How to Start a Blog: An Introduction to Onward + Updos

Ringing in 2019 with my crew, my heart…the OGs. ❤️😎

Admittedly, this title is a little misleading. (I am building trust already!) It took me ten years to get to this point. For ten years, the idea of starting a blog has sat inside my head doing nothing. I’ve stressed over every detail: how will it look? what will it say?  I’ve dreamed up the creative, bought domain names, brainstormed topics and themes – everything but actually starting the freaking blog. But here I am, ten years later! (I’m late to everything, so this works on multiple levels.)

The common adage, “sometimes life doesn’t go as planned” has certainly been true for me.  (And by “sometimes” I mean a lot of times.) I suspect it’s true for you, too. My 30s have been interesting in ways I never could have imagined. I never thought divorce would be part of my story. I never thought I would leave my legal career (after investing countless hours and tens of thousands of dollars into it). I never thought I would find myself trying to navigate the modern dating scene. 😳🤦🏻‍♀️ I have been a single mom to two toddlers who required more energy than I had to give most days. I have struggled financially. I have experienced deep betrayals. My faith has been undone. 

But as I exit the last year of my 30s, I realize I am leaving this decade much stronger, more resilient and more fearless than 29-year-old me could have ever imagined.  I have experienced the joy and peace that comes with being single. I continue to grow professionally on a path I dreamed of when I leapt from my legal career. I am confident and resolved in what I need in a life partner. I have watched my children mature from snot-nosed munchkins who were so much work to brilliant pre-teens who are SO. MUCH. FUN.  I am teaching myself greater accountability and balance in my finances. I am rediscovering my faith in a new, honest way. I have learned what true friendship looks like.

So last fall, when I [finally] decided to move from “wanting to start a blog” to “starting a blog,” I texted my good friend, Hillary. Hillary is an absolute whiz with words, and I needed a good blog name. After asking a few questions, she started rapid-fire texting me (this is the only way Hillary texts, btw) with one clever name after another. 

Then she hit me with “Onward & Updos.” 

Like “onward and upward” except, you know, way classier and with good hair. I let this sink in for a moment. It was perfect. Through all the surprises and challenges life has thrown at me, my mindset has always been onward and upward. 

Webster defines “onward and upward” (this is how I used to start all my high school papers) as “moving toward a better condition or higher level.” I can sincerely say I’ve never really been able to acknowledge failure in my life. I’m pretty sure this drives a lot of people crazy. Certainly, I’ve had more than my share of times where I’ve completely missed the mark, or where others' actions have hurt and disappointed me. But somehow, I’ve always viewed those as valuable lessons learned on my way to success, rather than “failure.” I strive daily to instill this same mindset in my kids. We’ve never let what many perceive as “setbacks” take us off course. We’ve learned to do things our own way. Many people in our lives don’t understand this (and are quite vocal on this point). However, one of the most incredible and unexpected gifts of my 30s has been to become completely okay with that.

I have finally settled on the fact that this blog – much like my life – may seem “all over the place.” I wear a lot of hats! I am a career-driven single mom with a love for all things fashion, food, and travel. Add to that my attempts to date, stay in shape (aka doing the bare minimum to avoid the stereotypical “harried mom” aesthetic), and make sure I can send my kids to college and retire someday – it’s a lot to keep up with! But it’s no different than any other mom – single or not – doing everything she can to give her kids a great life while trying to maintain her own sanity – and (gasp!) thrive. My life is rich and full, but also messy and busy and chaotic. I’m excited to share all the things I’m learning along the way, and truly hope you will share your own discoveries with me in return. God knows I need all the help I can get! We’re in this together and I can’t wait to start this online journey with you.