Monday, March 4, 2013

A confident change in direction




Many of you know that the last year or so has been one of huge change for me, one which has also seen my self confidence quietly diminish as I questioned over and over again what exactly I am meant to be doing, whether or not I should keep this blog and whether I even have anything meaningful to contribute to the blogopshere. It would be a hard decision to end the blog as I love being able connect with all of you and I also love having a little corner of the internet where I get to create everyday.

Yet for a while now something has been bothering me; I haven't felt that this little space is a true reflection of me anymore, or rather, who I am today. While I will always appreciate the lovely, I guess I have changed so much from when I first started this blog and now I can't get over the feeling that I want more. I want more satisfaction from being able to help people and I want more satisfaction from knowing that my blog is a reflection of my true self, which I am afraid it is not.  

I started this blog from a very different place to where I am now, a whole lifetime ago. I was newly married and in need of inspiration for setting up our first home together. But since then, things have changed dramatically - I am on a different journey, and now it is time for a new direction.

Fashion and style will always be my first love, and while it may be considered superfluous, I love it not because of the trends, or the latest from the runway, I love it because as women, we have the ability to define our own style. And with the style we create comes confidence, a confidence which allows us to shine and be the very best version of ourselves.

My other love that has been left off this blog is my overwhelming passion for health and fitness. Yes I have touched on it, but I have never really felt this was the right space to fully explore the topic and how big a part of my daily life it actually is. This passion has in fact prompted me to begin the next part of my journey where I have just enrolled to become a Holistic Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition

I have had so much angst over these two conflicting passions of mine and trying to figure out how they could fit together harmoniously. But only recently has it all started making sense: the common thread between the two is confidence and self love. When we commit to loving ourselves and are healthy, exercising and feeling our best, our self-confidence soars. By the same token, when we define our own style and our exterior matches what our heart is telling us on the inside, we develop the confidence to truly be comfortable with who we are.

So, I will be launching a new blog where I will be making it my mission to inspire women everywhere to create a life that is led by self love: one that is underpinned by living a healthy lifestyle and defining your own style; a life where you are overflowing with confidence, feeling good on the inside and not just looking good on the outside.

What does this all mean I hear you say? Well I'm in the process of setting up my new digs. I'm going all fancy with a grown up .com domain and will be making the move over to Wordpress. This is going to take a little while as I'm working with an amazingly talented lady to get it all designed and looking pretty. The next few months will be crazy as I dive head first into my course and really immerse myself into my new world, so I have decided to take a hiatus from blogging until the dust has settled and I have my new digs set up.

Thank you for bearing with me here and the long essay, but I wanted to give you an honest update on where my head and heart are at and what has been keeping me pre-occupied over the last few months. 

In the meantime, I will still be on Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram and I will definitely pop back in here to let you know where my new place is at! {you will also notice that I have updated my profile handles to my full name}.

Before I go, I want to thank everyone who has been reading this little blog - whether you are new here or have been a long-time reader - I truly am grateful that you have taken the time out of your day to stop by and I hope you are excited to continue the journey with me.

Much love,
Rachel xx


Image via

48 comments:

  1. I have not been a follower for a huge amount of time but I have loved every post since I started following. Thanks for being a dose of loveliness in my everyday and all the best with the new direction. Do keep me posted on whatever you do next, you have my email Xx

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  2. Thank you Sarah for your beautiful words, they mean so much! I will of course keep you posted on what the next plans are xxx

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  3. Good luck with everything, Rachael. Looking forward to see your new website when it is ready. Enjoy your course ;-)

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    1. Thank you so much Lisa, I will be sure to let you know when it's up! xx

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  4. Rachel, I've enjoyed this space of yours so much and I've loved "meeting" you. I applaud the fact that you're following what really inspires you, and I'm sure the new site will be just as fabulous as Little bits of Lovely has been. Good luck, all the best, and looking forward to this new chapter :)

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    1. Thank you so much Gaby; it has been wonderful to 'meet' you too! This is definitely not the end by any stretch, only the beginning xx

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  5. The best of luck with your new venture, Rachel! Looking forward to your sharing it with us. :)

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  6. How amazing + exciting Rachel! There's nothing greater in life than being able to follow your heart's passions and to be doing what you love. I look forward to seeing what you have in store and can't wait to follow along. God's blessings on your new journey!! xx

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  7. I'm so proud of you, Rachel! Can't wait to see what comes next in your journey and we'll all be here waiting for your return! xoxo

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    1. Aw, thanks Viv you are the best! I'm so excited for this new direction and know that I'lll be back with loads more good stuff to come xx

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  8. I can't wait to see what you do next Rachel! Dropping by your blog always inspires me so I cannot wait to see what is up your sleeve:) Good luck in this new chapter! xoxo

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  9. So awesome reading this post Rachel. While I must admit I'm a bit disappointed to hear this space won't be any longer, I'm thrilled to hear that you've decided to follow your own heart and move in a direction that really feels right for you. I support you all the way, me, an internet friend, and all the way far away, but I support you nonetheless. Your energy is what really captivates your audience, and that will translate naturally, regardless of the content you're speaking about.

