring and you’re so sweet to offer advice for novice bloggers. I’ve been blogging about beauty products for close to 2 years now but I still feel it’s very new! :p
Thank you so much! I’m glad to know that you enjoy the occasional post outside of beauty because I’m never quite sure if it flies 🙂 2 years in the blogging scene is very commendable. Keep up the good work!
Congratulations and Happy 5th Anniversary! Great tips for dealing with the trials and tribulations in life and they are the same ones that I have begun to realise/accept as well. I like to think that these are the little bits of wisdom that comes with age! LOL!
Thank you and are you calling me old, Isabel? 😉 Kidding hehe… yes I will agree with you that realizations like this do come with age and experience. When I was younger, I was idealistic and hot headed. These days I’m a little cooler and less impulsive. I think I’m happier as a result 😀
Happy 5th Birthday MWS! Well done and keep up the amazing work!
Thank you Monstro! Can’t believe its been 5 years 😀
Happy 5th Blogoversary PB – gosh, has it really been that long? Seems like the years have just flown by since your humble blogspot days! 😀
Plenty more to come, so bring on the champagne and chocolate (oranges!) 😉
Thanks Bee *hugs*! I can’t believe its been 5 years already and to think that means I’ve known you longer than that even! :O Yay to chocolate oranges – just the Terry’s ones please! 😉