Sundaze 246: 13 Years of Daisybutter

Happy Sundaze, and hello 2023!

I originally planned to take all of January off to recalibrate Daisybutter, but it turns out that those rainy Betwixmas days were just the ticket for some time away to top up inspiration levels and freshen things up around here. Do you like what I did with the place? 😉

13 years of Daisybutter!

Today marks 13 years of Daisybutter, a feat I’ve never actually imagined. THIRTEEN. While the blogging community has dwindled to a quiet, gentle murmur, I’m still glad to have kept on writing through the years. I also realised that as much as Daisybutter has grown tired on and of me, I’d be nowhere without it. Really. Truly. In recalibrating the blog, I’ve been able to revisit all 2,800+ posts that I’ve penned since late 2009 (okay, so the blog is a little over 13 years old!) and it’s been really rewarding to see the self-growth journey I’ve been on. After all, life itself is just that: a journey.

I took a moment to note down every single brand collaboration I’ve taken on, every accolade I’ve achieved, and I am so beyond proud of late teen Michelle for starting a public blog all those years ago. And, I am so grateful for the community we’ve built here! You all feel like friends to me, even if through a screen and behind a whisper-thin online façade.

January’s habits

I shared my 2023 goals and hopes on Wednesday, and already I’m forgetting what some of them are. But so far, January feels great. I’m already a regular gym-goer, so have happily kept up with my usual schedule. I’m THRILLED to have migrated into my new bullet journal. Overall, I just love the fresh feeling that a new month and year brings. Later today, I plan to finish decluttering my overflowing makeup collection – being a long-term blogger means you end up with huge amounts of PR gifts!

Another little habit I’ve picked up – just for this month – is to use my Betterday Studio ’30 Days of Gratitude’ journal. I received this in a press bundle from Victoria, and thought it’d be perfect to kickstart the year with: undated, daily exercises to help you appreciate all the positives from your life. So far, I’d really recommend it!

New horizons

With my break from work and normal programming over the holidays – and some spare evenings – I tinkered with what stood. I have since archived almost all of my posts, refreshed my blog design and loosely planned my future content, and now I’m celebrated 13 (THIRTEEN!) years of blogging here. *and breathe*

Michelle – and Daisybutter – in 2023 is a very different person to who she was in 2009 when the blog was founded. Of course I am. I was a teenager then, and I’m now in my 30s. When I was writing an end-of-year reflection in my bullet journal, I realised that I’m already a wholly different person than I was at the start of the year. And that’s incredible, isn’t it? For many, many reasons, I concluded my reflection: “I feel like I’ve stepped into myself at last.”

It was this line that motivated me to make new and start fresh (almost). I’ve been clinging on to bad habits, old blogging trends and ways, and plenty of other things for too long. With my twenties archived offline and online, I feel ready to create – actually create – content that feels like me again, as well as share more personal posts. For months, or maybe years, I didn’t feel compelled to shoot beautiful photos to sit alongside curated words. Now, I want to do just that again. Slower, more considered, more connected.

So, what can you expect here?

My beloved ‘Open-hearted joys’ and ‘Sundaze’ series will continue on an alternating fortnightly basis – they’ll be the only posts adhering to any sort of schedule, too. They have always been my favourites to put together and they’re actually a big reason that I didn’t delete this site. I’m also going to be sharing mindful observations of the world around me, like I always have, focusing especially on the minutiae of everyday life, living a lower-impact life and capturing the world in my 30s. Over time, I’ll also republish and reshoot some of my older features – the ones I’m still proud of after all these years.

From a style perspective – after all, that’s where I began and moved back to – I’m especially excited to revisit the popular and interactive Ways to Wear series I started at University. (It earned me a First Class mark, for goodness’ sake!) Fashion is a huge part of my life, and I’m really excited to bring it back to Daisybutter with a sustainable twist – just like I do for my full-time gig.

Whew!

What a bumper return.

As always, I’m just happy to be here.

Posts This Week

Links I’ve Loved

Stephanie at The Espresso Edition shared 23 books on their 2023 reading list, along with all the reasons why. Perfect if you’re planning to read more this year.
I always try to clean up my eating a little at the start of a New Year and this Tahini Harissa Roasted Cauliflower sounds delicious.
On that note, this Creamy Vegan Potato Soup also sounds incredible. It’d be great for cosy wintry nights with a bowl of roasted vegetables sprinkled with chilli flakes and garlic.
I’ve been burning my new Overose Pain au Chocolat candle while I work and it smells incredible!
These positive affirmations on Lavendaire are a great reminder of why you’re great. Bookmark for low and anxious days.
The inimitable Sade at In My Sunday Best shared a beautiful New Year’s Eve post.
I’m really enjoying hanging out with my bookstagram community lately. If you’re into books and reading, come and join the cosy fun at @daisybutterbookcafe.