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    1. Thank you Annie for your beautiful comment and amazing support; I'm so lucky to have met you though blogging and will keep you updated for sure on the journey! xx

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  10. Oh my gosh Rachel! I'm so excited for this new direction! :)

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  11. Congratulations Rach on making the leap! Your style and lovliness will surely translate to the new project and I can't wait to see it. Thanks for all the Little Bits of Lovely over the years! xx

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    1. Thank you Rene, it has been so great to have your support :) Looking forward to catching up soon! xx

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  12. Good on you Rachel! I love you blog but I think perhaps much like you, I love seeing people branch out, try new things and be true to who they are. It's funny because my other great passions in life besides design and styling are nutrition, health and exercise but I never really mention that on my blog either. I've read the intergrative nutrition ebook and think the course will be so interesting. Thanks for all the little bits of lovely over the years and looking forward to seeing what the next chapter brings for you :)

    Abbey x

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet words Abbey! I will let you know how the course goes if you are interested in it too. My sister did it last year and thought it was fantastic, plus there are quite a few other aussies doing the course now too xx

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  13. Oh sweet girl. how exciting. Sometimes starting new things can be scary but they can also be amazing. Good luck lady!

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  14. This is so exciting! I can't wait to read the new blog! xx

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  15. That's wonderful news Rachel! Good luck with your new adventure and the next stage of You... you're on your way!:) Looking forward to your updates too. xx

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  16. Hi Rachel, I'm new to the blogosphere community and when I stumbled across {little bits of lovely} I was immensely inspired. I started this journey, as I too felt a gnawing feeling that I wasn't being true to my authentic self and wanted to see where that would lead me. Congratulations, I look forward to following your new venture from the beginning.

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  17. how exciting! as someone who was going through something very similar last year (and still do from time to time), i say get it, girl! looking forward to learning more about you through this new lens, and i hope that it is deeply fulfilling for you! ox

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  18. Hi Rachel! Well, although I will be sad to no longer have the little bits of lovely you share with the internet, I am really happy for you and hope that this decision to move in a new direction brings you a new sense of happiness and authenticity. This blog was a real inspiration to me, and it was something that brought me a lot of pleasure to linger over a few times a week - I shall be sure to check out your new site and look forward to hearing your updates :)

    Best of luck with everything, stay beautiful :)

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  19. Hi Rachel
    I'm excited for you and looking forward to seeing your new project! I know you'll make it every bit as successful as Little Bits of Lovely has been, and enjoy it even more. Nic

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  20. Dear Rachel, I loved reading your honest and thoughtful post I am so happy you are following your passion in life :) I look forward to following you on the next steps of your journey. Good luck with the course and a tap dance for you for following your dreams xxx Carla

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  21. I always enjoy visiting your lovely blog - in fact I think it was one of the first blogs I started reading! Good luck with the next chapter in your life and I look forward to seeing your next project. Hope it's not too long before we hear from you again! Best wishes from miss b x
    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

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  22. I look forward to joining you on your new path! I value fitness and understand the significance of establishing self love. I'm up for the new "type" of inspiration that you'll be sending our way. Thank you in advance!!

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  23. Excited about your new beginnings, Rachel!! Can't wait to see what this new chapter brings!

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  24. Dear Rachel, as you know, I have been a big fan of your blog: your impeccable taste for beautifl things, your cool style and your positive energy. It has been such a pleasure knowing you in person and I'm sure your next (digital) adventure will be great and I will be looking forward to it. Best of luck! Caterina

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  25. Hello Rachel,

    Just wanted to thank you (before it was "too late"!) for your regular inspiration. You have great style, and you should feel confident about it! I generally save your beautiful quotes in my personal "inspiration" folder, and they always brighten up my day.

    Looking forward to what comes next for you!

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  26. Rachel! This is all to exciting for you. Congratulations on consistently following your heart, whichever way it is leading you. You have to do things each and everyday that just simply make you happy.
    I love your blog here but am very much on board to follow what your future endeavors are. Make sure you look after yourself during this transition as you know from a health perspective, this is so important.
    Until you are back in blogosphere world we will of course have our other channels to stay in touch.
    Wishing you all the very best lovely lady
    xoxox

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  27. Rachel, it has been a pleasure following you along your blog and life journey and I cant wait to see what your next project is going to be, best of luck! x

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  28. It's always such a joy to stop by and be fashion inspired - I am so looking forward to all the new inspiration to come! I'm a huge fan of holistic health/nutrition and am actually working on schooling for just such a thing right now! I'm excited to see what you bring to the table. All the best and see you soon on your new site :) xo

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  29. Rach, Ive been away from the blogosphere for a while now but so happy to have crossed paths with you all over again! Look forward to more catch ups online in the future + cant wait to see your new blog x Tegan

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  30. I apologize for being so late in telling you, but congratulations, Rachel! This is so perfect for you and I'm so excited to follow along on your new endeavors. Anxiously awaiting more news! xo

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  31. Rachel- I've loved following along and reading all this time. I am SO happy for you and your new journey in life! Best of luck with your new program, website, and business. Looking forward to visiting the new blog when the time comes, too! xoxo, Annemarie

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  32. Hi Rachel! A bit of a belated message I'm afraid! Sad to hear that this is the end of this blog as it has been a long time favourite but super excited for your new adventure and future career. Look forward to catching up soon in your new online space xx

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  33. Rach this sounds like a wonderful new project and direction - I cannot wait to see your new blog and business. In the meantime good luck with the study and I hope to see you soon!! xxx

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  34. Congrats to you on making such a big decision! I'm so so so excited for your new site. I've always been drawn to a holistic lifestyle and been a nutrition fanatic from a young age, but just recently I have been pulled more and more in that direction. We just watched "Forks over Knives" last night, and it solidified my recent desire to become a vegetarian. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us!

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  35. Good luck with your new challenge Rachel! I'm sure it will be awesome. :)

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  36. Sending you lots of positive vibes for your new venture, Rachel. I've loved following Little Bits of Lovely and look forward to your new blog. Hugs from London! Will

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  37. This post is so lovely,thanks for sharing <3
    All the best!

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  38. I haven't been here in a while but I'm so excited for you and this venture!
    xoxo

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